A short, But Productive Session.

[Mistered]

Got out today with two sets of 20 rounds for testing. Best group was with 158 gr RN with 7 grains of Unique. This was 50 yards off hand kneeling - gotta love the one dead center! I was glad this load turned out well so I am not stuck needing expensive jacketed bullets AND I want a load I can also share with my Smith & Wesson Mod 66. I didn't have it with me but I'll be loading more of these and will try them out in the 66 some evening on my way home. I am confident enough I am going to buy a box of plated FN bullets in 158 grain and they should shoot as well or better.

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[Abnermal]

Looking good! I'm hoping to get some trigger time myself tomorrow.

[North Country Gal]

Great shooting and group. That load is a keeper for sure. Hope works as well in your 66. Let us know.

[RanchRoper]

Very good shooting. I really like that off hand kneeling position myself. Very comfortable.

[BigAl52]

In my trial and error Mistered I have found the round nose to shoot better in both guns than the flat nose. But that might just be my guns. Im currently using the Berrys 158 grain RN

[BobGinVA]

Sorry fellas, but it ain't "off hand" if your elbow is touching that knee...off hand is totally unsupported...anyway though good shooting...BobG in VA

[RanchRoper]

"Off-knee"....

[North Country Gal]

"Off-knee"....

Bob is correct, though. Offhand is standing, no support of any kind, though kneeling is traditionally the second most difficult shooting position and definitely NOT an easy position to shoot. Sitting is much more effective, with prone being the most effective of the four classic shooting positions. A good sitting position is much closer to shooting prone than it is to shooting from a kneeling position. Scores are often very close between sitting and prone. They usually drop off noticeably when going to kneeling and, of course, offhand (standing).

[RanchRoper]

Prone happens when my off-knee gives out...

[PT7]

Sure didn't know I was using the hardest way to shoot my Henry carbines, NCG.
Now that I've learned that, I wonder whether my POI groups might just get a little bigger in the days ahead?!?
BTW, haven't done prone shooting for more than three years now. I'm pretty sure the hard part would be getting back up.

Ah, well. Off hand shooting is still the most fun way to shoot.

[North Country Gal]

Sure didn't know I was using the hardest way to shoot my Henry carbines, NCG.
Now that I've learned that, I wonder whether my POI groups might just get a little bigger in the days ahead?!?
BTW, haven't done prone shooting for more than three years now. I'm pretty sure the hard part would be getting back up.

Ah, well. Off hand shooting is still the most fun way to shoot.

Me, too, on getting back up, again. That's why someone invented shooting benches for us old folks.

And, yes, most of my shooting, these days, rifle or pistol, is offhand, too. Enjoy the challenge of it and the simplicity. Just load the gun and shoot, no fancy rest or bag needed. I'd do more work from the kneeling position - great and very neglected shooting position, these days - but our club range isn't well-suited for using that position or the classic sitting position, either.

[Mags]

Off-hand I'm all over the place. I'm too shaky. For my best I need a bench, prone or tree to lean against.

[North Country Gal]

Off-hand I'm all over the place. I'm too shaky. For my best I need a bench, prone or tree to lean against.

I understand. Back in my hunting days, I only rarely used offhand as a shooting position, usually when I had no other option. Used a rest whenever possible, even if only a tree limb or whatever. Also shot a LOT from a sitting position. Just common sense to use the best position circumstances allowed. I just shoot for fun, now. Not sure if there's much practical benefit to my offhand shooting other than it being a great teacher of fundamentals. And it's fun, too.

[Sir Henry]

I think it all depends on what I’m shooting. My rim fire Henry’s are not all that accurate compared to my CZ but shooting offhand is fun with the Henry. With the CZ it just does not give it justice to not shoot it in the best possible way.