How do you hold your PCP airgun?

[GadgetX]

Sounds like a dumb question but do you hold your PCP tightly shouldered, firm grip or loose.

I was noticed today shooting paper that if I hold my PCP loosely that groups differently than when I hold it tightly.  Believe it or not either way is somewhat repeatable just moves about 1/4" or so to the right when held loosely.  Also the .25 cal recoils somewhat if held loosely. 

Don't want to get into any bad habits as I shoot a PCP.

M

[nervoustrigger]

For me, it varies from rifle to rifle.  Just like a springer, only not as pronounced.  Higher power with heavy pellets and longer valve dwell seems to be a pretty good predictor of the extent to which the rifle cares how it's held.

[tracker1955]

From what I've experienced you just have to find out what the rifle wants, almost like the hunt for the best pellet, you will figure each one out as you shoot it enough, and then make mental and physical notes with muscle memory. My Marauder likes a somewhat relaxed hold where as my Disco prefers a tighter hold. Not sure this helps much.

[JoeKool]

 It seems that I always begin holding a rifle with my thumb position.   Once I establish a comfortable thumb position (usually a thumb up position) then I can grip the pistol grip properly.   My other fingers usually fall into a natural grip on various rifles once the thumb position is established.  I grip more in the medium strength rather than a light or heavy squeeze to the pistol grip.  Then use the padded mid area of my index finger to pull or rather squeeze the trigger straight back slowly until it goes off.  The position of my off hand varies depending on the type of shot.  Gun to gun this may alter.

[GadgetX]

Thanks all!

I guess there is no text book answer here.  Floating barrel .vs. fixed barrel, etc.........

M

[Ribbonstone]

Most of them still a have a moving weight (the striker) powered by a stiff spring, which smacks to a stop in a really short  valve stem compression (and likely some bounce/rebound)....so there is at least a tiny bit of springer-like movement during firing.  Some of the strikers are a lot heavier than you'd expect, but often just a small shift in POI (but a definate shift) from super lite hold to death-grip hold.

Yep..can feel it if you focus on it...can see it in many of the videos using scope cams...can see the little twitch/vibration of firing.

[GadgetX]

No heavy weight striker in Pulsar I am pretty sure.  It is totally quiet.  I am getting some recoil thou...

M

[triggertreat]

I like a mostly loose grip, but I do focus my grip beyond the shot.  Like Ribbs talked about, the hammer's strike vibrations can shift your shot before the pellet reaches the end of the barrel so I make sure my aim and hold stays true still a little after the trigger is released.  You might not have that issue though with the Pulsar but may have some recoil to wrestle with.

[Ribbonstone]

Had to look up a few things...that one probably shouldn't shift from the mechanics of firing as there shouldn't be much motion.    Always moves to the right?  assuming you are right handed, can you give it a try as a lefty and see if it still moves to the right?

Reason being, if it moves to the right  running as a righty AND running as a lefty, then I'd spect mechanical....if it doesn't shift or shifts to the left when running lefty, I'd suspect a biologic reason.

[redlined_b16a]

My AT44.....does not care how you hold it.

My BullBoss very hold sensitive when on a bipod.
Needs a firm hold on foregrip and tight against your shoulder.

[ranchibi]

With my Daystate HRXL I use a light trigger grip with my shoulder pushed just snug enough to limit movement..this is a repeatable hold for me and maybe why it works for me..LOL! But, trigger pull must also be unhurried for me to get consistent groups. As long as one can consistently repeat ones hold and trigger pull one should get repeatable POI all things being equal.

[Finn]

Does your gun have a large amount of trigger over travel, it has some importance especially when shooting offhand.

[GadgetX]

Electronic 2 stage trigger is seems extremely nice I think.   Welcome suggestions?

Trigger Video

M

[Dairyboy]

I used to have a more light hold but with my testing on my pcps recently that a nice firm hold is better which might just be for follow through more than anything.