Update on offhand shooting practice (photos)

[KirkD]

Stopped in at the range to do my weekly offhand shooting practice with my Winchester Model 94 30-30 carbine. This time, I had mounted a Lyman 66 and wanted to see how it does from a 'hunting' position (free standing, offhand, with left had supporting the forestock and elbow not touching body). I'm encouraged but still need practice. I had some jacketed Speer 150 grain bullets, but they're not as accurate as the cast bullets I use, so I wanted to use them up. I fired two, 5-shot sets. Both sets resulted in four shots on paper each. The paper was 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" and was 100 yards away. I'm practicing with these blank papers now. So 80% of my bullets are going into the boiler room. I need to increase that to 100%. Both bullets that missed the paper went low, below the paper. I'll be working on lifting my point of aim slightly. I'm enjoying the practice.

[RKrodle]

KirkD,

That looks pretty good to me. I would be lucky to get any of the shots on the paper. Good going.

[reo]

Nice shooting. Would you give the details on your cast bullet load and the 150 grain Speer load please.

[Paladin]

Great Shooting but why limit yourself to not using a more stable position of elbow against body and anything else to make it more stable like grabbing a tree or bush for support?

[KirkD]

Reo: The Speer load was 30 grains of IMR 3031 under the 150 grain Speer. The cast load is 28 grains of IMR 3031 under a 150 grain RCBS GC bullet.

Paladin: Leaning against a tree certainly makes it easier, but for practicing, I don't want to make it easier. As luck would have it, all of my deer have been shot from the 'hunting' position. They never cooperated when I was on a deer stand in a tree, but always showed up when I was on foot. However, if there is a tree handy, or I can sit down and use my knee as a rest, I'll certainly do that. I figure if I can put 5 shots into the vitals from a 'hunting' position at 100 yards, I'll do even better if I can brace myself on something in the bush.

[Nath]

Well done Kirk, my off hand has gone bananas of late. Must put some down range.

Nath.

[reo]

Thanks Kirk, Midway has some h335 on the way to me. I was wondering if you have worked with it at all with the Speer or your cast bullet. Also, any experience with 2400 using either bullet?

[Old Savage]

That is great shooting from 100 yds. Any deer that is there for any two shots is yours.

[Ysabel Kid]

I figure if I can put 5 shots into the vitals from a 'hunting' position at 100 yards, I'll do even better if I can brace myself on something in the bush.

Impeccable logic! Hopefully a big buck will present itself this year when you are in a position to take full advantage of everything around you!

[w30wcf]

Kirk,
Nice shooting! Glad to hear that you installed a receiver sight - good for aging eyes. Hope to see you in October.

w30wcf

[O.S.O.K.]

Good shootin.

I'm thinking of puting sling swivels on my 94 AI project gun - that way, I can hasty sling and stabalize for a better shot. I know that works and you can actually carry partially "wrapped up" and just bring the rifle up and tight at the shot.

The Montana sling makes a good hasty sling.

[KirkD]

A sling is definitely a big help. My very first rifle, a .303 British had a sling, and I always wrapped it around my arm when I shot.

Reo, the only powders I've tried in the 30-30 is IMR 3031 and Accurate 5744.

[JerryB]

Kirk, that is some great shooting for offhand. How did you like the 5744 in the 30-30? With your help the 32-20 load with 5744 and the Hornady 100 grain XTP-HP is as perfect as it can be. I have 150 and 170 grain Remington corelok bullets for the 30wcf and would like to try some 5744 with them.

[KirkD]

Jerry, I've only tried one batch of 5 with 5744. The results were promising but awful slow. 5744 runs hotter than 3031, so I can't jack the speed up to 2,100 without running a little too close to max pressure for my comfort. It might be better with the heavier 170 grain bullet, but I won't know until I try it.

[O.S.O.K.]

I like W748. RL-15 and Varget are also very good in the 30-30.

[KirkD]

O.S.A.K., those are very slow powders. I've not tried anything that slow. Do you use those powders with cast bullets or jacketed?

[20cows]

I like 748 with a cast 165gr bullet.

[Borregos]

Nice shooting Kirk!
Offhand practice is always helpful before the season starts.

[KirkD]

Now I'm curious to try one of those slow powders. Maybe it will help me get every fifth dadgummed flyer onto the paper.

[Borregos]

Kirk, meant to add that I use 748 and Reloder 12 with some success in the 30-30.

[rjohns94]

nice range report. I like the way you think and practice. All too often, I see people "bench resting" their deer rifle and once they get their ole '06 "Zeroed in" they pack up and leave. I often wonder if they take their shooting bench to the field with them, and if they ask the deer to stop at exactly the 100 yard mark.

[Modoc ED]

Nice shooting Kirk. I always strive to be able to put my shots into a 6-inch circle at 100-yards but if I couldn't, putting my shots into a 10-inch circle would get the job done.

Your groups are very good. Certainly within my 6-inch requirement. No deer is safe in Canada with you around.

I shoot 170gr bullets in my .30-30s and I like IMR-3031 too. Very good powder for the .30-30 . I use 30-grains with 170gr bullets.

[KirkD]

As soon as I can swing the purchase, I want to obtain an RCBS 180 grain mould for the 30-30 (I know moulds don't cost an arm and a leg, but I just purchased a restored original US Army Colt SAA made in 1888 that will be a legal antique here in Canada once it is chambered in 45 Schofield, so until I sell my other antique sixgun, the belt has been tightened.) I've tried the 180 grain RCBS bullets in my 30-30 and they are the most accurate of all the bullets I've tried. Furthermore, I'm a big fan of opting for the heavy bullets for a given caliber.

Modoc Ed, I need to make up a bunch of 6" paper circles especially for offhand practice. I find that the smaller the target, the more accurately I tend to shoot for some strange reason.

[JerryB]

Kirk, I have loaded 748 with 150 grain jacketed bullets that shot like factory loads. I was just wondering about the 5744 powder. Sometime I'll order some cast 30-30 bullets and work with them too.

Wow!! you found an original Colt SAA. That is fantastic. What was the original caliber?

[Dave]

That is not bad shooting! I avoid the offhand shot like the plague on game.

[KirkD]

Wow!! you found an original Colt SAA. That is fantastic. What was the original caliber?

Jerry, the original caliber was 45 Colt. Since the sixgun had been completely restored (but the original army markings were still retained) the collector's value was ruined, which is fine with me, since it reduced the winning bid considerably, even with the sale of my other antique sixgun. I would not have been able to afford it otherwise. I'm getting it to shoot and pack in the wilderness.

[O.S.O.K.]

So, you have to get a new cylinder for your SAA - chambered in 45 Sch to be legal to carry?

Weird.

[KirkD]

So, you have to get a new cylinder for your SAA - chambered in 45 Sch to be legal to carry?

Weird.

I'm afraid you're right. The politicians deem certain calibers restricted and others as antique.

[mescalero1]

Kirk,
So circumstance has forced you to go to .45 Schofield.
The question is, are you ok with that; do you feel put upon?

[KirkD]

Kirk,
So circumstance has forced you to go to .45 Schofield.
The question is, are you ok with that; do you feel put upon?

No, I'm not okay with that, but I have to work within the system as it stands right now. I am against any law that restricts any type of firearms from responsible citizens.

[Paladin]

It makes sense to practice the most the most unstable position and hope for better. My 200 yard offhand scores were always my worst across the whole 600 yard course so I try to never shoot that way unless I have too. What you are saying shall make me go back to practice some more. No disrespect meant, thanks for the aswer.

[KirkD]

It makes sense to practice the most the most unstable position and hope for better. My 200 yard offhand scores were always my worst across the whole 600 yard course so I try to never shoot that way unless I have too. What you are saying shall make me go back to practice some more. No disrespect meant, thanks for the aswer.

I may practice for the worst case scenario, but when I'm actually hunting, I'll take whatever I can get to help me out.

[mescalero1]

I should have worded that differently.
Will the Schofield do what you NEED it to do?

[KirkD]

yes. it uses the same bullet as the 45 Colt and can be loaded to the same ballistics.

[mescalero1]

It is a shame you had to go these distances to get to where you are, but if I were faced with your restrictions; I too would endeavor to get to the point where I needed to be.

[Jarhead]

nice range report. I like the way you think and practice. All too often, I see people "bench resting" their deer rifle and once they get their ole '06 "Zeroed in" they pack up and leave. I often wonder if they take their shooting bench to the field with them, and if they ask the deer to stop at exactly the 100 yard mark.

+1 Offhand is the best practice...bench rests are good for sightin' a rifle in, but offhand is where the "rubber meets the pavement" Pretty Good shooting... Fun too!

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, I'm glad that you've been able to work withing the rediculous limits that have been set - and will have a great handgun! You should be able to push the loads a bit with a new cylinder - a 250 grain keith style bullet at 850 fps should be easy to do and will be very potent. I'd feel very comfortable with that kind of power.

Good for you for going the extra to get there.

[KirkD]

Well, I'm glad that you've been able to work withing the rediculous limits that have been set - and will have a great handgun! You should be able to push the loads a bit with a new cylinder - a 250 grain keith style bullet at 850 fps should be easy to do and will be very potent. I'd feel very comfortable with that kind of power.
.

Yes, 850 to 870 fps with a 250 grain bullet is what I'll be using, and I'm also very comfortable with that.