If it aint broke,don't fix it. FITZ>

Dick, 

Your issue is, in effect, with the ISSA. If you check I think you'll find that of the "Founding Fathers" only one even owned a coat, although most of them were shooting the ASSRA postals.

This issue came up at the membership meetings for the first few years at Raton, but when a BOD member says " I've been TOLD a coat doesn't make any difference" you'll understand why the rules are what they are.

Don't spit into the wind!

Dick no doubt a lot of the high power shooters swear by them but some of the best high power shooters don't strap in tight.

I never shot much match rifle but did shoot a lot of service rifle matches while in the Reserve and my take on the offhand skill level with over the course shooters is not real good.  Fact that a lot of guys wear jackets to me is not a ringing endorsement of jackets.

Best offhand shot in America today is Silouette and tight jackets are not allowed. We get a lot of high power guys that come to our Silouette matches, and very few ever make a showing.  Couple of cross over guys are pretty good though. in fact one of our best High power Silouette shooters is ex Service rifle and he claims the jacket makes no difference to him at all.

Anyway for Schuetzen in ASSRA it's shooters choice.  If I thought I could get some points out of one for my Hudson match would surely put the one gathering dust in my closet on.

Boats

Dick I would sell my soul for 75 points on the Hudson.  Mine is a ISU too.  Used when I was working out of the country and all I could shoot was the "English" match. 50M  Smallbore prone. They shoot under ISU rules.

I have shot the 10 M Air Rifle offhand some with it. Can't get the Gun to balance well with a palm rest, No hook to the buttplate like a Schuetzen, the rifle does not feel like it's anchored well with just a T shirt.  Anyway shoot it off hand held in the palm close to the trigger guard, elbow on the Shooting coat rather than hip rest. Everything is sticky so it gives a pretty good position.  And Using the ISU style glove.  Shoot the same rifle and target with a Silhouette vest too and can see the difference.

My two Schuetzens hang a lot different than the Air Gun. Steady due to the high cheek piece palm rest and hook plate.  My body can swing too but always go for a neutral point of aim, the rifle can swing back and forth but always wants to come back to center.  It's a fluid feel that I think I would miss strapped in.

But you never know, I may well give it a try indoors over the winter.  Luke and Blender ? just good shooters that's there key.

Boats

40 thats why they wear layers of sweatshirts under them , not for me thank you

Boats

Yes, that's the shoot I was refering to, I think Chuck Blender shot a 2185.

fred