Offhand shots. What would you use ?
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
Gibbs505 said:
X2 X2 X2 X2
Making any shot that speed is required it is essential your rifle of choice fits you perfectly! Being able to shoulder the gun & not having to seach for the site is imperative.
Then practice, practice..
At least in my humble opinion
- Location
- Lakes District BC
when your brains are all over your body and your antlers just became adjustable ...well ...the shot speaks for itself...if your a compitent shot and capible of making it go for it , as for rifles , whatever fits you best and your comfortable with shooting on a regular basis , my choice is a tikka T3 300 win mag topped with a mueller tactical scope 
((((WARNING semi graphic photo of mass brain trama and matter of explosive content from offhand shooting @ 70 yards)))))
http://www3.telus.net/bonez/brainless in texada2.jpg
oh by the way are all archers stupid because they take offhand shots as well ?
I can see that break up 2006 is going to be a long one online already
((((WARNING semi graphic photo of mass brain trama and matter of explosive content from offhand shooting @ 70 yards)))))
http://www3.telus.net/bonez/brainless in texada2.jpg
oh by the way are all archers stupid because they take offhand shots as well ?
I can see that break up 2006 is going to be a long one online already
Quote:
Originally Posted by damadama
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!!
If that's how you hunt, I guess that you haven't bag too many deers because if I had to wait that all the deers that I shot stopped moving, I would of been "skunked" on many hunting trips.
Like the majority stated, practice, practice and practice again will improve you skills and at the same time, increase confidence for these moving shots.
I agree that if you are not skilled enough to take the shot, don't take it (with respect of the game) otherwise.. go ahead, it's all part of the game..
To answer the original post.. I like my .308win for off hand shot as well as my 7MMRemMag with which I shot my fartest deer (off hand) paced at 240yds, but I shoot a couple of hundred rnds per year with each of my rifle so any that I own would do.
Originally Posted by damadama
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!!
If that's how you hunt, I guess that you haven't bag too many deers because if I had to wait that all the deers that I shot stopped moving, I would of been "skunked" on many hunting trips.
Like the majority stated, practice, practice and practice again will improve you skills and at the same time, increase confidence for these moving shots.
I agree that if you are not skilled enough to take the shot, don't take it (with respect of the game) otherwise.. go ahead, it's all part of the game..
To answer the original post.. I like my .308win for off hand shot as well as my 7MMRemMag with which I shot my fartest deer (off hand) paced at 240yds, but I shoot a couple of hundred rnds per year with each of my rifle so any that I own would do.
Practice, practice, practice! Don't take the shot if you don't have the confidence to hit your target. Would I shoot a sprinting Impala? No, of course not! A walking moose or deer - you bet if I have a good shot presentation, no obstructions, and the right range.damadama said:
In Scandinavian countries, you can't get a licence unless you can demonstrate you can hit a moving target - saw it on Discovery. You shoot at a moose (oh, sorry 'elg') silhouette on a rope system. We always suspected those Swedes and Finns were unethical!
Those with no time to practice or skill to shoot, keep your shots within your limitations...and your opinions about those who can to yourself!
Practice is the key for sure.
At our club We have a running deer target set up on a cable & pully system at 50yrds.Making good hits on this is way easier than it looks.After spending some time at this you will make you a better off hand shooter for sure.
From what I have seen at the club scopes have no real advantage over open sight shooters.I shoot a low power scope on my rifle because thats what I do best with.
If you have not tried this running deer target this is a must.You will really enjoy it.It becomes a real competition when there are alot of shooters.
You score this in points with two shots being fired.
HEART---5 points
LUNGS---4 points
LIVER----3 points
SPINE----2 points
1 point for the rest of the deer..
When a shooter ties with another/others tie is broken by a shoot off.This is great.
The Weekend before the rifle hunt we hold a camp shoot.Seven shooters per entry.Two shots each.Scores added up and top score camp wins.We have quite the camp rivalry going here.
Some of the shooters are excellent scoring from 8 to 10 points each time they shoot.Others well they might need more practice.But its all in good fun.
At our club We have a running deer target set up on a cable & pully system at 50yrds.Making good hits on this is way easier than it looks.After spending some time at this you will make you a better off hand shooter for sure.
From what I have seen at the club scopes have no real advantage over open sight shooters.I shoot a low power scope on my rifle because thats what I do best with.
If you have not tried this running deer target this is a must.You will really enjoy it.It becomes a real competition when there are alot of shooters.
You score this in points with two shots being fired.
HEART---5 points
LUNGS---4 points
LIVER----3 points
SPINE----2 points
1 point for the rest of the deer..
When a shooter ties with another/others tie is broken by a shoot off.This is great.
The Weekend before the rifle hunt we hold a camp shoot.Seven shooters per entry.Two shots each.Scores added up and top score camp wins.We have quite the camp rivalry going here.
Some of the shooters are excellent scoring from 8 to 10 points each time they shoot.Others well they might need more practice.But its all in good fun.
damadama said:
SO, YOU WROTE A BOOK... HOW MANY DID YOU ACTUALLY SELL? IF THE REST OF THE BOOK IS FULL OF THIS TYPE OF GARBAGE, I WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO GET A SECOND PRINTING.
Yes, practice will help you gain confidence. As will a firearm with low to no magnification. You need quick target acquisition to be successful. Most of the time, the deer are not right out in the middle of a huge flat field, but closer to some kind of cover. Hit 'em quick!
" In my book of hunting ethics "
I believe that book was writen by Wendy Cunker
She advises not to use real bullets because they deff would fly out of control & kill 2 or 3 innocent babys. She also advises the firearm be made out of wood, but it must be a soft type of wood so if some-one took it from you it would be to floppy to hurt some-one if struck with it
Where is damadama now?? TROLLING...Trolling...trolling
I believe that book was writen by Wendy Cunker
She advises not to use real bullets because they deff would fly out of control & kill 2 or 3 innocent babys. She also advises the firearm be made out of wood, but it must be a soft type of wood so if some-one took it from you it would be to floppy to hurt some-one if struck with it
Where is damadama now?? TROLLING...Trolling...trolling
The fit thing is critical for snap shooting, where I used to live the guys hunted deer over hounds and were the family that sort of ran the camp were amazing at hitting running deer. Ranges typically were short as the bush was really thick. I never did it with them(mostly because I didn't think I would hit anything) I probably would have tried buckshot first, but for the ranges you describe I would get a nice lightweight bolt gun like a model 7 or Sako finnlight in 308.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I agree with stock fit being important , as is practice shooting in practical hunting positions.
Too many of us shoot way too much from the bench and not from the positions we would use when actually in the field.
I try to shoot as much as I can from field positions to keep my shooting edge as keen as it can be and I firmly believe that it helps.
As far as being unethical, I think soemone has elevated themselves to the positon of "Gun God" and should get back down to Earth.
As far as choice goes, it would be whatecver i decided to hunt with at the time....
Cat
Too many of us shoot way too much from the bench and not from the positions we would use when actually in the field.
I try to shoot as much as I can from field positions to keep my shooting edge as keen as it can be and I firmly believe that it helps.
As far as being unethical, I think soemone has elevated themselves to the positon of "Gun God" and should get back down to Earth.
As far as choice goes, it would be whatecver i decided to hunt with at the time....
Cat
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While I do prefer to shoot from a rest whenever possible,I have shot many animals offhand and yes even some that were running.Whether or not I choose to take a shot depends on the confidence that I have,that I can make the shot.
I am told that in Finland ''red dot'' scopes are the preferred sighting method for offhand shooting.Perhaps this is why the competative handgun shooting sports are using that type of sight now too.
I've never used a ''red dot'' type sight, prefering low x scope settings,for hunting, and try and use a rest for any shot over 50 yards, even if it's sitting down, or using a tree to steady my hands.Most of my shots at deer are under 50 yards though,and offhand back of the shoulder point of aim
I've never used a ''red dot'' type sight, prefering low x scope settings,for hunting, and try and use a rest for any shot over 50 yards, even if it's sitting down, or using a tree to steady my hands.Most of my shots at deer are under 50 yards though,and offhand back of the shoulder point of aim
Guys - I"m getting damned sick of seeing every bloody thread turn into a mudslingling match.
A LOT of guys don't believe in taking running shots on deer. Fine. You can point out why they're wrong but if all you got is badmouthing the guy who said it - SHUT THE F UP.
I used to think that baiting bear was for losers who couldn't hunt. Till i found out that SOMETIMES THINGS ARE DIFFERENT in different places, and sometimes for good reason!
In bc for example, most shots are on still or slowly moving game. It is less common to see someone take a poke at an animal in full flight.
IN ontario i hear it happens all the time, because their situation is different and so is the way they hunt. Lots of guys there use shotguns for deer - you rarely see that here.
If you think a guy is wrong - explain why. don't just attack the guy.
And damadama - ethics is largely a function of environment. As i mentioned -it's unethical here to hunt bear over bait (and in fact illegal). IN Ontario - it could easily be argued it would be unethical NOT to hunt them over bait, because it's a different set of circumstances. Something to keep in mind the next time you feel the need to make sweeping statements.
A LOT of guys don't believe in taking running shots on deer. Fine. You can point out why they're wrong but if all you got is badmouthing the guy who said it - SHUT THE F UP.
I used to think that baiting bear was for losers who couldn't hunt. Till i found out that SOMETIMES THINGS ARE DIFFERENT in different places, and sometimes for good reason!
In bc for example, most shots are on still or slowly moving game. It is less common to see someone take a poke at an animal in full flight.
IN ontario i hear it happens all the time, because their situation is different and so is the way they hunt. Lots of guys there use shotguns for deer - you rarely see that here.
If you think a guy is wrong - explain why. don't just attack the guy.
And damadama - ethics is largely a function of environment. As i mentioned -it's unethical here to hunt bear over bait (and in fact illegal). IN Ontario - it could easily be argued it would be unethical NOT to hunt them over bait, because it's a different set of circumstances. Something to keep in mind the next time you feel the need to make sweeping statements.
John Spartan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Just a little more to the right...
powdergun said:
Any of the standard calibers would do just fine - a fast handling rifle in the action of your choice would be the way to go.
I've used rifles chambered for .243 Win and .30-06 for offhand and running shots successfully and plan to use some recent acquisitions including lever-actions this fall (.45-70, .348 Win, 35 Remington). Mind you - my limit with the lever guns is with game 75 yards running, 200 yards standing, with single shots/bolt actions - game is 75 yards running, 300 yards standing.
I'd suggest once you get a rifle selected - practise, practise, practise to become very familiar with what it will do.
Good luck with your gun quest.
Without a dought offhand shooting is for the most part a learned skill. I say for the most part because, as in any sport, there are some with natural ability.
I think offhand shooting is to a big extent a head game. One can be shooting a .22 and be very accurate with it but take that very same rifle and turn it into a 30-06 and because now you have boom and recoil accuracy goes south. If the person would just shoot the rifle/gun like he/she did the .22 there would be not problem.
Correct stock length, trigger pull and familiarity with the rifle/gun are just a few factors which come into play in order to be a good offhand shot.
I think offhand shooting is to a big extent a head game. One can be shooting a .22 and be very accurate with it but take that very same rifle and turn it into a 30-06 and because now you have boom and recoil accuracy goes south. If the person would just shoot the rifle/gun like he/she did the .22 there would be not problem.
Correct stock length, trigger pull and familiarity with the rifle/gun are just a few factors which come into play in order to be a good offhand shot.
Offhand's not so hard to learn. It's just a bit of pratice.
Shooting a moving target tho... that's a different kettle of fish. And unless you're pretty darn good, or the animal is pretty close, it's probably something most hunters should avoid. In some hunting environments you can't, so you have to get good. But i think most of us manage to bushwhack 'em either very close in or standing still/slow walk.
Shooting a moving target tho... that's a different kettle of fish. And unless you're pretty darn good, or the animal is pretty close, it's probably something most hunters should avoid. In some hunting environments you can't, so you have to get good. But i think most of us manage to bushwhack 'em either very close in or standing still/slow walk.
