Ammo Selection: Practice vs Hunting

[Chuck R.]

For me it really depends on the gun/load.

I have a couple rifles that I use Nosler BTs for hunting. For those guns, the hunting load is the practice load. For the couple guns that I load either Nolser Partitions or Accubonds for, I have a Nosler BT practice load for. The BCs are close, MVs are similar, POI is usually no more than a couple clicks. So at practical hunting distances you're looking at "o. something" inch in drop difference.

I have my own range with steel out tom 760yds, so I routinely get practice in. A couple times before the season I'll have friends out and we will do a practice "deer hunt" from various field positions and distances. What is a chip shot with a precision rifle, becomes challenging with an off the rack deer rifle. I also put together a REM M7 in .223 that serves as a big game rifle "trainer". While I like shooting the precision rifles off bipods and rear bags, it's just not the same as off a backpack prone, sitting using a tripod, or leaning on a tree.

 

[Dr T]

Frankly, I do most of my practice with 22 LR and 22 WMR. The things I work on are the usual: Breath Control and Sight Control. Also, offhand plinking at reactive targets is useful practice (as well as a pleasant diversion). This is not counting the occasional jackrabbit that may pop up. The hunting gun practice is generally confined to checking zero.

 

[Captcurt]

I always shoot my hunting loads unless I am tweaking a load or trying a new bullet. My Bergara loves the 129gr Accubond LR over H4350. It is good enough that I don't change it's diet. The only gun that might get different loads for practice is the Savage 300WSM. I shoot 165gr BT for practice and shoot the same load of IMR-4350 with 165gr Accubond for hunting.

 

[mcb]

It depends on what gun I am using and wanting to practice with. My 300 BO and 450 Bushmaster are both using handloads with all copper constructed bullets for hunting that cost ~$1.00+/shot. So for both I have cheaper loads worked up with lead core bullets for having fun and practice with them. Other guns like my 30 RAR and 44 Mag the ammo or bullets are cheap enough I just use the same ammo for everything.

I went through 6 boxes of factory ammo the same ammo I will hunt with in 30 RAR this summer zeroing, practicing and plinking. My wife would have shot me last year if I had done the same with my 450 Bushmaster ammunition I was hunting with last year. I shot less than 20 rds of my hunting ammo last year between zeroing, zero-checks, and hunting. All the rest of my 450 BM shooting was with ammo using much cheaper bullets.

 

[Garandimal]

My foray into hunting hasn't gone quite to plan so far (the past two seasons), but I've got another question for you guys who choose factory ammo rather than handloaded hunting ammo in your rifles.

Do you practice with the ammo you intend to hunt with, or do you use something similar but more affordable? How do you approach practice ammo for your hunting rifle, and why do you do it that way?

Practice w/ PPU... a Lot.

Hunt w/ handloads or Federal Premium.

Just keep the weight the same.




GR