As we get closer to hunting season I tend to practice more often but at the same time I shorten the duration and increase the accuracy demands.
There is little point when you are practicing for hunting to expend large amounts of ammunition, in our game accuracy is all that matters.
I usually start out my practice session with a zero check. I’ll use a paper target at whatever my zero distance happens to be and take one well aimed shot from a field position. I am shooting from a field position so I don’t expect this to be an absolutely perfect “dotting the i” type shot but I want it very close to my zero. If I called the shot as a good shot and the impact happens to be off I will go back and double check from a more stable shooting position.
My pre hunting season practice focuses on field shooting positions and small vital size steel plates. I generally use 8” plates as they are about equal to the core vitals of the smallest animal I hunt in the fall seasons, antelope.
I will place these targets at random yardages where I can make use of various natural supports around the range. These natural supports can be rocks, logs, stumps, and even NOTHING (yes, free hand is also important).
For today’s shooting I used a good size rock as support and various bags from Cole-Tac to pad the firearm from the rock. The Cole-Tac Bitty Bag has become a staple for my hunting use.
I started out with the Spohr 286 Competition which has a Ultradot Green Match Dot 2 and Nill grips. I loaded the cylinder with 6 handloaded rounds of 105 grain Cutting Edge Handgun Raptors. I then took my time and checked my zero and then shot steel from 75 to 148 yards. This firearm as it is set up is extremely easy to shoot and I was happy to put all 5 rounds on steel.
I repeated the same process with the S&W 460 which is set up with a Ultradot Gen 2 2 moa and Nill grips. I loaded the cylinder with 5 handloaded 240 grain Cutting Edge Handgun Raptors and took carful aim and confirmed my zero. I then proceeded to shoot 3 different steel targets to a maximum of 200 yards. I missed one shot at 100 yards by a very small margin but proceeded to connect on the others. The 460 almost shoots itself, as long as you have good follow through after the shot.
For the final gun of the day I shot the 375 JDJ TC. This is more likely than not going to be my “I can’t get within wheelgun range” gun. I often times carry a single shot in my pack just for such an occasion. I went through the exact same process except I shot 8 rounds of handloaded 200 grain Cutting Edge Handgun Raptors to a maximum range of 325 yards. This gun really moves under recoil and follow through is key. The Cole-Tac bag made field shooting a breeze.
Perfect practice will lead to positive results in the field. By increasing your demands that you place upon yourself for accuracy in practice you will prevail when you encounter tough shots on game. Accuracy is always final as you can not miss fast enough to be successful in any shooting sport.