Our friend James Eagleman of the Barbour Creek Long Range Hunting & Shooting School teaches us how to reduce muzzle flip when shooting off a tripod.

By James Eagleman

Let’s compare shooting from a prone or bench position versus a tripod. If you read our last post featuring James Eagleman’s tips, he recommends having parity with the prone position when shooting off a bench. Essentially, what this means is that you’re leaning all your body weight into the gun and bipod like you would from the prone position. This way there’s very little room for the rifle to move. James calls this “preloading.” 

 

He also recommends having a good rear support bag. This will allow you to squeeze and hold the rifle so that there’s no dip in the back, causing what’s known as vertical stringing, which is when your shots are consistently higher or lower than your point of aim. Vertical stringing can be caused by a multitude of factors such as inconsistent ammunition, improper sight alignment, variations in bullet velocity, improper trigger control or breathing, and of course your shooting position.

Starting on the Bench

It’s typically a good idea to start from the bench when you can. Here, you can check wind speed and direction and dial your distance to the target. And the further the target, the more important it is to have these calculations. 

Then, send a couple rounds down range and make any further necessary adjustments.

Notice how much James leans into the gun each time he’s preparing to fire. You can also see that the rifle doesn’t move once he’s in his “preloading” position nor is there much recoil as he squeezes the trigger.

Notice how much James leans into the gun each time he’s preparing to fire.

Reduce Muzzle Flip on a Tripod

As James switches over to a tripod, he first shows us how most people position themselves with two of the three legs horizontal and closest to your body. Seems natural, right? It’s the way we use a spotting scope or even a camera on a tripod. The only difference is a camera doesn’t have recoil when you press the shutter release.

The problem with this positioning while shooting a rifle is that your whole setup can lean back quite a bit during recoil, sending the barrel upward and causing vertical stringing. Even a pro like James can’t hold the tripod steady when shooting this way.

So, let’s look at the right way and how James teaches his students.

Instead of positioning two of the legs horizontally in relation to your body, James recommends having the third leg pointing toward you to help steady the tripod and get rid of some of the muzzle flip. As you will notice, minimizing barrel movement during recoil kept the impacts almost on par with those from the bench. 

 

James discusses how to compensate for shooting from a Tripod at Long range.

Selecting a Tripod for Long Range Hunting

When selecting a tripod for long range hunting, several key features should be considered to ensure optimal performance in the field. Look for a tripod with sturdy and lightweight construction, as it needs to withstand outdoor conditions while remaining portable for ease of transportation. Long range hunters weigh their gear in ounces and the wrong tripod can quickly put you over the limit.

Look for adjustable leg extensions and a reliable locking mechanism, both of which are essential to finding stable positioning on various terrains. The tripod's head should offer smooth pan and tilt movements, enabling precise adjustments for tracking and aiming at distant targets. Last thing is you’ll also want to check out the compatibility of your rifle with the tripod. 

Make the Most of Your Setup

No matter where you’re hunting or shooting, make the most of your setup by employing the proper gear and techniques. Sure, a tripod has its drawbacks. But sometimes it could be your only option due to its height when hunting in the western sagebrush. Still hunting whitetails in the eastern hardwoods could also call for a tripod when you know there is minimal time and small windows to take an ethical shot.

It’s also important to remember that you can kneel or sit when using a tripod; you’re not required to stand and shoot. Again, a lot of this is going to depend on the terrain you’re hunting in.

The last thing to note regarding shooting off a tripod is that, in general, your shots are going to make impact a quarter minute higher when shooting between 600 and 900 yards. James’ solution is to use your turret. Go ahead and dial for the distance. Then, to compensate for the inevitable muzzle flip, come down a quarter minute. If you’re shooting out to a thousand yards or more, come down a half a minute.

 

For more tips like this one, check out the Level 2 course at James Eagleman’s Barbour Creek Long Range Hunting & Shooting School.

Who is James Eagleman?

1SG (RET) James Eagleman is a 26-year Army, Sniper and Master Instructor. He was selected as the Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Sniper School and U.S. Army Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC) and was a Master Instructor for the US Army, teaching ITC.

James not only brings years of military experience with combat and deployments overseas, but also has many years training civilians in long-range hunting, internal, and external ballistics. His revolutionary wind calling technique is considered by many to be the most comprehensive taught anywhere in the world.

James instructs all the Barbour Creek long range shooting schools and is committed to providing his clients with the skills and knowledge to make that once-in-a-lifetime shot whenever and wherever it presents itself. Their long-range hunting school is all-inclusive, providing lodging, full-course meals, rifles, and ammunition for a reasonable price. Learn More.