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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: stonykill on February 17, 2014, 07:17:08 PM

Title: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: stonykill on February 17, 2014, 07:17:08 PM
   Mine is stump shooting. I have the attention span of a flea. So shooting paper bores me. I stump shoot  the way I do with archery. Locate a target at an unknown distance and shoot it. Or shoot at it until I hit it. Random thing. Actual rotten stumps, fallen hickory nuts, a dead leaf, random tin cans I have set around etc. I know I'm lucky enough to live in the sticks and have the land to do this.

   Today I shot at a frozen starling I killed 2 days ago and have been using as a decoy. Shot at it from all kinds of angles and distances. With 2 feet of snow on the ground my stump shooting is limited.

    What is your favorite way?
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: pyroboy33 on February 17, 2014, 07:35:14 PM
Same here (kinda), I will go out to like 80-110 yards, chuck out a bunch of random fruit, small objects ect at random distances. Then set up in my typical hunting position (seated with simple shooting sticks) and use my lfr to range the targets, after that I will apply the appropriate holdover, dope for wind (if applicable) and let the rounds fly. It is really just a hunting simulation for me though as that is how most of my hunting is done....... practice how you play right  ;D.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: nced on February 17, 2014, 07:39:41 PM
   Mine is stump shooting. I have the attention span of a flea. So shooting paper bores me. I stump shoot  the way I do with archery. Locate a target at an unknown distance and shoot it. Or shoot at it until I hit it. Random thing. Actual rotten stumps, fallen hickory nuts, a dead leaf, random tin cans I have set around etc. I know I'm lucky enough to live in the sticks and have the land to do this.

   Today I shot at a frozen starling I killed 2 days ago and have been using as a decoy. Shot at it from all kinds of angles and distances. With 2 feet of snow on the ground my stump shooting is limited.

    What is your favorite way?

Home made paper targets upstairs at 18 yards and at my back yard practice range outdoors. Here's a pic of a target hanging in front of a Outers rimfire bullet trap with a couple shots at 18 yards........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Airgun%20Targets/OutersRF.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Airgun%20Targets/OutersRF.jpg.html)

Here's a pic of my 53 yard back yard practice range (most distance I can get between the logs and property lines).......
Entrance path to my back yard practice range........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/PracticeRangeEntrance-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/PracticeRangeEntrance-1.jpg.html)
Looking left from the entrance path........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/LaneLeft.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/LaneLeft.jpg.html)
Looking right from the entrance path.........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/LaneRight.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/LaneRight.jpg.html)

A couple years ago I had a "reptilian buddy" watch a whole shooting session from the top of the log back stop........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/Reptilian2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/Reptilian2.jpg.html)
It didn't seem to be concerned about the shooting so I moved up for a close up...........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/Reptilian1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/Reptilian1.jpg.html)
That year whenever I was practising at my lane the lizard would appear and watch the show. I think that the smack of the pellets on the logs and the flying wood particles were the attraction.

Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: AK73 on February 17, 2014, 07:42:11 PM
I like spinners, but sadly my only one is the Crosman Zombie target.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 17, 2014, 07:50:04 PM
I'm lucky to have some property to play on also. I have various things, but lately I've been shooting more paper to try and hone my accuracy and work on my hold with the air rifles. I also have spinners, stumps, leaves, 20oz bottles thrown around here and there, and as soon as it warms up I'll go around and re-tie some random stuff hanging off fishing line from the trees. What I really need is a rangefinder.............and a chrony, and a shoebox compressor, and.......:D

Something a friend and I used to do with the 10/22's and Ruger MKII's was pour out some coca cola on the ground and let it sit for a few hours until there was a good swarm of flies and bees, and see who could bust 'em.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Chako on February 17, 2014, 07:55:13 PM
I'm lucky to have some property to play on also. I have various things, but lately I've been shooting more paper to try and hone my accuracy and work on my hold with the air rifles. I also have spinners, stumps, leaves, 20oz bottles thrown around here and there, and as soon as it warms up I'll go around and re-tie some random stuff hanging off fishing line from the trees. What I really need is a rangefinder.............and a chrony, and a shoebox compressor, and.......:D

Something a friend and I used to do with the 10/22's and Ruger MKII's was pour out some coca cola on the ground and let it sit for a few hours until there was a good swarm of flies and bees, and see who could bust 'em.
Yeah, i got a long list too,
how far of a shot on the bees?
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 17, 2014, 07:59:10 PM
I'm lucky to have some property to play on also. I have various things, but lately I've been shooting more paper to try and hone my accuracy and work on my hold with the air rifles. I also have spinners, stumps, leaves, 20oz bottles thrown around here and there, and as soon as it warms up I'll go around and re-tie some random stuff hanging off fishing line from the trees. What I really need is a rangefinder.............and a chrony, and a shoebox compressor, and.......:D

Something a friend and I used to do with the 10/22's and Ruger MKII's was pour out some coca cola on the ground and let it sit for a few hours until there was a good swarm of flies and bees, and see who could bust 'em.
Yeah, i got a long list too,
how far of a shot on the bees?

Depends on how big a bee honestly. Bumbles you could get some pretty long shots with the rifles, probably 30 or 40yds, we never really measured. With the pistols it was close in work, maybe 10yds or so. You missed a lot, but it was still good fun.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Ginuwine on February 17, 2014, 08:02:00 PM
Sad to say I've only got 20 yards to play with in my backyard so I punch a lot of paper and have a quad spinner I just ordered to mess around with.  I do some plinking shooting at tooth picks, thumb tacks, tic tac, anything small to keep my skills up.  Figure at close range you should make you're targets small as possible to compensate for the lack of distance.  Sure do wish I had some open space.  Funny being up here in the High Desert there is a lot of space, its just a matter of finding out what and where is legal.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: pyroboy33 on February 17, 2014, 08:14:53 PM
Sad to say I've only got 20 yards to play with in my backyard so I punch a lot of paper and have a quad spinner I just ordered to mess around with.  I do some plinking shooting at tooth picks, thumb tacks, tic tac, anything small to keep my skills up.  Figure at close range you should make you're targets small as possible to compensate for the lack of distance.  Sure do wish I had some open space.  Funny being up here in the High Desert there is a lot of space, its just a matter of finding out what and where is legal.

Where are you at in the high desert, I moved from Anza about 2 years ago.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: nced on February 17, 2014, 08:23:31 PM
I'm lucky to have some property to play on also. I have various things, but lately I've been shooting more paper to try and hone my accuracy and work on my hold with the air rifles. I also have spinners, stumps, leaves, 20oz bottles thrown around here and there, and as soon as it warms up I'll go around and re-tie some random stuff hanging off fishing line from the trees. What I really need is a rangefinder.............and a chrony, and a shoebox compressor, and.......:D

Something a friend and I used to do with the 10/22's and Ruger MKII's was pour out some coca cola on the ground and let it sit for a few hours until there was a good swarm of flies and bees, and see who could bust 'em.
OOooooooo bug bustin! My absolute favorite when they land on my targets...........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Airgun%20Targets/Fly2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Airgun%20Targets/Fly2.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Airgun%20Targets/FlySplat.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Airgun%20Targets/FlySplat.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/wved/Field%20Target/BeeFT1-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wved/media/Field%20Target/BeeFT1-1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 17, 2014, 08:36:51 PM
Ha ha, glad to see I'm not the only one. Nice shooting nced!
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: amb5500c on February 17, 2014, 09:01:43 PM
Squirrels and other edibles.
Richard
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: 45Bravo on February 17, 2014, 11:39:22 PM
We play a game of follow the leader.
We set out random targets at random distances out to about 50 yards.
(Shotgun shells and ping pong balls are favorites)
I shoot one, when it lands you have to shoot it, then I shoot it, then you shoot it , until it is out of sight or range, then we start over again.

Sometimes we set out steel cased .40 or 9mm shells at unknown distances.
We call this shooting range trash..

I started shooting competitively in the mid 80's, and still shoot some matches.

I learned precision paper punching in Colorado Springs at the Olympic training center. 
(Powder burners and air guns)
(They have a club you can join and shoot with some really great people, and it puts you in a place to compete against world class shooters, and learn from them.
They are always willing to help you become a better shooter.

I found I really didn't enjoy paper punching, I really like reactive targets more than chasing dots..

That also puts you in touch with world class gunsmiths (and airgun smiths) that do the true magic that you would have to shoot to fully appreciate..

But it does come at a cost, and in that level of competition, price is no object..

That being said, there were some great deals on used guns that the shooters had "outgrown" as they advanced in their expertise..

Airguns I shoot for fun and just to keep my eye and finger in sync.

ANYTIME you spend behind the trigger with ANY weapon is good for you, as long as you Learn something every time you go out..
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: avator on February 18, 2014, 12:10:31 AM
until this past Sunday, I shot at stationary targets that I placed and various distances. The farmer behind my house has about 10 to 15 acres of pasture with pine trees and stumps and just random natural items. It's on a downhill grade from my back porch. On some of the barbed wire fencing he has hung 1 gallon bleach jugs to alert four wheelers to the fence being there. So, now I have pine cones, jugs and stumps to shoot at up to 100+ yds away. I elevated 3 mil dots and hit one of the jugs 3 times in a row. you can barely hear the pellet hit them. it's dark now or I would post some pics... I'll do that this weekend. What really amazed me was how long after the shot it took to hear the pellet hit the jug and see it wobble. This is great practice for determining elevation on the fly. Betty Lou thinks I should ask the farmer's permission to shoot his jugs. he already said I could shoot the squirrels and other vermin, I highly doubt he would mind a few 1/8" holes in his jugs. I'm not so sure the pellets don't just bounce off at that distance.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: 45Bravo on February 18, 2014, 01:02:34 AM
If you are shooting your dragon, depending on the power you are using, you very may well be making holes at 100 yards..

I would investigate first to see what damage you are causing, then talk to the farmer.

Yes it is neat to be thinking "darn I missed" then see the target wiggle and hear a thunk.


At 900fps it is ~1/3 of a second, it seems like an eternity through the scope after the trigger breaks.

When the wind is kicking up my favorite target is a stainless steel gong
It is actually a stainless outlet cover and is 4 3/4 inches wide.
It swings nicely, makes a audible tink, and was cheap.

My 2289 puts some nice dents in it at 50 yards.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/25oxehj.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2jalrnc.jpg)

(http://i61.tinypic.com/6eorpk.jpg)

The back side
(http://i61.tinypic.com/sff4tz.jpg)
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: AudiS4 on February 18, 2014, 09:38:30 AM
I love shooting paintballs. Both in the snow, on the ground or in the lake. Just throw out a handful and start splashing. Good fun and hard to hit.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 18, 2014, 10:31:12 AM
At the end of the day, whatever type of shooting I'm doing that day is my favorite, because I'm actually getting to get out and shoot. And that's why I got into air rifles, because I can still shoot affordably, and work on the fundamentals of shooting for hours on end for a few bucks. Looks like it's going to hover around 60 degrees here through next weekend, headed to the hardware store on lunch break to see what I can dig up, I really like that electrical plate idea!
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 18, 2014, 10:31:36 AM
At the end of the day, whatever type of shooting I'm doing that day is my favorite, because I'm actually getting to get outside and get in some trigger time. And that's why I got into air rifles, because I can still shoot affordably, and work on the fundamentals of shooting for hours on end for a few bucks. Looks like it's going to hover around 60 degrees here through next weekend, headed to the hardware store on lunch break to see what I can dig up, I really like that electrical plate idea!
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 18, 2014, 10:32:39 AM
At the end of the day, whatever type of shooting I'm doing that day is my favorite, because I'm actually getting to get outside and get in some trigger time. And that's why I got into air rifles, because I can still shoot affordably, and work on the fundamentals of shooting for hours on end for a few bucks. Looks like it's going to hover around 60 degrees here through next weekend, headed to the hardware store on lunch break to see what I can dig up, I really like that electrical plate idea!

Apparently I can't delete my own posts, and all the buttons here are different from any forum I'm on elsewhere. Sorry about the mess. :D
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: palonej on February 18, 2014, 12:34:30 PM
BEES!!!
My nephew and I set up a couple of paper targets and pin apple halves to them!!
Two grown men giggling like loons!!!
This splat at 30 yards with HW 98!!
Challenging, and more importantly, FUN!!

Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: SAWHOSS on February 18, 2014, 02:42:36 PM
BEES!!!
My nephew and I set up a couple of paper targets and pin apple halves to them!!
Two grown men giggling like loons!!!
This splat at 30 yards with HW 98!!
Challenging, and more importantly, FUN!!
  Talk about two grown men  giggling like loons, BULB and I are just happy to splatter an 8 and a half by 11 sheet of paper. And it's more than giggling, we are laughing our heads off.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: avator on February 18, 2014, 03:12:39 PM
BEES!!!
My nephew and I set up a couple of paper targets and pin apple halves to them!!
Two grown men giggling like loons!!!
This splat at 30 yards with HW 98!!
Challenging, and more importantly, FUN!!
  Talk about two grown men  giggling like loons, BULB and I are just happy to splatter an 8 and a half by 11 sheet of paper. And it's more than giggling, we are laughing our heads off.
LOL...... just think how fun it's going to be when you move it out to 15yds...     oh, my bad
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: chopstopher on February 18, 2014, 04:02:39 PM
I only have about 8 yards of shooting space in my garage so I put old magazines in front of my pellet trap and let them have it! Pretty cool to see the back of the magazine blown out after a shooting session.  ;D
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Rivers3Plinker on February 18, 2014, 05:32:17 PM
No pics but I like to shoot:

I do not recommend shooting golf balls. I've had rounds ricochet back at me and hit my house.
I put all the above in front or inside my DIY pellet trap so I can easily dump the remains in the trash.
I just reposition the trap somewhere around my wooded acre at the side of my house.

Thanks to Palonej for the the apple slices idea. Can't wait to try that!
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: SAWHOSS on February 18, 2014, 05:38:34 PM
BEES!!!
My nephew and I set up a couple of paper targets and pin apple halves to them!!
Two grown men giggling like loons!!!
This splat at 30 yards with HW 98!!
Challenging, and more importantly, FUN!!
  Talk about two grown men  giggling like loons, BULB and I are just happy to splatter an 8 and a half by 11 sheet of paper. And it's more than giggling, we are laughing our heads off.
LOL...... just think how fun it's going to be when you move it out to 15yds...     oh, my bad
     BULB and I can't even see that far. We'll need to shoot at a bed sheet at that distance.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: avator on February 18, 2014, 06:46:13 PM
Found a bag of army men at the dollar store... talk about flashback. Only problem is, back in the days of the daisy with the magazine in the barrel (can't remember model) you just pick the little green dude up and shoot him again. With today's airguns, he looks like dried chewing gum after one shot. And that's if he hasn't left the planet.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 18, 2014, 07:25:16 PM
Great, I'm a grown man and going to buy army men tomorrow. :D Man, what a perfect day it was here in the mountains today. Had a good day at work, it was 67 degrees out so all the snow is gone, and things are almost dry out. Naturally when 5:00PM hit, I RAN out the door and came home for some trigger time. I also discovered today, that I can get a perfect 50yd shot (maybe 75 by moving further back, not sure yet) shooting over the top of the carport. I'm one happy guy, and the weekend can't come soon enough since my Srod will be here.

See 'em?

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/speedracer93/Webpics/Guns/AIr%20Guns/P1140701Medium_zps540a8f74.jpg)

Let me help a little

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/speedracer93/Webpics/Guns/AIr%20Guns/P1140702Medium_zps0da887ca.jpg)

 
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: stonykill on February 18, 2014, 07:31:02 PM
Found a bag of army men at the dollar store... talk about flashback. Only problem is, back in the days of the daisy with the magazine in the barrel (can't remember model) you just pick the little green dude up and shoot him again. With today's airguns, he looks like dried chewing gum after one shot. And that's if he hasn't left the planet.

    Glad to see I'm not alone in my shooting practice.


    Agreed my Red rider from the early 70's, which still resides in my gun cabinet, just knocked over the little green guys.

   I see a trip to the dollar store in my future to buy myself army men
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: TheBullsEye on February 18, 2014, 09:44:51 PM
I love shooting paintballs. Both in the snow, on the ground or in the lake. Just throw out a handful and start splashing. Good fun and hard to hit.
good idea ill have to pick up some paint balls all of these ideas are awesome and can't wait til it warms up for good here in the mid west!
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Bill in SC on February 18, 2014, 10:35:38 PM
Generally, to check zero and keep my general shooting skills honed, I shoot paper at 10 meters from the bench. Not as far to walk to change targets. :-) One thing I have found with shooting airguns at any range, the more money you spend, the more accurate the guns get!  ;-)

Bill in SC
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: WNCmotard on February 18, 2014, 10:37:34 PM
Generally, to check zero and keep my general shooting skills honed, I shoot paper at 10 meters from the bench. Not as far to walk to change targets. :-) One thing I have found with shooting airguns at any range, the more money you spend, the more accurate the guns get!  ;-)

Bill in SC

I'm assuming there's a down slope on that bell curve where I can't shoot as well as the gun is capable of, no matter the cost.  :P
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Rodent Reaper on February 18, 2014, 10:43:08 PM
This thread is full of good ideas.  Thanks guys. ;D
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Arjuna on February 18, 2014, 11:37:12 PM
I have 10 meters in my basement for paper targets at a Do-all trap.  25 meters in my backyard with a knockdown target.  Inside, weather doesn't bother me and I don't bother any neighbors.  But it's not safe to shoot the knockdown target or army men inside.  I'm envious of those who have 100 yards to play with.

Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: pappa on February 19, 2014, 11:19:35 PM
For critical sighting in, I use a sturdy tripod with a large V shaped rest padded with 3 inches of foam rubber and an indoor target taped to a  backstop padded with 4 inches of folded news papers at 10 yards. I next go to the front door, use the door sill to steady my forearm, and ping at 2 inch spinners staked into the front yard at 30 yards. I keep in practice by nailing squirrels and crows raiding my wife's bird feeders about 20 yards out on the same front lawn.
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: woogie_man on February 20, 2014, 03:06:49 AM
Gummy bears :D   They are darn near bulletproof.
Old vitamins
Necco waffers
Antacid tablets
Tooth picks
Life savers.... shooting through the center hole ;)
Old keys and locks
Anything fun from the dollar isle at any major store
Rotten and old food......espically eggs
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: Monkeydad1969 on February 20, 2014, 03:28:58 AM
Flipping cans and ripping the lids off:

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1483_zps35569dcc.jpg)

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1482_zps3c541f5b.jpg)

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1481_zps018b5581.jpg)

Joe
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: K.O. on February 20, 2014, 03:34:41 AM
This was my back yard range 20-25-30 yards for stock 1322 & PC77, now with  mods, barrel tune and 1399 stock I use Quarter size dots stick on or drawn.

I also do quick chucker, pheasant, grouse, dove, quail, rabbit, jackalope, etc drawngs.

prone, kneeling, sitting knee rest, shooting sticks, side rested, unrested, and of course offhand. Sand bag zeroing.

I spend about 1/4 of my shots concisely making a check of form, 1/2 just plain relaxed shots and 1/4 hunting shots as if the game could get

spooked at any moment and there is need to shoot quicky but also relaxed and not feeling hurried what I call feel the shot shooting.

When my kids are around we go to the mountains nearby and  we take turns setting up targets  along  a 1/4 - 1/2 mile of trail.

I picked up a few of these cheap once  http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2533_1857-25147-standing_artificial_crow.html?utm_source=googlep&utm_medium=gpfeed&utm_campaign=gpfeed&gclid=CI__raSX2rwCFYqPfgod1xsAzw (http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2533_1857-25147-standing_artificial_crow.html?utm_source=googlep&utm_medium=gpfeed&utm_campaign=gpfeed&gclid=CI__raSX2rwCFYqPfgod1xsAzw)

man the list could go on and on on targets...   such as very small snowmen...
Title: Re: What's your favorite way to practice shooting?
Post by: 45Bravo on February 20, 2014, 09:25:08 AM
Flipping cans and ripping the lids off:

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1483_zps35569dcc.jpg)

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1482_zps3c541f5b.jpg)

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/josephb1969/IMAG1481_zps018b5581.jpg)

Joe


Pellet gun art!!!

I like it!!