Where I hunt the chance of an offhand shot at a running deer is pretty high. Ranges of 80 to 150 yds being the norm. From your experiences which rifle would you pick as a good choice for this while also offering accuracy to 300 + yards with a rested shot.
Offhand shots. What would you use ?
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
The practice of taking off hand shots has NO place in true sportsmanship because the risks of injury to the animal target are unacceptably high. The same applies to taking any kind of shot at a moving animal, the risk of injury is too great. In my book of hunting ethics un supported shots and shots at moving targets are totally unacceptable. If you cannot find a rest and/or the animal does not momentarly stand still, DON'T take the shot!!
Award the hunter orange dunce hat to damadama for tha line of crap.
I like a low power scope(1.5-5),or even a red dot on a remmy pump.Peeps on a lever.Scope for the long shots.Off hand shots only to about 100yrds or so.
Running shots here are about 75% of what you get.Thats the way its done here and I enjoy it very much.
I like a low power scope(1.5-5),or even a red dot on a remmy pump.Peeps on a lever.Scope for the long shots.Off hand shots only to about 100yrds or so.
Running shots here are about 75% of what you get.Thats the way its done here and I enjoy it very much.
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- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Well I would agree with part of your reasoning, until you got to the un supported part, I can make a shot like that with one eye tied behind my back @ 50 meters (a snap shot), and given a deer that is stupid enough to stand long enough I can make that claim to 100 meters 100 % of the time for both.
Now having said that, one has to be a practiced shot. Now there may even be folks that would make the same claim on running deer, I would not be one of them
A slow walk , no worries.
And for the initial question, I can't answer that, go grab up as many guns as you can and feel 'em out.
Frank
Now having said that, one has to be a practiced shot. Now there may even be folks that would make the same claim on running deer, I would not be one of them
A slow walk , no worries.And for the initial question, I can't answer that, go grab up as many guns as you can and feel 'em out.
Frank
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Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
There is no rifle that will make you an offhand shot. Only a lot of trigger time can. I used to compete in silhouette and became a pretty good shot.
Running shots is very much an ethics question. If you always connect and the game is recovered promptly, it is ok. If you miss, then not so good.
Only you can decide where your skill level is and the presentation given to risk a wounding shot AND the work needed to recover the game.
Almost any factory rifle today is accurate enough for deer size game at 300yds and most cartridges are plenty powerful to get the job done. The weakest link is the person behind the trigger.
The more skill and practise you are willing to commit to, the more accurate your rifles will become.
Jerry
PS if you really must take running shots all the time, take up any and all shotgun sports. That will give you the practise for lead and follow through.
Running shots is very much an ethics question. If you always connect and the game is recovered promptly, it is ok. If you miss, then not so good.
Only you can decide where your skill level is and the presentation given to risk a wounding shot AND the work needed to recover the game.
Almost any factory rifle today is accurate enough for deer size game at 300yds and most cartridges are plenty powerful to get the job done. The weakest link is the person behind the trigger.
The more skill and practise you are willing to commit to, the more accurate your rifles will become.
Jerry
PS if you really must take running shots all the time, take up any and all shotgun sports. That will give you the practise for lead and follow through.
The 20th anniversary edition of "Bugle" magazine had an excellent article on the "lost art" of off-hand shooting. The author claimed part of the problem is that most rifles are not designed to be shot off-hand. He listed 2 or 3 of the better factory rifles, but the only one I can remember is the Winchester Featherweight. A friend has the magazine so I can't look the other ones up. I do recall that he spoke at length about the proper stock design and balance, and how those two things affect your off-hand shooting.
edit: I find a set trigger helps...at least it does for me.
edit: I find a set trigger helps...at least it does for me.
clarification
I was not looking for a suggestion of a rifle that would magically convert a person to a good offhand shot. What I was looking for was oppinions regarding preffered firearms for the task. As for ethics I aggree that no hunter should attempt shots he/she is not comfortable with. Many hunters in my area are excellent at hitting moving deer at a variety of ranges. They are safe shooters and go home with venison every year. If I had to wait for a deer to stand still many a year I would have an empty freezer. The fellows I hunt with practice all year at the range shooting offhand with rifle, and trap with the shotgun. We are not unethical.
I was not looking for a suggestion of a rifle that would magically convert a person to a good offhand shot. What I was looking for was oppinions regarding preffered firearms for the task. As for ethics I aggree that no hunter should attempt shots he/she is not comfortable with. Many hunters in my area are excellent at hitting moving deer at a variety of ranges. They are safe shooters and go home with venison every year. If I had to wait for a deer to stand still many a year I would have an empty freezer. The fellows I hunt with practice all year at the range shooting offhand with rifle, and trap with the shotgun. We are not unethical.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Oh just to spend whats left of my 2 cents, I have found in the past that on seeing a deer , lowering youseft to a kneeling position and using your leg as support will make for a stable platform, and maybe open up a lane that would not have presented itself if you remained standing.
Frank
Frank
Practise, practise and more practise.
The type of rifle used is not as important as how well you shoot it. Some of the dedicated long-range rigs are too heavy and too long to hold well off-hand but other than that the sky is the limit.
Also learn to use a sling for shooting. That alone will increase your off-hand accuracy by several hundred percent. A rifle that "fits" you is also very important. Fit the rifle as one would a shotgun so that it comes to cheek and shoulder easily and your view through the scope or sights is accomplished without wobbling your head around and fighting to maintain weld to the stock.
Shooting moving animals also takes a lot of practise. While it is definitely a learned skill it is not as hard as some naysayers would have you beleive.
The type of rifle used is not as important as how well you shoot it. Some of the dedicated long-range rigs are too heavy and too long to hold well off-hand but other than that the sky is the limit.
Also learn to use a sling for shooting. That alone will increase your off-hand accuracy by several hundred percent. A rifle that "fits" you is also very important. Fit the rifle as one would a shotgun so that it comes to cheek and shoulder easily and your view through the scope or sights is accomplished without wobbling your head around and fighting to maintain weld to the stock.
Shooting moving animals also takes a lot of practise. While it is definitely a learned skill it is not as hard as some naysayers would have you beleive.
damadama said:
Im assuming after reading this, you dont even hunt, just chastize others on what you've read on the internet... WHAT A PILE OF BULLSHYTE
Powdergun, offhand shooting is more about practice than anything...
Its about pointing your gun, and not second guessing yourself when it comes time to pull the trigger. I dont think anyone with actual field experience is arguing the ethics of it... Shotgunning helps, but breathing, and patterning of your movement are more important to offhand rifleshooting than anything else.
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- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
With a 5.5 foot 80 lb apparatus , your F***ed if you miss.
Frank
Big JD-From the hills
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan.
About %80 of the deer I have shot and killed have been running shots. Your going to miss... and sometimes a folow up shot is needed.. its just the name of the game. The rifle realy does not matter... its all up to the shooter. I know the last 6 deer I shot with my .270 bolt action were running... I only had to use a follow up shot one one of them.
But now I have given my .270 a rest... and have been using a fin mosin nagant m91. Im getting pritty good at one shot running kills with that.
Just don't try running shots with marginal calibers(ie 243).
But now I have given my .270 a rest... and have been using a fin mosin nagant m91. Im getting pritty good at one shot running kills with that.
Just don't try running shots with marginal calibers(ie 243).
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Most of my shots on big game have been off-hand. I do practise shooting that way. I find that a rifle with a little more weight forward seems to smooth out the swing, especially when the heart heart and lungs are pumping. Rifle fit is very important. The rifle should come up to the shoulder naturally with the eyes looking down the sights. If you have to look for the sights you've lost the moment.
I won't hesitate to take an off-hand shot at reasonable ranges. Its part of the whole hunting sport. If your the kind of guy who sits in a blind all day then maybe you have the luxury of using a rest every time but for those of us who actually get off out A$$es and hit the bush you will be aware that off-hand shots are part of hunting.
I feel the best rifle for off hand shooting is the rifle your most comfortable with. In my case its my Sendero SF, slightly barrel heavy which I feel makes it point and steady better.
I like to practice on grouse in the early Fall hunting season. Shoot for their heads off-hand makes great practice. If you miss, try again, they sometimes stand around for a few shots anyways.
I also did a fair bit of 200 yard gong shooting. Peep sight target rifles with cast bullets hitting a 12" steel plate off hand. Great fun and good practice.
I feel the best rifle for off hand shooting is the rifle your most comfortable with. In my case its my Sendero SF, slightly barrel heavy which I feel makes it point and steady better.
I like to practice on grouse in the early Fall hunting season. Shoot for their heads off-hand makes great practice. If you miss, try again, they sometimes stand around for a few shots anyways.
I also did a fair bit of 200 yard gong shooting. Peep sight target rifles with cast bullets hitting a 12" steel plate off hand. Great fun and good practice.
Rifle preference is subjective when talking about running shots... everyone likes the rifle that they are most familiar with! Generally a short, light and well balanced rifle that shoulders quickly and swings like a shotgun. I prefer a scoped rifled barrel sluggun!
As far as ability to be successful at running shots rifle choice is secondary to practice. It is very hard to practice this form of shooting... it comes with experience for the most part.
Practice on running coyotes and you will be able to drop deer no problem.
As far as ability to be successful at running shots rifle choice is secondary to practice. It is very hard to practice this form of shooting... it comes with experience for the most part.
Practice on running coyotes and you will be able to drop deer no problem.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
While the 30-30 is my favorite for running shots, at those ranges, I'd prefer a 308, so, i'd go with a light fast handling rifle, like the 88 Winchester, or BLR and though I hate to have to use a scope, I'd use one under those conditions, probably a 4X, or a variable in that range.
Practice, is key, and fast target aquisition is a big part of that. Some ranges have running deer set ups, use 'em.
Try setting your rifle on the bench, turn away. Turn back, pick up and fire as quickly as possible.
Try the rolling a tire down a hill stunt, if you can find a slave willing to roll the tires up the hill for you.
Practice, and the shot is not difficult.
Practice, is key, and fast target aquisition is a big part of that. Some ranges have running deer set ups, use 'em.
Try setting your rifle on the bench, turn away. Turn back, pick up and fire as quickly as possible.
Try the rolling a tire down a hill stunt, if you can find a slave willing to roll the tires up the hill for you.
Practice, and the shot is not difficult.
