Just a thought....

[tjk]

I got to thinking about messing with my hunting rigs today,....and the more I thought about it,...the more I really don't want to fool with their current settings when the official "paper season" starts up,...at least that's what i call the off-season!!. But I got to thinking,..would anybody be interested in an 'open-class' 20 or 30 yard competition?!?Perhaps both?!?!? I seem to be more acustomed and accurateat shooting off hand at these distances.Just an idea mind you.tjk

[ronbeaux]

I'm in. Bench?? Off hand. Reactive targets?

You call it. 20 to 30 is my favorite range. Just a thought but I think when you are hunting some kind of prop or steadying device is more humane and gives a better chance at a quick kill. I like to steady the gun by leaning on something or stabilizing myself propped over something or grabing a tree or something to help steady the gun. Field target positon works. Hunter class with sticks works, prone works with slings. ETC.

Whatever it takes except for a steady bench which would be hard to carry into the field and wouldn't mimic actual hunting.

If we are going strickly off-hand, I'll pass. I have a hard enough time at 10meters off hand.

[kirby999]

"I'm your Huckleberry " LOL !! 30 yards , army men , paintball on toothpicks , what's your fancy . Just let me have my stool and bipod . hehehe . kirby

[daved]

I think I'd have to agree with Ron, I'm amazed at how well I've done off hand at 10M with my S200, but there's no way that's going to carry over to my Cylone at 30 yards.  I also find some way to stabilize my rifle when hunting, even if it's just leaning against a tree.  HFT with bucket seat and crossed sticks would work for me.  How about a Mini Sniping match?  http://www.minisniping.org/  Best of both worlds, precision shooting AND reactive targets :-).  The web site has several practice targets available, but I think most of us can come up with a handful of .22LR or 9mm brass.  Add a block of duct seal and a chunk of scrap lumber, and you're set.  Later.

Dave

[ronbeaux]

I am MORE than in for Mini Sniping!!!!! It is addictive. I posted a long time ago about it and am glad it is finally resurfacing. Granted, it's usually shot from a bench, but the wind and target size really make it fun to play.

Might I suggest:

Goldfish crackers at 25 yards from anything but a solid bench rest, outdoors(of course, duhh) With 2 practice shots for sighting at the same distance, then 5 shots for 5 kills.

???

[tjk]

Sorry guys,..never used any benches, pods, lean-to's, cushoions, or other crutches while in the field for hunting. My idea was a longer "hunting distance" utilizing a larger target. Sure anyone can hit paint-balls, at 20 and 30 yards with the aid of a rest of some sorts,....but can you do it without?!?!?!...... I can,...not 100% of the time,...I miss my share,...but I still enjoy the  off-hand challenge.  I will research the sniper link as mentionned above.

[airgunandy]

20 to 25 yards off hand is generally what I shoot anyway. I've hit a couple of paintballs, but it was more luck than skill!
Generally just plink steel targets, medicine bottles, and pellet tins. I recently added some spoons to my target box. Just fun and blowing off steam after work. Just since the GTA matches started have I really taken an interest in punching paper.
Sitting crosslegged on the ground with support elbow rested on a knee I've gotten some decent groups at 20yds. Couldn't you hunt in that position? Kinda like sitting in a deer stand, but on the ground!  :)

[kirby999]

For off hand shooting out to 20-30 yards , with 25 being the normal yardage shot as in CMP Rimfire Sporter , I like shooting the 50 yard smallbore rifle target . here's a downloadable target although I have probably a couple of hundred laying around from when I used to shot CMP and used these for practice. It has a nice center bull to aim at even with a low powered scope or iron sights and is IMO a competitive target . Look it over and see what you thin. If I can find a decent weather day when I have time I wouldn't mind shooting a couple of targets with both my AA S400 and/or my HW30S/R7 . It'll be fun. I'm game . kirby target http://www.silvercitygunclub.com/a23.pdf

[TCups]

OK.  25 yards, standing, off hand, at a 50 yard small bore rifle target.  Sounds good.  How many shots will be scored?  Any air rifle, any sight?

How about a complementary match, 25 yards, seated, off a front rest (bipod, tripod, elbows on knees - no benches, no rear rests) at the same target, same number of shots scored?

[kirby999]

I think at 25 yards , we shouldn't have any problem finding 10 shots per target for the off hand shots. How about 2 targets 20 shots total, 10 shots have to be standing on 1st target at 25 yards , 10 shots sitting off elbows or rest or bipod of your choice on target #2 ; but at 50 yards . Total possible 200 points 20 X's kirby

[TCups]

Hmmm . . .

I can get 25-30 yards in the back yard.  But 50 yards means a trip to the range or to the place in NC.  Not nearly as spontaneous to be able to shoot with you.  That may be the case for others too.

[kirby999]

30 yards is OK , whatever everybody can shoot , I just think it'll be a little easy from the the rest . kirby

[kirby999]

OK , I shot both a springer ; my HW30S AW and one of my PCP's ; an AA S400C carbine . The HW30S has a 4X BSA scope and shot JSB 8.4's and the Carbine has a Simmons WTC set at 12X . I shot both at 25 yards offhand ; and then shot both at 25 yards sitting on my stool using a Stoney Point Bipod . My off hand scores were shot first and I shot a 91 with1 X with the springer and a 90 with 2X's with the PCP. Then I got my stool and bipod and first shot the PCP and sighted in in while I shot . I didn't realize it was off until the first shot went a little high left , a jar licker 10 at 11 o'clock . I still managed a score of 100 with I think is 5 X's . With the springer I did better than i thought I would . I didn't really use the bipod except to rest the rifle on until I got ready to shoot, then I lifted it off the bipod leaning my left hand against the bipod . Score was a 100 with 3 X's . The HW30-S AW targets are on the left with the offhand at the top . The AA S400C targets are on the right , offhand at the top .OK Tommy go for it . And anyone else who wants to try it out. These were all shot without any warm up and I was interrupted by our insurance claims adjuster right in the middle of shooting. Don't these folks know I was in the middle of something important ? LOL kirby

[ronbeaux]

We should really nail this down. I'm only good for about 31 yards at my place so 30 sounds good.

How about 10 shots at 30 off hand, gun of choice, and 10 shots with anything but a solid bench rest type rig. Preferably just something to steady the aim. All at the 50yd small bore target. I got a pile of those laying around from back in the day. Total of both scores decides overall and best off-hand breaks ties???????

I won't get to play this weekend though. I'm all packed up for whipping buttt at a bbq comp this weekend.

And that is some nice shooting kirby!!!!!!!

[kirby999]

Thanks Ron; I think we should use 25 yards , as I think that's what Tommy said he could shoot without having to go to a range . That's why I went ahead and shot 25 while I had a chance to shoot . Looks like rian here for the next 2 days followed by snow showers . kirby