At what range can you hit a 6" plate, offhand, standing?

[BigFatGuy]

One thing I've noticed at the various ranges I've been to: almost everyone shoots off bags or stands or rests.

Very rarely does someone shoot standing, offhand. I'm even looked at as "wild and crazy" for using sticks sometimes.

It seems to me, the ultimate proof of rifle skill is the standing, offhand shot (somethign I suck at, myself).

So, let's talk marksmanship:

at what range do you think you could hit a 6" plate of bacon with your favorite rifle while standing WITHOUT wearing one of those bondage jacket outfits?

[PennypackPete]

You mean hit reliably? Hit 100%? 50%?

[JackEllis]

One thing I've noticed at the various ranges I've been to: almost everyone shoots off bags or stands or rests.

Very rarely does someone shoot standing, offhand. I'm even looked at as "wild and crazy" for using sticks sometimes.

It seems to me, the ultimate proof of rifle skill is the standing, offhand shot (somethign I suck at, myself).

So, let's talk marksmanship:

at what range do you think you could hit a 6" plate of bacon with your favorite rifle while standing WITHOUT wearing one of those bondage jacket outfits?

I’m not sure I agree that the ultimate demonstration of marksmanship is offhand shooting. I know two people who are pretty decent offhand shots, but the one that still hunts almost always uses a rest in the field. As a hunter, my standard is to hit the vitals every time up to 200 yards and never lose a wounded animal due to poor shooting. That means being willing to pass on shots I’m not totally confident with. I suppose it helps that I won’t starve if I leave the field empty handed.

One of my skill objectives is being able to hit the 6” plate at 100 yards shooting offhand with any of my rifles, but first I want to be able to hit a 3” target at 100 from a tripod, shooting sticks, or just resting my elbows on my knees.

Maybe someone with military experience can describe the marksmanship standards and whether rests are allowed.

[BigFatGuy]

You mean hit reliably? Hit 100%? 50%?

I'll use Steve Rinella's discriminator: well enough that, when you line up the shot, you say to yourself "that plate is going to get hit" rather than "I hope I hit that plate".

In more mathematical terms, let's say "approaching" 100%.

[BigFatGuy]

and, to teh three people (at this point) who said "longer than 100 yards"... I'd love some shooting advice. :-)

[Jimmy's]

I can hit 8" plates at 100 with my Conteders and 2x or 4x scopes off hand.

[tnlrat37]

[kendog4570]

and, to teh three people (at this point) who said "longer than 100 yards"... I'd love some shooting advice. :-)

Shoot a fair bit of NRA Rifle Silhouette. Also some NRA Service Rifle across the course. If you stick with it and listen to the old timers you will improve in the standing position. I could use up a whole hard drive telling you fine points and tricks, but nothing replaces trigger time.

[RNE228]

Go to a KD Appleseed. You'll shoot Standing, Prone, and seated at ranges from 100-400 yards.

Even shooting compressed Appleseed(everything shot at 25meters, with scaled targets, will teach you a lot about sling use, natural point of aim.

MOA is MOA, whether at 25m or 100 yards... Yes, there are some variables that will affect it, but at a basic level it is true.

and, to teh three people (at this point) who said "longer than 100 yards"... I'd love some shooting advice. :-)

[870classic]

100 Yard, standing, unsupported and hit a 6" target? Done and Done.

and, to the three people (at this point) who said "longer than 100 yards"... I'd love some shooting advice. :-)

As far as advise, try Smallbore Metallic Silhouette shooting. The ram targets are 6 1/2in. x 5 1/4in and are set 100 meter away. Standing, unsupported, 22lr, and a 16 power scope.

Good shooting and best regards,
870classic

[RNE228]

Again, I would recommend Appleseed.

Although there are some differences in sling use from the range to hunting/field, the basics are still the same. Natural point of aim, breathing, trigger control.

All of the skills to shoot from standing, seated, and prone transfer over to shooting in the field, unsupported, or from a log etc.

[longrange1]

im a terrible shot off hand so id say 6" at 100yds 40-50%.

that said i watched a guy at a match shoulder a 17lb 243AI and call 5 head shots on a full size IPSC at 550yds and then put 2 in the mouth and 3 in the nose.

[smoothy8500]

.

It seems to me, the ultimate proof of rifle skill is the standing, offhand shot (somethign I suck at, myself).

How much dry-fire practice you doing at home? That will make a huge difference in offhand ability.

[rimfire78]

I can hit 100 yard plates with slugs from my shotgun, standing, but I'm pretty sure those are 10" not 6".

[BigFatGuy]

Again, I would recommend Appleseed.

Honestly, I learned a lot more from reading the appleseed handbook than I learned by attending an Appleseed... I realize I likely just had a bad bunch of instructors, but I won't be going back.

How much dry-fire practice you doing at home? That will make a huge difference in offhand ability.

Very little.... The lack of feedback always bugged me... my dry-fired shots are always bulls-eyes, just like my air-guitar solos always get the air-women in the air-audience to pull off their air-tops...

I can hit 100 yard plates with slugs from my shotgun, standing, but I'm pretty sure those are 10" not 6".

I'm not about to give you crap over 4" of target at 100 yards. :-)