20 replies to this topic

[SScott]

Hi all,

I apologize if this question has been asked before. I've been doing some target shooting lately, and I find that I  enjoy shooting more off hand than I do shooting  off a rest (not nearly as accurate though). I'm improving, but what kind of accuracy should I be looking to achieve shooting in this manner and at what distances, say twenty to forty yards out, and with how many shots, from the time I start shooting and the time I finish? I understand what is acceptable to verticle bow hunters and verticle target shooters, but I'm not sure about the crossbow.

[randyxx75]

Hi sscott,
What I do is make sure bench shots all group well , arrows that are "flyers" will drive you nuts !
Remember most crossbows kick down, by that I mean when I shoot my sz 380 even at only 20 yds, it kicks the front end down so my shots are anout 1 1/2 " low,,, my ten point gt curve kicks me down over 2 ", so either allow and aim higher to compensate or focus on the shot and try to maintain stiffer presure against the forearm, its easier for me to just aim higher, knowing where poi will be,
As far as acceptable  accuracy,,,, to me anyway,,,, I kinda stick with the verticle general rule of thumb for a hunting situation,,, 2" @ 20 yds. ,,, 3" @ 30,,,, 4" @ 40,,,
This is just what "I" do ,,,
these are obtainable with a little practice !,,,, enjoy !!

[deerboy]

SScott, on 18 May 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

Hi all,

I apologize if this question has been asked before. I've been doing some target shooting lately, and I find that I  enjoy shooting more off hand than I do shooting  off a rest (not nearly as accurate though). I'm improving, but what kind of accuracy should I be looking to achieve shooting in this manner and at what distances, say twenty to forty yards out, and with how many shots, from the time I start shooting and the time I finish? I understand what is acceptable to verticle bow hunters and verticle target shooters, but I'm not sure about the crossbow.

I think you are onto something with off-hand shooting.  I relax and enjoy it MUCH more than bench shooting. I'm soooooo concerned with trying to eliminate human error from the bench that it's exhausting! Shooting off-hand is much more realistic and reminds of actual hunting scenarios.

[Moon]

I never practice on a bench  rest. I hunt from treestands and most always shoot with my left elbow on my thigh or side. I also shoot 3D tournaments which must be shot standing and off hand. I use an Excal Vortex for that. I keep that left elbow buried in my side to support the crossbow. IMO, it's lots more fun than sitting at a bench putting all the arrows in virtually the same hole at 40 yards.

[SScott]

randyxx75, on 18 May 2011 - 10:54 AM, said:

Hi sscott,
What I do is make sure bench shots all group well , arrows that are "flyers" will drive you nuts !
Remember most crossbows kick down, by that I mean when I shoot my sz 380 even at only 20 yds, it kicks the front end down so my shots are anout 1 1/2 " low,,, my ten point gt curve kicks me down over 2 ", so either allow and aim higher to compensate or focus on the shot and try to maintain stiffer presure against the forearm, its easier for me to just aim higher, knowing where poi will be,
As far as acceptable  accuracy,,,, to me anyway,,,, I kinda stick with the verticle general rule of thumb for a hunting situation,,, 2" @ 20 yds. ,,, 3" @ 30,,,, 4" @ 40,,,
This is just what "I" do ,,,
these are obtainable with a little practice !,,,, enjoy !!

Thanks for the input, I have something to shoot for. I originally tried to compensate as you do, but I think I'm better off forcing the butt into my shoulder. Finer techniques are wasted on me, sadly.

My accuracy drops off dramatically after an hour or so of shooting. I need to build up some muscle endurance & memory, I think that will help (or perhaps not).

Thanks for the help!

[SScott]

deerboy, on 19 May 2011 - 04:27 AM, said:

I think you are onto something with off-hand shooting.  I relax and enjoy it MUCH more than bench shooting. I'm soooooo concerned with trying to eliminate human error from the bench that it's exhausting! Shooting off-hand is much more realistic and reminds of actual hunting scenarios.

I like bench shooting too, but after I sight the thing in, I don't really want to do it any more, personal preference I suppose. I would like to go stumping with my bow, but I'm afraid of damaging my arrows or losing them in the ground. I used to do this with a long bow and wood arrows, slow shooting animal, and the set up was pretty forgiving with judo points. Does anyone go stumping with their x-bows?

[cabinfever]

I shoot offhand never from a bench rest. I stop shooting before I get tired once you get tired if you cotinue to shoot you will develope bad form/habits.

[semperfi1970]

For me the bench is very comfortable as I am not as strong as I once was. More so than not I hunt from a blind and use a little folding tray as a makeshift bench of sorts. When I do shoot offhand I use a sling in a military shooting stance.  I find the sling wound around my arm helps me steady the bow by locking my arm. I limit my shots to 30 yards offhand when hunting due to my own ability. I am impressed by those that can hold good groups offhand.

[Sporty87]

Off hand is always the most difficult to do accurately.  I prove my set up off a bench then most of my shots are off "shooting sticks" that allow almost bench rest accuracy.  I have not as yet had to take an off hand shot as most of my hunting is from some form of blind or stand due to my physical limitations.  If I could walk better I'd be inclined to do some stump shooting with some of my "target" arrows and judo points - but right now that is not a real possibility.  I have done that before (preaccident) with a vertical bow.

[houser52]

I'm a xbow newbie and haven't hunted with mine yet but I rarely shoot any firearm offhand unless it's a handgun.

Usually I try to plan ahead and anticipate where my shots will be presented and use any available rest whether it's my knee, shooting rail of a tree stand, side or top of a fixed object, shooting sticks, etc. A lot depends on the size of the target and distance I'm shooting at too. Some shots I just wouldn't take unless I had a solid rest and know I could connect. I can regularly hit 8" steel plates offhand at 80-100 yards with my 10mm and 41 handguns but I practice a lot too.

Edited by houser52, 24 May 2011 - 02:14 PM.

[semperfi1970]

Figured I would give you all something to giggle about.  I decided to shoot my very best 30 yard offhand with the predator. Good enough to kill a deer but you see why I only shoot max 30 yards offhand. Be kind, that so called group took me 20 minutes and a glass of home made hard cider.

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[houser52]

semperfi1970 - you don't need a bench. Good shootin.

[SScott]

semperfi1970, on 24 May 2011 - 08:19 PM, said:

Figured I would give you all something to giggle about.  I decided to shoot my very best 30 yard offhand with the predator. Good enough to kill a deer but you see why I only shoot max 30 yards offhand. Be kind, that so called group took me 20 minutes and a glass of home made hard cider.

Looks good to me!

[SScott]

Sporty87, on 23 May 2011 - 11:06 AM, said:

Off hand is always the most difficult to do accurately.  I prove my set up off a bench then most of my shots are off "shooting sticks" that allow almost bench rest accuracy.  I have not as yet had to take an off hand shot as most of my hunting is from some form of blind or stand due to my physical limitations.  If I could walk better I'd be inclined to do some stump shooting with some of my "target" arrows and judo points - but right now that is not a real possibility.  I have done that before (preaccident) with a vertical bow.

Coming to this weapon from the longbow, and not the rifle, I didn't find it all that easy to shoot the crossbow off a bench. I kept hearing stories about robbin hoods on the second shot, and that was not my experience while sighting the weapon in. Maybe I'm the only one though, lol.

[deerboy]

semperfi1970, on 24 May 2011 - 08:19 PM, said:

Figured I would give you all something to giggle about.  I decided to shoot my very best 30 yard offhand with the predator. Good enough to kill a deer but you see why I only shoot max 30 yards offhand. Be kind, that so called group took me 20 minutes and a glass of home made hard cider.

I think that's mighty fine shooting there.  SemperFi1970 Thanks for your Service! Happy Memorial Day.  BTW.  About How often when you shoot OFFHAND do you split bolts?

[semperfi1970]

deerboy, on 30 May 2011 - 06:26 AM, said:

I think that's mighty fine shooting there.  SemperFi1970 Thanks for your Service! Happy Memorial Day.  BTW.  About How often when you shoot OFFHAND do you split bolts?

Offhand splitting arrows, well not very often Deerboy.  If I do it was not due to skill just luck and shaking the bow the same twice.  

[Sagittarius]

I have never shot off a bench with my Scorpyd.
I shoot elbows on knees for virtually all my shots when hunting and sighting in.
There is not a better balanced bow out there for shooting offhand with than the Scorpyd, imo.

[SScott]

Sagittarius, on 02 October 2011 - 10:12 PM, said:

I have never shot off a bench with my Scorpyd.
I shoot elbows on knees for virtually all my shots when hunting and sighting in.
There is not a better balanced bow out there for shooting offhand with than the Scorpyd, imo.

The Scorpyd looks like a nice bow. I usually anchor my left elbow off of my ribs when I shoot off hand. Will definitely try the knees.

[xbowguy]

Key to shooting better groups off hand is FOLLOW THROUGH!  It’s a must if you really want to stack arrows upon arrows or consistently want to hit what you’re aiming at.  FOLLOW THROUGH would be best described as continuing to AIM the crossbow during and after the shot without introducing any additional movement.

Most all of us have some form of "GUN" shooting background and more than likely understand the principles of marksmanship.  The crossbow in all honesty will challenge you like no other weapon since your "Red Rider".  By human nature we all want to see what we did as fast as we can.  In archery it’s referred to as "Peaking" and one typically moves his bow arm to the side to see what happened.  Without even realizing it most of us will lower the crossbow or rifle/shotgun to see what we just hit or missed.  This happens so fast, fraction of a second that we don’t even realize it!  With most shoulder mounted weapons it’s not as big of a deal because the projectile exits the weapon pretty fast yet it is being influenced by our movement and natural reaction. The crossbow on the other hand, being possibly the slowest of the shoulder mounted weapons we shoot, is just as not forgiving.

If you really want to be a better offhand shooter with the crossbow work hard to maintain your sight picture and keep aiming at your target until the arrow hits.  This will reduce the risk of you steering the arrow of course during the firing cycle.

[ynot]

right to the point, practice the same way you plane on shooting in the feild! anything else will cause problem, cross bows are hold sensitive like any weapon.