Master Blaster
Member
Sunday I was at my club, on the 100 yard rifle range, and I am fairly new to precision rifle shooting. What struck me was that out of 8 people there shooting I was the only one not using a rest. Yes I was the only one shooting freehand, seated.
I noticed that some of the folks were making these teeny tiny groups, and discussion was of how small the groups were from thier rifles all of these folks had front and rear rests for their guns.
Of course all were curious to see how I was doing and to give me pointers, which was fine.
Then I made a controversial statement: I said that I did not see the practical value of shooting off a rest, because in a real world situation you would not have one to use (SHTF, or hunting). Of course my 5 shot groups were 2-3", and my 20 shot group was like 6". (my movement not the gun).
Well when I made my statement that it may be a good idea to shoot offhand as one would in the field, you could hear the cricketts chirp and then all went back to the 5 minute squint before releasing a round.
I was shooting my new savage 10fp LE2 with accutrigger, and a nikon 4.5-14 AO scope. A gent who had a Canjar trigger on his rem tried my 1.5lb trigger and was very impressed with it, especially the fact that the rifle came with the trigger, and the whole rifle cost about waht he had spent on his trigger and installation.
It took me 6 shots to dial in the bullseye, and I am very pleased with the rifle.
My starting load was 40 gr of IMR 4064 and a remington 165 gr softpoint.
One of the tiny group shoters said that my groups were about as good as he could do offhand, and that they were minute of deer easily.
So how do all of you practice, two rests or offhand, and what kind of groups can I really expect offhand.
Maybe I shoud order a rest so I can see what my rifle is capable of (being a conformist)???, any suggestions.
Thanks
I noticed that some of the folks were making these teeny tiny groups, and discussion was of how small the groups were from thier rifles all of these folks had front and rear rests for their guns.
Of course all were curious to see how I was doing and to give me pointers, which was fine.
Then I made a controversial statement: I said that I did not see the practical value of shooting off a rest, because in a real world situation you would not have one to use (SHTF, or hunting). Of course my 5 shot groups were 2-3", and my 20 shot group was like 6". (my movement not the gun).
Well when I made my statement that it may be a good idea to shoot offhand as one would in the field, you could hear the cricketts chirp and then all went back to the 5 minute squint before releasing a round.
I was shooting my new savage 10fp LE2 with accutrigger, and a nikon 4.5-14 AO scope. A gent who had a Canjar trigger on his rem tried my 1.5lb trigger and was very impressed with it, especially the fact that the rifle came with the trigger, and the whole rifle cost about waht he had spent on his trigger and installation.
It took me 6 shots to dial in the bullseye, and I am very pleased with the rifle.
My starting load was 40 gr of IMR 4064 and a remington 165 gr softpoint.
One of the tiny group shoters said that my groups were about as good as he could do offhand, and that they were minute of deer easily.
So how do all of you practice, two rests or offhand, and what kind of groups can I really expect offhand.
Maybe I shoud order a rest so I can see what my rifle is capable of (being a conformist)???, any suggestions.
Thanks