Shooting freehand
- Thread starter Dave881
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Sika-Hunter
Well-Known Member
I have shot just a handful of times freehand but its been more of a reaction than intention and only at shortened distances, I do remember on my DSC1 for the shooting test one of the principles was from 70ish yds of sticks and like a prat I forgot my sticks which were at the other end of the range the instructor said you'll have to shoot freehand , so I stuck 3 in a 4" group and without really thinking to much about it, lucky I had spent quite a few years and from very young walking around fields shooting all sorts of vermin freehand but never with a centrefire so luck or judgement who knows.
That video by Heym shows techniques that are exactly the way I was trained on FGASA's SKS DG course
It is probably not the only way to do it but it sure works and is based upon the collective knowledge of a great many highly practised pro's
It is probably not the only way to do it but it sure works and is based upon the collective knowledge of a great many highly practised pro's
Odders
Well-Known Member
Good for you for not only making the effort but posting the result. That first shot was excellent & the one that went high left looked like you dragged on the trigger, rather than any wobble. Offhand shooting is nowhere near the doddle it's made out to be (I missed a head shot on a bunny @ 40yds on Friday evening, so pretty close to your 4" circle @100yds size wise).
Always good to practice.
22rf is your friend here. Consider also:-
22rf is your friend here. Consider also:-
- Gather up your sling in the hand supporting the fore-end as having that swinging around under the rifle doesn't help
- Consider mounting above the target, coming down onto it and squeezing the trigger as the cross hairs come onto the target (needs care with safety)
- Don't forget safety - how do you operate the decocker/safety in the aim/safe place (looked like an R8 to me)
- As an added wrinkle make up a drill round and load in a manner you cannot tell which of the 4 it is - great for discovering flinch but obv not for a stalk!
- Have fun!
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
With consistent practice I can shoot foxes out to 300 m with night vision off sticks .Same daylight with deer in the engine room .Anybody advocating shooting offhand beyond 50 m,follow ups withstanding,is an idiot and really shouldn’t have a firearms .
Ive read on here more than I’ve written and the theme in the main is welfare so why would anyone jeopardise that to boost an ego .
Ive shot deer offhand under 50 m ,it’s not hard and I think anyone who can’t do that first time without years of practice should maybe hand in their firearm .
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Either you are a wind up merchant or just a idiot time ,will tell .
Beyond legalities and safety ,welfare has to be the main consideration when stalking so why would anyone jeopardise that with a rangey offhand shot .Follow up shots are an entirely different consideration and one that should be taken under control ,as calm as possible or things will go from bad to worse quickly .Flinging off hand shots might be your means to an end but I’d rather sort it calmly and efficiently off sticks .Dosnt mean I won’t take a moving shot but never free hand beyond 50 m .
Im here to learn so please teach me .
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Not many moose where I’m from mate and if there were I’d manage but thanks for your input .
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
Let's start with some manners, shall we . . . . ?
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I’m sorry to have to differ from you, but there are many who are plenty capable of shooting accurately well beyond 50m offhand.
If you aren’t one of them, then stick within your limits.
You have no right to be telling people how and why to take shots as long as they’re consistently killing humanely.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Plenty of friends mate ,weeded out over the years though .Lifes too short to be putting up with almosts and nearlys .
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Agreed mate but to advocate it as the norm can’t be right either .If anybody is doing it consistently could they please put a video up of a few targets as I’m not convinced to be honest .
Trouble with these boards is everyone’s a pro until asked to actually do it ,lol.
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This is another one of those threads, where people judge what they think people should, or shouldn't do, by their own ability 
I regularly shoot driven boar offhand, and occasionally deer when stalking, but a 100m + would be a long way for me, especially on the boar, which are generally running.
However, that doesn't mean others, don't possess the skill/ability to do it consistently.
I regularly shoot driven boar offhand, and occasionally deer when stalking, but a 100m + would be a long way for me, especially on the boar, which are generally running.
However, that doesn't mean others, don't possess the skill/ability to do it consistently.
This is another one of those threads, where people judge what they think people should, or shouldn't do, by their own ability
I regularly shoot driven boar offhand, and occasionally deer when stalking, but a 100m + would be a long way for me, especially on the boar, which are generally running.
However, that doesn't mean others, don't possess the skill/ability to do it consistently.
Exactly this.
As a species we are naturally inclined to measure others by our own standards. Standards which we, quite obviously, hold up as the best (no-one really wants to admit that they are second-best to others; another human failing).
However, when looked at objectively, there certainly will be people who are eminently capable of making 100m offhand shots with almost boring, metronomic regularity and certainty. They may be few and far between, but that does not mean to say that what they do is wrong; only that it does not conform to "our" standards.....
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Are those few on here though mate .If so ,don’t be modest and let’s see a vid or two .Im the first to praise anyone for first class feats .
If however they arnt then we are back to dreamers and liars ,another human trait nobody wants to own up to .
I hold my hands up to not being good offhand beyond 50 .I don’t practice for it but off sticks I’m good to 300 .Quad sticks that is .If a chap turned up on invite with no sticks and no intention to borrow ,I’m afraid we wouldn’t be stalking that day and that would I guess be the same for 99% of lads on here .
If however they arnt then we are back to dreamers and liars ,another human trait nobody wants to own up to .
I hold my hands up to not being good offhand beyond 50 .I don’t practice for it but off sticks I’m good to 300 .Quad sticks that is .If a chap turned up on invite with no sticks and no intention to borrow ,I’m afraid we wouldn’t be stalking that day and that would I guess be the same for 99% of lads on here .
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Sika-Hunter
Well-Known Member
I think to many people prefer to press keys than pull triggers, Ive met very few Pro's and most would not admit to being one. There are varying degrees of experience and expertise on these forums and its always up to the individual to decide on there competence to take any shot and not those who sit behind screens whom most have never met nor know of there skill and markmanship.
Well, this is after all, a Gentleman’s forum here and we do expect good manners from one another don’t we?Making friends left, right, and centre, ain't he?
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
And that is why the country is in the state it is mate .Too many people not prepared to say it how it is .
One thing you’ll get from me is an honest post from the heart not whatever you want to hear or whatever is pc this year .
Ive used the ignore button once which has probably made life better for everyone so if I offend then please ignore me also .
One thing you’ll get from me is an honest post from the heart not whatever you want to hear or whatever is pc this year .
Ive used the ignore button once which has probably made life better for everyone so if I offend then please ignore me also .
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