The point of this post is not to start a fight. I was hoping for some thoughtful advice from a group that likely obsesses about accuracy and precision in shooting. I like target shooting but my primary motivation behind practicing my shooting is to build both confidence and skill for hunting. I primarily still hunt and occasionally set up over open cuts (so far without much success - not finding legal game). Given my approaches and skill level, I would expect short-range (50 m or less) shots offhand or longer, supported shots (150-200m). This is certainly not long range shooting, likely a “chip shot” for most of the people on this forum, but I am aware of my current limits. For now, my objective is not to stretch the limits of distance but to improve my accuracy and precision for my set ranges.
It seems that a lot of the precision shooting disciplines began as tests of practical hunting or military skills. Over time, the pursuit of accuracy seems to have trumped practicality. This is not a criticism, the focus on improving accuracy can inform training and encourage technical innovation which can then feed back to more practical endeavours. Perhaps I am wrong, but it does not seem that the technique for precision rifle shooting offhand (e.g. high powered rifle or 10m air rifle) are not easily applied to the field – assuming the highly particular shooting posture used in these disciplines does not seem very applicable to a hunting (or combat) situation. When I search for articles on improving accuracy, I invariably come across article on precision shooting.
What I would like to know is, what elements, techniques or training from precision shooting are most useful for someone interested in improving their skill with the objective of improving their shooting skill for hunting?
Perhaps another way to ask the same question would be, ”What is one activity or training drill would do you think is the best one for improving shooting accuracy for hunting.” My current focus is very small targets like toothpicks shot offhand at short ranges (22 ft) with open sights. The the matchstick and know your limits videos from the Utah long range shooters were the inspiration for this approach.
Thank you for your help
Cheers,
Morel
It seems that a lot of the precision shooting disciplines began as tests of practical hunting or military skills. Over time, the pursuit of accuracy seems to have trumped practicality. This is not a criticism, the focus on improving accuracy can inform training and encourage technical innovation which can then feed back to more practical endeavours. Perhaps I am wrong, but it does not seem that the technique for precision rifle shooting offhand (e.g. high powered rifle or 10m air rifle) are not easily applied to the field – assuming the highly particular shooting posture used in these disciplines does not seem very applicable to a hunting (or combat) situation. When I search for articles on improving accuracy, I invariably come across article on precision shooting.
What I would like to know is, what elements, techniques or training from precision shooting are most useful for someone interested in improving their skill with the objective of improving their shooting skill for hunting?
Perhaps another way to ask the same question would be, ”What is one activity or training drill would do you think is the best one for improving shooting accuracy for hunting.” My current focus is very small targets like toothpicks shot offhand at short ranges (22 ft) with open sights. The the matchstick and know your limits videos from the Utah long range shooters were the inspiration for this approach.
Thank you for your help
Cheers,
Morel
