Bench tips,tricks for hunting rifles, load development, etc.

[Oldtrader3]

Good luck with added the quilt Hubcap, I have found that it pads the rest enough to keep my groups centered right about where they would be without the padding. That way, I do not need as much elevation adjustment to zero the rifle to shoot sitting or offhand.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

My biggest challenge is minimizing the effects of my heartbeat. On some days it definitely affects my group size. Sometimes I'll just walk away from the bench, grab a handgun or a .22 and forget about working my loads.

Any help other then avoiding coffee would be appreciated!

 

[wildgene]

My biggest challenge is minimizing the effects of my heartbeat. On some days it definitely affects my group size. Sometimes I'll just walk away from the bench, grab a handgun or a .22 and forget about working my loads.

Any help other then avoiding coffee would be appreciated!

...uhhh, TaiChi???

...seriously, there are a few of the basic forms that center on the upper body, to focus your breathing, extended, full, deep breaths & reduced heart rate...

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I've utilized all the relaxation techniques I'm aware of. It's really not the heart rate that bothers me, it's the amplitude of the muzzle rise when it beats. I need an attenuator or check valve...

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have a natural heart attentuator, it is old age, CAD and a stent, when combined with a large dose of Lopressor, my heart hardly moves at all and beats about 50 times a minute with BP which seldom gets above 100/60.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I have a natural heart attentuator, it is old age, CAD and a stent, when combined with a large dose of Lopressor, my heart hardly moves at all and beats about 50 times a minute with BP which seldom gets above 100/60.

Thanks but I think I'll try other options before I use those mods. :wink:

 

[SJB358]

I still do and have done most of my shots while hunting from the standard military, hasty sling, sitting position with elbows placed just inside of my knees. I have found that I can shoot groups from this position which are very close in size to groups shot from bench rest out to about 300 yards.

Same here, slung up tight and off my knees is a great platform for alot of hunting. Kneeling with the same set up is also pretty steady as well. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

Having a little fun here, please excuse me... Don't own a benchrest. Sometimes I'll shoot a few shots from a bench, but not often. Usually I sight in and test new loads, etc, from prone. Sometimes with the sling, sometimes just off a backpack. Typically I'll test the loads at 300 yards, sometimes shooting a few groups at 100 yards, and out to 600:

I'll keep muscle involvement to a minimum. Try to calm the breathing cycle, shooting at the same point in the breathing cycle each time. I try to relax the shooting hand as much as possible. Get that natural point of aim before touching off the shot. I'll even take the time to remember that old USMC mantra: BRASS, breathe, relax, aim, sights, squeeze. It works for me.

I'll often get a rough zero at 25 or 50 yards before moving back, usually from sitting.

Time to time I get a little unorthodox with my shooting positions too, just because:

I've got some good tips for shooting from prone, sitting and some cheatin' dog tips for shooting from standing - but not much for the bench. Figure if I don't buy a rest, I'll not do much shooting that way. Really ought to though - to broaden my shooting - I'm just afraid that I'd get addicted to the thing.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

Great pictures Guy! That was great to see! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Guy,

We'd all be better field shots if we took time to practise as you describe. It has been years since I worked out with an RCMP detachment in the BC interior. We'd fire the 9mm from unorthodox positions, and practise with the Winchester .308 and the Model 1300 pump under various scenarios. It was great fun.

 

[Guy Miner]

Not trying to lure anyone away from load development at the bench. That's surely the way most shooters do it - and it's a great way. The bench eliminates much of the influence of the weakest link in the chain - the shooter.

I just can't bring myself to spend much time there. Have some rifles that I've never benched, yet I feel very confident taking 300 - 400+ yard shots with. I simply enjoy the feeling of the rifle being firmly attached to me - with a tight sling. I like the way it recoils, I like the way I shoot when I'm using the sling.

Or if not the sling, then perhaps just rested over my backpack, that works too. BRASS.

Semper Fi, Guy

 

[nvbroncrider]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is natural point of aim. Get into position and shoulder your rifle. Once you see where you aim adjust your body and rifle until when you shoulder your rifle it is naturally on target (square your shooting shoulder to target, make your shoulder an extention of your rifle). This will make it much easier to shoot more consistant. I love having a sling. It allows you to become a lot more steady. If your shooting prone after you have found your natural point of aim cross your right leg over your left this reduces the stress on your chest gives you better air capacity and in turn reduces muscle strain. Most of all take your time. I shoot right handed and my body is normally at an angle about 30 degrees away from the target. As for standing instead of shooting facing your target turn your body 90 degrees away from target get your sling good and tight dig your left elbow into your hip and shoot across your body. This is a very stable position and allows your bones to support the weight of your rifle versus your muscles which in turn makes your sight wobble reduce. Take several breaths and watch were your wobble is before taking a deep breath and squeezing the trigger. Practice practice and practice. I dry fire a lot so you take your mind off of everything but sight picture and the basics. Another thing is shoot with both eyes open. Your eyes work in unison and if one is closed you will always be slightly off. Your brain over compensates if one eye is closed it took me a long time to be able to master this. I wore a patch over my left eye for 6 months until I was able to feel comfortable doing this.

 

[elkeater2]

I know threads take on a life of their own, and this one sure did

I just wanted to know the various checks, methods, etc. that people used to shoot consistent groups during load development. Like the tiny braggin' groups people post pictures of when they get it all figured out for a particular rifle/load combo.

I learned about field positions, breathing, slings, relaxation, etc. a long time ago. Prone on top of the cement bench, using a sling with a lead sled and sandbags sounds pretty uncomfortable me :roll: For the people who found this post through Google, we are talking about shooting rifles here.....

 

[Elkman]

Guy
Have you tried the Marlin upside down? Would like to see that one. Great post I hate shooting off of the bench, but only do so for load developmet. I still have load development going on for one rifle but at least some of my shooting is from field positions now. I like my 308 for the short range 100 yard off hand stuff then move up to the mags for long range, mostly prone or against a rest or pack.

Loved the pictures !!!