Cheek Weld Pressure

[RKomodo]

Hello folks,

I am writing today to ask about your preferences regarding the pressure of your cheek weld. What approach do you like, and does that change depending on whether you are shooting prone, from the bench, or off-hand?

My background in rifle shooting is limited, and I do most of my shooting off-hand an within 100 yards. I have always used quite a firm cheek weld so that the flesh of my cheek is compressed and significantly puckered on the comb, and with my cheek bone resting decisively against the stock. It has been my feeling that this firm cheek-weld assists me with more consistent eye placement.

However, I noticed today that one of my more experienced range buddies contacts the stock with his cheek lightly and with only slight distortion of his flesh. We got to talking about the subject, and he voiced the opinion that a gentle cheek weld helps him to stay relaxed on the gun and that he is weary of exerting significant pressure on the stock with his face. This was during rimfire shooting I should add, as I suspect his technique may lead to a bruised cheek under substantial recoil.

What do you like, and why? And does that change, based on the circumstances?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Best regards,

Ryan

[dauntedfuture]

Check pressure should be natural. Your stock comb and scope ring height control this if you dont have an adjustable cheek piece.

[Wild Gene]

I personally think it is more a matter of consistency. What ever you do, with that particular rifle, needs to be repeated every time.

You really need to let the reticle "self center" within the scope tube, you need to have a round circle, and you need to see an even amount of black around that circle every time.

You need to have an amount of pressure that enables you to do that every time you fire the rifle.

wg

[RKomodo]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

I certainly agree that consistency is key.

I add material to the comb of my stocks to position my eye where I want it, given my rings and posture. But one I'm there, should I aim at letting my head rest on the stock like I was about to fall asleep on it, or would you recommend exerting some muscle pressure in addition to just the force of gravity.

Best regards,

Ryan

[TonytheTiger]

I have found all my best groups are shot with my big heavy melon completely resting in the stock, but no muscle tension at all. Muscle tension has always negatively affected my groups. I have no idea what serious bench rest guys do but this is what works for me, and I can tell in my group sizes when I forget to consistently lay on the stock.

[RippinSVT]

I have found all my best groups are shot with my big heavy melon completely resting in the stock, but no muscle tension at all. Muscle tension has always negatively affected my groups. I have no idea what serious bench rest guys do but this is what works for me, and I can tell in my group sizes when I forget to consistently lay on the stock.

Benchresters barely touch the gun period. No pressure anywhere, gun naturally pointing on target, touch trigger, repeat. The only time I've seen people shoot well with a hard-hold and/or hard cheek weld is of a bipod with the legs loaded up. Even F T/R guys barely hold the gun, just light shoulder pressure, light cheek weld, bang.

[ToddKS]

I find that lighter cheek pressure works best for me. If you are pressing on the stock heavily with your head you will affect how the gun tracks in recoil. This is why Bench and FTR shooters use techniques as RippinSVT describes.

To address your other question, my cheek pressure does vary with position. The less supported the rifle is the more pressure I tend to have on my cheek weld. I am not sure if this is textbook correct but it is what I have found works for me.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk