Technique: Sticks and a double?

13 August 2003, 17:02

<500 Nitro>

mstarling,

What do you mean by "longer shots".

Out to 100 - 120 yards, IF no Natural rest is around I shoot offhand
without any problems (ie accurately). IF the animal was past 120 - 150 yards
and it was the FIRST shot, I probably would try to get closer before shooting.

I would however take off hand shots at PREVIOUSLY wounded running game
out to 150 + yards with a double.

I have never used shooting sticks, just PRATICE off hand shooting. In most situations
I have been in I can't think of many where I would have wanted to set up sticks.
It is however something I would like to try with a Mono Pod.

Hope this helps
500 Nitro

14 August 2003, 02:14

Slingster

quote:
Originally posted by 500 Nitro:
I can't think of many where I would have wanted to set up sticks.
It is however something I would like to try with a Mono Pod.

I used a monopod (actually, just a long branch that my PH had cut and trimmed) my last time out with great success. The "post rest" technique that Jeff Cooper teaches worked very well with slight modification. The monopod should come up to your eye level or thereabouts, and a round knob at the top would make it more comfortable to use.

Grab the knob with your support hand and make an "L" with your index finger (vertical) and thumb (horizontal), which is your rifle rest. Tilt the pod back towards you and lean forward on it with your support arm straight and your feet spread out to shoulder width; you have just created a tripod.

Try it!

14 August 2003, 03:06

<500 Nitro>

slingster,

Thanks for this suggestion. I will give it a go.

I should also clarify my statement
" In most situations I have been in I can't think of many where I would
have wanted to set up sticks. It is however something I would like to try with a Mono Pod".

I PERCEIVE that it would be easier using a monopod than 2 sticks, as well
as being a lot quicker to get into position. Any comments on this from people
who have used both ?
500 Nitro

14 August 2003, 05:16

Slingster

500Nitro:

I've used both and the monopod was quicker and steadier, in my opinion, using the technique I described. The problem I had with the bipod type (and probably also with the tripod type, though I've never used one) is height adjustment. I'm on the short side, and when the bipod was spread out far enough for me to use it, the feet were at a shallow angle to the ground and had a tendency to slip.

I should also note that the monopod can also be used at all heights by just grasping it further down on the shaft. Because of the way I'm built, I have a hard time with the standard supported kneeling and sitting positions. I used the monopod and the "post rest" grip successfully as a substitute for supporting my elbows on my knees.

14 August 2003, 05:20

Lar45

Will the Monopod technique give the same point of impact for a double as shooting off hand? Maybe this would be a betterway to have a steady rest while regulateing?

14 August 2003, 10:09

<500 Nitro>

Slingster,

Thanks for the Info.

Lar45
IF the barrel was touching the monopod it may affect the POI as it would change the mussle flip.
When working up loads in double rifles, I have found that I cannot shoot any double above 450/400
from the sitting position.
We have a STANDING REST on our range where the your FOREARM is supported and this
is steady enough to get enough accuracy. Where possible try to REST your gut/navel and left hip
etc as well as this really steady's you.
500 Nitro

14 August 2003, 11:08

Slingster

quote:
Originally posted by Lar45:
Will the Monopod technique give the same point of impact for a double as shooting off hand? Maybe this would be a betterway to have a steady rest while regulateing?

Lar45:
I should qualify that I was shooting a bolt action rifle and not a double. If I had to speculate about shooting a heavy double using the monopod technique I described, I think the POI would be similar provided that you also used a loose grip on the forearm when shooting off-hand instead of gripping it tightly.

In reality, however, if you're using a heavy double I would guess that you're likely close enough to the target where off-hand shooting is feasible, if not preferable (or even necessary!)

15 August 2003, 04:10

1894

quote:
Originally posted by 500 Nitro:
slingster,

I PERCEIVE that it would be easier using a monopod than 2 sticks, as well
as being a lot quicker to get into position. Any comments on this from people
who have used both ?
500 Nitro

Don't have a double but I do use sticks 3-5times a week in the field.

2 sticks rule. If you have time you set them up, if you don't you just leave them together and use them as a single stick. If you have absolutely no time lean them against you left shoulder and shoot off hand.

15 August 2003, 06:18

Robgunbuilder

In Africa you typically will have the choice of a two stick or three stick set-up. Generally I have found the tree stick tripods to be a bit steadier. Nevertheless you have to hold the forearm of the double in your hand and lean into the gun. This steadies things enormously. Properly done and with a good double you know is accurate, shots out to 150 yrds are possible. Maybe not likely, but possible. Look at it this way IF YOU CONNECT, then you have earned major bragging rights! I'd only do that though if the double was the ONLY gun I had at the time. I usually have one of the trackers carrying a 30-06 for shots over 150 yrds.-Rob

15 August 2003, 12:10

500grains

I prefer offhand.

16 August 2003, 09:59

Pete E

For deer stalking, I can't imagine going out without my shooting sticks.

They are obviously popular in Africa too, but I do see some draw backs. In DG game country I would assume the rifle is carried in the hands at all times; if so, that means the sticks would normally be carried by a tracker..
Not being able to use the sticks for glassing, and not having them *right there* when you need them seems to me to really limit their usfulness....

20 August 2003, 06:47

MacD37

There are always times when a rest is needed, no matter what type rifle you are shooting! I don't normally shoot well off the sticks, and if a sitting possition is available, I use that instead. Sometimes the sticks are all the rest you have, and must do! Wehn I use the three leg sticks with a double rifle, I set them up lower, and place the fore arm of my left arm between the three sticks above the rubber binding with the rifle's fore arm in my hand, and lean into the sticks lightly. This allows the rifle to touch nothing but my hands, face,and shoulder, and the recoil is as it would be from an off hand shot! A double should never touch a rest of any kind.

Even if I rest against a tree trunk, only my fore arm, or wrist touches the tree, never the double rifle. Any person who doesn't know his double well enough to make kill zone hits on even Kudu size animals at 150 yds, from a good rest, with one, or the other barrel of a cool barrel set, needs more range work with the rifle,IMO!