Shooting Technique

[jaybic]

The trigger sure helps. I have had all my triggers either done over or installed an aftermarket match trigger. The exception is my Savage w/the Accutrigger, which I dont really care for the feel of it but its set as light as it will go and its crisp and I have them all down to 2-2.5lbs(the lowest my local smith will set them up for me...liablity issues he says, which I understand) but I would have them even a bit lighter if I could.

Anyway, thanks for the ideas and keep them coming. Like I said, I am going to do some research with the long-range target crowd and see how they do it and see if I cant learn something.

Later,

Jaybic

[204sniper]

The method I use depends on which rifle I'm shooting. If the rifle has good balance, it is alot easier to hold steady on a target and squeeze the trigger. If the rifle is barrel heavy, it makes it more difficult. I have a Savage 93 BTVS in 17hmr that is a dream to shoot from any position because it is well balanced, but my .204 is a barrel heavy beast that I had to experiment with different methods of holding the rifle to come up with an acceptable hit percentage at 200 yards. Like Jaybic mentioned, having a light trigger helps alot too. But, the best way to get good at off-hand shooting is go out to the range and practice. Don't be afraid to experiment with hand placement on the forend, and different methods of trigger pull.

[barebackjack]

I know that a running coyote at nearly any distance is a challenge but what I am actually talking about is this.

Your sitting on a stand and a coyote comes in and hangs up at 350 yards or so facing right dead at you like they seem to do. You got the shooting sticks or bipod, whatever you use, down and you get on him and he is just far enough out that you cant seem to hold on him without the crosshairs falling off one side or the other of him. I generally just punch the trigger when I get that "right wobble" and hope to hear the smack of the bullet. I am thinking that maybe the actual "punching" of the trigger is pulling me off target and thats why I am missing shots that for the most part, I should make. I am thinking about trying to train myself to do the slow squeeze but then you dont exactly know when the trigger breaks and you may be "off fur" by then. I am going to do some searching on this topic on some shooting websites like benchrest central and maybe get the opinions of some of the NRA Highpower/F-class/Palma long range guys(they use iron sites for this stuff too!!!!) and see what techniques they use when it counts.



jaybic

Not trying to be a dick or anything, but........

If your having troubles settling the crosshairs on a stationary target at 350 yards (or even farther), I think I would take a real long look at my setup. Whether it be sticks (yuck) or a bipod (yum) holding steady at this range should be the least of your worries in this situation if you're "set up" (i.e. not surprised or rushed).

Id look long and hard at the postures im trying to shoot from (sitting, kneeling, prone, etc) and the platform im shooting from (sticks, bipod, nothing, etc).

I lay prone every chance I get, and I shoot from the bipod every chance I get. (Yes, ill even shoot runners off the bipod if I can.....love those straight away runners!). Id venture to say im sitting with sticks less than 2% of the time. And yes, even with ample snow on the ground, if you pick your stand sites carefully, and prep the stand site before you call, you can still lay prone on the bipod the vast majority of the time. The only times I sit, is early winter in taller cover (buckbrush or taller grass) that hasnt filled in with snow. Even than, I can usually find a spot where I can belly down.

[jaybic]

BBJ,

No worries. I know what your saying and I get that part of it. I do use sticks and a bipod both and if the situation allows, i will lay prone which you and I both know from shooting in the Corps, is much more stable(at least I thought you were in the USMC...sorry if I am wrong). Anyway, it depends on what the situation allows but thats kinda not my point. Its not a set up issue, its a shooting issue. At some point, whether walking in and bumping one or at the range maybe being pushed around by wind, sooner or later everyone gets that shot where the crosshairs just wont "glue"themselves to the target(whatever that may be). I am just working on modifying my technique and up my hit percentage when those questionable shots present themselves.

Even target shooters who do not hunt at all have a certain method of doing things when shooting from an unsteady postion, be it offhand or what ever. I am just trying to get an idea or different ideas of how people do things.

Good food for thought tho and thanks.

Jaybic

[LeviM]

BBJ I agree with your post, good post! My only thoughts are, if your hunting new ground/new area, sometimes you dont have a chance to get to know the land! Theres are times were see a good spot to call only to find out there is ravine our a fence line in the way, and you might have to make those uncomfortable shots.

This past weekend I learned that the hard way, I hunted a new area and was bouncing from hill to hill trying to find the perfect scenerio. I finally found a spot I was comfortable with, and 2 minutes in the stand I had a pair coming in. I found out there was a ravine that lead straight down wind, that I couldnt see that from where I was calling. I knew I had to get up and meet the coyote downwind. I got to it as it was just getting out of the ravine, straight down wind. I set the bipod up, got steady and the bipod crashed throught the snow. I tried free handing all I had was its shoulders and neck, I thought I was steady enough, and bang "no flop". Free handing just sucks period!!!

Next time, know that I know what the land does I can set up alittle different.

[Tbush]

Levi It sounds like you need a tennis ball

[LeviM]

Levi It sounds like you need a tennis ball

Thats funny because thats the 1st thing I thought of Terry. I told myself I wonder how well they are working for Terry because I really could used a set of balls on this stand!

[barebackjack]

Jaybic,

USMC?!

I aint no stinking jar-head!
US Army all the way! 4 years active, 8 years Reserve. I did teach some jar-heads how to shoot though at the US Army Marksmanship Center.


Levi,

Thats a good point. Strange ground can really put a guy in a pickle.

I really love "my spots". Those stands ive made for a decade. I know how to get in quick and quiet, and heck, I can usually predict with 90+% certainty where the animal will come from and its approach route.

Ive been there done that on foreign soil. Get 5 minutes into your set and go "crap, I should be over there 60 yards".

[xdeano]

I'm a bipod guy also. I hate sitting.

When I get to a good spot, I'll drop the gun pointed in a good funnel spot where I predict that i'll have company. I'll dig the bipod into the ground/snow a bit so when I load my bipod it sticks. Then I drop the rifle off my shoulder and start calling. Then If company comes over I'll put the rifle to the shoulder and load my bipod while at the same time lining up my scope picture. When I bring my head into my scope I bring the scope into paralax then bring my head back to the point that the paralax breaks, this allows my head to be exactly the same point every time, it's basically my cheek weld using eye reference. Put the hairs on target breat and squeeze. Boom, back on target while loading a new round, without lifting my head.

If I'm shooting at longer range i'll do everything the same except for a quick range and scope correction.

trigger weight is set at 22oz. breaks like glass.

xdeano

[jaybic]

Sorry bout that BBJ,

Guess I got my jarheads and dogfaces mixed up. new it was military of some sort. dang inter-sevice rivalry anyways!!!!!!! Them jarheads you taught to shoot......wasnt carlos hathcock was it??????

[barebackjack]

Sorry bout that BBJ,

Guess I got my jarheads and dogfaces mixed up. new it was military of some sort. dang inter-sevice rivalry anyways!!!!!!! Them jarheads you taught to shoot......wasnt carlos hathcock was it??????

Man I wish!

Theres a man (Hatchcock) a guy would love to just sit down with for a few hours to a month and just listen to! Man for stories!

A guy could learn a lot about shooting and bushmanship from the old gunny (RIP).

He still has the most impressive sniper shot in history IMO. 2500 yards, ONE SHOT, with the M2. Sure that Canuck in Afghanistans shot was further, but it took him like 5 rounds to "walk it in" finally. And that was with a .50 designed for sniping! Silly canuck.

[Tbush]

Jaybic, back to one of your Q. In the Kenmare tourey I was dogging a coyote for about a mile and it popped up about 200yds from me well I hit the grnd with snow shoes on and after a bit tryed to settle on him and could not after stopping him 3 times and going to lose him I waved the cross hairs on him and hoped ?? but no luck. I was half lying and half sitting and just could not get settled on him, well I have practiced this a few times with not much luck so I have made the choice to get down get the shoes off then settle for the shot if time and my mind can do all that :lol:also the way my sticks are, I can put them in my belly,under the do lap or on my belt and get some what stable while standing.

[Pilgrim]

Great topic, Jaybic. Seems there's a common appreciation for your question. I know I do (appreciate).

My first coyote hunt was less than 4 years ago so every day out is lessons & reminders. Recent events have caused me to arrive at deciding that I'm going to resist temptation and 'Just Say No' to offhand shooting at coyotes, which has much in common with Levi's descriptions. I'll create a new thread with explanation.


Photo of 'offhand' fur coat:

[lyonch]

Pilgrim that coyote looks like a picture of one that got away I passed up a 130 yard free hand shot at a coyote last weekend because i just dont feel that i can connect like i want to. I also passed up a 317 yard sitting shot with a bipod. I couldn't get the cross hairs steady there either. I have kind of limited my self by not practicing these postitions enough. Laying prone i will take the shot out to 500 and feel somewhat conifdent, but sitting i have to say 200 and in, then free handing, well i might as well grab the shotgun and wack them because i will have better luck

[204sniper]

When it comes to offhand shooting the expression "if you hold long, you hold wrong" comes to mind. Can't remember where I heard that, but it is in reference to the fact that most people can't hold steady offhand for more than a few seconds.


Hey Pilgrim,
Either that's one that got away, or it's one that sure figured out how to blend in with the snow.