Training for Hunting

For a lot of hunters the trip to the gun range is to sight in their hunting rifle or verify their zero. They are quite satisfied with their groups and wonder when hunting their shootings is sometimes not so accurate. Often they assume its a problem with their rifle, optic ect.

I believe the biggest issue is they do not practice for hunting and shooting from a bench with front and rear rests at a known distance gives a false security. There is also a difference to shoot at a bullseye paper target compare to an animal silhouette without markings, as you also need to visualize the vital areas.

Since it is most common to move to higher magnification scopes to shoot better, I have tested how much accuracy improvement I gain between 5 power and 25 power settings. For this I used one of my competition rifles with bipod and rear rest. I shot 10 round groups as I believe this is more informative then less shots… The top on 25 power, bottom 5 power.

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As you can see there is not that much difference. For me, a hunting scope from 2.5- 14 power seems most beneficial. A bit lighter, compacter and under normal conditions the best all around scope for hunting.

As the next test, I was shooting a light weight hunting rifle ( Blaser k95) and rested it only on a front bag,,magnification 12 power which simulates a lot of my hunting situations, where I shoot over my back bag…..the groups got bigger…lighter gun, more unstable rest…

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The 3 test was shooting from a walking stick standing free, magnification 5 power…. as you can see I need some more practice

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I strongly believe it is important to work on fitness, shooting in different positions and with a higher puls rate then normal to practice for hunting.

Further more shooting at different distances to know your trajectory, wind influence, up and downhill shots and your personal capability under hunting conditions….

I will you keep posted of my further practices, hope it helps you too…..