Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
We're at that stage where the fishing rods are coming out and the hunting gear is getting checked, cleaned and packed away.
IMHO, not so fast...
Several years ago, I noticed that the average hunter who came to our range for his annual rifle check usually had a frustrating time getting zero'd. The active shooters usually took a but a disgustingly brief amount of time to check zero with their hunting ammo and were off to the woods.
Seems to me that a program of as few as 10 rounds a month make the transition much simpler.
My program (fourth year) is pretty simple. I have a decent practice load built for my rifle (.30-06) and try to shoot about 20 rounds a month through it. As time is usually a factor, I re-zero the rifle in January/Febuary for the practice stuff. When I hit the range, I drag the '06 along and take a few shots on our plinking range. Targets vary from beer cans to half gallon jugs. Positions are usually kneeling or offhand. I find that if you can shoot offhand, any other position simply gives you better accuracy. The other nice thing is that there is no equipment needed for off hand shooting. Put the targets up, blast away.
I also use a scope sighted bolt action .22 with some expectation that there is a carry over factor. I know that having the same sighting system helps.
Couple of tips..
Keep an eye out for ammo sales at the chain stores. I stocked up on Federal 165 Trophy Bonded '06 ammo a couple of years ago for an idiotic price.
Remember that your focus using a scope should be the crosshairs, not the target. Strange that I've never seen this mentioned in mainstream magazines, but it works. Sort of like focusing on your front sight with an iron sighted firearm.
Once your zero'ed, get off the bench. Unless you have a bench in your stand.
Reactive targets are more fun than shooting paper. I like anything that moves or explodes when hit. Fruit, clay pigeons, jugs with water....
Set a number of rounds for cleaning purposes. I run a oily patch down my barrel after each practice session. (20 rounds or so) Every 60 rounds, I clean my rifle. The high power folks shoot more than that between cleanings and suffer no adverse consequences. The main idea is to make practice a routine comfortable event.
Bird shooters - look into a local sheet club. I shoot from a low ready position and, if possible, try to shoot stations 3 though 6. I have problems with crossing shots and this maximizes my practice dollars/time.
Giz
IMHO, not so fast...
Several years ago, I noticed that the average hunter who came to our range for his annual rifle check usually had a frustrating time getting zero'd. The active shooters usually took a but a disgustingly brief amount of time to check zero with their hunting ammo and were off to the woods.
Seems to me that a program of as few as 10 rounds a month make the transition much simpler.
My program (fourth year) is pretty simple. I have a decent practice load built for my rifle (.30-06) and try to shoot about 20 rounds a month through it. As time is usually a factor, I re-zero the rifle in January/Febuary for the practice stuff. When I hit the range, I drag the '06 along and take a few shots on our plinking range. Targets vary from beer cans to half gallon jugs. Positions are usually kneeling or offhand. I find that if you can shoot offhand, any other position simply gives you better accuracy. The other nice thing is that there is no equipment needed for off hand shooting. Put the targets up, blast away.
I also use a scope sighted bolt action .22 with some expectation that there is a carry over factor. I know that having the same sighting system helps.
Couple of tips..
Keep an eye out for ammo sales at the chain stores. I stocked up on Federal 165 Trophy Bonded '06 ammo a couple of years ago for an idiotic price.
Remember that your focus using a scope should be the crosshairs, not the target. Strange that I've never seen this mentioned in mainstream magazines, but it works. Sort of like focusing on your front sight with an iron sighted firearm.
Once your zero'ed, get off the bench. Unless you have a bench in your stand.
Reactive targets are more fun than shooting paper. I like anything that moves or explodes when hit. Fruit, clay pigeons, jugs with water....
Set a number of rounds for cleaning purposes. I run a oily patch down my barrel after each practice session. (20 rounds or so) Every 60 rounds, I clean my rifle. The high power folks shoot more than that between cleanings and suffer no adverse consequences. The main idea is to make practice a routine comfortable event.
Bird shooters - look into a local sheet club. I shoot from a low ready position and, if possible, try to shoot stations 3 though 6. I have problems with crossing shots and this maximizes my practice dollars/time.
Giz