In preparation for my upcoming Namibia trip (my first to Africa). I was practicing my shooting today off the sticks. The rifle is M70 .338 it is shooting 3/4" off the bench @ 100 yards. My first group at 75 yards from the sticks was roughly 2" x 3" with the 2 inch being vertical and the 3 inch horizontal for 4 shots actually it was in a 2x2 with one shot going out to the left. My second group was 3 shots and basically within a 2x2". I think this is fairly good and will try to shoot a few groups everyday up until I leave (June 7th). Plan on trying longer shots and also some rushed shots.
I purchased the long grass sticks because I liked the idea of taking them with me, no suprises with what the PH may provide.
If anyone can provide some different ways of shooting, or something that helped them, or some trick they learned over there please let me know.

I have done a search on shooting sticks and read the posts but did not see acceptable accuracy mentioned.

Thanks

Wayne

Wayne,

I have found it better for me to rest my wrist in the V of sticks and I am holding onto the rifle...
With practice you will get exceedingly better, smoother..

Mike

Be reassured, "retreever" CAN SHOOT off sticks, he hit 2" bull with big bore DR at 100 yds OPEN SIGHTS!!!

I saw it happen!

Make certain you have the sticks set high enough. You don't want to be bending at the waist (spread your legs if need be). Set up as if you were going to shoot off-hand, then adjust the sticks to that height.

Shoot a couple off-hand shots, then go to the sticks for two shots. Think of using the sticks as an aid to your off-hand shot.

Regards,

Terry

Monatana,

I practiced with home made sticks, using bamboo poles, about 6 feet long, two and three sticks, much prefered the three stick.

I had besty results by resting forearm on sticks and holding forearm w weak hand IN FRONT of the sticks.

This is good for first shot but 2nd may have blown your position on sticks. I learned to hang onto sticks and forearm w 450 Dalota but it took some doing.

Personally, I found sticks a nuisance in Africa, my PH wanting me to use it for everything even when a hasty off-hand shot was indicated.

I started w a .22 LR for practice and tried every possible way to use the sticks then went up to 30 caliber and then my 450.

It is worthwhile using them, and using them and close range off hand ALOT.

I much prefered my PH, Myles McCallums hardwood sticks, they did not compress or wobble like my bamboo did. Think it was made from heart wood of mopane tree. Very dense and rock steady.

When I sighted in first day in camp I had about 7-8 people watching (no pressure, man!) and I did clover leafs at 75 yards three times; low left, left but on and on, two shots each.

So practice does help alot.

Sticks at 100-200 are great but closer insist on quick off hand if you can manage it. (Critter's dont wait too long to get shot and you will have to get ahead of the PH and tracker and then wait for set up of sticks!)

Andy

practice with your sticks and take them with you if you can.

My PH handed me his (three legged) sticks and I couldn't shoot for $^&t with them. Two legged sticks for me....

Practice, Preatice, Practice at 200 yds. It makes 100 and under look easy. It is much harder with sticks at 200. Also run 40 yards and then shoot in 20 seconds. Now you are practicing.

Sprig

Also practice shooting off your offhand thumb supported with the flat palm against the post at your range. This gives a surprisingly steady offhand hold if a tree is available for your shot, which is often the case during a stalk. Not quite as good but still stable is shooting off your PH's shoulder (he'll know to cover his ears) easily synch'd with his holding his breath.

If you can get your right elbow against some stable surface like a tree or truck then almost-bench accuracy is possible. Getting your PH to position the sticks two feet up and one foot out is the problem. Then 300 yard shots are much easier. This is also a great way to sight in big bores instead of bench work. Good shoot’n.