D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
That most glorious of all seasons is quickly upon us (it's almost hunting season), and I'm looking to up my preseason marksmanship game. The basic question here is what field shooting position(s) do you consider most appropriate (i.e. ethical, effective, etc.) at what range for large game hunting?
I hunt caribou on open tundra. Literally miles with only hills obstructing my view. I know that my chosen projectile with my handload will drop below minimum performance velocity (the hollow point may not open) at 350 yards. Subsequently, my maximum range is 300 yards. At 300 yards, I wouldn't even consider shooting at a moving caribou, and I would only shoot from a prone and supported position. However, in your mind, what are the cutoffs for other positions?
For example, what's your max range on a moving target? At what range do you feel it acceptable to simply take a knee and then the shot? (Or a shot from the sitting position.) At what range does a standing off-hand shot cease to be ethical, effective, etc.?
Of course, we all have our own individual answers to these questions. What I'm really looking for is a sounding board. For my preseason practice this year (I usually shoot all year long, but with the ammo shortage...), I'm looking to do most of my training with 22LR shooting at 25 yards using various diameter targets based on MOA an the average 12" kill zone on an average caribou. If I say "No offhand shots past 100 yards, then I only need to practice off hand on a 3" target at 25 yards with a 22. Likewise, if I say "only prone after 200" then I probably just need to be shooting prone at a 4 MOA target of 1" diameter with a 22 at 25 yards. (Aiming black would be the same size as the 12" vitals at 300.)
I hunt caribou on open tundra. Literally miles with only hills obstructing my view. I know that my chosen projectile with my handload will drop below minimum performance velocity (the hollow point may not open) at 350 yards. Subsequently, my maximum range is 300 yards. At 300 yards, I wouldn't even consider shooting at a moving caribou, and I would only shoot from a prone and supported position. However, in your mind, what are the cutoffs for other positions?
For example, what's your max range on a moving target? At what range do you feel it acceptable to simply take a knee and then the shot? (Or a shot from the sitting position.) At what range does a standing off-hand shot cease to be ethical, effective, etc.?
Of course, we all have our own individual answers to these questions. What I'm really looking for is a sounding board. For my preseason practice this year (I usually shoot all year long, but with the ammo shortage...), I'm looking to do most of my training with 22LR shooting at 25 yards using various diameter targets based on MOA an the average 12" kill zone on an average caribou. If I say "No offhand shots past 100 yards, then I only need to practice off hand on a 3" target at 25 yards with a 22. Likewise, if I say "only prone after 200" then I probably just need to be shooting prone at a 4 MOA target of 1" diameter with a 22 at 25 yards. (Aiming black would be the same size as the 12" vitals at 300.)