Start with .22LR for practice?

Mr. Hill · October 1, 2016, 05:18 PM

I'm trying to get ready for an elk hunt. It's been a long time since I've gone shooting, and I know my marksmanship skills will be rusty. I'll use the .308 for elk, but do you think it would be good to start by practicing with a .22 LR rifle (iron sights) to get in some extended trigger time before I practice with the.308?

Panfisher · October 1, 2016, 05:29 PM

Practicing with a .22 LR is never a bad thing. The closer the .22 style is to your hunting rifle the better, but target acquisition, hold, breathing, trigger squeeze, and follow through are all still the same basic steps. Especially the follow through for when you move back up to the .308, hold that sight picture until the recoil is over and "call" the shot to yourself.

Mobuck · October 1, 2016, 07:48 PM

A 22 will tell you what YOU are doing wrong. If you're not shooting well, there's no recoil to cover your mistakes.

Model12Win · October 1, 2016, 08:47 PM

Since I highly doubt you will be using iron sights for elk hunting, I think you should use a .22 but with a scope on it, just like your .308 hunting rifle will have.

MarkCO · October 3, 2016, 10:34 AM

All trigger time is good time. Yes a .22 is a benefit.

Run a few hundred yards, then get on your pack, sticks, sitting, prone etc and practice the positions with your heart rate up.

October 1, 2016, 05:18 PM	#1
Mr. Hill Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2015 Posts: 384	Start with .22LR for practice? I'm trying to get ready for an elk hunt. It's been a long time since I've gone shooting, and I know my marksmanship skills will be rusty. I'll use the .308 for elk, but do you think it would be good to start by practicing with a .22 LR rifle (iron sights) to get in some extended trigger time before I practice with the.308?

October 3, 2016, 10:34 AM	#5
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	All trigger time is good time. Yes a .22 is a benefit. Run a few hundred yards, then get on your pack, sticks, sitting, prone etc and practice the positions with your heart rate up. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

October 1, 2016, 05:29 PM	#2
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	Practicing with a .22 LR is never a bad thing. The closer the .22 style is to your hunting rifle the better, but target acquisition, hold, breathing, trigger squeeze, and follow through are all still the same basic steps. Especially the follow through for when you move back up to the .308, hold that sight picture until the recoil is over and "call" the shot to yourself.

October 1, 2016, 07:48 PM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	A 22 will tell you what YOU are doing wrong. If you're not shooting well, there's no recoil to cover your mistakes.

October 1, 2016, 08:47 PM	#4
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Since I highly doubt you will be using iron sights for elk hunting, I think you should use a .22 but with a scope on it, just like your .308 hunting rifle will have.