Hunter Rifle qualification

[cfvickers]

Gave me some confidence though, I am a far better shot than I thought while shooting off hand. I seriously doubted I would be able to hit even one without a bench because I never practice that way. But thanks for making me think. I like your topics Ozark. Most of them provoke thought that some of us never otherwise would have. Also because you challenge me (and others I suppose) and I love a good challenge. I will try this at some point with my bolt actions and post the surely dismal results.

[ozark]

cfvickers, you did exceptionally well. There will be a lot of surprises but maybe this little exercise will give some more confidence and some the incentive to practice more under real hunting conditions. Confidence in our skills automatically helps us shoot better. At this point you are leading the pack. LOL

[whelenman]

A survey like this will probably increase people's use of a sling. It makes a big difference in offhand shooting like this. Everyone needs to put their slings on and learn how to use them.

[ozark]

I agree with the use of a sling and it is certainly a help. whelenman I know how to use the sling but I am sure many do not know. Do everyone a favor and give us the correct use of a sling while shooting off hand. You will be helping many. You are a good writer and I am looking forward to seeing that post. Thanks in advance. Ben

[deadeye]

i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/deadeye4/DSCN0321.jpg[/IMG]
conditions,w@ 12-15mph from 3 oclock,called 3 oclock was not winds fault ;D, rifle was 220swift dialed in @ 204yds-top 3 shot from pod in which i do most of my long range shooting from,then holding @ 6 o'clock for offhand,well i need some practice.

[deadeye]

sorry about photo quality as im very new to photobucket & such,to add to my target, ran out planted in deep snow approx 1ft much like one would trying to take game in the field,buried pod in snow sitting up againts tree,fired 3 shots from pod in approx 40sec,went down to mark then completed offhand afterwords while still breathing somewhat medium,called 3 o'clock went something like "awww ;D,thx ozark for getting my butt wet! ;D ;D

[screwbolts]

Deadeye, Is it possible to edit your post and put a space between your photo links, would this stack the photos instead of side by side, just a pain having to pan sideways to read everyone's post. :-)

Ken

[whelenman]

Ozark, I probably don't even use a sling right myself but several others have written articles on sling use so I'll take the easy way out.

www.fulton-armory.com/slinguse.htm
www.rifleshootermag.com/shooting_tips/sling_0612/
hunting.about.com/cs/holsterinfo/a/aa_slings.htm

That said, what I personally use for my hunting rifles is a simple 1 1/4 inch nylon strap. I use it because I do a lot of hunting where I may hunt in a tree stand with a rest or box blinds which have rests. The steadier I can get the better. The nylon strap comes off the rifle easily and will roll up and fit nicely in a pocket once on stand and I don't have the extra movement of the strap swaying around when not necessary.

Although not proper what I like to do is to put my forearm through the sling past the elbow with the elbow fairly far forward in the sling and then take a single wrap around the forearm until the sling is tight and grip the rifle. If the sling's adjusted right you'll feel the tension generated against the forearm and shoulder when you assume shooting position.....a little adjustment will probably be necessary. One of the first things I do when putting a sling on the rifle I'm going to use for hunting season is to try the sling and then adjust it to my body. Every rifle has a different adjustment need according to the spacing and positioning of the sling swivel studs and the sling has to fit both the rifle and you. I try to tighten up the sling putting pressure against the shoulder and against the left hand rather than torqueing the rifle to the side. I'm no positions shooter but I've done enough shooting with a sling to realize that my offhand shooting improves considerably with a sling.

I've gotten older and wobblier with age and a stroke but the rifle still holds tight using a sling if the legs would only cooperate and not sway from side to side. LOL!

[pposey]

got three standing no support with the .223 and 7mm-08, missed one with the 30-30 and the scout scope

[ozark]

That is super. By doing this successfully the hunter knows that they have the required skills to take their deer in a hunting situation at 100 yards. Practice can take it on out to 200 yards and beyond. I plan to post some pictures of using the hunters sling to improve off hand shooting big time soon.

[pposey]

Thats how I shot both hogs and my bigger deer this year,,, they all caught me between trees, first two shots were right on,,, last one I missed by 2 inches trying for right between the eyes,,,, still shot err right through the eye though and bang flopped,,, practicing how you hunt is the only way to go!

A really nice springer pellet rifle is a great practice tool,,, cheap to shoot, low noise,,, and flat out fun especially if there are 2 of ya, much like going on a walk about archery shoot with a friend, shooting at unknown distances at unconverntional targets like grass clumps and small plants,,, hard on arrows but great practice,,,,, usta do alot of that when I was into archery more and had someone to shoot with.

[billc]

I have enough experience to know when not to take an off-hand shot and have the poor success rate to show for it .

I didn't have any paper plates so I folded 2 sheets of paper into 5.75 inch squares and placed at 100 yds. FWIW a white sheet of paper on a white backer board is hard to see . Leaned against a post and shot 7 rounds.

Tried 4 shots with an AR 6.5 Grendel. Absolutely not a stand-up and shoot gun!! Recoil is nothing, but I need a tripod to hold it up. 4 for 4.

Tried 3 shots from a Remington 799 7.62x39, junk Russian ammo that paterns like a shotgun from the bench. 3 for 3

Fun experiment though. However, since I hunt Eastern hardwood thickets I know I must have a very good rest to thread a shot between the limbs.

[northny]

Sometimes things don't go as planned, but they work out anyway. I went to range planning to try three shots offhand using a range post as a rest. But I recently joined a new gun club (to get access to their 300 yard range). Turns out not a post accessible to lean on as they build the benches around the posts. I had not brought a sling, as I was not planning to try offhand this trip. But hey, I was there, so three shots offhand. I was surprised the results turned out this good. Looking forward to trying with a sling and to see if I can replicate this and not feel it was part luck. As a youth I spent four years shooting on a Jr small bore rifle team, and qualified as sharp shooter in all four positions, and the basic fundamentals are still there. Rifle was Winchester Model 70 Carbine in .222 Remington, my current Coyote medicine when I don't want to lug a heavy barrel rifle.

[ozark]

Although we are not hearing of failures I am pleased to see so many able to place their shots on the plates off hand at 100 yards. It isn't hard for a good shooter to do but it does require that the shooter applies sound shooting techniques and fundamentals. I haven't got to go out and test myself. Back on anttbotics again. This gets old but is probably not that unusual for those my age and with COPD. At least I can sit here and dream of warmer weather and feeling bettter. I can also enjoy the success of others.

[youp50]

I went to the range today and had a great time...with 9 inch plates. I would have cut the grade with the pistol and sadly needed the whole 9 inch plate for the 100 yard rifle. Guess I am going to need to take a more accurate rifle, the one I took has a horizontal string of almost three inches. That and I need to practice more.

Ben, I hope the medicine works well for you and your mobile blind is the center for all the love sick toms in your neck of the woods.

[10ga]

Most of them photos looked like 10" or 12" dinner plates, not 6" dessert plates. If you used improper sized plates ....... I'll check my plate sizes when I take the test. Fun shooting and learning any way you do it. 10 ga

[northny]

10ga - oh ye of little faith. They look small on my laptop monitor. Maybe you have way too nice of a large monitor?

So here are desert plates . Son Jacks is on top (he surprised me). My rifle and pistol on the bottom.



Cupcake disappeared shortly after photo was taken.

[cfvickers]

I advertised mine as an 8 inch cause thats what I had.

[deadon]

Don't go anywhere, I am going to try this booger this week end