Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Serious question on "grouping"

Very true, about 20yrs ago my hunting buddy said exactly that,"why don't you get up off that bench and see how you do?"

I immediately realized I was practicing all wrong (for hunting that is)best I could do with three rounds was roughly 8", some were as bad as 12" and this out of a gun that will shoot 1.5 from the bench.

I built a set of shooting sticks and with those standing I can stay in the 1.5-3" range at 100, if you've never done it give it a try, it's a eye opener.

Not that many years ago I used to be the once or twice a year shooter. Buy a box of ammo and sight 'er in over the hood at 100 yards. Get it close and call it good.

Shoot at +200 yards, yeah right. Practice from field conditions, no way.
I really had no business shooting game at over 200 yards but didn't really know any better.

Sadly, I think the majority of hunters follow this same routine.
Maybe we should implement some sort of rifle proficieny test in order to get a hunting license.


I was out at the range this morning. Inbetween load work-up groups for a new rifle I did a little offhand and kneeling shooting at the 200 and 300 yard gongs. Still big-time suck at offhand....(grin)

It's always fun working on achieving better groupings from the bench and pushing a rigs limits, but a guy who can achieve a 1/2" better grouping from the bench doesnt make him any better in the field w/o "real world" practice!

I'd rather go on a hunt with a guy shooting a 6" group off hand than a guy who will only spend all his practice time going for sub-moa from the bench!

Sammo, I do the majority of my "practice" offhand..it keeps some of the basics in perspective. Then, I find when I go hunting and utilize any kind of a rest or position ( which I do 99% of the time) it seems absolutely luxurious and easy to shoot....when I'm used to the hind legs/ paint mixer "rest"...
Just shot one resting the rifle between round bales ...that was so easy I felt like Bubba in a TV deer stand, trying not to hit the feeder..
Ingwe

Shooting at 'distance' also helps alot.
Like you say, makes the closer shots a Bubba cakewalk...(grin)

I believe a new Campfire term has been coined....

Ingwe