First You Get Fast... Then You Get Good!

Demonical said:
I missed an enormous whitetail a couple years ago because I vapor locked on what shoulda been an easy 150 yard shot. I was out of practice. It's one of the low-lights of my hunting career, but my shooting has improved since then. In fact I haven't missed an animal since and I know that situation would be different today.

Practicing off-hand shooting is important.

Practice or prepare to quickly take advantage of available rests, whether it's dropping into your bipod or using a fence rail.

Practicing to rapidly shoulder, aim and fire... as long as accuracy is stressed/attained.

Practice following through on your target.


It's fun to have a buddy(s) with you too.

Use your .22, .17HMR, .223 etc... to practice. It's fun shooting and cheap. Just use the techniques you've practiced, when you've got that big buck in your sights.
Click to expand...

it takes a real man to admit his f--k ups..i hope to learn more from you in many years to come
 
I shoot small trees down with my 22, shooting offhand. Cycle the bolt fast and shoot again. Its good practice :)
 
I shoot small trees down with my 22, shooting offhand. Cycle the bolt fast and shoot again. Its good practice
Click to expand...

That was YOU?!? I thought a couple of woodpeckers got hold of some acid and freaked out! :D


I use the 'gatehouse' method as well - several jugs or balloons at different ranges, see how fast you can acquire and dust 'em all. Mind you - it's rare around here to need a follow up shot (a little different than ontario from what i've heard) and although i've always hit the animal with a 'fast second' shot, it almost always is a crappy hit. I focus more on being able to make a fast and good first shot - in bc conditions, that's the more likely skill that'll put meat on the table.
 
The rifle rodeos have at least one moving target in the course of fire.
The running fox at Ponoka has given more people fits than you can imagine.
There have been MANY perfect scores wrecked when the shooter missed the fox
.
That thing runs across the range at 70 yards, and is really moving!
One shot is all you get.

The Drayton Valley deer target moves from left to right on an angle, that is a tough one also.

Cat
 
I shoot clays once in a while, if it helps or not who knows but it is a good afternoon with a few friends and you do learn quickly how to lead and how to make instant judgments on a targets.
 
While I try to avoid running shots, I use a similar technique to demonical to practice offhand shooting with time pressure. Practice shouldering the rifle, acquiring the target within not less than a two count and firing a three shot volley offhand, no more than 2 seconds between each shot. I just shoot at plain brown carboard set up at about 75 yds. There are no bullseyes on deer:p. This is a realistic whitetail still hunting range. If you are going to get him you probably won't get him cleanly if he gets running. If your eyes are good, most deer will stand long enough to eyeball you and identify their pursuer. It won't be long so your best chance is get the gun up quick and lay a good one in the boiler maker. Quick target acquisition and confidence while squeezing the trigger offhand make the difference. A low power, wide fov, long eye relief scope makes a big difference. I have developed a rhythm which works for me of gently letting the crosshairs fall on the target, settle there momentarily and :shotgun: It works for me because I am familiar with my gun and I have confidence not only to fire the first shot with my target eye open, but to recover from the shot quickly and reacquire the target and shoot again. For this type of shooting I like my autoloader, as it smooths recoil and makes recovery from the shot easy. Since I am focussed on hitting the target and not firing as fast as I can, I can shoot with reasonable accuracy, about a 4 inch group at 75 yds=dead deer.
 
The number one reason opportunities are missed is becasues the person is not ready and can't get thier #### togeter fast enough or makes poor decisions moments before the shot.

I don't know how many times I have been hunting with somone, have hunted hard, and whe the opportunitiy finaly comes, be it at a mega buck, or a doe, they go into goof ball mode and just cant asess the situation.

Things like finding a rest if needed(and knowing right away if you need one), waiting one second for the deer to clear brush, just plain old throw the rifle to your sholder and shoot fast, wait for the deer to clear other ones behind it, don't shoot at all, taking the shot pesented as there is not going to be a classic broad side shot ect. ect, are judgment issues and some people will never be quick at observing the entire situation, making a GOOD judgement call then acting on it. That is realy what a lot of hunting boils down to.
 
Last edited:
Yeah some are faster than others no doubt... hence the need for practice. Experience helps with the judgement calls and sharing that experience can only help the new guys. But knowing your limitations is only achieved through shooting, whether it be on the range or in the field, the more you shoot the better you get.
This week so far I have shot 75 rounds of #8's at Blackbirds... hitting about 80%:redface:. 100 rds of .22 handgun and 30 rounds of .270WSM.... just bench work and load development, but the trigger time can't hurt.:)
 
The "yolkels" used to measure-up new guys that wanted to come to camp the following year - by taking them on a winter bunny hunt ... snowshoes on snowshoes, ahead of hounds down in the swamps ... using deer rifles ... with head shots preferred !

Takes a little practice, but one learns in a hurry.

Skeet is not a bad teacher either ... but don't try "leading" crossing "Bambis" at 21 yards by 3-1/2 feet ....
 
Only 5 mins? Loooook, this is our justice system!
Click to expand...

If he actually hits you, i'll give him ten minutes. :)

(be thankful, if this were a REAL court in bc he'd get nothing and you'd have to pay for his ammo by the end of it. )
 
BIGREDD said:
The other thread got me thinking...:rolleyes:

I was wondering how many of us actually practice rapid fire or running shots. And by that I don't mean pulling the trigger and working the action as fast as you can. I mean shooting your repeater as fast as you can with a degree of accuracy neccesary for the conditions and game.
I have heard a ton of gunfire in hunting scenarios and you can tell by the cadence of the shots when someone is aiming and shooting or just plain shooting.:eek:

I would like to say that I practice this often but it would be a lie... I get most of my practice on game. Just ask Bartell;)

Seriously... what is your method to practice repeat and running shots?:cool:
Click to expand...

Running shots are for hunters with poor stalking skills.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom