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Post by bula on Jun 19, 2019 8:49:06 GMT -5
While plinking is trigger time and fun and some pend a lot of time "at the bench", how do you or what do you do for HUNTING ? I remember a thread where Sixshot and others explained their use of a walking stick or more specific, shooting sticks when afield. I've mentioned setting up a sliding "bear" target" and made progress right up to having the needed stuff here but then nada.. I have taken a deer cut out target up to camp and shot at it from different stands in different positions and distances. Someone here, in the past, mentioned keeping a target separate and it's his one shot-first shot target. As in for hunting, only the first shot counts(not quite true but ya know what I mean). But a 1st shot target getting the first shot of each practice session only, then put aside. I liked that idea. What else can we come up with ?
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Post by whitworth on Jun 19, 2019 9:01:20 GMT -5
I practice offhand a lot. It inevitably happens that I will have to shoot offhand, so you might as well be prepared.
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Post by bula on Jun 19, 2019 9:20:56 GMT -5
Aye, often enough there just isn't a tree around when ya need one. In a swamp and ain't sitting down, etc.. I have a thing I do when hunting afoot. When hunting deer and such, I make my stops behind or next to a tree when possible. When grouse hunting I have to remember to clear the tree before stopping.
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Post by squigz on Jun 19, 2019 9:21:40 GMT -5
I generally make my loads from a bench then transition to off hand shooting.
Most of my hunting is done on foot pushing, so I try to keep a tree close to lean on so that's how I practice my general situations. Otherwise, I've shot off a walking stick or rested the gun on the treestand rail as if it was a bench!
My target is generally a 12" shoot n' see target but I put a white paper plate in the center and I figure if I can accurately hit that plate I'm safe for a good vital shot offhand. Also, I have plinking rounds to practice trigger time, but otherwise when the season comes around they go away and I make sure my hunting rounds are the only thing loaded and shot so I know what they're doing on every trigger pull.
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Post by leftysixgun on Jun 19, 2019 9:35:51 GMT -5
Ill develop a load seated with hands supported between my knees. Once Im satisfied with the load I will zero the gun and practice the same position and standing for hunting.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Jun 19, 2019 10:22:59 GMT -5
I practice standing from sticks, kneeling and sitting from sticks. As well as braced off a post or limb,..........offhand will be added as POI does seem to differ depending on what position is used. I also practice the first shot method, as well as placing a steel plate out in the brush and attempting a shot whenever it comes into view thru the brush as I walk around it. It is an old chunk of I beam so it presents a good shot from every angle.
Trapr
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Post by bula on Jun 19, 2019 10:41:57 GMT -5
Funny, just went to the mailbox and found my AH magazine. On the cover..SHOOT NOW !, Summer Prep for Western Big Game. Timely.
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Post by Longhunter1750 on Jun 19, 2019 11:46:06 GMT -5
The best practice for being afield with your revolver, take your .22 revolver squirrel hunting. You will encounter just about every scenario you can think of, off a rest(tree), caught out in the open trying to slip from tree to tree, up high shots in the trees, low shots on the ground. I have went in, sat down and used shooting sticks but they dont really come into play as most of your shots will be at too steep of an angle.
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Post by sixshot on Jun 19, 2019 11:52:24 GMT -5
Practicing different hunting shots is kind of a regional thing I think but every hunter should practice a fair amount of off hand shooting regardless of their preferred style. If you can master offhand out to 40-50 yds on a paper plate size target it really gives you confidence in the field. You might not have to take that standing shot but you always have to be prepared for everything coming at you. Where I hunt every step & the terrain changes, every angle changes, etc. That's how it is hunting in the west. You can't count on a single type of shooting working out for you, be prepared for anything in order to be successful. Last year I took 4 deer, an antelope & a late season cow elk, & I used the standing, kneeling, sitting, shooting stick & PSR shooting positions to take them. Just about everything but prone.
Dick
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KRal
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,029
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Post by KRal on Jun 19, 2019 12:29:24 GMT -5
The best practice for being afield with your revolver, take your .22 revolver squirrel hunting. You will encounter just about every scenario you can think of, off a rest(tree), caught out in the open trying to slip from tree to tree, up high shots in the trees, low shots on the ground. I have went in, sat down and used shooting sticks but they dont really come into play as most of your shots will be at too steep of an angle. I’m my opinion, this is the best practice for big game hunting. It’s worked for me for going on 30 years. Plus, you can eat your targets.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Jun 19, 2019 15:19:52 GMT -5
Probably worth mentioning, that it would be nice to have some targets marked with the vitals, just to confirm where you want to aim for...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2019 16:14:45 GMT -5
There are already some great suggestions posted. A few things I'd add are to determine your max range (different positions) by shooting targets the size of your quarry's vitals. Steel plates work great for this because they give instant feedback. Physical fitness is important to many hunts. Add a stressor like a short climb or run and then shoot in practice. A shot timer is also a great tool for training.
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Post by seminolewind on Jun 19, 2019 17:12:12 GMT -5
Don't forget to practice in low light conditions you are likely to encounter while hunting. Sights that are clear and sharp on a bright range can disappear in the woods at dusk or dawn with deep shadows.
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Post by contender on Jun 19, 2019 19:23:44 GMT -5
Dick is experienced & his reply shows it. I was going to mention the regional thing,,, and he beat me to it. Whitworth travels a lot & has similar experience. Offhand is something that NEEDS regular practice.
To start with,, the gun & load must be proven accurate. Then you need to work on the accuracy & methods used in the terrain you'll be hunting in. And plan for the absolute worst position & opportunity to be when a shot will be presented. (I know of more than one person,, took a break to "relieve" themselves,,, only to find an excellent opportunity suddenly presents itself. Like the time I was wizzing,, and 3 deer wandered out. I was prepared,, and took the shot while parts of me were still exposed.)
Hunting presents variables,, so your practice should include as many as you can conjure up!
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Post by sixshot on Jun 19, 2019 19:46:37 GMT -5
All summer long I get the opportunity to shoot Ground squirrels & Rock Chucks, almost all of the Ground squirrels are off hand & some of he Chucks, you take what they give you. I know not everyone gets those types of hunts everyday like I do but it keeps me pretty well practiced. You never get the same shot twice at a Ground Squirrel even though the shots are usually close. They are small targets & most times you are shooting at part of a squirrel, sure makes it fun. Right now there are Rock Chucks every where, some I get with the revolvers but the old "Silverbacks" are too smart, I have to whack those bad boys with a single shot. Their eyes are as good as my Sworovski's, I'm looking at them & they are looking right back at me!
Dick
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