Offhand Accuracy

[LME]

Some interesting reading from Harry Pope about offhand muzzleloaders.

I just read Popes directions. He was way before my time but it proves that form follows function. He mentioned Trigger pull and not to use a fine pulling trigger! If you do you run the risk of a premature shot, been there done that. He mentioned scopes as well I was a bit confused with what he said but he did have some good points. I would recommend reading his work. The information is true today as it was in his time. I did get the feeling he was sitting an shooting a lot? I may be wrong but he mentioned his elbow on his hip?

 

[Ditt44]

You are doing it the same as I do! As to moving targets come from behind the target catch it and the keep the rifle moving ahead until you reach your desired lead. It will amaze you how accurate it will become. You are not driving nails but you can keep a group that is in the kill zone easy! If you are going to use a scope use low power! Nothing will screw up a shot more than magnification! The hardest part is the part of staying calm and I don't know how evreybody does it but it is a must!

I used to do this 'induced sway' hunting groundhogs with a .22 when I was a kid. I'd stalk/crawl to about 25 or so yards and then pop up on my knee if necessary to see over the grass. I would gently sway left/right and squeeze the trigger as I crossed the ear. Worked out really well at eliminating wobble in multiple directions.

For flintlocks, I hate to shoot off-hand and need a lot of practice. Weapon of choice and length and weight impacts my accuracy a lot but I have found that I am not good at it and almost always pull low and right. I avoid the temptation unless it's with my small bore .32 and a squirrel. No way I'm off-handing at a deer unless it is a percussion or center-fire. I have taken numerous deer off-hand with both a Remington 760 carbine and a military spec 8mm Mauser.... which weighed the better part of 11+ pounds scoped.

 

[Mike in FL]

Outside or in your garage (inside with windows open) - pick a small target level with yourself. Plug the flash hole. Put a little bit of powder in the pan and close it. "Shoot" at the target. You will learn to allow the flash to occur without disturbing your sight picture.

 

[Mike in FL]

Outside or in your garage (inside with windows open) - pick a small target level with yourself. Plug the flash hole. Put a little bit of powder in the pan and close it. "Shoot" at the target. You will learn to allow the flash to occur without disturbing your sight picture.

I still do that after 50 years of shooting.

 

[Sylvester Pattie]

I think the problem a lot of people have shooting without a rest is it It is hard to hold the rifle still. With that said one needs to come up with a way to compensate and there lies the problem a lot of people have. I hunted deer for several years and the club used dogs. If you got a shot at a deer it was getting gone fast! What I did was to lead the deer what I thought was needed and then pull the trigger. I took a lot of deer with my 30 06 Winchester. The rifle was moving as was the deer in order to take the deer? I used this method on aireal shots as well. Shooting with the rifle moving came natural to me. You can do the same thing with still targets. I shoulder the rifle and pick up the sights as I bring the rifle up as soon as is starts to get on target I pull the trigger.l never try to hold the sights on the target ? I can't hold a rifle still and I don't believe anyone can or not anyone I have ever seen could do it? Gallon milk jugs full of water at 200 yards was no challange off hand using this method. Try it you may be surprised with your results? Nothing ventured , nothin gained!

I used to be a decent offhand shot, but age, arthritis and two ruptured biceps along with a couple go decades away from the shooting sports have changed that from decent to pitiful. I have just recently figured out that I do better offhand if I point and shoot like I was shooting a shotgun instead of focusing on my sight picture, breathing and trigger squeeze like a would from a rest. I have not followed up on it enough to get “decent” again but I do better than I do by shooting deliberately. Your post reinforces what I wast just discovering. I am also beginning to think that a fowling piece might be my best choice for a long gun now.

 

[AZshot]

The best advise I can give has already been mentioned: practice holding your rifle at the shoulder often. It strengthens the muscles. When I shot BPCR, I kept it in my room. Any time I walked into the room I picked it up, set the trigger, and clicked it (hammer stays down). Make sure your particular gun type allows this without damage. By the time I got to my first match, the routine of picking up the rifle, setting the trigger, holding and firing was totally natural. Of course, I had practiced for years as a kid with a BB gun, then a .22 also. It becomes natural to be a good shot if you do this one thing - shoot a lot, or at least dry fire like above.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

My secret to offhand accuracy involve six words that I repeat in my head.....

HOLD, HOLD,HOLD...SQUEEZE, SQUEEZE, SQUEEZE

Great advice! What if ya wiggle wiggle wiggle???
Larry

 

[Pilgrim]

Pretty simple…. Buy a rifle with a high quality swamped barrel. It’s like shooting from a sandbag on a bench.

Problem solved!

It does help.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Lots of great advice in this thread. Like @LME I find it hard to hold a rifle still with sights on target. So I like his method of incorporating movement into aquiring the sight picture and squeeze as soon as your sight picture matches what you're picturing in your mind. Coming up on the target from directly below and squeezing at six o'clock works best for me because windage is already aligned and being held steady and the rifle recoils up. If I have to hold over the intended POI (as is the usual case with iron sights on milsurps) I might try coming in horizontally from the side while holding the elevation steady. I don't know how this method translates into moving targets because none of the outdoor ranges I can shoot black powder at feature or allow moving targets. I need to figure out some way to get in this training.

@wiscoaster I use your method in reverse. I let gravity work with me by coming down from 12 o'clock and into the bull. I use a set trigger so when the front sight is about centered I pull while still continuing the downward path. All the while I'm doing this I keep thinking "front sight, front sight, front sight." It works for me most of the time.

 

[Wireforhire]

Some interesting reading from Harry Pope about offhand muzzleloaders.

Absolutely helpful and interesting. Thank You for sharing. W. ZEE