Most all rifles shoot far more accurate than the hunter, but out in the field, things can happen fast. The hunter must be accurate and ready.

The honest truth is, shooting off a bench at a bullseye is not hunting…it is target shooting. 

In reality, accuracy is, for the most part, in the hands of the hunter, not necessarily in the rifle. It is common to see hunters shoot MOA or even sub-MOA bench rest groups with todays rifles and be happy, ready to hunt. Right? Not really! 

We must practice how we are going to hunt. Hunters that do not prepare physically out in the field, including me, or shoot their rifle enough to know it well, are kidding themselves.

For me, it is a self talk to get my butt to the range regularly, shoot standing off a tripod rest or offhand burning powder and sending bullets downrange. Thus having an intimate relationship with your rifle, its recoil and trigger time.

Once your rifle is sighted-in, it is time to get you “the hunter” sighted-in away from the bench. 

It is best to shoot at a target that does not have a bullseye, after all deer and bear do not have a bullseye on them. 

 A paper plate target can help give you some focus to keep bullets on it.   I often purchase near life size paper animal targets to put my crosshairs on. It helps greatly or create a cardboard left or right facing shoulder/chest to aim at. What if the game is facing you, and that is your only shot opportunity. Are you ready? 

Good Hunting!