Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters JOC: Range Accuracy vs Hunting Accuracy

That's even a more stupid idea.

Well there's a shock.




Travis

Childs play. I used to have a railroad tie plate hanging hanging from a chain in a tree 250 yards from my back porch. Used to step out and shoot at it all the time, always offhand. Once I figured out what branch on the tree to hold on for elevation I could ring it 8 out of 10 times with an iron sighted .22 on a calm day. Don't beleive it GFY. It's the truth. Went field walking tonight with my .22 magnum and shot 3 woodchucks. One at 40 yards, one at 97 and one at 110. The 40 yarder was offhand, the other two I took kneeling. 3 shots. 3 dead chucks. All head shot.

That's a really cool made up story.

Now pull up a chair and sit next to the Texan.



Travis

I'm not a liein' POS goat fuggin' drunk like you.

You're also not a gunsmith.

And you sure as fugk can't shoot offhand as well as I can.



Travis

Pretty sure I could hold my own against you any day from any position. The fact that I had the highest offhand average in the league when I shot NRA registered 4 position smallbore makes me think your boasting is founded in fantasy as usual.

The fact that I hit it and we only had one take is even better...

We had a guy in our club who couldn't, under normal circumstances, hit a bull in the ass with a scoop shovel when shooting offhand. He was a short skinny fella and nervous as all get out- one of those guys who was always moving even when standing still. Before the start of each relay at our twice a month smallbore silhouette matches he would go over to the trunk of his car and take a couple good slugs of cheap jug wine, step up to the line, and clean our clocks. The range officers knew what he was up to and as long as he didn't get carried away or do something stupid they let him go. I never did see him actually drunk.

Sounds like he had the right idea. If you get drunk, you shoot worse.

I think many have discovered the same when it comes to golf or shooting pool.





Travis

I actually do better at 'moving' targets off hand. There's something about fluid motion that's much easier than a stationary (small) target.

IF, IF I have any option I never 'choose' to shoot offhand.

I also carry 'light weight' Stoney Point shooting sticks. I've had them several years and MOST of the time I get shots FROM the sticks. They work and they boost confidence.


Jerry

We heard Al Biesen passed away at 100 years old. His legend will live on. JOC was a lucky man to have hunted with Als masterpieces.

I believe that people aught to shoot groups standing with cross sticks if they use them or without sticks to see what accuracy they will have in the field. If they only go by bench rest accuracy off sand bags, they should bring the bench and sand bags when their hunting.

I site in and work up loads from a bench rest. Then I practice with a stick and offhand to see how poor I really am. I've noted I shoot about 1-2 inches higher and groups spread some in offhand at 100 yards than with the rifle on a bench rest. With a shooting stick is much better.
This might be startling or disappointing to anyone who hasn't tried it before. I have a whole different head/rifle/elbow orientation on the bench than offhand. I just accept it and practice.
Offhand an hasty sling or the offhand position I was taught at PI help.
Public ranges usually won't let you shoot with a stick or offhand though. Another good reason to join your local club.

I find the biggest impediments to successfully shooting big game offhand are being out of breath from walking hills, and buck fever.

The buck fever can even be terminal with a good rest!

Practice like you hunt, using realistic shot presentations, taken from realistic field positions. Know your gear and know how to manage it well while afield. Push your gear and yourself in practice to prove your limits, and discipline yourself to stay within these limits when taking shots on game.

In the above context, shooting offhand on game is not taboo. Some of the best hunting experiences I've had in my life involved some form of roving beautiful country while shooting game that was driven out of cover. Be it small game, upland game, deer driven from cover, boar busted from the rocks, etc. I've done this with shotgun, carbine, rifle, handgun, and even bow and arrow. Quite a number of times the shot presentation required executing an offhand shot, to include using a rifle. I've always favored the excitement and joy from the dynamics of such hunts vs the stagnation of sitting on one spot all day waiting for the game to pass by. The most cherished were w/ a self bow made out of a stave from a tree my Grandfather felled. And I guarantee I cannot keep each shot inside a foot circle at 100yards w/ that bow.

Al passed away on the 14th I believe, but he was 98, not 100.

Not sure why anyone would shoot off hand when you could (and should) be using sticks. They will double your effective range,and triple it if your sitting with a good back rest. I never shoot without them unless shooting prone. Shot a couple of shots today kneeling off my sticks today at 90yds for practice with my 243. Both shots were centered and an inch apart. I shoot like this weekly to 200yds. Probably a 3" average at that range with sticks. If a 2foot circle was my benchmark,I'd find another hobby.

Because they have mastered the skill, they know how to shoot a rifle, and executing well aimed shots on certain shot presentations would be handicapped if sticks were used.

That really sucks you can't shoot offhand.



Travis