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fairchaser

fairchaser

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Joined
Sep 13, 2011
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Location
TN, USA
Many if not most will venture into the deer woods this weekend and plan on shooting their deer from an unsupported position. Some will use there deer stand with their elbows while others will try to lean against a tree. Some even think it's unmanly to kill a deer other than free handing it.

Sadly, some will have to share stories about the big one that got away clean or worse yet, wounded. Thick clothing, heavy triggers and adrenaline all work against a precise shot. Distance adds to the equation. Here are some guidelines to consider and maximum ranges.
1. Unsupported-sitting 50 yds
2. Partially supported front of rifle, sitting 75 yds
3. Supported front and back sitting 100-150 yds
4. Prone on a bipod 150-250 yds
5. Prone on a bipod and rear back 250-350 yds

Consider that 1/10,000 of an inch in movement is worth 1 MOA. At 350 yards that's equal to 3.5 inches roughly.

I take a trigger stick into my climber and shove it into my boot. Using this with my elbows on the top of the climber gives me a stable position.

Best of luck this weekend!
 
Most of those same people rushed thru 3 shots to check their scope. Some found them to be just fine, some found them off, but they were just fine last year. But the biggest majority of them haven't sat thru more than 1 range trip since last season. If people actually practiced, and not just off bags, they'd find their success rates would go up considerably, the need of a dog would drop, and the overall experience would skyrocket.
 
Great post fairchaser!

And one statement of warning: be very careful about resting a gun on a metal ladder-stand shooting rail. Many are quite "bouncy," in that, at the shot, they can bounce the barrel upwards enough to produce a clean miss (high). Placing your forearm on the rail, and then gun in the palm of the hand can reduce that "bounce" as the forearm absorbs the shock.
 
Jcalder said:
Most of those same people rushed thru 3 shots to check their scope. Some found them to be just fine, some found them off, but they were just fine last year. But the biggest majority of them haven't sat thru more than 1 range trip since last season. If people actually practiced, and not just off bags, they'd find their success rates would go up considerably, the need of a dog would drop, and the overall experience would skyrocket.
Click to expand...
Back when I was playing around with wildcat rounds and doing a lot of reloading, I shot a LOT! I got pretty good. Not match-level good, but good enough for the hunting I do. However, since I stopped reloading, and don't shoot much at all, my skills have dropped off. I'm still an "OK" shot but not a good shot like I used to be. Shooting - like any other precision skill - has to be practiced regularly to keep "in shape."
 
BSK said:
Back when I was playing around with wildcat rounds and doing a lot of reloading, I shot a LOT! I got pretty good. Not match-level good, but good enough for the hunting I do. However, since I stopped reloading, and don't shoot much at all, my skills have dropped off. I'm still an "OK" shot but not a good shot like I used to be. Shooting - like any other precision skill - has to be practiced regularly to keep "in shape."
Click to expand...
If nothing else you have to build your confidence level up. Men generally have too much pride, but teaching my daughter to shoot and hunt it's became more of a confidence thing for them.
 
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Jcalder said:
If nothing else you have to build your confidence level up. Men generally have too much pride, but teaching my daughter to shoot and hunt it's became more of a confidence thing for them.
Click to expand...

Effective accuracy for deer hunting really doesn't require excessive effort or skill. But it does require confidence both in ability and equipment, which means shooting some rounds with purpose before season begins. There's really no excuse for maiming an animal when you're using a rifle. It'll do its job if the shooter does his/hers.
 
Ski said:
Effective accuracy for deer hunting really doesn't require excessive effort or skill. But it does require confidence both in ability and equipment, which means shooting some rounds with purpose before season begins. There's really no excuse for maiming an animal when you're using a rifle. It'll do its job if the shooter does his/hers.
Click to expand...
Problem is lots of people struggle doing their part
 
BSK said:
Great post fairchaser!

And one statement of warning: be very careful about resting a gun on a metal ladder-stand shooting rail. Many are quite "bouncy," in that, at the shot, they can bounce the barrel upwards enough to produce a clean miss (high). Placing your forearm on the rail, and then gun in the palm of the hand can reduce that "bounce" as the forearm absorbs the shock.
Click to expand...
I see it over and over that people rest their gun barrel on a rail vs the forend. Be advised that the barrel moves from recoil before the bullet leaves the barrel. Good advice to support the forend with a hand, sandbag or glove.
 
I always shoot and practice free hand at ranges of 80 yards. However, next year a bipod is in order. It's crazy how accurate shooting supported is. I can hit a penny at 100 yards with my trusty 243 while supported. No way I could do that free handed.
 
Stand rails suck on most commercial stands, especially for anyone that isn't a midget. I take a shooting stick and use in most my commercial stands. I press the stick against the rail with my left hand under the stock to make it as steady as possible.

I do have a couple home made ladder stands that have no rails. Improvising in those stands has been common, most often free hand shots from them though.
 
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fairchaser said:
Many if not most will venture into the deer woods this weekend and plan on shooting their deer from an unsupported position. Some will use there deer stand with their elbows while others will try to lean against a tree. Some even think it's unmanly to kill a deer other than free handing it.

Sadly, some will have to share stories about the big one that got away clean or worse yet, wounded. Thick clothing, heavy triggers and adrenaline all work against a precise shot. Distance adds to the equation. Here are some guidelines to consider and maximum ranges.
1. Unsupported-sitting 50 yds
2. Partially supported front of rifle, sitting 75 yds
3. Supported front and back sitting 100-150 yds
4. Prone on a bipod 150-250 yds
5. Prone on a bipod and rear back 250-350 yds

Consider that 1/10,000 of an inch in movement is worth 1 MOA. At 350 yards that's equal to 3.5 inches roughly.

I take a trigger stick into my climber and shove it into my boot. Using this with my elbows on the top of the climber gives me a stable position.

Best of luck this weekend!
Click to expand...

Great post and good idea on the shooting stick tucked in your boot. I might have to try that.
 
backyardtndeer said:
Stand rails suck on most commercial stands, especially for anyone that isn't a midget. I take a shooting stick and use in most my commercial stands. I press the stick against the rail with my left hand under the stock to make it as steady as possible.

I do have a couple home made ladder stands that have no rails. Improvising in those stands has been common, most often free hand shots from them though.
Click to expand...
In a larger 2-person ladder stand (we have a bunch of them) I often use a modified Creedmore shooting position. I will pull my leg up so my boot is on the seat and then use my bent leg as a brace for the rifle/MZ.
 
I always carry a set of bog bipod sticks. I hunt 90% from the ground. So I always make sure I have a comfortable setup. Gun resting on sticks and I like to lean back if possible to stable my shoulder and back. Hand around the sticks with one finger holding the gun to help stabilize it. Just how I have always done it and found it to be most accurate for me.

But I do practice different scenarios. I never take an off handed shot further than 40-50 yards and it's got to be at a deer standing still.

Some great advice here
 

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