Practice pays off - The Firearms Forum

Sandman · 08-28-2009, 11:03 AM

Two weeks from my first elk hunt, went for my last practice round at the range yesterday. Never having shot anything larger than my .243 deer rifle, I was a little uncomfortable with the new Ruger .30-06 at first, and my groups were reflecting that. Now, three boxes of ammo and one Limb Saver recoil pad later, and I am finally developing some confidence in the new rig. First two groups yesterday were 1-1/2" and 1-1/4". I also got in some practice shooting from my shooting sticks and using a post for a rest. I think I am ready now, I just hope the elk cooperate.

Maximilian II · 08-28-2009, 03:47 PM

Glad to hear it, I've had the thought for a long time that good shooting is a matter of work and practice, while good hunting can involve luck.

Good job practicing, good luck hunting!

TranterUK · 08-28-2009, 04:29 PM

It's my view a good hunter does his homework gun wise. Maximilian is right about good hunting involving luck, though thats only part of it. Good marksmanship however requires practice and homework. Exactly where does your rifle print at a given distance, and can you hold it there? There are things I want to know before a hunt even begins.

OK I will admit I screwed up one time hunting, first and last. Only injured the animal, tried to put it down at short range and found the sights were off. I hadn't checked, and should have known better.

catfish83861 · 08-29-2009, 11:34 AM

Just wanted to say Good Luck on your hunt. I am considering harvesting an Elk this year. Will have to see how things progress this year. Season starts shortly. catfish

Sandman · 08-31-2009, 08:50 AM

Yeah, this was just sort of my testimonial to practice. I really thought I could just sight in the new rifle and immediately be able to shoot it as good as my old rifle. Took it to the 25yd range after mounting and boresighting the scope, so far so good. Got to the 100 yard range, and got a rude awakening. Luckily, I did all this far enough in advance of my hunt to have a fair amount of practice time. I would not want to make the trip not having developed confidence in the new rifle.

Sandman · 09-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Didn't work out quite like we wanted to. It was HOT in British Columbia. I am talking high 80's to low 90's. As a result, the elk were not rutting and were not moving. None of the hunters got an elk. We had a chance on a 300+ 6x7 but were too slow and he got into the brush. Went back after him twice more, but he just bugled from the deep bush and wouldn't come out. He didn't get that big by being stupid, and he made his one mistake and wasn't going to make another. We also had a 5x5 that the guide called within 25 yards (23 to be exact). He was a very nice bull, but BC has a 6 pt rule. We only saw one other bull, and he was too far to get a sure count of points (so he was also further than I was comfortable shooting).

Even though we came back empty handed, it was a great experience. We were in a wilderness area where vehicles were not allowed. We spent the week hunting on horseback from a cabin with no power, water, etc. Drank from the creek and only saw one other hunter. Overall we had a great time.

carver · 09-25-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm sorry you came back with no story to tell of the big Elk you shot. Man that just ****s. Still, glad you had a great time.

dianalv · 09-29-2009, 09:44 AM

Glad you had a great experience. That's why it's called hunting, not killing! Just got my new 7mm.08 out to the range and boy, do I love it! Was thinking of hunting deer with the .243, but don't know now.... Tough call!

08-28-2009, 11:03 AM	#1
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Practice pays off Two weeks from my first elk hunt, went for my last practice round at the range yesterday. Never having shot anything larger than my .243 deer rifle, I was a little uncomfortable with the new Ruger .30-06 at first, and my groups were reflecting that. Now, three boxes of ammo and one Limb Saver recoil pad later, and I am finally developing some confidence in the new rig. First two groups yesterday were 1-1/2" and 1-1/4". I also got in some practice shooting from my shooting sticks and using a post for a rest. I think I am ready now, I just hope the elk cooperate. -->

08-28-2009, 03:47 PM	#2
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Practice pays off Glad to hear it, I've had the thought for a long time that good shooting is a matter of work and practice, while good hunting can involve luck. Good job practicing, good luck hunting! __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

08-28-2009, 04:29 PM	#3
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Practice pays off It's my view a good hunter does his homework gun wise. Maximilian is right about good hunting involving luck, though thats only part of it. Good marksmanship however requires practice and homework. Exactly where does your rifle print at a given distance, and can you hold it there? There are things I want to know before a hunt even begins. OK I will admit I screwed up one time hunting, first and last. Only injured the animal, tried to put it down at short range and found the sights were off. I hadn't checked, and should have known better. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way!

08-29-2009, 11:34 AM	#4
catfish83861 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,019	Re: Practice pays off Just wanted to say Good Luck on your hunt. I am considering harvesting an Elk this year. Will have to see how things progress this year. Season starts shortly. catfish __________________ 'Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.' - David Hackworth

08-31-2009, 08:50 AM	#5
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Practice pays off Yeah, this was just sort of my testimonial to practice. I really thought I could just sight in the new rifle and immediately be able to shoot it as good as my old rifle. Took it to the 25yd range after mounting and boresighting the scope, so far so good. Got to the 100 yard range, and got a rude awakening. Luckily, I did all this far enough in advance of my hunt to have a fair amount of practice time. I would not want to make the trip not having developed confidence in the new rifle.

09-25-2009, 08:55 AM	#6
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Practice pays off Didn't work out quite like we wanted to. It was HOT in British Columbia. I am talking high 80's to low 90's. As a result, the elk were not rutting and were not moving. None of the hunters got an elk. We had a chance on a 300+ 6x7 but were too slow and he got into the brush. Went back after him twice more, but he just bugled from the deep bush and wouldn't come out. He didn't get that big by being stupid, and he made his one mistake and wasn't going to make another. We also had a 5x5 that the guide called within 25 yards (23 to be exact). He was a very nice bull, but BC has a 6 pt rule. We only saw one other bull, and he was too far to get a sure count of points (so he was also further than I was comfortable shooting). Even though we came back empty handed, it was a great experience. We were in a wilderness area where vehicles were not allowed. We spent the week hunting on horseback from a cabin with no power, water, etc. Drank from the creek and only saw one other hunter. Overall we had a great time.

09-25-2009, 09:07 AM	#7
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,254	Re: Practice pays off I'm sorry you came back with no story to tell of the big Elk you shot. Man that just ****s. Still, glad you had a great time. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

09-29-2009, 09:44 AM	#8
dianalv Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,160	Re: Practice pays off Glad you had a great experience. That's why it's called hunting, not killing! Just got my new 7mm.08 out to the range and boy, do I love it! Was thinking of hunting deer with the .243, but don't know now.... Tough call!