Offhand vs. Rest Shots

[bmues]

......Some advice to all on the dry firing piece. I have found that the plastic caps that go on a "Presta" type valve for a bicycle tire work best as a nipple cover so that you don't peen the nipple or damage the hammer. The "Presta" caps are the thinner type that the higher-end cycles use (mountain bike or road bike) Most bicycle stores will have some laying around. They are good for hundreds of shots......

Good idea Styr. A beveled plumbing washer also does a good job of protecting the nipple. Should be able to find at most any hardware store. The one on here was given to me by the guy I bought the gun from so I haven't had to look for any yet.

'SnappinCaps'
'.45 Cal. Kentucky Percussion'
"Let's go pop some more caps!"

 

[Greenmtnboy]

hay no worries,
When I dryfire I leave my hammer resting against the nipple and just set the set trigger, than squeeze the main trigger, no ware on moving parts and no worries about banging your nipple.
:hatsoff:

 

[bmues]

Guess that would work for those that have double triggers on their guns. For those of us that don't, we look for other ways.

'SnappinCaps'
'.45 Cal. Kentucky Percussion'
"Let's go pop some more caps!"

 

[paulvallandigham]

For percussion guns without a double set trigger, you can dry fire by simply buying one of those rubber erasers that fit over the end of a pencil, and put that on your nipple to protect it from being hit. Or buy one of those rectangular shaped rubber erasers that are about 1/2 inch thick, and cut or punch a hole through it to fit it over the nipple. The eraser will stop the hammer when the skirt hits the eraser, and you will save the nipple from damage.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

yup that is what I use on my TVM pistol, a eraser over the nipple
:hatsoff:

 

[grey8833]

Caps,

Now that is one hel'o an ideeer.

Mike

 

[sachem longrifle]

......Some advice to all on the dry firing piece. I have found that the plastic caps that go on a "Presta" type valve for a bicycle tire work best as a nipple cover so that you don't peen the nipple or damage the hammer. The "Presta" caps are the thinner type that the higher-end cycles use (mountain bike or road bike) Most bicycle stores will have some laying around. They are good for hundreds of shots......

Good idea Styr. A beveled plumbing washer also does a good job of protecting the nipple. Should be able to find at most any hardware store. The one on here was given to me by the guy I bought the gun from so I haven't had to look for any yet.

'SnappinCaps'
'.45 Cal. Kentucky Percussion'
"Let's go pop some more caps!"

Is that the Traditions? I thought the Kentucky only came in .50 caliber?

 

To each their own. But I only shoot from a rest when sighting in a rifle. All other times are from the hind legs. ML, cartredge - high power or .22 its all off-hand for me. Basically I am a varmint hunter and I get maybe 80% of my shots at 100 yards or less and when I am walking. There is no time for a set up prone shot and by in large if I do drop down, -- the gritter is going to be hidden by uneven ground. There are some times, depending on the farm I am hunting, that I can get a 400 + shot at a woodchuck.

 

[oldsarge]

Has anyone else noticed this effect with traditional styled rifles? I can only assume that the Hawken the GPH is styled after was designed to be shot from a horse or standing, and thus configured to shoot offhand rather than in the prone, or rested position.

I am not so sure that gun makers back in those days took firing positions into consideration like we do today. I am going to the range tomorrow with my .50cal mountain rifle with the intent of checking accuracy on a rest. I am convinced it is accurate off hand and very curious to see if there is a difference.

 

[paulvallandigham]

If you are going to use a rest on the forearm, or barrel, you have to mark the spot where you rest the gun on the bag, or it will produce wide groups. I have found, over years of shooting, that I get the most consistent groups from all kinds of long guns if I put the rest in front of the trigger guard with the bag, or west touching the trigger guard as an indexing method. That allows the barrel to hang out in the air, without the forearm pushing up on the barrel in any way.

A friend who has been shooting ML rifles for many years and holds some national records to prove he knows what he is doing, rests his barrels 8 inches back from the muzzle for consistent shot placement. This calls for removing the ramrod from the gun during shooting, a good idea in any event.

Whatever you do, be consistent. I started using a rear stock sandbag with ears, and I have come to like the consistency I get using that rear bag to rest the stock on. It allows me to lift the rear of the stock, when needed by pinching the ears against the toe of my stock to raise the sights, or releasing the ears in my fingers to lower them.