Let’s be honest….accuracy off the sticks

[Ontario Hunter]

I see this as well, which is why the last couple of years I’ve been practicing off of a tripod…

I’m pretty confident with 6 inches at 200 yards… I don’t know maybe that’s not good enough but that’s where I’m at.

I can’t seem to tighten it up much more having tried several different techniques… The one I’ve settled on is a breath in lowers the crosshairs breathe out raises the cross hairs when it gets to the level of the target pause and squeeze the trigger seems to work the best for me

I am curious what everyone does with their front hand. I’ve tried for end of the stock hand on the tripod, hand resting on top of the scope always seems like I don’t know what to do with my front hand. I think on the tripod works best for me or resting on the top of the scope.

I presume putting hand on the barrel can screw up the vibration (what's the term ... harmonics?) and change zero? For my 30-06 I will hold the sticks under the fore end. She jumps a bit but not enough to get me. Shooting the 404 is another matter! I must hang onto that gun firmly or get wounded! I grip it behind the sticks.

 

[CBeck]

@CBeck

I totally understand what you are saying and every group of people will have those that over exaggerate their abilities.... Especially hunters, who are largely gregarious by nature.

People see the internet snipers post groups and feel as though they must attain that touted and often overembellished level

That was sort of my point here… I think it’s important to establish realistic expectations of Hunting accuracy.

I’m in no way advocating for sloppy shooting on a live animal, but I am trying to garner what is realistic.

I don’t think it does anybody any good to say you have no business Hunting if you can’t shoot 2 inches at 200 yards off the sticks

Now I’m sure there are some that can but I bet it’s not many

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

I’ve also noticed that some rifles are more sensitive than others with forearm/fore end pressure. I have a single shot that’ll shoot one hole groups until the sandbag gets too far out on the end of the wood, then the group opens up considerably.

 

[PARA45]

I see this as well, which is why the last couple of years I’ve been practicing off of a tripod…

I’m pretty confident with 6 inches at 200 yards… I don’t know maybe that’s not good enough but that’s where I’m at.

I can’t seem to tighten it up much more having tried several different techniques… The one I’ve settled on is a breath in lowers the crosshairs breathe out raises the cross hairs when it gets to the level of the target pause and squeeze the trigger seems to work the best for me

I am curious what everyone does with their front hand. I’ve tried for end of the stock hand on the tripod, hand resting on top of the scope always seems like I don’t know what to do with my front hand. I think on the tripod works best for me or resting on the top of the scope.

What worked for me was to grab the end of the stock in front of the quad shooting sticks. This gave me the best stability, and my hand was close enough to adjust or move the front part of the quads sticks without much movement.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m probably minute of grapefruit up to 150yds. I may not take a shot much over 200 with the tripod, unless I’m very confident in the sight picture. I tried the quad type sticks and I had trouble adjusting and tracking animals moving around in a herd. I’m sure with practice I could become completely comfortable with them . Probably going to get a set and practice before I go to South Africa in August.

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m very fortunate that my office is about 50 yards from the house and on the way to the office, I keep a set of tripod sticks set up, which happens to fall exactly at 118 yards from the end of my range. Most days I shoot 10 or 15 rounds on the way to or from the office.

I think I’ll start shooting at the 3 inch rather than the 6 inch plate

Maybe it’s a matter of “aim small”

There is truth to the "aim small miss small".......

When practicing with the .300win off sticks, I used skeet/clay pigeons placed at varying distances from 30-300yds on pond dams; after building up the confidence on sticks by shooting at my own pace I then got a buddy involved.

Numbered the targets 1-5 going left to right, shoot whatever target I want first and then my buddy would yell random numbers as soon as the clay broke, then you move from called target to called target as fast as accurately possible.

This help you build on target speed, faster follow up shots and target acquisition.

 

[CBeck]

I’m probably minute of grapefruit up to 150yds. I may not take a shot much over 200 with the tripod, unless I’m very confident in the sight picture. I tried the quad type sticks and I had trouble adjusting and tracking animals moving around in a herd. I’m sure with practice I could become completely comfortable with them . Probably going to get a set and practice before I go to South Africa in August.

Thank you, sir that seems like honest and frankly, reasonable accuracy

 

[CBeck]

There is truth to the "aim small miss small".......

When practicing with the .300win off sticks, I used skeet/clay pigeons placed at varying distances from 30-300yds on pond dams; after building up the confidence on sticks by shooting at my own pace I then got a buddy involved.

Numbered the targets 1-5 going left to right, shoot whatever target I want first and then my buddy would yell random numbers as soon as the clay broke, then you move from called target to called target as fast as accurately possible.

This help you build on target speed, faster follow up shots and target acquisition.

You may be on something I just went out to test my theory. This is a five shot group at 120 yards off the tripod.

I didn’t measure, but I’m gonna say about 2.75- 3 inches that’s a 3 inch cut out

 

[Green Chile]

When I hear about accuracy that is there...or even better, isn't there...one of my first thoughts is can that accuracy be held in the field from practical shooting positions? It's nice to see bench rest groups below one inch...or even below 1/2" but you will not be able to hold that in the field. I don't worry a lot about the accuracy from the bench.

I spend most of my time working on having a good first AND second shot from a field position (mostly sticks). I also spend a lot of time working on calling my shots. I know the PH is going to say how did you feel about the shot...or where did you hit it....and being able to closely call that shot is far more important than what a group might have looked like. Can I get ready quickly and quietly...can I get a shot on target and call that shot, while reloading for a 2nd shot and getting that off smoothly and quickly. Then I reset, check my results, consider what went well or didn't go well and I rinse and repeat to create good patterns/habits. I do most of that with smaller calibers and a little with the big gun but always ending with a good result, even if I have to go back to the rimfire to get it.

 

[wyosteve]

Based on a recommendation from a member here, I got some GunStix last year before my N.M. oryx hunt. I did get the front leg, so essentially a tripod. Never shot off of 'sticks' before. The pic is my first group at 100 yds. w/ .300 W.M. off the 'sticks'. Then used them on the oryx for a 278 yd. one shot kill. Not sure where this stands on the 'accuracy scale', but I'm very surprised and satisfied as to how steady they can be.

 

[375Fox]

Based on a recommendation from a member here, I got some GunStix last year before my N.M. oryx hunt. I did get the front leg, so essentially a tripod. View attachment 666986Never shot off of 'sticks' before. The pic is my first group at 100 yds. w/ .300 W.M. off the 'sticks'. Then used them on the oryx for a 278 yd. one shot kill. Not sure where this stands on the 'accuracy scale', but I'm very surprised and satisfied as to how steady they can be.

Gunstix are a quad stick. Adding the front/5th leg makes them mostly a bench rest. Very accurate but takes away most mobility.

 

[MTA]

When I practice on sticks I focus on making a kill shot on every shot, not grouping..

 

[375Fox]

When I practice on sticks I focus on making a kill shot on every shot, not grouping..

Is that not the same thing? If you are shooting 10 inch groups at 200 yards you’re probably of wounding goes way up. Groups = confidence level and ethical shots to take for me.

 

[ftrovato]

I own a set of African Wooden Shooting sticks for around 20+ years and have taken many animals from them.

For me with sticks you have to lean in while you pull down (no finger over barrel) on the fore end of the stock into the wedge of the sticks. (Keep in mind my wooden sticks are a tripod configuration).

This quickly leads to stability and fast shots that are good enough to take anything out to a few hundred yards in 10 or so seconds from when I ready the gun on the sticks.

It's never about group size for me but taking advantage of a quick accurate shot on an animal and these sticks make that happen with a bit of practice.

 

[ftrovato]

When I practice on sticks I focus on making a kill shot on every shot, not grouping..

Now we're talking!!!!

 

[CBeck]

So you guys that are traveling with your sticks… Are you packing them in your rifle case or where?

 

[375Fox]

So you guys that are traveling with your sticks… Are you packing them in your rifle case or where?

If I’m taking my own rifle yes. I like 4 stable sticks because they pack flat. I’ve also put them in my checked bag on hunts where I’ve rented rifle. Not all sticks pack as easily.

 

[dogcat1]

No, I do not travel with them. In Africa, every PH I have hunted with has them.

I am pretty good off sticks. I went to the SAAM FTW Ranch shooting school and learned a lot on how to use them and use them properly.

 

[CBeck]

I am pretty good off sticks. I went to the SAAM FTW Ranch shooting school and learned a lot on how to use them and use them properly.

Anything you’d like to share?

 

[dogcat1]

Two things.

1. Be sure the PH knows how high you like them set. I am 6' 3" and like them up a bit.

2. Be sure to settle into them with a slight lean forward to steady the sticks. The "long" stick goes out in front and you are basically inbetween the back two sticks. Lean in a bit and use your non-trigger hand to hold the rifle.