BBJ,

When my boys (now 21) and I go out for a shooting session, it works best if there is some entertainment factor involved. The enjoyment of the trip and the learning process involved both seem to benefit if we " spice things up" a little bit. The typical session goes like this:

I HUMOR THEM --
First comes high entertainment for the " young at heart" :
Rip through a few clips of 9 millie or 45 auto in pistols. (25' to 50' )
Couple magazines of .223 through the Fifteen. (50' to 150' )
Optional: 25 clay pigeons each, hand thrown with the intent to make it difficult, 12 gauge trap loads

Transition:
Scoped 22 rifle -- off hand shooting at SMALL targets (like a plastic soda cap) at 50 to 100'

THEY HUMOR ME --
Then we start " reaching out" the distance a little bit:
.223 in a scoped Remington 788 -- Off hand, Braced, Kneel, Over The Knees (50 to 200 yards)
We burn up a fair amount of this stuff.

Then we " fill in" a little bit with something a little more " full bodied" :
.308 in a scoped Remington 788 -- Same as the .223 but fewer rounds
(I don' t care for it for big game but it is an accurate and fun little thing to practice with, as is the 223.)

Then at the tail end of the session we put a few rounds through the " big boys" at a range and style different from last time we went out (just write it on a card and throw it in with the muffs and glasses for next time):
338WinMags for them
375HH or 416 Rigby for me

It only takes a handful of rounds to " anchor" these, after you shoot and hit what you are supposed to shoot and hit, then what is the point? In fact if the first shot is " dead on" , then I praise them heavily, and I encourage them to stop right there, fixate on the accuracy of the shot, " bank away the memory" and stop.

I HUMOR THEM:
One clip of what ever they want.

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In Africa, with all other things equal, PH' s are typically fond of quail hunters -- they are used to being startled, shooting close, quick, accurate, and decisive. What is the connection between quail and cape buffalo? Nothing! What is the connection between quail hunting (light scatter gun) and cape buffalo hunting (big bore rifle) -- apparently more than one would think!

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I' d rather play the field. I think the skills cross transfer AND accumulate. IMHO, I think it sharpens you rather than dulls you.

Never Go Undergunned, Always Check The Sight In, Perform At Showtime,
EKM