The Shooter’s Guide to Maintaining Accuracy During Hunting: Calibrating Your Rifle Scope

When you visit Pennsylvania’s largest gun show, you will find the firearms you want as well as the equipment and accessories you will need to improve your accuracy. Precision shooting is required whether you own a gun for self-defense, to provide for your family, or to carry in the line of duty.

According to .270 Winchester optics, “from amateurs to professionals, developing your shooting skills is an important component of gun ownership that will allow you to get more out of your Second Amendment rights while also increasing your knowledge and safety with your weapon.”

While not everyone has what it takes to become a certified marksman fit for a Hollywood action film, every gun owner may improve their accuracy with the correct tools, advice, and practices for hunting and self defense.

The Relationship Between Accuracy and Safety

Knowing your target, what is around and behind your target, and not pointing your weapon toward anything you do not want to destroy are all examples of basic gun safety.

As your accuracy improves, you become more focused on your sight image, the bigger environment you are operating in, and you get more comfortable with your gun. You make better decisions with your firearm when you base your practice on safe gun handling skills.

When you wish to increase your accuracy, you must first identify the areas in your shooting technique that require improvement.

Weapon Suggestions

The first step is to ensure that you have the right rifle and equipment for improved hunting. While you can definitely achieve a certain degree of proficiency with most, if not all, publicly accessible firearms, selecting the appropriate one and ensuring you have the necessary parts, accessories, and gear makes the process easier and faster.

Gun Size

If you think that buying a smaller gun will make it simpler to handle, you may be in for an unpleasant awakening. Smaller guns often have less mass and a shorter recoil spring travel distance to absorb the kinetic energy imparted to your arm. If recoil is an issue, seek out a full-size frame pistol or revolver with a barrel at least 4″ long in a “mid-range” caliber like 9mm,.40S&W, or.38SPL. These are excellent all-around selections for self-defense or range use, and the larger weapon will keep recoil under control.

Optical Precision

Investing in stronger sights is a wonderful method to boost accuracy. For precise shooting, red dot and reflex sights provide faster target acquisition and a bright aiming point. There are numerous versions available with innovative features like shake-to-awake power-saving modes and brightness settings.

Recoil Management

If your gun is still bucking too much for you to handle, it is time to improve your recoil management. For some models, this may imply replacing the recoil spring with a more robust option. You might also have a gunsmith port for your firearm, which involves cutting holes into the barrel and slide to enable venting gases to combat muzzle flip. If your rifle has a threaded barrel, aftermarket compensators that screw directly onto your weapon may be available to improve its handling.

Prepare Yourself

A new stock for your long gun or a brace for your handgun may make all the difference in improving your shooting steadiness. These can provide extra leverage for better weapon control and assist in correctly redistributing recoil to improve accuracy for future shots.

Techniques for Improving Accuracy in Hunting

You have got the tools; now it is time to hone your skills. A lot goes into getting the most out of your pistol, but most shooters may start with some fundamental strategies to improve accuracy. While these fundamental abilities are routinely taught to novices, the world’s top marksmen and shooters will still take the time to fine-tune, adjust, and otherwise work on them to keep them at the peak of their craft.

Just Squeeze it

If you want to enhance accuracy, make sure you are squeezing the trigger smoothly and consistently. The trigger is jerked, or, in the case of heavier trigger pull-weights, wrestled and overpowered into submission. Smooth, effortless, regular movements will keep your barrel pointed in the right direction.

Get Low

Keep in mind that your stability is determined by the foundation you build with your lower body. Keep a shoulder-width gap between your feet and a slight bend in your knees. A low, wide stance improves your ability to absorb recoil shock while keeping your feet “live” in tactical or dynamic target shooting scenarios.

Dress for Success

We have all seen someone perform the hot casing shuffle, and I am sure we can all agree that we do not want to be in their shoes. Wear range-appropriate clothing, including eye and hearing protection, not only for safety but also to increase accuracy.

Selecting the hunting boots is crucial for accuracy and safety. Quality boots provide stable footing, which is crucial for maintaining a steady shooting stance. Look for boots with firm ankle support, non-slip soles, and comfortable cushioning to withstand long hours at the range. Whether in a static position or moving dynamically, the right boots enhance your overall stability, ensuring precise shots. Remember, your footwear is the foundation of your shooting posture, so choose wisely.

Allow it to Happen

If you are experiencing a drop in accuracy as your day at the range gets longer, you may be experiencing an issue with anticipation. As our bodies endure recoil after recoil, we begin to anticipate it, stiffening up or “moving into it” to lessen the shock. Take a breather, let it go, and when you return to the line, focus consciously on your trigger pull, allowing it to break cleanly without anticipating it.

Drill for Accurate Shooting

These workouts are a wonderful place to start if you want to focus on improving accuracy. They work on some of the fundamental abilities required for precision shooting in order to help you fine-tune your techniques.

Dry Fire Training

Dry firing a weapon is safe for most current center-fire handguns and long guns, and it is an inexpensive way to practice trigger pulls. Make sure your gun is unloaded and that you have a working area set up where no one can come in. Select an aiming location and practice your trigger technique. Look for laser dry-fire devices and specific dry-fire magazines to help you cycle your next dry shot at your next gun show and improve your training.

Brace Yourself (Again)

Using a bench rest at the range can help you sight in your weapon, isolate your trigger technique in a live-fire scenario, and focus on better understanding how your shooting posture or trigger technique affects your gun in usage.

Finally, there is no alternative to excellent repetitions and persistent practice at your local shooting range. Make sure you are devoting the necessary time and effort to improving your accuracy and gun-handling abilities.

Conclusion:

Accuracy is not only essential for effective hunting, but it is also a safety aspect. Some incidences, frequently fatal, have occurred when stray rounds struck people who were not in the shooter’s line of sight. Before you shoot, make sure you have a proper backstop.