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Dr.J
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Offhand Rifle
Nov 1st, 2023 at 9:17am
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A senior citizen with a real bad back who wants to continue shooting offhand with a single shot rifle, looking for suggestions . My ability to shoot is limited somewhat by the weight of a rifle AND especially where the weight is located. I’m able to shoot my lever action silhouette rifles weighing 7-8lbs without a problem. I am unable to shoot my 11lb CPA offhand due to its weight forward balance, despite having shortened the barrel to 24”.  My next move is to drill a hole in the stock, try different weights to see if that would help
I’m looking for a single shot rifle in the 7-9lb range with a balance point ideally located over where the fingers of my left hand (I shoot off the fingers of my left hand). Would a Martini Model 12 accomplish what I’m looking for and/or are there other rifles I should consider?  Thanks, Tom
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #1 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 11:34am
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Have you tried an offhand rifle with a palm rest yet? A palm rest on the forearm will really make holding and supporting the weight much easier. Especially if it's built and adjusted to fit you so when shouldered your left elbow rests against the body to help. Even heavier offhand rifles feel easier to hold with a palm rest.
  

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frnkeore
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #2 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 12:12pm
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Since you've already shortened the barrel, my suggestion would be to turn the barrel down to the weight you need.
  

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bnice
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #3 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 2:52pm
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I would also look at the length of pull on the rifle. a long stock puts more weight out front as well.how much shorter is your lever gun?
  
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25-20guy
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #4 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 3:41pm
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You have a PM
  
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Dr.J
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #5 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 10:52pm
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25-20 did you receive my response to your PM?
  
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Dr.J
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #6 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 11:07pm
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I have not tried shooting with a palm rest and need to do so.  Need to check the length of pull on both rifles. I also shoot .22 bpcr, hence the need to be able to shoot offhand. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Tom
  
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25-20guy
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #7 - Nov 1st, 2023 at 11:57pm
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It appears that my Microsoft provider is blocking emails from this site so not sure if you received pictures I sent. Please send me your email address if you would still like more pictures.
  
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gnoahhh
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Re: Offhand Rifle
Reply #8 - Nov 2nd, 2023 at 8:28am
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I'm in sort of the same boat. I'm inflicted with ankylosing spondilitis (sort of a weird auto-immune/arthritis kind of thing) that is slowly locking the vertebrae in my lower back and neck. It is what it is, doesn't slow me down much. But, it makes offhand shooting difficult to impossible. I'm working on a solution involving a canted palm rest, and will probably end up creating a mildly weird butt stock to help compensate for my inability to turn my head very much. Building upper body strength is key also, to help compensate for poor shooting posture. I'll not be a top offhand competitor but I would at least like to get back into the offhand game to a degree!

Regardless, in the meantime bench shooting certainly has its own rewards. Main thing is to keep pulling triggers and burning powder.
  
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