Thread: Managing recoil for a rookie shooter

I don't think this is something for which there's a definitive right or wrong answer. Find what works for you through experimentation.

A lot of people use a bipod and don't hold onto the front at all. It's mostly the weight of the rifle, the stock shape, and any suppressor or brake that's going to be mitigating recoil. This is evidently plenty sufficient for the countless shooters who are very successful with this approach. So who is to argue it's somehow wrong?

I'm in the other camp and do hold onto the front (or have a hand over the scope) whether I have a bipod or a bag. This helps me stay/get back on target better. Holding in addition to using some pretty hefty rifles with brakes, I'm spotting hits (and misses) with everything up to and including my 338 even at close ranges. Is spotting the be all and end all? No. And I feel that having an arm forward sometimes makes my body position less stable - so there's that. Does it matter so long as I am still more than stable enough to hit what I'm aiming at? Also no.