PISTOL PRACTICE
Written by: Der Luftmeister
Hunting with handguns is probably more popular today than at any time in the past. Species hunted include small game, varmints, and large game. Some states even have special handgun seasons, and numerous manufacturers offer special models of their products that are designed specifically for hunting. There several good reasons for the popularity of handgun hunting. Two of them are for the additional challenge when using a short range gun and the convenience.
Handguns used for hunting vary from conventional revolvers and autoloaders to specialized single shot models that are built on a rifle action and fire a cartridge normally used in a rifle. The latter almost always have long barrels, and are actually cut down rifles that have no butt stock. They are almost always used with a scope, some are equipped with bipods, etc. It is not this type of handgun that appeals to Der Luftmeister who prefers a handgun that could normally be used as a regular packing iron. No matter, the sport has room for everyone.
When it comes to dispatching pests and game with a handgun, the hunter owes it to the game and the sport to be a good marksman and to exercise sound judgment. But how does one find a place and time to practice with a handgun to attain proficiency? Right at home, of course. Available airguns include many handgun models that can be used indoors with a suitable pellet trap. Both handguns and pellet traps are available right here at Compasseco.
If you can set up a suitable pellet trap and get 20-25 feet away, you have the makings of a range for handgun practice. This is practice for hunting which is a slow, deliberate type of shooting, not rapid fire action. The first step is to select a handgun that matches as closely as possible the type you hunt with. For example, if you are a hunter who uses a revolver, pick a CO2 revolver as your practice tool. The Smith & Wesson Model 586 in 357 Magnum caliber is a popular handgun for hunting varmints and animals up to the size of deer. Fortunately, there is a CO2 gun, also known as the Smith & Wesson Model 586, that exactly matches the size and weight of the firearm. This means that you can practice indoors with a pellet pistol that matches the size and weight of your hunting firearm. The Model 357 from Crosman and the Model R77 from Gamo are other revolvers that could be used for indoor practice.
What if your favorite handgun is an autoloader? Outstanding pellet guns of this type carry names like Beretta, Colt, and Walther. Some of them even match the size and weight of the firearms that carry the same names. The pellet firing versions are excellent for practice to prepare for using the firearms in the field.
The handgun hunter who likes a single shot, bolt action model is certainly not left out. Several target pistons would serve admirably as practice tools. Among them are the Tech Force 35, the Avanti 747, the Crosman 1377 air pistols, and the CO2 powered Benjamin EB17 and EB22, and the Crosman 2240. All of these are single shot models that are capable of excellent accuracy. Some of them can even be fitted with a scope or red dot sight if desired.
All of the pellet pistols mentioned above are available from Compasseco so it is a simple matter to select a handgun for practice. Just pick a model that replicates as far as possible the firearm you are going to use on your next hunting trip.
My suggestion is to practice on targets having different shapes. The familiar sight picture used on a round bullseye does not work very well on a squirrel. I always adjust the sights so that the point of impact coincides with the top of the front sight. That way, I know that when the front and rear sights are aligned correctly and then aligned on the target, I can place the top of the post where I want the shot to hit. For hunting practice, cut out pictures of the animals you plan to hunt from magazines and tape them to your backstop. If you can hit the lethal zone in a small photograph of a coyote at 20 feet with your pellet pistol, you should find that hitting the life size animal at 50 yards is not too difficult. Be sure to practice shooting from the same positions that you are likely to use in the field.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned handgun hunter, practice with a pellet pistol can sharpen your skills. The nice thing is that you can practice any time you have a few minutes to spare without having to travel to a range.
Hunting with handguns is probably more popular today than at any time in the past. Species hunted include small game, varmints, and large game. Some states even have special handgun seasons, and numerous manufacturers offer special models of their products that are designed specifically for hunting. There several good reasons for the popularity of handgun hunting. Two of them are for the additional challenge when using a short range gun and the convenience.
Handguns used for hunting vary from conventional revolvers and autoloaders to specialized single shot models that are built on a rifle action and fire a cartridge normally used in a rifle. The latter almost always have long barrels, and are actually cut down rifles that have no butt stock. They are almost always used with a scope, some are equipped with bipods, etc. It is not this type of handgun that appeals to Der Luftmeister who prefers a handgun that could normally be used as a regular packing iron. No matter, the sport has room for everyone.
When it comes to dispatching pests and game with a handgun, the hunter owes it to the game and the sport to be a good marksman and to exercise sound judgment. But how does one find a place and time to practice with a handgun to attain proficiency? Right at home, of course. Available airguns include many handgun models that can be used indoors with a suitable pellet trap. Both handguns and pellet traps are available right here at Compasseco.
If you can set up a suitable pellet trap and get 20-25 feet away, you have the makings of a range for handgun practice. This is practice for hunting which is a slow, deliberate type of shooting, not rapid fire action. The first step is to select a handgun that matches as closely as possible the type you hunt with. For example, if you are a hunter who uses a revolver, pick a CO2 revolver as your practice tool. The Smith & Wesson Model 586 in 357 Magnum caliber is a popular handgun for hunting varmints and animals up to the size of deer. Fortunately, there is a CO2 gun, also known as the Smith & Wesson Model 586, that exactly matches the size and weight of the firearm. This means that you can practice indoors with a pellet pistol that matches the size and weight of your hunting firearm. The Model 357 from Crosman and the Model R77 from Gamo are other revolvers that could be used for indoor practice.
What if your favorite handgun is an autoloader? Outstanding pellet guns of this type carry names like Beretta, Colt, and Walther. Some of them even match the size and weight of the firearms that carry the same names. The pellet firing versions are excellent for practice to prepare for using the firearms in the field.
The handgun hunter who likes a single shot, bolt action model is certainly not left out. Several target pistons would serve admirably as practice tools. Among them are the Tech Force 35, the Avanti 747, the Crosman 1377 air pistols, and the CO2 powered Benjamin EB17 and EB22, and the Crosman 2240. All of these are single shot models that are capable of excellent accuracy. Some of them can even be fitted with a scope or red dot sight if desired.
All of the pellet pistols mentioned above are available from Compasseco so it is a simple matter to select a handgun for practice. Just pick a model that replicates as far as possible the firearm you are going to use on your next hunting trip.
My suggestion is to practice on targets having different shapes. The familiar sight picture used on a round bullseye does not work very well on a squirrel. I always adjust the sights so that the point of impact coincides with the top of the front sight. That way, I know that when the front and rear sights are aligned correctly and then aligned on the target, I can place the top of the post where I want the shot to hit. For hunting practice, cut out pictures of the animals you plan to hunt from magazines and tape them to your backstop. If you can hit the lethal zone in a small photograph of a coyote at 20 feet with your pellet pistol, you should find that hitting the life size animal at 50 yards is not too difficult. Be sure to practice shooting from the same positions that you are likely to use in the field.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned handgun hunter, practice with a pellet pistol can sharpen your skills. The nice thing is that you can practice any time you have a few minutes to spare without having to travel to a range.
posted by Randy Mitchell at
8:07 AM
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