In an attempt to really work on my .450 double skills and to improve my trigger squeeze I have decided to make about 10 dummy rounds. I figure that I can put the 10 dummies and 2 live rounds in my bag and then just randomly reach in for 2rnds, load and squeeze. I used to do this with my big revolvers with some success. Anybody done it with their big guns?

I assume you will not have a primer? If not, won't it be the same as dry firing your rifle?

Just shoot paper plates at 35 and 50 yrds till you can keep everything on paper and reload as quickly as possible from a cartridge belt. Shooting standing up and without those stupid sticks, you know offhand.-Rob

I shoot this rifle a lot and have a speedy reload. I guess I should have been a little more clear, sometimes I catch myself jerking the trigger so this drill should help with not jerking and not working myself into a flinch. The odds being it will go "click" most of the time but it will occassionally fire a live round. I won't know whether it is live or dummy till I pull the trigger. Not wanting to look like an idiot jerking the trigger on an empty gun, I tend to be more aware of both my form and squeeze.
Did that help make my intentions clear as mud?

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
I shoot this rifle a lot and have a speedy reload. I guess I should have been a little more clear, sometimes I catch myself jerking the trigger so this drill should help with not jerking and not working myself into a flinch. The odds being it will go "click" most of the time but it will occassionally fire a live round. I won't know whether it is live or dummy till I pull the trigger. Not wanting to look like an idiot jerking the trigger on an empty gun, I tend to be more aware of both my form and squeeze.
Did that help make my intentions clear as mud?

The difference in weight between a loaded and dummy round is very noticable with most big bores. I think its a good idea, but I also think I'd need to have someone else loading the rifle magazine for me if it was actually going to be a surprise.

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:
The difference in weight between a loaded and dummy round is very noticable with most big bores. I think its a good idea, but I also think I'd need to have someone else loading the rifle magazine for me if it was actually going to be a surprise.

Thats the reason for the dummy rounds, the wife just doesn't find it much fun to load and my labrador has trouble opening the action without dropping the gun. I will add some weight to the dummy rounds and reload with my eyes shut. Desperate times, desperate measures!

I point shoot at a pistol target (paper plate) at 25 yards off hand..If one can shoot off hand then one can shoot from any position...I am probably the sole exception to that rule in that I cannot and am not allowed to shoot off sticks! they do not work for me but then I have no need of them

Point shooting or instinct shooting at 25 and 50 yards is the best way to get over past the recoil of heavy calibers..Once you get past that then start shooting by aiming. Ilike to aim shoot at 100 yards off hand.

You can never become a great shot by shooting off a rest, a rest is a crutch, a pacifier or sorts IMO..

Once you learn to shoot off hand then useing a tree or rock in the field is always a good idea but be able to back it up with off hand shots, especially in a charge situation..If you shoot only from a rest and you get a charge, they I hope you have a great shot for a PH, but all Phs are not great shots, lots of them are not.