Hunting Accuracy And Range Time
Whether you hunt from a blind, stalk through the forest, or glass distant valleys from a ridge line, the shot of a lifetime can come at anytime and from any position. Knowing exactly where your bullet will impact at different ranges can help guarantee a clean harvest, vs. an injured or missed animal.
As I prepare for hunting season this year, I have been thinking about the importance of spending time at the range making sure that my rifle and selected ammunition is performing as I expect and my scope or sights are sighted in for the ranges I will likely hunt.
Here are some tips for preparing for the hunting season and making sure that your hunt isn't ruined by a missed shot.
Sight in your rifle
Many hunters rarely shoot their rifles outside of the hunting season. While most rifles will maintain the same point of impact from year to year, it is always best to verify that your point of aim and point of impact are the same for the ammunition you will be hunting with. Different ammo, different lots, and a rifle that was banged around for a hunting trip may change point of impact.
Practice at different distances
Most hunts can present shot opportunities at various ranges. While a ballistic calculator can give you an idea where your rifle will hit with a certain load, there are always variables that will change point of impact. If possible, try to shoot your rifle at various distances to confirm the ballistics of your rifle and load.
Use the ammo you will hunt with
This should be fairly obvious, but if you sight in your rifle and practice shooting with a particular load, but buy a completely different load for hunting, you may change point of impact and trajectory over distance. While it is perfectly acceptable to spend time practicing with your rifle with different loadings, make sure you are sighted in with the load you will actually carry in the field.
Practice shooting from different positions
I'm not aware of very many big game shooting opportunities in the wild that would replicate shooting seated from a bench with sand bags. While it is possible, it is more likely that a shot opportunity will present itself while you are standing off hand, sitting, kneeling or even lying prone. Take some time to practice shooting from the these positions and learn the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is also a good idea to practice each position at different distances and have an idea of the maximum distance you can make a clean kill from each position.
While these tips are not an exhaustive guide to precision shooting, they should help provide some guidance that will improve your chances of filling your freezer or bringing home that trophy. More time at the range will help you store those shooting skills as muscle memory, making a shot in the field easier and more successful.
Do you have your own tips on preparing for the hunting season? Share them in the comment section below.
As I prepare for hunting season this year, I have been thinking about the importance of spending time at the range making sure that my rifle and selected ammunition is performing as I expect and my scope or sights are sighted in for the ranges I will likely hunt.
Here are some tips for preparing for the hunting season and making sure that your hunt isn't ruined by a missed shot.
Sight in your rifle
Many hunters rarely shoot their rifles outside of the hunting season. While most rifles will maintain the same point of impact from year to year, it is always best to verify that your point of aim and point of impact are the same for the ammunition you will be hunting with. Different ammo, different lots, and a rifle that was banged around for a hunting trip may change point of impact.
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| Range time with the 450 Bushmaster |
Practice at different distances
Most hunts can present shot opportunities at various ranges. While a ballistic calculator can give you an idea where your rifle will hit with a certain load, there are always variables that will change point of impact. If possible, try to shoot your rifle at various distances to confirm the ballistics of your rifle and load.
Use the ammo you will hunt with
This should be fairly obvious, but if you sight in your rifle and practice shooting with a particular load, but buy a completely different load for hunting, you may change point of impact and trajectory over distance. While it is perfectly acceptable to spend time practicing with your rifle with different loadings, make sure you are sighted in with the load you will actually carry in the field.
Practice shooting from different positions
I'm not aware of very many big game shooting opportunities in the wild that would replicate shooting seated from a bench with sand bags. While it is possible, it is more likely that a shot opportunity will present itself while you are standing off hand, sitting, kneeling or even lying prone. Take some time to practice shooting from the these positions and learn the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is also a good idea to practice each position at different distances and have an idea of the maximum distance you can make a clean kill from each position.
While these tips are not an exhaustive guide to precision shooting, they should help provide some guidance that will improve your chances of filling your freezer or bringing home that trophy. More time at the range will help you store those shooting skills as muscle memory, making a shot in the field easier and more successful.
Do you have your own tips on preparing for the hunting season? Share them in the comment section below.
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