Just finished tuning my field target rifle, red is dead

[Flintsack]

The entire time I was shooting my rifle in preparation for tomorrow’s match, I had two young red squirrels chasing each other from tree to tree in the background and screaming at each other. 

They almost never stop moving. I don’t know how many times I tried to readjust my field target rifle from 60 down to 10 power and get it adjusted for the proper range. It was impossible.

So I waited till I was done, turned the scope down to 10, set it for a 40 yard zero. I knew I had to go off hand, there was no time to use a rest. they run continuously then they pause for two seconds, then run. 

It took me about 10 minutes to get a shot. As I shot he moved and I missed. The next one wasn’t so lucky. He paused on the side of a tree for just a second too long. 46 yards. Unretrievable. So the picture below is his brother.

they are not an easy varmint. Especially this time of year with the young ones running around with red eyes like cartoon characters.

mike

 

[M0ist0ne]

I'd say ya nailed that 'field target'!

Nice offhand shooting!

 

[qball]

46 yards offhand is mighty impressive! 

 

[L.Leon]

Good offhand shooting Mike, those nasty reds hardly ever stay still.

 

[Flintsack]

I went through the boiler room. He completely folded. I practice a lot offhand. With the scope set on 10 X, it looked rocksolid on his shoulder. And then you touch the Allen Zasadny tuned Steyr trigger. It’s over. At a national match, every field target shooter in the top 10 would hit that size Killzone at 46 yards, twice. Like machines. He was vertical on the tree, so I had a lot of room for error up and down. No wind. I was a little disappointed his friend didn’t stick around and let me get a shot at him. 
mike

 

[qball]

Crazy, I can hardly hit anything at 20 yards offhand! I was so happy with my leaning against the fence 48 yard shot but that's below child's play for you. 

 

[OldSpook]

Smoked him! I might have been able to make that shot, forty years ago!

I probably have a hard time hitting the tree these days.

 

[Blackpaw]

@flintsack very impressive and I can see you know the ways of the squirrely force.

 

[Flintsack]

q 

I would be able to shoot offhand much better than I could leaning against a pole…Good equipment doesn’t hurt.

mike

 

[BackStop]

q 

I would be able to shoot offhand much better than I could leaning against a pole…

mike

I could only do that in my younger days. Now? Give me that pole, step ladder, tree limb, etc, etc, etc, etc... (chuckle)

Seriously, I can, on occasion shoot accurately and with precision off hand, but I prefer to shoot with some sort of rest because I KNOW that for me, I will be much more accurate/precise/consistent if I do. (smile)

I am always impressed by those who can shoot off hand consistently with accuracy and precision!