Question on off hand shooting.

[smo]

Why? Just wondering why anyone would choose to shoot off hand when something was available to shoot off of? :idunno: :slap: :hmm:
I'm talking about in a hunting situation :wink:

 

[tnlonghunter]

In a hunting situation, I would tend to agree - If you have the time to utilize a rest (tree, shooting sticks, rock, whatever), then that is always a smarter thing than an off-hand shot.

However, I've had a few shots on deer that came when I couldn't get to a rest. One in particular comes to mind when I was walking slowly up a logging road and came across a doe about 40 yards up the ridge from me. Even though she was in the trees and I had about 3-4 minutes to wait until she presented me with a shot, I was standing in the middle of the road bed. It was late December, dry, and cold, so any step I took towards trees on the side of the road would have likely made noise and scared her off. So, I thought it would be smarter to just be patient and take the shot from where I stood. I just simply waited with my rifle as close to ready as I could w/o making my arms tired, and then fired off-hand standing.

So, I rarely practice from a rest. Perhaps it's a little naive, but I figure that if I stay proficient off-hand, then I'll be okay whenever I can find a good rest while hunting.

 

[stubshaft]

Unless it was absolutely necessary I would use any type of rest available BEFORE shooting offhand.

 

[rabjr]

Why? Just wondering why anyone would choose to shoot off hand when something was available to shoot off of? :idunno: :slap: :hmm:
I'm talking about in a hunting situation :wink:

Always use a rest of some sort but I've had to flip the gun over to the left side and shoot without one a few times. Luckily I practice this move and the ball was always true.

 

[smo]

Same here Swampy, I've had to do the switch-a-roo on a nice young buck once and did it without any problems. However i do not make a practice of shooting off hand even at the range.I do most of my hunting from a stand or a blind now days so i see know need in off hand practice. :v

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I practice off-hand because our shooting matches require off-hand. I haven't yet had the pleasure of hunting with a rifle, since NJ requires a shotgun with buck or slugs. Bird shooting I enjoy, walking with a dog, so it's always off-hand. This year even got to go with my 10 ga. double M/L, and boy, was that a blast!

For some rifle matches we have to do Novelty Shoots where we need to cut a playing card in half at 25 yards or scramble an egg at 50 yards, so off-hand just comes naturally to me and others who do these things.

Dave

 

[Sunkmanitu Tanka]

I always shoot offhand (because this is the only way it is allowed here on BP gun matches)... and I also prefer to think that this gives me a head start if I come into any situation that time is of the essence... this means no time to find myself a cosy rifle rest somewhere nearby a cumfy tree ??? But I probably will not ever get into that situation because of the strict rules over here in Europe...

 

[rabjr]

Oh I don't practice shooting off hand, left handed. I bench practice shooting that way, just in case I find I need to. Helps me take advantage of every possible situation. It's just the times I have shot left handed most were quick and on a moving deer, no time to find a rest.

 

[smo]

I practice off-hand because our shooting matches require off-hand.Dave

Another why? It seems like most matches require off hand shooting.Anyone know why? I don't think our forefathers would have shot off hand unless it was a have to case. I understand shooting a fowler off hand at birds or even rabbit or squirrels, but why so much emphasis on off hand shooting matches? :idunno:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I practice off-hand because our shooting matches require off-hand.Dave

Another why? It seems like most matches require off hand shooting.Anyone know why? I don't think our forefathers would have shot off hand unless it was a have to case. I understand shooting a fowler off hand at birds or even rabbit or squirrels, but why so much emphasis on off hand shooting matches? :idunno:

I think that it all boils down to skill sets that can be demonstrated in a friendly competition. I just came from a Match where my son had to start shooting off-hand at 100 yards distance, and then shoot in the prone position from 100 yards also. Then he shot 50 yards off-hand and then 50 yards in the sitting position. Each stage of the Match required 13 shots being fired, with the best 10 counting for your score. So it was a 52 shot Match...quite a work-out indeed!

I think that the off-hand shooting requirements comes from a true competitive spirit, where you have to overcome the obstacle of doing it in order to accomplish the goal of hitting well. Let's keep in mind that our forefathers with flintlocks were bushwhackers in rebellion, taking advantage of every opportunity of shooting positions. The Red Coats shot from the kneeling position and loaded while standing, taking turns in the advance of the line. Too predictable! We all know the outcome of that one!

Fast forward to present day and most rifle matches require a least one stage of standing off-hand. Perhaps it's as simple as most rifle ranges have high water tables and people don't want to get their guns or themselves wet or muddy? There's more to rifle shooting than just bench rest training/matches, so why not enjoy all of what the sport has to offer? Besides, those curved butt plates shoot better standing-up than just about any other way anyhow! Less of a chance to develop a bad flinch IMHO!

There's got to be a ton of other good reasons as well......

Dave

 

[Tom Compton]

Exactly Right, TN. Practice your off hand shooting, use best rest available when hunting and don't worry about the others.

Even modern pistol shooters be advised to practice weak hand unsupported.
TC

 

[hanshi]

In the field I seldom have a rest available but do shoot from field positions. If I'm standing I'll drop to kneeling or already be sitting. These are the positions I practice from the most. Offhand practice is part of my regimen but no more than about 20%. Yes, I've taken a number of standing shots, a few at distances that even surprised me. But I do everything I can to avoid shooting off my hind legs like a human.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I shoot in competitions with weak hand unsupported, in USPSA and IDPA. I also practice slip cocking my revolvers with the weak hand and thumb. I find that slightly canting the hand gun while shooting weak hand unsupported is more accurate for me....your mileage may vary.

Dave

 

[ohio ramrod]

I often use a fence post when hunting if available. In fact at both of my favorite places to watch for deer I have an old dead elm set in the ground to give me a rest.

 

[David W.]

Why? Just wondering why anyone would choose to shoot off hand when something was available to shoot off of? :idunno: :slap: :hmm:
I'm talking about in a hunting situation :wink:

Give me a rest when hunting and I'll use it, especially if at long range. Within fifty yards, it doesn't seem to make much difference.

I do target shoot using a rest, but practice off hand too.

 

[dwarvenchef]

I'd have to say that well over 50% of my shots have been off hand. I also don't take the shot if I don't think it will get the job done. I do most of my hunting "jump style" walking through the woods till a bump into the target. Sitting in a blind tends to put me to sleep...

If a rest presents itself I'll use it but if I didn't train for the worst case senerio I'd not get all the opertunities I would be presented.

 

[MikeC]

I haven't yet had the pleasure of hunting with a rifle, since NJ requires a shotgun with buck or slugs.

Dave,

If you have a NJ rifle permit you can use your MZ for deer during 6 day and MZ seasons. You can also use a .36 or smaller for squirrel during the Fall and Winter squirrel rifle seasons.

Mike

 

[Old Salt]

You don't suppose it goes back to a time when formations of men stood across a field from each other and fired off hand with mortal effect?

The off hand discipline is still utilized in military rifle matches.

Every ML match I've been part of is shot from the off hand position. Woods walk too.

Salt

 

[smo]

Every ML match I've been part of is shot from the off hand position. Woods walk too.

Salt [/quote]

Exactly what i'm talking about! I think there should be more bench rest events or shooting of cross sticks or walking stick for those of us who had rather shoot from a rest for whatever the reason. :v , I was a pretty good off hand shot once and still do ok for a few rounds until my back tightens up from an injury a couple of years ago, then it's all over :cursing:
But i still like to compete. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Thanks Mike, I forgot about that!

See you this Sunday at Cherry Ridge??

Dave