100 yards

[JEBar]

while I hear many talking about being able to do so, I don't know many who can .... for most of us, a 100 yard shot is a long one and in our part of the country practice ranges setup to for shots over 100 yards are scarce .... I have taken a few deer at 200+ yards but most have been at less than 50 .... I've taken black bear at 100+ yards but most weren't over 25 yards .... what percentage of the rifle shooters you know, shooting off hand, are capable of consistently hitting a 6" target at 100 yards .. .. how about the percentage shooting off of a sandbag rest are capable of consistently hitting a 3" target at 100 yards .. ..

[ditto1958]

Are you talking about shooting with irons or with a scope? At the range where I shoot, most experienced shooters can hit a 6 inch target on a regular basis with iron sights either offhand, or from sandbags. With a scope, shooting from sandbags, a three inch target is pretty easy pickings. You should be able to hit that almost 100% of the time.

A lot does depend on the rifle, though. Bolt action hunting rifles tend to have much better triggers than do lever rifles.

The best shooter at my range, a man who recently turned 80 years old, can stand up and shoot clays off the 100 yard berm with a pistol.

[ditto1958]

On the other hand... we do have quite a few "weekend warriors" who come to the range with their tacticool AR's and AK's, and blast away at 100 yards without hitting much of anything.

[JEBar]

agree on both counts .... being 70 I can say with reasonable certainty that the 80 year old learned his shooting techniques in a much different manner than the AR generation .... for the last 5 years I've been extremely fortunate spend many days at Jay Henges Shooting Park near St Louis, Mo .... they have a 100 yard range were most of the targets I see are positioned at 25 to 50 yards .... outside of a fellow I know who fires a 460 S&W Bone Collector revolver who does practice at 100 yards, most of the pistol shooting is 15 - 25 yards ....

[RanchRoper]

I like to shoot 100 yds off hand standing but I'm not very handy at it. Yet. Here is a couple of targets from 2016 where I took my best "shot". One from August and one from May shortly after I bought my Henry BB 45C. Now keep in mind that I had never shot a rifle prior to May 2016 so there's some wild ones here. I have not shot the 100 yd board since last fall but I don't think I took pics. I think I have the factory open sights figured out a little better now, and can get on the paper on tighter groups. I included my last 50 yd target which I'm proud of, so I'm anxious to try the 100 yd range again with the Big Boy. 50 and 100 yards are 1 notch apart for me on the rear sight. But 100 yds is a challenge with factory sights for sure, and the wind can play hell with the bullet. Kinda like a baseball pitcher, some strikes and some walks. Even a screwball now and then. Once I get the new Cimarron 1860, I'll play with the ladder sights on the 100, 200 and 250 yd range.

[DWD445]

I only have a place outside for that distance, but am fair with steel targets. Resting on about anything, close to 90%. Standing, 50/50. 6" pendulum target that takes a solid hit to move it.Using my H012S Skinner barrel peep, stock front and 240g reloads, target velocity.
I like pistol shooting at that range, but a MUCH larger target

[Mgr2]

while I hear many talking about being able to do so, I don't know many who can .... for most of us, a 100 yard shot is a long one and in our part of the country practice ranges setup to for shots over 100 yards are scarce .... I have taken a few deer at 200+ yards but most have been at less than 50 .... I've taken black bear at 100+ yards but most weren't over 25 yards .... what percentage of the rifle shooters you know, shooting off hand, are capable of consistently hitting a 6" target at 100 yards .. .. how about the percentage shooting off of a sandbag rest are capable of consistently hitting a 3" target at 100 yards .. ..

Here in Norway licensed hunters have to take a shooting test each year to get their hunting permit for that year. The test calls for 30 certified practice shots at a reindeer silhouette target within a 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle on that target, from 100 meters / 109 yards, over two days, offhand, and then 5 subsequent shots within the 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle. You can choose the position, but no rest is allowed.

The circle is not visible from 100 meters, you have to sight at the heart area of the reindeer. The test costs the equivalent to $60, so you really don't want to miss, since then you will have to retake the whole test. All rounds have to be the hunting ammo you intend to use.

[North Country Gal]

The percentage of licensed deer hunters who can shoot that well, even from a rest, is actually very low as many tests have shown. Our club range is open to the public for two weeks prior to rifle deer season for folks to sight in their rifles and, believe me, what I have witnessed more than supports this. Of course, this all sounds horrible, but when you think about the fact that most of these people ONLY shoot during our short rifle deer hunting season, it's not at all surprising.

Even in our fairly active club, only a handful of us are year around shooters who shoot on a regular basis for the love of shooting. Even within this small group, those who practice shooting offhand for 100 yard shooting or even 50 yard shooting, is ... well, in these last seven years, I can honestly say that I've never seen anyone other than me, shooting at 50 yards or 100 yards from an offhand position with either a rifle or, especially, a handgun and when I do it, I've actually had people look at me like I was nuts for trying. 95% of my shooting, though, is offhand. I do it because I enjoy the challenge. Most shooters I know don't see the need for it.

Offhand shooting, especially, has become a lost art for our north woods hunters because nearly all of them now shoot from a stand, using a rest. Very, very few hunters I know walk and stalk through our woods taking offhand shots, anymore. Times change.

[RanchRoper]

Interesting. I have never shot from a rest, but I do know I find great satisfaction in hitting the target shooting off hand.

[JEBar]

Here in Norway licensed hunters have to take a shooting test each year to get their hunting permit for that year. The test calls for 30 certified practice shots at a reindeer silhouette target within a 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle on that target, from 100 meters / 109 yards, over two days, offhand, and then 5 subsequent shots within the 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle. You can choose the position, but no rest is allowed.

The circle is not visible from 100 meters, you have to sight at the heart area of the reindeer. The test costs the equivalent to $60, so you really don't want to miss, since then you will have to retake the whole test. All rounds have to be the hunting ammo you intend to use.

fascinating .... from the sounds of the above, it sounds like you are shooting open sights .... if no scopes are allowed on the test, many of us hunters on this side of the pond would have to do some serious practicing

[ditto1958]

NCG, your observations are quite interesting. At my range, we get very busy for a few weeks prior to gun season with deer hunters coming for "sighting in." I am always surprised by how inexperienced many of them are when it comes to shooting. I'm a range officer there, so I get to help people zero their scopes.* Sometimes it's a quick and painless process, but other times it can be a bit stressful. Some hunters come there with no idea of how their scope even works. Others aren't good enough shooters, and it's almost impossible to get them zeroed when they can't put two shots in the same spot.

On the other hand, when the range closes, there usually are targets left that shooters didn't take with them, and it never fails to cheer me up, because there will be a couple of them with one hole right in the center "X." Those were hunters who can shoot, and who took one shot to confirm zero and then went home. I suspect most of them get their deer every year.

*Speaking of scopes, that is something else that never fails to puzzle me. Most Wisconsin deer hunting these days is done from tree stands, and, when you talk to the hunters, they say the deer they see and shoot at will usually be about 25-50 yards away. Why do they all use scopes? If I went deer hunting for deer that would be that close, I'd want a peep sight.

[Mgr2]

Here in Norway licensed hunters have to take a shooting test each year to get their hunting permit for that year. The test calls for 30 certified practice shots at a reindeer silhouette target within a 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle on that target, from 100 meters / 109 yards, over two days, offhand, and then 5 subsequent shots within the 30 cm / 11.5 inch circle. You can choose the position, but no rest is allowed.

The circle is not visible from 100 meters, you have to sight at the heart area of the reindeer. The test costs the equivalent to $60, so you really don't want to miss, since then you will have to retake the whole test. All rounds have to be the hunting ammo you intend to use.

fascinating .... from the sounds of the above, it sounds like you are shooting open sights .... if no scopes are allowed on the test, many of us hunters on this side of the pond would have to do some serious practicing

Scopes are allowed. What I meant was that with my 1-4 power scope I cannot see the thin 30 cm ring on the target, however those with 3-14 scopes probably can . Even then many miss the target, and some give up to qualify after several attempts.

Also here it is noticable that most hunters are not very used to actually shooting. It seems many of them dust off the old rifle once a year, just to qualify for the hunting test.

[JEBar]

thanks for the info, for me it was fascinating .... glad to hear that scopes are allowed

[North Country Gal]

Interesting. I have never shot from a rest, but I do know I find great satisfaction in hitting the target shooting off hand.

As do I. Offhand is by far the bulk of my shooting, anymore, and you'll see it in all of my range reports. Very much the way I prefer to shoot.

Since we're on the subject, though, I think it's important that I go on record as fully supporting everyone's right to shoot the way they want, be it from a rest or whatever. Just because I like offhand does NOT make me better than anyone else. I'm no shooting snob and would hate to think I appear that way to anyone. Not for me to say what is or what is not a proper or best way to shoot. I enjoy and appreciate other range reports, regardless of how those targets were shot. This is such an open, friendly and diverse forum and I hope it stays that way. Have had my fill of the other types of forums.

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled program.

[ditto1958]

NCG, I wish I could shoot well offhand. We have several guys at our range who are outstanding offhand shooters. They try to teach me, but I guess I'm a slow learner. Back when I lived in Louisiana and could shoot in my backyard "range," I did a lot of offhand shooting, but I kinda plateaued there, and never improved much.

Now that I'm back in Wisconsin, and have mentors at the range, I have improved a lot. But I still have a LOT of improving to do.

As for your point, people should do the kind of shooting they like. I agree wholeheartedly with that.

[dmsbandit]

in all honesty, shooting offhand in the field while hunting is not that common. there always seems to be something around to rest against. fencepost, tree, limb, etc.

that being said, i used to practice offhand at 200yds with my 22LR marlin bolt action. Aiming at an 10" steel plate, i could hit it with 5 of the 7 shots the gun magazine holds.

I often shoot at 200yds and beyond from field positions and I have on more than a few occasions shot groups under 2" with my 30-06 at those ranges. I shoot most of the time from a bench while experimenting with different loads, and when sighting in the loads for the hunting season.

In past hunting seasons I've made some very good shots with various guns at various ranges that I probably wouldn't have tried without my hours of range time under my belt.

75yd running shot thru brush and saplings with my 35 whelen while walking into my stand

185yd shot from kneeling position on a walking deer with my 6.8spc

178 yds shot from a kneeling position braced against a tree with my 6.8spc that went thru the deer's neck. right where I was aiming.

180yd shot at a deer full sprint, running flat out with my 260 remington

250yd shot with 284win from a unaided standing position where both shots impacted the deer.

305yd shot a trotting deer with my 30-06 from a treestand.


But, I spend a lot of time at the range and send lots of bullets downrange. Most of my friends can't shoot as well, and while some may question my shots,I don't take them unless I'm confident in putting the bullet in the vitals. Most guys I know don't shoot more than a 100rds all year, I'll frequently shoot that much in a weekend.

Practice matters.

[JEBar]

practice matters indeed

I know for me, the only offhand shots I have made on big game (deer, black bear, boar) were at very short ranges while hunting in a woods setting .... some with shotguns .... at age 70 with some accumulated health issues, I now hunt from a stand or sitting on a stool by a tree where a rest is available .... I truly admire and have to tip my cap to folks who can shoot offhand at long ranges

[North Country Gal]

I agree that shooting offhand out in the field while hunting is only sometimes needed. Very much depends on your hunting style, of course.

Back in my hunting days, my favorite way to hunt was stalking through the brush with a revolver, using factory sights, trying to see deer/squirrel/rabbit before they saw me and most of that shooting was offhand. Very short range stuff, so any extra movement to find a rest would send the target fleeing. Lots of offhand shooting, there. The revolver was great, though, for stalking through the heavy stuff. Much handier than carrying a rifle.

I also did a lot of open country hunting with a handgun, too, sometimes scoped. Much longer range stuff. My favorite position was sitting, back resting against a boulder or stump, arms braced with my knees. That position was as good as sitting at a bench at the range. Very effective. Much different kind of handgun hunting, obviously, but equally rewarding.

As for the scope thing in our heavy Wisconsin north woods, I do get that, actually. Have done tests on the visibility of various types of sights, right on our own property, walking into our dense evergreen woods from the backyard. Plain iron sights can be darn near impossible to use on dark cloudy days. Paint does help. Fiber optic sights are great, though. Very easy to see. Red dots I love on a rifle. Fastest and most visible sight to use on a rifle in the dark woods. Maybe not traditional, but they REALLY work on a lever gun in the timber or brush. With my old eyes, now, if I were to hunt on our property, my handgun or rifle would be wearing one.

Scopes can also be very good, but you have to be careful in picking a reticle that can be seen in heavy brush. They do offer a huge advantage in making things brighter, though, and being able to pick out an animal or parts, thereof, from the background. Again, not traditional for a lever gun, but for hunting from a stand, which most of deer hunters do, I think they're all to the good.