When shooting rifle standing what is the proper way, elbow down or out? I've been told when shooting .22 matches to hold my elbow out 90 degrees. IDK why. What does it do?



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When shooting rifle standing what is the proper way, elbow down or out? I've been told when shooting .22 matches to hold my elbow out 90 degrees. IDK why. What does it do?



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Your pics have 2 style rifles. 

A mostly vertical pistol grip will cause your arm to be more naturally toward your body because of the angle of your wrist.

A traditional rifle stock is more horizontal, making it more natural for you to hold the stock behind the trigger in an upward angle.  This is how I normally hold a shotgun when skeet shooting.

Keeping the elbow lower and near the body provides more support to keep the rifle steady.  Might be why many put AR-style and thumb hole stocks on their 10/22s.

I'm not a rifle expert.  I just know keeping the elbows in is better for stability.  I learned that long ago when I first took photography classes. 

Depends on the gun for me.  With more traditional rifle stocks like mosins and garands, I find it way more comfortable with the elbow out.  Plus it fits in the shoulder better.  AR's the elbow down feels better for me.

there is no right or wrong way, what ever way works better for you is the way you should hold.

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If you're going tactical then it's elbows in. You don't want to "chicken wing" it .  Elbow could get caught on corners and doorways and throw you off of your shooting platform   (and it hurts like hell when going high speed) it also exposes the armpit area where projectiles like to sneak in between your body armor.  If hunting or target shooting then I guess whatever feels comfortable and gives you the best stability.

If you're going tactical then it's elbows in. You don't want to "chicken wing" it .  Elbow could get caught on corners and doorways and throw you off of your shooting platform   (and it hurts like hell when going high speed) it also exposes the armpit area where projectiles like to sneak in between your body armor.  If hunting or target shooting then I guess whatever feels comfortable and gives you the best stability.

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I was advised to keep the shooting wrist straight as possible.

Costa style is the only acceptable option


magpul afg is the only acceptable option
vertical foregrip is the only acceptable option
magazine grip is the only acceptable option
handguard grip  is the only acceptable option

For me, it's always been:

Elbows out for clay sports

Elbows down for everything else.

Costa style is the only acceptable option


magpul afg is the only acceptable option
vertical foregrip is the only acceptable option
magazine grip is the only acceptable option
handguard grip  is the only acceptable option

I haven't seem too many people refute placing your hands far out to the end of the muzzle to control the swing of the weapon.  If you require lights or other objects, then a AFG / VFWG (etc. etc.) may be a better option, but you still mount it a decent ways down to the gun.

Jokes aside, I'd hate to be running around with my elbow out and hit my freaking funny bone.

So many factors:

Gun
Grip
Intended purpose/outcome
Style

Answer: do what works for you. Try different techniques and see what feels the most comfortable and natural.

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