What kind of practice do you all do with your large rifles? I know you have to shoot a lot to shoot a big bore well. How often do you practice? How many rounds per session? Use reduced or full power loads? Obviously, shooting from field positions is best, but do you do any bench work after initial sight in?

I'm thinking that 10-20 rounds every Saturday (or something along that line) will keep you in shape for using the rifle? Opinions?

10-20 rounds in a session with a big bore would ruin my shooting. With the .375, etc. 10-15 shots is about a maximum for me, I sure don't like to hammer out even 10 .416's, .458's etc. in and hour. I like to shoot any rifle, mostly offhand or sitting position, usually at clay pigeons for practice, shoot a couple of times a week, with the big rifles 5 rounds a session is enough. Recoil is cumulative, even with the smaller calibers, go fire 1500 rounds at prairie dogs with a .25-06 if you don't buy this.

I would stay off the bench once the rifle is sited in. Too much recoil for me and doesn't duplicate field conditions.

Shooting 2 or 3 rounds, at a time, from sticks and other field shooting positions is a probably better practice with the big bores. About 15 rounds total is my limit, then I start noticing the accumulative recoil.

When I was shooting a lot of sporting clays, my rifle handling skills were noticeably better. Also, shooting a .22 gives me practice which seems to translate into better riflemanship.

Regards,

Terry

What about supplimental weight training especially in the neck/trap/shoulder area? Do other big bore shooters do this or find this helpful?

i have gotten into weight lifting big time and love it iv packed on close to 40 pounds and man dose it make a difference.

im 5'10 210 pounds i was much smaller say 170.

IMHO shooting very heavy recoiling rifles just teaches you bad habits i.e. how to flinch. Starting two months before a safari, I dry fire daily with a scoped big bore (458 Lott in my case). I concentrate on having the cross hairs not move when the sear breaks. My whole purpose here is to get my trigger squeeze and let off perfect. I then try, if time permits to fire 5 rounds/week when time permits with full power loads at a 4" bull at 50 yds. This isn't practice as such as much as testing how well I am doing on trigger control and making sure that the rifle or handloads hasn't developed any problems.

465H&H