Rifle Tips and Tricks

[cohunter14]

Similar to the thread I just started for archery tips and tricks, let\'s share some tips and tricks for rifle shooting that you have picked up over the years. What\'s the best tip or trick you have ever picked up?

 

[WW]

Shooting sticks. Don\'t leave home without them!

 

[elky McElkerson]

i use bipods. nothing trumps prone. if i can, i will go to great lengths to get into a prone position. using a pack as a shooting \"sandbag\" is a great option. i\'ve laid down in the wet dirt. i kinda always thought i owed the animal that.

and boresighting.

it\'s easy with a bolt action rifle. pull the bolt and peek down the barrel and line it up with the target 100 yards away. now look thru the scope. if you are all lined up on both..your first shot WILL hit paper.

earplugs..even when hunting.

 

[cohunter14]

Probably the best rifle tip I have gotten is to squeeeeeeze the trigger. Before learning to do that, I would get the crosshairs on my target and punch the trigger quickly with my finger. It\'s amazing how my accuracy increased by squeezing that trigger and making it a surprise when the gun went off. It really helps in not flinching as well.

 

[WW]

Find the particular bullet and load your gun likes and stick with it. All guns are different

 

[colorado russ]

Have to agree with the 3 who posted but would like to elaborate just a little on shooting sticks/bipod. I don\'t intend this to be a \"buy this vs buy that\" so only pointing out what I feel is better for my situations.

I\'ve used a mono and a two legged shooting stick which both required standing up. On my wife\'s rifle hunt last year, our guide had a Primos 3 leg shooting stick with the squeeze trigger adjustable height. SWEET!! Granted, they\'re like $170 but the stability and ease of adjusting up and down were unmatched!

The shooting stick/bipod I use now are 2 leg by Stoney Point because they have a super cool push on/off release that attaches to your rifle stock using your sling screw. They aren\'t as tall as the others so meant for kneeling or sitting. They adjust up and down easily but not quickly. However, the swivel part is a flexible, hard rubber that bends every direction.

Same with bipods. I started with a Harris for prone shooting and do love it. Again, the up/down mechanism is clunky especially when out in the field on uneven land and the width is fixed. At the range on level ground, they can\'t be beat! I have a shorter Stoney Point bipod that works just like the one above. I can bend it, move it wider/narrow all very easily when in the field.

Also, to Bill\'s last point. Shot placement to me is more important than caliber and weight of gun/bullet. Not saying use a .22lr for elk either! I use a 150 gr for elk in 7mm mag and told it\'s too small but when it hits double lung or heart then game over!

 

[elky McElkerson]

right. i bought a set of Harris pods when they first came out. i will never sell them. they are the shortest version and pretty much only for prone. super solid and still work as well as the first day i got them. i\'ve sold rifles and before the new buyer takes it away..i always say, \"wait, let me take that bipod off...\"

i understand that the newer Harris products are not as great..i hope that isnt true.

i might sell them when i get too old to pull my ragged ass up off the earth..