A Difficult Question

[ABQ_Chica]

Thanks, Jaquomo and cohunter14. I agree about not wasting the opportunity, especially on a short hunt during potentially nasty weather. So, I\'m borrowing a rifle from a hunting partner who\'s an experienced rifle hunter and an excellent firearms teacher.

Honestly, the biggest problem is the one between my ears: I love shooting rifles, but really dislike shooting with scopes or sights. I miss having the full \"sight window.\" Same problem with glassing, sort of a mental tunnel-vision-induced claustrophobia, even though I know how crucial glassing can be. I really just need to train my brain for it.

I practice again this Friday, and if I come up with anything more specific, I\'ll report back. Meanwhile, if you have any tips for getting used to a scope/sight, I\'m all ears.

And good luck to you, as well. Hope we have lots of full freezers to brag about later this year!

 

[Jaquomo]

The most important thing with rifle shooting is the fit of the gun. Stock, scope clearance, etc.. Once you have that figured out it should be point-shoot if you squeeze the trigger instead of pulling it.

 

[ABQ_Chica]

The most important thing with rifle shooting is the fit of the gun. Stock, scope clearance, etc.. Once you have that figured out it should be point-shoot if you squeeze the trigger instead of pulling it.

Thanks. I totally underestimated why a rifle\'s fit is so important. (As a bowhunter, all rifles looked the same to me!!) But I get it now. And I was pleasantly surprised to learn how many archery skills translated (hand-eye coordination, anchor/cheek weld, smooth release/trigger squeeze, muscle memory, etc.). It\'s fun! I still prefer a bow, but after this hunt I may be in the market for my own rifle...

 

[colorado russ]

ABQ_Chica, I hunted with rifle quite a bit before taking up the bow(explains why I went and got married 20 years ago 3rd week of September)!!

You\'re spot on with the similarities. Here\'s another one that I try to explain to others just starting out. Follow through. Huh? Keeping your eye on the target all the way through the shot just like a 3 point shot in basketball or your bow.

How I do that is concentrate on my crosshairs and placement(aim small miss small still applies). I NEVER know when my rifle is going to fire if my focus is correct - the squeezing of the trigger is natural but I am more focused on holding the crosshairs on the vitals than the \'bang\'. It\'s common to want to move your head right after the shot to see if you hit it. My rifle has a muzzle break/brake so the recoil isn\'t bad so often I will see the animal drop in the bottom part of the scope after the shot.

Best of luck to you.

 

[ABQ_Chica]

Colorado Russ, thanks, and you\'re absolutely right about the follow-through. Definitely another parallel with archery. We\'re all too tempted to \"peek\" after the shot. I\'ve finally gotten the hang of using the scope, and have shot enough to feel confident. We\'ll practice a few more times, especially in cold weather with all the layers on. Now all that\'s left to do is practice calling without giving away that I\'m shivering cold...