Shooters Jacket for Garand comp

[DaveN]

Now that I'm shooting my Garand I need to know what the best jacket (not the most expensive) at a reasonable price. I am just getting started and will get a mat first and through the summer shoot in a t-shirt just for some fun. But as I improve I will want to start taking it more serious and a jacket and my own scope will be in order. I see now that the jacket is used to give more support so I guess some jackets could be illegal for competition. I may order one from the CMP as I know they would pass. I've been using my old field jacket for the cushion but now see my folly.

Information

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[Mark in Rochester]

all depends on what you like - you need to try on and use it – shooters are very accommodation people – see if you can borrow one for a test drive

[gulliver62]

Nothing beats the Creedmoor but they are not cheap. I found a relatively lightly used one on flea bay. Most of the cheaper ones don't really provide any back support.

[Mark in Rochester]

I have a creedmoore - some think it digs into the back of your neck - test drive first

[Kirk]

There are two general classes of shooting coats: "NRA" and "International" competition. For all CMP & NRA matches, you want an NRA style coat. Coats come in several fabrics & price ranges: Basic cloth coats (includes the Marine Corps type jacket); cordura nylon (or other synthetic fiber) jackets & leather jackets.

The purpose of a jacket is to stiffen your abdomen/chest during standing (make sure you jacket can be cinched up tight); provide padding for your elbows in sitting & prone; prove padding to your upper arm to minimize the pulse in the artery in your arm being transfered, via the sling, to your rifle (you can see the front sight go up & down in rhythm to your heart beat).

Champion's Choice offers a variety of jackets http://www.champchoice.com/cat-Cloth_Coats-467.aspx and http://www.champchoice.com/cat-NRA_Coats-453.aspx

If you can delay purchase until you get to Camp Perry, Champion's Choice, Creedmore and others will have them for sale - at reduced prices (plus used jackets) that you can try on & evaluate. Good luck!

[DaveN]

All good advice. I have felt the pulse and it did affect my shooting when free hand. I just thought I was getting tired and there was nothing I could do. Also my back was killing me the next day and has been nagging me all week. I have a bad back from 25yrs of truck driving and thought that was it. the shooting must have aggravated it. A jacket is a must, and I have hooked up with Creedmoor. Thanks.