Someone gave me a rusty old Remington 700 in 243 Winchester. The barrel was beyond any help, so I threw it away, cleaned up the action, installed a new stainless steel barrel on it, chambered for the 308 Winchester and put the whole lot in a McMillan classic stock, painted silver.
The rifle is extremely accurate, and everyone loves it. It gets shot more than any rifle here in our range.
We use this for all our hunting practice. We use bullseye targets that are about 5-6" in diameter, and shoot at them from 100 yards off hand. Everyone loads 5 rounds and fires them as quickly as he can shoot them accurately.
Quite a few of us have no problems putting all 5 shots in the black.
Of course, this is far too easy compared to actual hunting conditions. Where you might be running after an animal, see only glimpses of it and try to put a bullet in it.
Sometimes I wonder myself how I manage to hit some of the animals I shoot at.
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saeed@ emirates.net.ae
www.accuratereloading.com
With smaller calibers, I shoot from the sitting and kneeling positions with shooting sticks.
George
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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!
[This message has been edited by Slamfire (edited 08-14-2001).]
As far as practice, I find shooting at my 3"X4" spinner with the 22rf is pretty good, cheap, and you get instant feed back on your misses and hits. With concentration, I can hit it 5/5 at 35 yds w/ irons on the 10/22. I'm too lazy to wait for it to stop swinging before taking the next shot, and with timing, you can hit it at the bottom of its swing, also good practice for moving targets.
My buddy has a 1" thick ~8" dia steel plate and stand. I've shot it a couple times when I had the 458 lott, unfortunatley each time I hit it, the plate swung back violently, lifted the stand off the ground, then the whole works came crashing down. Most gratifying, but something stouter would be required for frequent practice.
The way I figure it, if you shoot well offhand, then you'll have no problem shooting from the other positions. I've heard it claimed if you can shoot a short barreled iron sighted pistol well offhand, you'll shoot rifles well, but don't know that the argument really holds water.
The 22rf is a good way to warm up at the range, and also for rests between groups with the big bore, or as a flinch detector.
Best .... Nick
Nick
Nick,
I am no Townsend Whelen so my opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.
I like to shoot off the bench to determine that my rifle is "on", then I must shoot to determine if I am "on". It is a personal challenge of sorts.
I usually try to pick a time to go to the range when there are few people around. Contrary to the belief of some folks who do not understand us heavy rifle afficianados I am sure, I am not into the "mine is bigger than yours" thing.
What is the point I am trying to make?
We who like these rifles need to practice if we are to 1) ethically hunt or 2) not make an ass of ourselves in front of our wives and others. Therefore position(s) which are comfortable to allow enjoyable practice need to be found and perfected.
From what I have read my thoughts are mirrored by the positions others take, in that, one must be able to move with the recoil. I have never tried the "paddy squat" so this is something I will dedicate five rounds to this weekend to see if I can shoot using it.
This I speak from (humorous) experience: I was trying a sitting position with my feet a little closer together to keep a more upright spine. I had my .500. Unfortunately I went to the range when it was literally, "wait in line for a table".
I set up and squirm into position. BOOM! I take the recoil and slowly roll over my A-double-S onto my back. I am proud of having the presence of mind to keep the rifle pointing downrange between my legs, which are sticking up in the air. I roll back up onto my butt, unload my rifle, pack it into the case and leave. I didn't even bother with my targets. I was so embarrassed I wanted to die.
This is why I like to go when no-one is around. I don't use that position by the way.
All this takes me back to encouraging young fellas to do some serious woodchuck or rockchuck hunting for a time. You'll discover every imaginable shooting position and field rest and learn to squeeze off in the same deadly way, regardless of caliber. Moreover, you'll come to know what a rifle is capable of, something many otherwise terrific hunters of the heavy timber never come to know. It just serves to make all future hunting that much easier.