Shooting Practice

[Hoosier_Hunter1963]

Does anyone else besides me have trouble holding still to shoot at targets when sighting in your ML's? Sometimes I seem to jerk up whensqueezing the trigger. LOL

I have a gun rest and I still can't seem to hold it very still. Last year I had the same problems when aiming at a bullseye target. However once in the field, I steadied and pulled the trigger and didn't experience "buck fever" at all. I pulled the trigger twice and killed my first 2 deer.

One deer was at about 40-50 yards and ran off about 100 more before pileing up. The 2nd deer was about 125 yards and was BANG-FLOP.

What do you do to steady yourself for sighting in your ML?

[cayugad]

When on the target range I have worked down to shooting off a single Caldwell Dead Shot bag. It is the same thing I would experience out in a blind with a good rest actually. Another thing to practice is using a shooting stick. I also practice off them as well. I really do not find a problem with the bags and sticks. When I want a lesson in humility, all I need do is shoot off hand for a little while. It's hard to believe that a person can shoot so well off a bag and then spray all over off hand. I practice shooting off hand as well.

[IndyHunter83]

I try to sight in on a bench but then when practicing for hunting I set my self up in situation that are ment to put me in the same type of situations as i'd face in the stand or in a blind. I'll use sticks or a metal bar or whatever i think i'll need for those stand shots. The comes the humbling part, I start shooting off hand. I usually set up shots at different targets and different objects. All are ment to give me similar shooting situations as i'd face in the feild.

[lemoyne]

Well,if you want a tip from a round ball bench rest shooter who has done some winning. It sounds very simple but makes the big differance, learn to relax till you are almost limp especally the shoulder the gun stock is against,as that is where the problem starts,this can make a differance in off hand also. Lee

[Hoosier_Hunter1963]

Thanks for the replies gentleman.

To tell you the truth I have been using a "stand" to rest my gun on and I do in my blind as well. I have an old "For Sale" sign that you would put in your yard if you were selling your house. They are the perfect height for resting your gun in the blind. I set those up on the shooting lane side of the blind and rest the gun on it as well as when target shooting.

Bottom line is...I just need to find more time to practise.

[alsaqr]

Propercontrol of breathing can make a big difference, even in the field. Practice taking adeep breath,exhale about half, hold it and squeeze the trigger.

[Doegirl75]

If the BOOM suprises the crap out of me and I still have the crosshairs on target, I did right. I always strive for the suprise shot and try not to anticipate the gun going off. Just focus solely on the target and squeeze. I let down alot, too, especially if I feel I'm taking too long and trying to force off the shot.

[skeeter 7MM]

In load development I always use bags, solid bench and pay attention to technique. When gearing up for season i simulate hunting and don't expect to punch perfect groups butI like to know what to expect when I hit the field.

To be honestI used to be apoor paper shooter, it took me time to stop peeking. In the woods I just focused on what needed to be done and never had a problem. Of course notworried about all the little things that enter your mind when sitting at bench staring at the sight picture and the vitals on a deer are more forgivingthan a 1" dot.

Like you said you just need a little more time on the range.Tryslowing thingsdown(take a few rifles, even a 22lr with you), relax and enjoy it vs making it a chore.