I know we've discussed, at least within other topics, in the past.  Thought I'd bring it up as a stand alone topic.

What techniques do you use offhand?

I have always used the "jerk the trigger as you swing through the target" technique, more or less.  I try to not jerk the trigger, but pull steadily as I go across the target.  

Lately, in an effort to improve my offhand performance, I've been trying the "hardholder" technique, where I try to rigidly hold the target, and steadily pull the trigger, so when it goes off (usually a surprise to me), it's on the target.  

Using that technique with iron sights, I'm getting just over 10 m.o.a. 10 shot groups, with usually 6 to 8 within 7 m.o.a.  Usually two fliers open up the group.   My objective is to get to 5 moa consistently.    

Using the jerk the trigger technique, I think I get more center hits, but wider flyers.  I get smaller groups using the hardholder, but they're more random and less centers.

What are your techniques, and thoughts on the advantages of them?

This is from memory, back to 1994 when Jim Fern set the still existing 100 shot OH record at my Jefferson State Schuetzen Society match.

i believe he used a hard hold technique but, he dry fired in the house, every night for at least a hour. He then shot at least a brick of 22rf a week, OH. He was also big on having a rifle with as fast a lock time as was available. he shot a Miller. He said he would never shoot competitively with a hammer rifle.

Besides all that, he shot as many matches as he could get to from the NV area.

It's not something that comes easy and you have to have some natural talent, too.

Pull through, I used this one to improve my High Power and Small bore Silouette shooting. Came to me from David Tubbs first book. 

It worked for couple of reasons, timed match you don’t have time to wait it out. Ram and Pig targets wider than tall lateral error not as important.it works on small chickens and skinny turkeys too “ IF “ The gun needs a very good trigger and you can see the “spot” as it swings into the target.  As I get older shooting iron sight matches have trouble seeing the spot I want the bullet to strike . 

Our club Single Shot Ram Bash matches Shooting iron sights at a chosen spot on the target my long run average was 36 hits on 40 targets 90%.  CF 200 yards RF 75 yards. Target size scaled to present the same visual either match. This won several annual club championships scored best of 5 matches. Now shooting at the whole target average probably 32 80%. And not winning anymore. If I scoped the gun no doubt average would go up. But there not allowed.

David Tubb’s book is the pull through bible.

Boats

Would one of you gents please explain the “hard hold” technique. Thanks, Tom

The one thing I found that improved my off hand shooting was leaving my spotting scope at home on practice days.  

I still hang a target but once I got used to not being concerned where the bullets went (as long as they were hitting the backstop) and spent my energy concentrating on what was happening at the line, I developed a rhythm and routine that stuck with me when the score counted, and my match scores improved nicely.

(The above assumes that you have a well developed load, sight settings, and good bullets for matches.)

Dr.J wrote on Aug 12^th, 2026 at 7:49am:


I'd like to hear it also since it's new to me. 

Is it like tensing up your whole body and holding the rifle extremely tight and rapidly tapping on the trigger? I saw a shooter doing that. He does not like light triggers. 

My old buddy Dave Thorsen used to dislike light triggers. He broke the trigger spring in one of my HWs twice because he refused to set the triggers. I loaned him one of my high power rifles for a match and he broke the extractor on that one.  Dave was Norwegian. 

Everyone would do well to listen to “Boats”, who has been a long-time but seldom-seen acquaintance.  He is a thoughtful shooter, and seems to have studied the game more thoroughly than any other shooter of my acquaintance.. Years ago, I was a good and serious OH competitor (I once beat Olympic Champion Gary Anderson in an OH match) but having a job and raising a family took me out of the game for a while.

I still regard OH shooting as the high point of the shooting game, and lament that I can’t do it anymore.

CHRIS
RG Christensen

Dang Joe,  it is a fairly long drive to the desert from here.

Pardon me for the long post, here is the exciting conclusion:

I keep score on every shot as if I were at a match and try to duplicate the stress of shooting under pressure. I have also found that extraneous thoughts during the aiming process are the kiss of death. Not sure how to get rid of them, but I am working on it. 
I do not tighten my grip until the sights are settling down in the bullseye, and only maintain that grip for a second or two until the shot is fired. 
The point at which you should let the shot go depends on your comfort level with your amount of wobble. Hopefully, as your wobble area gets smaller over time, you will know what is right for you. Taking a swing at the bullseye as it passes through the sights never works for me, I need to have it move very slowly more or less centered on the bullseye. You have to develop or maintain a quick reaction time, which gets harder for me as I get older, at the same time not developing a jerk or disrupting the sights as you touch off the shot. Follow through is key here also, a good hold with poor follow through will ruin a good shot. 

This has been a process for me which is constantly evolving as I learn from the great advice of fellow shooters and my own experience. I hope it helps you out. 
Joe S

Kind words from Chris, the best shooter I’ve ever known, and good advice from Westerner. 

Once a shooter has all the basics to the point they are automatic the only thing that’s important is target focus. Putting the bullet on the exact spot . It’s the same with all shooting sports, some examples.

Most difficult shotgun sport is Sporting clays. Wide variance in targets  path and distance 100 shot matches two in the air at a time 50 presentations.  Best shot ever George Digweed uses the tightest chokes possible even on very close targets. His reason  is target focus, shifting to open chokes knowing wide pattern makes it easier would make him sloppy. Better to focus hard and not rely on wide patterns to break the target.

Steel Challenge another it’s shot 4 classes Rim and Center Fire Rifle and pistol, all standing.   100 shot match 20 5 target strings scored by time required to hit 5. 10 shot magazines 200 shots allowed you can re-shoot a miss but go back and re shoot one adds time. 2 seconds minimum more if  it its takes multiple to hit.
Target size distance and placement varies shooter plans the speed and sequence. Only requirement ones painted yellow and stops the clock when struck.

The key to time and winning is plan were you want the bullet to strike, fast on large targets slow down and be sure on small and don’t  miss the yellow stop plate. Only way to do well is move the gun smooth target to target and pull the trigger as the sight acquires the desired spot. You can’t count on reshooting misses hitting all first shot is critical.

The guns are very accurate ones my grandson and I use are Ruger 10/22’s. His much modified stock and trigger mine from the Ruger custom shop improved compared to regular Barrel Trigger and stock. Both use red dot sights no magnification with varying quick change dot size shape and intensity 

Few months ago I was practicing on our club Single shot rim fire Ram Bash course 75 yards, with my iron sight CPA. When I was younger and eyesight was better 90 % hits my long run average. 9 out of 10. Now 80 % more like it. Had the Ruger in the car. Didn’t want to change the red dots zero figured top of the rams back gave center body hits.  The first run 10 hits, next same 10, third 9 hits. Forth 10 score 39 this going slow target to target Ram Bash pace not Steel challenge speed 

Ruger had a higher hit % shot placement due to the sight and shooter placing the bullet not the gun.

Boats

Relax yer arse and practice.....

Water we got.  At least on the west side of the state.  We have a rainforest in the northwest on the Olympic Peninsula.

My definition  of "Hard Hold", is holding for center and not moving in from the side, top or bottom. Just point the sights at the bull and shoot for center. If your grouping low, move the sights up.

I might add that you need to relax your body as much as possible and not bend your neck, either.

Let the rifle come to you, not bend yourself up to fit the rifle. 

I learned everything that I can't do, from a very good High Power shooter, that helped me start my club.

"Somes got it and somes don't". 

Very few do in this sport that was founded by manly OH shooters. When I started, in the '80's, there were at least 20, OH shooters that could average 220 scores or close to it. I don't know of anyone that can do that now.

I'm no good at OH but, I would like to see that kind of shooting again.

This might be interesting:

I started my club in '86 with that High Power shooter I spoke of, John Haas and he was best friends with with Richard Corbin of bullet swaging fame. He and his bro, Dave were still together at the time.

Richard was the best OH, HP shooter on the West Coast at the time. John got him to shoot a SS in practice once and I got to talk to him. I ask about why he thought that he shot well and I wasn't expecting the answer he gave. He said that he could "will" the rifle to hold, long enough to get the shot off.

I tried hard to get him to join the club and shoot with us, I even offered a rifle and ammo for him. But, he was getting married and had lost interest in shooting.