Tikka, make it heavier

[mtluckydan]

Having a heavier rifle doesn't directly relate to holding better for offhand shooting. You should be able to make shots on big game such as deer and elk at 100 yards or less without any issues no matter how light your rifle is. I hunt with light rifles that are right at 6lbs +/- scoped and have no issue making shots like that. Sometimes a heavier rifle will move more violently off target because of the momentum of the movement. Breath control and trigger control have more to do with making a good shot than anything else. I shot indoor small bore competition for years and shot placement had everything to do with timing your shot through breathing and trigger control. You would be farther ahead to spend a little time each day dry firing your rifle to practice your shot breaking when and how you want it. If the trigger on your rifle doesn't break smoothly and at a reasonable weight, I would get the trigger worked on or replaced. On longer shots, you should have time to get into a supported position and at that point, rifle weight shouldn't matter if you have practiced your breathing and trigger control. As far as actual shooting practice, shooting a rimfire will accomplish all you need without exposing yourself to alot of recoil and expense. Yes, you should put some rounds through your hunting rifle, but dry firing and shooting low recoiling rounds will be more beneficial. Good luck.

 

[KClark]

When you shot indoor small bore competition for years did you use a 6lb +/- rifle?

 

[mtluckydan]

It is hard to achieve a six pound rifle when you have a 36 power scope,a front rail for position shooting, an adjustable butt and a thumbhole stock. The target rifle could shoot through the same hole all day at 50 feet. However, you don't need that kind of accuracy to shoot an elk or a deer. If you want to compare apples to apples, look at the accuracy you can get out of a 10/22 at 100 yds in a sub-six pound rifle with a standard barrel. It still comes down to trigger control and breathing as compared to simply the weight of a rifle. I might not be able to shoot 1/2 inch groups with my 6 pound rifle at 100 yds from the offhand position, but I can sure achieve the accuracy to kill an elk or a deer every time I decide to press the trigger.

 

[Clarktar]

Having a heavier rifle doesn't directly relate to holding better for offhand shooting. You should be able to make shots on big game such as deer and elk at 100 yards or less without any issues no matter how light your rifle is. I hunt with light rifles that are right at 6lbs +/- scoped and have no issue making shots like that. Sometimes a heavier rifle will move more violently off target because of the momentum of the movement. Breath control and trigger control have more to do with making a good shot than anything else. I shot indoor small bore competition for years and shot placement had everything to do with timing your shot through breathing and trigger control. You would be farther ahead to spend a little time each day dry firing your rifle to practice your shot breaking when and how you want it. If the trigger on your rifle doesn't break smoothly and at a reasonable weight, I would get the trigger worked on or replaced. On longer shots, you should have time to get into a supported position and at that point, rifle weight shouldn't matter if you have practiced your breathing and trigger control. As far as actual shooting practice, shooting a rimfire will accomplish all you need without exposing yourself to alot of recoil and expense. Yes, you should put some rounds through your hunting rifle, but dry firing and shooting low recoiling rounds will be more beneficial. Good luck.

Offhand 100 yards no problem. It was anything over 200 that I was struggling with.

 

[luke moffat]

Offhand 100 yards no problem. It was anything over 200 that I was struggling with.

Maybe its just me but I have a tough time consistently hitting a 6" target 5 out of 5 times off hand beyond 200 yards regardless of the rifle I have. Have shot several moose right at or just beyond 200 yards off hand before, but most of the time I am either quickly dropping down to a sitting position to rest my arms on my knees or shooting off trekking poles if needing to shoot in a hurry. Heck even shot a deer last week off the top of my backpack while it was standing up….a 26"-30" tall backpack works well in a hurry for a steady shot. But haven't felt like my lack of ability to shoot offhand beyond 200-250 yards to miss out on a harvest of an animal.

 

[Clarktar]

Hmm. Maybe I am setting the bar to high for myself. I'm not as lean as you luke, so maybe I spook the animals to a greater degree. Either way the majority of the time there is simply no way I have enough time to take off pack and get behind it and shoot. Glad to hear 200 yard shots aren't a gimme for you either.

 

[luke moffat]

Well if you had no problem with the 200+ long shots with the heavier rifle then I would say just use that rifle. If you weren't consistently shooting 200 plus yards or weren't sure of how far you actually were taking your shots then maybe you are expecting too much. Take both rifles to the range at 200 yards and see which hits 6" target 5 out of 5 times off hand. If you are indeed better with the heavier one go with that one if it's similar it sounds like it's just a practice sort of thing.

 

[Clarktar]

Practice never hurts. As I said, I think I could practice more, and make this rifle feel better in terms of fit (for my preferences). The heavier rifle is much heavier, and I would rather not lug around a 12+ lb gun if I can shoot this tikka like I did my other rifle, with some practice and a few changes, then that is the better route to take. No need to take the heavier gun to the range, as I know I can shoot it, and I know when I will carry it, but for some of my hunts I'd rather carry a different rifle if I can shoot it with my desired degree of accuracy.

Anyway I have a plan now on a few affordable mods, thanks Dotman for the advice. And I appreciate all the other comments and suggestions.

 

[2rocky]

Here is another Idea.

A Break-O recoil reducer in the stock will add half a pound and absorb some recoil as well.

The BreaKO recoil reduction system is designed to reduce recoil acceleration, muzzle bounce, and minimize gun movement during firing. The quality of this unit is evident in the design and workmanship. Mercury is used in the unit because of its natural ability to absorb and dampen shock. Results are less fatigue, better concentration, higher scores, and comfort-able shooting. All steel construction, "mercury" filled, permanently sealed and ready for installation. A 7/8" hole or larger is required for stock mounting.

 

[Clarktar]

wow. That looks crazy

 

[tstowater]

Last year I shot a moving mule deer at 75 yards. Due to location and open environment, I dropped to a seated position and nailed him on the first shot. I do a fair amount of indoor 22 shooting off hand in the winter, but I will use every shooting advantage possible to increase my odds of a clean kill on the first shot. I would seriously want to or find it my only option to shoot at a deer offhand at 200 yards or more. That said, everyone's skill levels needs to be understood. I'm with Luke and also with KMD, if the gun fits then its just a matter of trigger time to get the confidence in the gun. If you don't have the confidence, either get it or use a gun that you are confident in.