Handgun Hunting Afield

Being a proficient hand gunner, capable of making ethical shots on game at distance, isn’t a skill that comes over night and is one that takes consistent practice to maintain. The annual Handgun Hunters Competition (HHC) based in New Castle, Wyoming is designed to hone the skills you need to adapt to difficult and variable shooting conditions in the field.

This competition has not only given me opportunities to shoot in a wide variety of stages that are designed to mimic real world field shooting using improvised positions from rocks, logs, trees,fence posts, gates and even a farm implement or two, but it’salso allowed me to learn from a group of folks who are there to share their experiences while enjoying their passion for hand gunning. The camaraderie amongst the shooting community that participates in this event has been exceptional and shooters of all skill levels are part of the group.

Handgun Hunters Competition has four handgun divisions which cover most hunting handguns.  The divisions arepistol/revolver iron sight division, pistol/revolver optics division, rimfire, and single shot pistol division. There are some weight limits and cartridge restrictions placed on the firearms in each division. The key here is using the guns that you actuallyuse in the field. You do not need crazy custom guns or equipment to be competitive, though I do suggest ammo tailored to your gun and a functional knowledge of your elevation and windage corrections!

This competition emphasizes your ability to build stable rests in highly variable shooting conditions and challenges you to think through the equipment you would need to be successful while hunting. Competitors must bring their own rests, things you would commonly use in the field such as lightweight shooting bags or various supports like trekking poles or freestanding bipods. These supports must fall within weight limits and design criteria established in the rules at https://handgunhunterscomp.com/ . Your ability to get stable and execute fundamental shooting processes are the most critical aspects in every stage of this competition.

Target distances and sizes vary widely from about 10-120 yards in rimfire, 20-200 yards in revolvers, and 150-450+ yards in single shot division. These targets are arrayed and often hidden at difficult angles forcing shooters to make the most of any rest platform available or even shooting off hand when necessary.Again, getting stable and knowing where your rounds will impact at a variety of ranges (low or high) is key. I find that drop compensating reticles are beneficial for the rimfire and revolver optics divisions. Though some do shoot well with dot style optics. I’ve not shot the iron sight division, but many recommend sights from Ferim Garza which are calibrated for the gun and load. That said there’s a good number of shooters who do just fine (amazingly fine in my opinion) with their factory rigs. This single shot division greatly challenges me. Shooting an XP-100 in 7mm-08 and an optic with a standard duplex reticle and no turrets is very challenging for me. I’ll admit, I also practice with this gun the least. In my opinion, having an optic with turret adjustable elevation is highly beneficial in this division, along with heaps of practice!

The competition wraps up with a banquet and awards ceremony on the last evening followed the next morning with an optional prairie dog shoot for those wanting to attend. I highly recommend this event to anyone looking to improve their skill in the field. The amount I’ve learned from shooting alongside the competitors of HHC is difficult to describe in one article I can only recommend that you attend to find out. It appears signups for the 2025 Mark Allan Hampton HHC will open in January.

 

http://www.handgunhunterscomp.com