Off hand shooting

[Bcoonce117]

I know what I am capable of. But I was just curious what other people’s opinions are. My brother and I both have different opinions on situations but It really comes down to the individual. My opinion is the average everyday joe should at minimum be able to shoot 100 yards off hand. With minimal practice and depending on the shooters capability, that distance can be pushed further. Most of the time I can place a lethal shot off hand at 200 yards. Angle of shot, my footing, and my fatigue all play a role.

As mention earlier. A moving animal, like a slow walk, I might be able to get a little steadier on the follow since my movement will be controlled while tracking animal in scope. Typically I try and get a rest as much as possible. Not all situations allow this to happen

 

[EdP]

I can keep shots in the kill zone for deer at 100 yds in practice. That is not the same for me as being able to ethically shoot game at that distance. It doesn't take much increase in heart rate due to either physical movement or excitement to cut that ethical distance in half or more.

 

[xsn10s]

I'd rather take a knee for those types of shot. I can make an offhand shot out to 200 yards. But have always taken a knee when those types of shot presented themselves.

 

[Rich M]

With exercise and practice, 150-200 yds should be doable.

Shooting sticks are light and easy to carry/use.

 

[Bcoonce117]

Yeah I bought my dad the Jim shocker primos shooting sticks. I definitely think those are a great tool to use

 

[Long Cut]

Sitting still in a treestand watch TikTok’s? Probably 150-200

After walking a couple miles with an elevated heart rate… maybe 100 yards

 

[Ryan Avery]

Ditto. I can generally make about a 3moa offhand group at the range with my hunting rifle. I have made a perfect 110yard offhand shot on a fast, fleeting opportunity on a deer, and I have missed a 35 yard shot on a deer when I was out of breath and didnt settle enough. I wouldnt have said I was capable of that miss, but I did it. I’m pretty methodical about taking offhand shots now and will find almost anything more stable to avoid it regardless of the range, but sometimes its the only option.

3moa? Offhand supported? 100 yards? How many shots in the group?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jimh406]

How far I can shoot doesn't really matter for your hunting. I think a better approach is practice to find out how far you can shoot reasonably. There are some really excellent shots out, and some that regularly miss deer at close distances. I have no idea what you are, but you can find out with practice.

 

[Geewhiz]

3moa? Offhand supported? 100 yards? How many shots in the group?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

1 shot group. I can make real tight 1 shot groups. Lol

 

[Macintosh]

Youre right, it should be double that, I was thinking of the 50-yard nra smallbore targets, can usually score a 70 or so offhand which is under 3”, but thats 50 yards, not 100! The point being that even though its not crazy difficult to spit out what I consider a decent group, I cant hold that same group in the field.

 

[Bcoonce117]

My idea of real world practice is shooting squirrels in the off season with the same rifle I hunt with, while out scouting. I also like to spend whatever time I can at the range

 

[Jethro]

I don't know, but not very far. I don't practice much, but shoot enough to know I'm not that good off hand. I'll take a knee or rest against tree or many times pass on the shot. But I'm not a long range guy. My farthest shots are deer 145 off knee, 150 off Primos sticks, and a ground hog at 199 off the hood of the truck.

Only time I took a rest with my bow was when I didn't know my bottom cam was against my climber on a hard downward angle. Bow ended up torqued out of my hand and fell to the ground. Broken sight.

 

[nphunter]

Last year I shot a coyote at 200 yards offhand with my 12lb LR rifle. I can hit a pop can at 100 pretty consistently with my old 30-30 with open sights. I always prefer some kind of rest if possible, knee, fence post, lean against a tree, etc. From my experience, most off-hand shots are needed/taken at pretty close range, I'd say sub 100, if I feel like I'm going to be needing to take an offhand shot I will normally pack an open-sighted 30-30.

 

[5811]

I had a couple set up in the two lanes next to me at the range yesterday. Broom sticks and fancy lpvo's and everything on ar15's. They proceeded to dump mag after mag into the berm at 100 yards from the standing position and not hit a darn thing. They packed up and left after two sessions. Probably to go to the 25 yard range.