I voted “somewhere in the middle” but think an explanation may be helpful. I believe we can benefit from what I and many others have learned shooting vertical compounds for over 4 decades. The best accuracy is obtained by relaxing as many muscles as possible and relaxing them as a much as possible. Any extra muscular effort than the minimum required only causes tremors or unwanted movement. The terminology “holding steady” is misleading because it sounds like you would tighten up muscles to accomplish it when you really need to use proper shooting form so you can relax as many muscles as possible.

 

Depends on the bow. Some of the RDT bows are pretty light weight and will lurch without a good grip on them. Bows like the Ravin require a loose grip like a vertical bow.

 

I say in the middle or just firmly. Fallow through without flinching. Having a level on the bow greatly improves consistency as well.

 

I've got my first level coming in the mail. The other day was the first time I shot a crossbow at 100 yards and I SEEN my trajectory go off to the side after what I know had to be a canted shot. Also I notice from time to time my bow will recoil a little sideways and I figure it's my hold. (Hence the poll) I watched a rifle shooting video yesterday that said the wrong amount of cheek pressure could cause sideways recoil-I didnt even know that was a thing...

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I really couldn't tell you, When I am in kill mode, its all just automatic. I dont even think about it.

 

I was … thinking the same thing. Don't think about it once the shooting begins. I do know I somewhat firmly anchor my cheek weld so I can feel it. I think that prevents me from prematurely "peeking" during the shot sequence follow through. And I generally have some backward pressure anchoring the stock butt in my shoulder pocket. Front hand is usually open unless I have a weapon light pressure switch to push.

 

I've experimented with different holding techniques where I used to do a pull push. Pull with the foregrip and push with the palm of the trigger hand while relaxing the fingers but that didn't feel comfortable for me and I found that I was putting to much concentration into it. So what I found to be best for me and the bow I use is just a relaxed grip where I hook my thumb into the foregrip and let it relax while letting the rest of the weight rest onto my palm while keeping my fingers curled out of the way and pull the weapon back into my shoulder for stability. My trigger hand I keep relaxed but supporting the rest of the weight. I find that I grip ever so slightly with my pinky and ring finger to anchor my right hand, trigger hand, but it is mostly relaxed as i rest my index finger on the trigger. I pay attention to how I am positioned and keep relaxed and focus on my breathing and on the last inhale I hold it and slowly squeeze the trigger so as to not jerk or lurch forward. I put all tension at the shoulder with the butt of the stock.

 

A firm but not overpowering hold. Best with a good prop too.

 

I'm down with that prop comment.

 

I don't overthink it too much. I do try to get the butt of the stock pulled into my shoulder, but not real hard. I do know that any of the bows I have, I can shoot off the Caldwell field pod for sighting in and broadhead testing, or the Ready-Shot shooting stick, or fully offhand, and the POI doesn't change a bit. I've read there are crossbows that need to be held very lightly or very firmly. I would be leary of them in the quick-moving shot opportunities I often get when hunting.

 

When practicing on my shooting bench, I don't even put my shoulder on it. It holds better with the least amount of my body touching it as possible. When slinging one at a big buck, who knows ? Best I remember, I rested my elbow on my knee and let him have it. Seems to work great !

 

That's what I forgot to mention. I'll crouch and brace my elbow to my knee to steady my frame which in turn steady the bow. Figured there was a reason why they call it an elbow !

 

You nailed it. I have a number of magnum springers and the crossbow is pretty much just the same.

 

Different brands of crossbows react differently. Try the one you own and figure out what it likes and sight it in that way and practice so it becomes automatic and repeatable when the moment arrives. If you shoot off sticks practice off sticks.

 

Anyone use a sling braced military hold?

 

I've messed with it. I didn't find it practical as there's no major recoil in any direction with the DS.

 

Wow, never even gave this subject much thought but glad you brought it up. I do a pretty loose hold all the way around. My cb is a little older it's heavy so free hand I have to tuck my elbow down and in. Never thought about using the sling as a steadying device. Guess I should try it this weekend to see if it is even feasible.

 

 

 

Thanks for the videos on this. I wad just improvising with what felt natural for me but I had no consistent form while standing. This is where it's imperative to have good form and I like how it wad explained in the video. He broke it down real good. I will use this as a reference. Thanks for the schooling.

 

Man is that frustrating when my auto correct changes my "was" to "wad". I made this typo a bunch of times but now my Android thinks it's a word ! Arrrrrrrhhggg