So you think you can hold that lightweight rifle more steady than a heavier gun? Think again.

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That's why all of the guns I stand or high-rack hunt with have heavy contour stainless barrels and weigh 12-13 pounds.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. I can make far more shot in target standing unsupported with my 6lb AR15 than with my 14lb bolt gun.

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Is the author of the article even talking about shooting unsupported? It mainly seemed like he was claiming that heavier rifles were easier to hold steady when you are in shooting position or using a rest of some sort.

While my personal experience has always agreed with those who say a heavier gun is easier to steady without a solid rest, I believe the same mechanics apply when using one. In fact, I would say I need a rest to hold a light gun as steady as I can an unsupported heavier rifle.

The issue brings to mind another shooting mechanic where there is often debate. That is, using a lower magnification increases your ability to steady your rifle. Yes, you can see crosshair wobble more easily with a higher scope magnification. However, you can better control it by turning it down.

There's a reason why target rifles are heavy. The Match rifles and Service Rifles at Camp Perry will weigh about 15lb.

It all depends on technique. I was taught to look for a support. If that wasn't available then get into a proper shooting position. Anyone with good training rarely shoots "offhand". That's what God gave us knees and elbows for.

I choose which rifle I carry based on how far I am going to have to carry it, what my surroundings are, and more importantly what caliber I need for the game. I always choose the heavier rifle if I can.

That's twice the weight of my heaviest rifle, a wood-stocked Weatherby .270.

Offhand, I shoot a lighter gun better. Off a rest, I shoot a heavier gun better.

That's just me though, I surely do not speak for everyone.

Not sure on rifles but I can say for sure a heavier pistol usually shoots better with less recoil. I had a buddy who took a desert eagle in 50ae in as a trade and told me to go with him to shoot it that pistol was heavy but dead accurate I was able to group bullseye no problem

I like my hunting rifles like I like my women. Short, thick, and quiet.

am falling for the short thick ones myself

you need a barrel sticker of exactly that

The wobble doesn't change with magnification, your perception of it does.

And the lower perception impacts your muscle reflexes which are not quick and precise enough to correct the wobble you see more clearly with a higher magnification. There are basically three ways to deal with wobble:

1. Use a solid rest to help steady the gun
2. Turn down the magnification so that wobble becomes less noticeable. As a result, you'll stop "chasing" a steady aim. (This also points to why a heavier gun is easier to hold steady. The heavier weight puts a greater load on your reflexes, which helps reduce wobble.)
3. Since it's impossible to hold a completely still and steady aim, train your muscle reflexes to create circular movements as tight as possible around the target center.

Thank you...

I use the best power for the occasion. I use higher magnification as a rule. The only time I turn the mag down is in low light.

You're not controlling it any better. It just appears that way because the reticle movement is more exaggerated at higher power.

All else being equal, a heavier rifle is easier to shoot accurately. Pretty basic, but the ultra ultra light rifle craze a few years back proves that some lessons always need to be re-learned. A good basic weight for a mountain rifle is about 7-7 1/2 pounds all in. Goes up from there depending on the use/application. If all I ever used a rifle for was blind sitting I would take the Camp Perry approach too.

To the contrary, it's much like keeping a vehicle more evenly spaced in the middle of the lane by keeping a perspective or view further down the road. The mind is providing inputs the muscles and reflexes are more capable of tracking without over correction.

I'm sure it could be better explained by someone well versed in Control Systems theory, which I am clearly not.

[quote=Gone to Texas]Offhand, I shoot a lighter gun better. Off a rest, I shoot a heavier gun better.


I agree with that. I shoot my Tikka T3 Lite good off hand, but shoot my Heavy 308 very well off a stand or bagged up. Its all about getting steady.

this

My man!

I have owned several Marlin 1895's, and the best by far for off-hand shooting is the 1895CB model with the 26" tapered octagon barrel, and full-length magazine tube.

The trick to shooting off-hand with a heavier barrel is to swing it up, obtain the sight picture and fire in one smooth motion. - If you take time to do anything else, muscle tremors will screw up your accuracy. If you are slow at getting the sight picture, then you might as well forget it and find a rest of some kind. It all must be done quickly and smoothly.

A low powered scope, or a peep sight with a large aperture is best for this. I've not tried a dot sight with a heavy rifle but it would probably work, too.

I developed this technique back when I shot black powder rifles with long, heavy barrels. It works and with practice, it works very well.

This is so "outside the box" for many shooters, and yet, so true.