F-Class Ace Slings — With the Help of Former USAMU Coach

March 9th, 2023F Class Ace Shoots Sling — with Help from Former USAMU Coach
Two skilled Service Rifle shooters demonstrate the prone position. SFC Brandon Green is the multi-time High Power National Champion. Tony Chow is a skilled match shooter. NOTE: The current Service Rifle rules allow optics up to 2.5X. Jay Christopherson, 2020 Southwest Nationals F-Open Champion is one of the country’s top F-Class shooters. Jay uses a SEB Mini rear rest and a large rear bag to support his 22-lb F-Open rifle. Jay loves F-Class but was also interested in Service Rifle competition, where no external supports were allowed. The rifle is held with your arms and a strap. Some competitions in Service Rifle involve three positions (Standing/kneling/sitting and prone), while others require only prone. The sling is essential even in the prone position. Jay enlisted the assistance of Emil Praslick III (ex-USAMU rifle coach) to improve his Service Rifle “hard holding” technique. Jay’s scores on target increased immediately after Emil’s guidance and advice, as his ShotMarker electronic targeting system recorded. Jay stated that these targets showed Jay the difference between hacking it yourself and spending an hour with someone who is skilled in the field and can correct you if you make mistakes. These targets show Jay’s “before-and-after” Service Rifle results at 600 yards. Service Rifle, Prone at 600 Yards. Jay’s target BEFORE Praslick trained — impressive 194-3X with lots vertical. Jay’s target AFTER Praslick’s training — impressive 199-8X and significantly less vertical. All 20 shots were within a vertical range that was much smaller than the 10-Ring’s vertical height. This would have been a 200 if shot 16 had not gone wide to the left. Shot 16 was OUT OF the 10-Ring to its left, but you can see that it has almost perfect vertical elevation. Jay stated that Emil’s suggestions made a huge difference in how my hold felt. I felt completely different, and there was a lot less stress in my neck/arms than what I was feeling before. I actually felt quite good about the 194 yesterday. I hadn’t slung in two years and that was my highest score after load fixing. It is important to have someone explain what you are doing wrong.