Recent experience leads me to believe a muzzle heavy rifle is easier to shoot off hand. For example, at 90 yard, i seem to make more water jug hits using an Omega Dream Season, than when using an Omega X7. This happens when i am shooting standing unsupported on my legs. This also seems to be true when shooting standing, utilizing cross sticks to help support the rifles. When shooting at the bench, both rifles shoot equal.

Free hand off hand shooting is very very difficult for me, and i try to avoid doing it at all costs when hunting, but........this year........resulted in the deer i tagged, being gut shot. It sure didn't go very far, and as i walked up, it lay there as if dead. When i was about 10 feet away, it came to life, and ran off a ways requiring a kill shot, when it lay down again. The load was 105 grain Blackhorn, 300 grain XTP, black crush rib, and W209 primer. The bad hit sure hurt that deer, and it didn't run off very far. There was no blood, and even though the snow was very deep, tracking was impossible because of there being too many tracks going in all directions. Still, the deer was easy to find, because it lay down quickly, and didn't run off too far after it got up again. That 300g XTP sure did the job; me not so much.

I wonder if the cold had anything to do with why that deer gave up so easily?

For years now, my hunting rifle has been the X7. After this year, and after practicing, since season ended, i believe i can shoot the Dream Season better than the X7, free hand. I will be using the same old reliable 300 grain XTP next year, however, i will be using the muzzle heavy Dream Season instead of the X7........maybe, perhaps.......probably.........











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