Training regime

[Pheroze]

I have asked @KMG Hunting Safaris 6 or 7 times and each time the answer is the same - the load I have developed will work fine. That is distressing as I am now at a loss what to do from now until I go back (not until 2022)! I suppose training is the answer.

Does anyone have a particular training regime they follow to train to shoot better? A progressive training of skills? Or is it just a matter of what they feel they want to do for that day at the range.

I am a project guy, so this not having a load to develop is really screwing with my mind.

Thanks

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I have asked @KMG Hunting Safaris 6 or 7 times and each time the answer is the same - the load I have developed will work fine. That is distressing as I am now at a loss what to do from now until I go back (not until 2022)! I suppose training is the answer.

Does anyone have a particular training regime they follow to train to shoot better? A progressive training of skills? Or is it just a matter of what they feel they want to do for that day at the range.

I am a project guy, so this not having a load to develop is really screwing with my mind.

Thanks

Try breathing exercises. Not really for the shooting, but to help with the goblins in your head.

 

[ALbowhunter]

I like to set up 4 different targets in different directions. One is about 75 yds in the open. Two and three are set to the right then left with decreasing range, and the fourth is less than 10yds. I try to put the middle two behind some brush where I have to move a little to make the shot. Starting off I shoot the long target off of sticks then follow up freehand going through them as quickly as I can. Usually I move my starting point for the next rounds just to change things up a bit. I have just been using cardboard with a softball size black dot, but I want to make some cut out cardboard targets to resemble a Buffalo frontal shot. It is a lot of fun shooting like this, but you have to have a place to set up. Most ranges around me will not even let you shoot from sticks.

 

[mikecatt13]

A soon as I get my load developed I'll be training at least 6 days a week. Walking/rucking in my safari boots starting with several miles and working up to whatever I can. A couple days a week that will occur at my acreage carrying my double and sticks and firing 3-5 shots. Probably do some dry fire off sticks and offhand the rest of the days to preserve reloading components.

You would be amazed what 10-15 minutes of dry fire a day will do for your skills and confirm your habits with live fire as you're able. That regiment took me from my first 3 gun match to where I am now and I was able to win one of if not my most prestigious title this year despite preserving ammo and practicing less due to a shorter season because of match cancellations. Try it, you'll be happy with the results for the little time it takes, just make sure its honest practice (breaking good shots), reinforcing good habits. You can even do it in a house if you have neighbors that wouldnt like you running around with guns outside, just aim small at the tip of a light switch or something.

 

[Tanks]

Physical fitness is just as important as shooting ability.

My firearms training starts with a .22 rifle then a big bore finishing with .22 again. Shoot off-hand and off of sticks.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve decided dry fire practice is almost as good as actual shooting and a lot cheaper and quieter. I think the best practice I do though is ground hog hunting in the spring/summer. I’m glad it’s an option where I live. I walk fields slowly with shooting sticks, sometimes I get them before they see me, but even better practice is when they run they often stop on edge of tree line and I get a quick shot.

 

[Pheroze]

It's cool hearing how people get dialed in for the safari. Keep the ideas flowing. The Training for the trip can be so much fun!

Dry firing will probably be a big part. Did someone say "I wish there was a gimmick for that"? Why yes! https://www.africahunting.com/threads/mantis-shooting-performance-system.60282/

Man, I am jealous of those of you who can use your fields to set up different targets! Not so socially agreeable in an urban environment!

Physical fitness is just as important as shooting ability.

Agreed, fitness really is important. I was surprised I was so tired at the end of my last trip. I work with a trainer now who is sport specific. I told her that my "sport" means I have to be able to repeatedly carry 100 lbs moose parts out of a dense forest with uneven terrain.

Try breathing exercises. Not really for the shooting, but to help with the goblins in your head.

Hey! Try living in this head of mine! Questions: when do you start charging extra for the psychotherapy? And, do I pay extra for the stand up portion of the safari.... lmao

 

[Tra3]

I agree with .22 Lr practice being really helpful, and fun. I usually bring a variety of hunting rifles to the range, that way I can keep the barrels from getting too hot.
My son likes to shoot clays with this rifle, I agree that the immediate feedback of a clay exploding it helpful.

 

[WAB]

I hump the hill/mountain behind our farm with my .458 Lott every morning. It’s 40 minutes pushing hard. I finish on the range firing three shots off sticks at an 8” gong at 100 yards. Closer to the hunt I will mix in a six mile loop through the hills, again finishing at the range. I carry my rifle loaded in the event I run into a coyote, which has happened. The Lott makes a nice neat hole in them.

 

[Red Leg]

Two glasses of wine every night - religiously - every third or fourth night followed by a single malt or cognac.

 

[Pheroze]

Two glasses of wine every night - religiously - every third or fourth night followed by a single malt or cognac.

You sir, are a leader of men. But, I would have thought a bourbon.

 

[K-man]

I have asked @KMG Hunting Safaris 6 or 7 times and each time the answer is the same - the load I have developed will work fine. That is distressing as I am now at a loss what to do from now until I go back (not until 2022)! I suppose training is the answer.

Does anyone have a particular training regime they follow to train to shoot better? A progressive training of skills? Or is it just a matter of what they feel they want to do for that day at the range.

I am a project guy, so this not having a load to develop is really screwing with my mind.

Thanks

Just get a bullet puller, get all of the loads out, pull the bullets, dump the powder into a can and start over...And this time count the individual grains of powder going into each one... and then take Maurius' advice and breathe.... Actually all the above advice is good, we all need another hobby like work to keep us occupied. I haven't found anything yet to keep my mind busy enough.

 

[AZDAVE]

Well most of the things for shooting, getting in shape and enjoying a nice adult beverage to toast the first two have been covered. so the other one I can think of is have your sticks setup, with the rifle ready beside it and go do a short quick run or hike to get your heart rate up and come back to the sticks. and practice taking a few deep breaths to calm the heart rate down and shoot at 100 till you are comfortable making the shot under a stressed condition.

 

[BigSteve57]

I started competitive rifle and pistol shooting mainly to become a better more ethical hunter. The assumption was that if I could learn or be coached into shooting in matches under stress then that would accomplish the objective.

I compete regularly in NRA sanctioned 800 aggregate service rifle competitions as well as other informal competitions such as shooting at jugs full of water offhand.

My marksmanship has improved markedly and I believe I'm a better more ethical hunter hunter for it. I have also been greatly humbled on the firing line.

So, mission accomplished as far as that goes. Competition also adds to trigger time and shows me just how I'm shooting month to month compared to my own performance as well as others.

I invent little tests for myself that I tailor for hunting. For example, leaning against one of the poles supporting the roof over the shooting bays, can I put 3 shots inside the 9 ring of a 200 yd SR target in 30 seconds? Inside the 10 ring? In 15 seconds? How well do I do with that .375 H&H at 100 yards offhand? Now repeat for prone. And so forth*.

Doing all this not only tells you a bit about how well you shoot but it also does something much more important in my opinion: it calibrates what is your ethical shot at what position and distance.

*Edit: I also practiced extensively on sticks as I was told that would be required.

 

[WAB]

Two glasses of wine every night - religiously - every third or fourth night followed by a single malt or cognac.

LOL, you win!

 

[fourfive8]

2022? Yikes. For now I'd just relax and not even think about it much. Go to the range once in a while and practice holding on center bull and trigger squeeze. Shoot off sticks a little each session at a 6-8" bull at 200 yds. I would not train hard now, reach a plateau, get discouraged when more effort doesn't result in better shooting then start over-thinking it. Relax now, shoot a few rounds every month or so to stay used to recoil and correct trigger let off and the sticks. Shoot variety of guns to not get trapped in a rut... 22 rf, shotgun, big bore, handgun, etc. variety, fun, low pressure!.... Start again a month or two prior to the trip and then try to get better as the trip approaches. For me, shooting off sticks, handling recoil and trigger squeeze are the three skills that need the most practice.... just not too much and not too soon before the trip where a plateau of improvement can be discouraging.

I'm due to go early next year but am not training specifically for that yet. I shoot a lot now, sometimes four times a week and with a lot of variety. From 80 ftlb recoilers one day, to 375 HH off the sticks the next session, to 22 rf at tiny bulls at 50 yds, to sitting position with my PG rifle at 100 yd bulls, to Minie's w/blackpowder out of original muskets, to 45-70 out of a Trapdoor to.... whatever. Beginning about a month before my trip I plan on shooting primarily a 416 Rem Mag with full pressure cartridges about once a week- a few rounds for three or four sessions. Limiting my practice to about 5 and not more than about 10 rounds each session. Don't know if that is the best training but seems to work for me. Actually, at this point in my life, walking a lot with a light pack is probably more important for me in maintaining shooting skills than is shooting a large number of repetitive rounds over long periods of time. I'll start the serious walking this winter. One advantage to brisk walking here (not hard trudging, just enough to keep the CV revved a little) is I live at about 7500 ft. In Africa or any fairly low altitude area, I gain some altitude fitness advantage that lasts a week or two.

 

[Ridgewalker]

One scenario I found in Africa is the speed of getting on the sticks and shooting accurately is important. You need to accomplish this in 5 seconds or the trophy will be gone. I found that quite often they see you (or one of the herd sees you) before you see them putting them on high alert.

 

[BigSteve57]

One scenario I found in Africa is the speed of getting on the sticks and shooting accurately is important. You need to accomplish this in 5 seconds or the trophy will be gone. I found that quite often they see you (or one of the herd sees you) before you see them putting them on high alert.

^^^ This. Timed shooting is critical. Get 3 shots from sticks inside the 9 ring (13 inches in diameter) of a high power SR target at 200 yards in 15 seconds and you're done IMHO.

Start out by timing yourself and see how long it takes you to do the above. It might be a minute, or 25 seconds. Maybe you can do it in less than 15 seconds. Then continue practicing shaving off the time to do the best you can. Or, raise bar to the 10 ring, 7 inches in diameter.

I know guys that can do this offhand unsupported. I'm not one of them but wish I was.

 

[BeeMaa]

Mixing cardio training with dry fire practice.
Then at the range, we will run in place & do push-ups.
Looking to get 3 shots in a 4" circle at 100 yards in 15 seconds.
Timed from first shot to third.
My wife is better at this than I am.
So then I go home and take @Red Leg's advice.