The many “Truth’s” of Rifle and Shotgun shooting
Quite often the topics of “target shooting” comes up in conversation amoungst hunters, paper punchers, self defense and law enforcement groups and individuals. There are a lot of “miss truths” and out right nonsense when it comes down to which type of gun to use involving weight, trigger and optic and sighting types, ammo and how to carry the firearm. Lets explore some truths.
.Which is easier to shoot a heavy or light gun? For hunting and carrying to the hunt a light weight gun is best. For target shooting {isnt that what we are doing regardless if its paper people or an animal?} a heavy weight gun will offer a better grouping by as much as 2″ at 200 yards. A heavier gun is more stable for the bullets flight.
. Bad or good trigger – which is better? Depending on the actual quality of the trigger and its pull there really isnt much of a noticable difference shooting off from a bench or a set of stick. However standing and shooting is an all together different matter. Bad triggers are crunchy springy gritty and at times very hard to pull. You will notice a very announced shot placement which can be off target with a bad trigger
. Which sight is fastest on target? Optic, peep, open, blade, red dot, glow stick or nothing on the end of the barrel. From experience I often forget to look at the target and instead focus on the sight especally some white or glowing one. For close quarter shooting when using the Point shooting method there is no difference in the useage of a sight as you are pointing. However for hunting a slight flicker will notify your game that you are there so you will then have to focus on the sight then the target. Red or Green dot sights will always dominate in accruarcy and then speed as they are very easy for the eye and brain to see and understand what they are over the other sight types. But speed with no accuracy is worthless if you miss your target. Find the threat or target, point your firearm, aim the firearm on target, align your sights then fire.
. Plastic or wood stock on your firearm and which is best for accuracy and being out in the enviorment. As far as I am concerned there is no difference and many instructors will state the same. Plastic is usually lighter than wood furniture. Neither will offer much over on another other than accuracy as a plastic stock does keep the barrell and reciever from moving arouns as much. At 200 yards and beyond you will hit your target better with a plastic stock
. Is using recoil compensators and butt stock shock rubber mounts useful while shooting? Our answer for a shotgun and heavy caliber rifle is yes. Yet some will argue not. Trust me after teaching a 200 round Defensive Shotgun class over a weekend any thing to reduce the recoil on a shotgun is welcomed. Some people elongate the forcing cone of the guns barell to reduce recoil which is useful, some add in recoil compensators inside the stock which defienetly takes down the shock and some add on specialized butt pads to lesson the hit. And also having the end of the barrell ported will also reduce the recoil. The best recoil reducer is low brass and low recoil ammunitions.
. Low mount, Skyward aim or Chest ready to carry a long gun in the field? We prefer all 3 actually while hiking. Of course using a sling can make matters much less tiresome on a hike. Low mount the gun and it is easier and faster to get up on target, Skyward Aim usually is slower and more difficult to bring the sights down on target and having the firearm at chest ready is the fastest as all you do is push the front sight out onto the target. We vote for all 3 carrys depending on the hunt. For tactical shooting on a range the low mount chest ready position will win every time.
Kevin Martin
Chief Instructor: HillTop Gun Club
