At the range testing out shooting positions .223

Took on a few shooting positions yesterday at the range... Looking for some tips to tighten my groups...
All shots were from 100yds...

Best grouping is of course from the bench...
Second best is from a chair sitting backwards using the backrest as an arm rest in conjunction with my shooting sticks
then its a toss up between using a stadium seat + shooting sticks and a regular sitting position in a chair + shooting sticks...

I read so much about individuals shooting coyotes out to 3-4 even 500 yds but man my percentage on a shot at 200yds is low, how do they do it....crosshairs move way too much for me... Thinking I might go to a 3x9 circle X type scope...currently using a 4x12 bushnell elite multi X ... Thoughts?

Basically looking for or interested in hearing what you may use .......what works best for you in a hunting situation..... Truth be told, I miss way too many coyotes so..... looking for something that can keep me and the rifle a little more steady especially at the 200yd mark...

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1818/...e95f1bd5_z.jpg

And I took my time taking these shots.... coyote hunting doesn't allow for that luxury

Try a bipod . Ever since I started using one I never looked back. I even use one when I go deer hunting. It's worth a try.

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Originally Posted by OntHunter73

Try a bipod . Ever since I started using one I never looked back. I even use one when I go deer hunting. It's worth a try.

Sent from my STH100-1 using Tapatalk

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Like the ones screwed into the forearm...permanent style mount?

I use the ones that screw on were your sling would go. I have the 27" that tilt and swivel . Harris makes them.

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Originally Posted by fratri

Like the ones screwed into the forearm...permanent style mount?

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X2 with the bi-pod. I have one on my Ruger M77SS .270Win with the scope zeroed at 200M. Be sure to get a bi-pod that swivels,so,you can set up quickly on uneven,frozen ground. There's a couple of different makes and sizes. It'll depend on how you want to set up a watch or blind or whether you just want to sit against any background with whatever camo you're using.

I don't think you will see much difference between a bipod and shooting sticks in hunting situations, that being said, I've only used a bipod and not shooting sticks. I use a Harris bipod - it's good quality, easy to attach to the rifle and I can get decent results target shooting, but I don't find it practical for the type of hunting I do. They come in certain height ranges, so one that is good for prone shooting is generally useless for shooting from a seated position.
I also don't think switching from a multi-x reticle to a circle-x reticle will make any difference.
Shooting from the prone position with some kind of rest (bipod or backpack) is a very stable position, but might not be practical when you are hunting coyotes in the middle of the winter. I doubt you will be lying in the snow facing exactly the right way when the coyote appears, and the coyote probably won't give you enough time to adjust to a prone position.
Shooting beyond 200 yards is tough from the seated position unless you have something very solid to rest your rifle on. Last year I set up one of my portable deer hunting stands in a spot where 200 yard + shots were possible. It has a shooting rail at just the right height for those long shots. I tried stabilizing my rifle on it and I found that I was able to keep the cross-hairs very still. Unfortunately, the only opportunity I got for a shot involved a buck running at full speed after a doe, so I passed up the shot at that distance.
I've heard good things about the Bog-pod (a tripod), but I've never used one myself.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I don't think you will see much difference between a bipod and shooting sticks in hunting situations, that being said, I've only used a bipod and not shooting sticks. I use a Harris bipod - it's good quality, easy to attach to the rifle and I can get decent results target shooting, but I don't find it practical for the type of hunting I do. They come in certain height ranges, so one that is good for prone shooting is generally useless for shooting from a seated position.
I also don't think switching from a multi-x reticle to a circle-x reticle will make any difference.
Shooting from the prone position with some kind of rest (bipod or backpack) is a very stable position, but might not be practical when you are hunting coyotes in the middle of the winter. I doubt you will be lying in the snow facing exactly the right way when the coyote appears, and the coyote probably won't give you enough time to adjust to a prone position.
Shooting beyond 200 yards is tough from the seated position unless you have something very solid to rest your rifle on. Last year I set up one of my portable deer hunting stands in a spot where 200 yard + shots were possible. It has a shooting rail at just the right height for those long shots. I tried stabilizing my rifle on it and I found that I was able to keep the cross-hairs very still. Unfortunately, the only opportunity I got for a shot involved a buck running at full speed after a doe, so I passed up the shot at that distance.
I've heard good things about the Bog-pod (a tripod), but I've never used one myself.

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Thanks for sharing... Lots of good practical information there....
I know there is no magic solution........ just looking to see what works for others....... as you said, hunting and shooting vary greatly.....Shooting from a bench is easy....
those coyotes or any game for that matter can come from anywhere and usually you don't have much time to get on them and shoot.....
So you don't think that circle x scope would help eh?
I might pick one up anyway just to give it a try...

shooting sticks bog pod our the ones i use you can get a cradle for that brand so your firearms will sit in it

It's not been suggested, and I don't know if you have already done it.

Try different brands and weights( 45, 52, 55 grain) to see if there is one that works better then the rest. If you reload or have a friend that does you can really dial in your rifle. Worst case is you get lots of range time and become a better shooter.

Oops.

Forgot to ask what your rifles trigger weight is? If it's too high, you can jerk the rifle when it breaks.

I looked at the price of Bipods and shooting sticks and... well being a frugal guy, with a small block plane..off I go to Home Depot and buy an 8Ft piece of 1" X 2" clear birch. I also pick up 2" 1/4" stainless 1/4" bolt, 4 SS washers and a SS wing nut. Total cost $18.00. Few hours with a block plane, sand paper and drill bit and made this.

The good thing about it is the Bipod configurations can be high for kneeling, or low for sitting in turkey chair (coyote). As I have learned from you Frank, set up in expected direction of travel from woods. The Bipod range of swing is very good for set up and I switch back and forth between winter white paint (Spray) and camo spray paint when needed. I have since made a carry strap to throw over my shoulder.

Total height is 4ft and it can scissor to any height I need, plus uneven ground has little or no effort in it usability. It can fit in the tow behind sled for snow machine, or just on the foot rail.

Attachment 37187Attachment 37187

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Originally Posted by fratri

So you don't think that circle x scope would help eh?
I might pick one up anyway just to give it a try...

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There's always a reason to try a new scope!
I have a few scopes now with a circle-x reticle, and several with the multi-x style. To be honest, when trying to shoot small groups, I find the circle-x a distraction. Usually you can use the circle-x as a type of drop compensator, so that could help for longer range shooting. But the problem you seem to be describing is related to keeping the cross-hairs stable, and a different reticle won't do anything to improve that.
Anyway, the groups you posted are pretty good in my opinion, considering you were using mostly hunting-style shooting positions. To consistently make a (good) 200 yard + shot on coyote-sized game, if possible, I would go with the prone position with some sort of decent support under the rifle.

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Originally Posted by rf2

There's always a reason to try a new scope!
I have a few scopes now with a circle-x reticle, and several with the multi-x style. To be honest, when trying to shoot small groups, I find the circle-x a distraction. Usually you can use the circle-x as a type of drop compensator, so that could help for longer range shooting. But the problem you seem to be describing is related to keeping the cross-hairs stable, and a different reticle won't do anything to improve that.
Anyway, the groups you posted are pretty good in my opinion, considering you were using mostly hunting-style shooting positions. To consistently make a (good) 200 yard + shot on coyote-sized game, if possible, I would go with the prone position with some sort of decent support under the rifle.

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True my issue is not being able to hold the cross hairs steady...... but I am thinking with a Circle X style, as long as I can get the coyote vitals in the middle of that circle when I squeeze off the shot, it should be a hit or at least that is my thought... something worth trying?
I used to be able to get those cross hairs settled on the vitals pretty quick and steady, now it seems like I can't do that with the same confidence anymore....those cross hairs seem to move around too much which is dropping my confidence level. (causing me to second guess when squeezing that trigger)
Going to be out practicing over the next few weeks... Hopefully I can find something that brings that confidence level back to what it used to be.

Prone position usually isn't an option for the type of terrain I hunt.

Might be a stupid question, but have you ever considered just lowering the magnification? I find sometimes it's a psychological thing when at high magnification - you see every tiny movement, and that makes you feel like you are moving like crazy, then you try to compensate..... At lower magnification you don't notice the small movements as much, so you don't focus on them. It's similar to what you are saying about using the circle-x reticle.
Anyway, I don't think you have much to worry about. You seem to be a very successful hunter. Just the fact that you are out practicing from hunting positions is making you a better shooter, and it's more than most people do. The number of people can actually make a 4-500 yard shot on a coyote from a seated position on a consistent basis is probably pretty small.

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Originally Posted by rf2

Might be a stupid question, but have you ever considered just lowering the magnification? I find sometimes it's a psychological thing when at high magnification - you see every tiny movement, and that makes you feel like you are moving like crazy, then you try to compensate..... At lower magnification you don't notice the small movements as much, so you don't focus on them. It's similar to what you are saying about using the circle-x reticle.
Anyway, I don't think you have much to worry about. You seem to be a very successful hunter. Just the fact that you are out practicing from hunting positions is making you a better shooter, and it's more than most people do. The number of people can actually make a 4-500 yard shot on a coyote from a seated position on a consistent basis is probably pretty small.

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You make a good point about the lower magnification... I do notice that when it's cranked up I see the cross hairs move a lot, but I put it on a lower power, it does help me get on target quicker and don't notice the movement near as much...
I just did some reloads today, I hope to get out and practice some more a little later on in the week...Going to make a set of shooting sticks with 3 legs and take it out with me. See if it is practical in hunting conditions or if it's a PIA. :)