Here are a few things I like to do in preparation for an upcoming hunt/outing/range day:
How do you maximize your shooting time in the field?
How do you maximize your shooting time in the field?
How do you maximize your shooting time in the field?
- Thread starter Michael
- Start date
Nah. that is way too organised for me! I'm more of a load everything into the ute last minute sort of fella. Get out there, crack a beer and just have fun with it. But I do also shoot on our own land, so not too far from home should I have forgotten anything (usually charged batteries)
Lovely setup you have going there though mate.
Lovely setup you have going there though mate.
Upvote 0
I get in comfortable chair, open first tin, and then 6-7-8 hours later i am out of lead, but have several empty tins.
100% success
Okay Friday was bad on another account.
Unpacked new 6000 watt diesel heater.
Set it up ( more on that later )
Fill it with diesel.
NO !!!! that's too much, diesel all over.
Take apart and clean
Put back together
Put in temporary test spot in shot shed.
Fire it up
Realizing the intake and exhaust pipes have been switched around ( not me )
Emergency shut down
Drain tank of diesel
Take heater to shop to swap arpund the intake and exhaust pipe
Put diesel back in the tank, this time only 1/2 tank
Fire it up
Find out it work just fine.
That did take a bite out of my shooting session, so only shot a measly 400 shots in one day.
100% success
Okay Friday was bad on another account.
Unpacked new 6000 watt diesel heater.
Set it up ( more on that later )
Fill it with diesel.
NO !!!! that's too much, diesel all over.
Take apart and clean
Put back together
Put in temporary test spot in shot shed.
Fire it up
Realizing the intake and exhaust pipes have been switched around ( not me )
Emergency shut down
Drain tank of diesel
Take heater to shop to swap arpund the intake and exhaust pipe
Put diesel back in the tank, this time only 1/2 tank
Fire it up
Find out it work just fine.
That did take a bite out of my shooting session, so only shot a measly 400 shots in one day.
Upvote 0
I've never had a day to just go shooting. If I'm lucky an hour or 2 at most in my yard before the family is awake on my day off or maybe 10-15min after work at the dairy before I head home for the day. So no load out for me really.
At home I have everything there so generally I grab my gun and tripod, rear bag and shooting mat and I'm good. I don't shoot that much as I get bored really fast shooting groups. Usually do 4 separate 5 shot groups and I'm done lol. So while I can shoot more I dont.
For the dairy though in my truck I keep a tin of JTS 18gr, JSB 10.3gr and a tin of CPHPs in .177 and .22 for close range pesting. Usually have a bag in my truck to rest on the window of my truck. So all I need is my gun. Most are tuned for 50-100 shots per fill so no need for air with me. Quit using a rangefinder as it just takes too much time and from experience know alot of the usual distances of where birds usually roost so prefer to not take it now.
When the hobby started to become a chore with what I thought I needed to do to enjoy it, I got burnt out. Took a step back and simplified and enjoy it way more.
At home I have everything there so generally I grab my gun and tripod, rear bag and shooting mat and I'm good. I don't shoot that much as I get bored really fast shooting groups. Usually do 4 separate 5 shot groups and I'm done lol. So while I can shoot more I dont.
For the dairy though in my truck I keep a tin of JTS 18gr, JSB 10.3gr and a tin of CPHPs in .177 and .22 for close range pesting. Usually have a bag in my truck to rest on the window of my truck. So all I need is my gun. Most are tuned for 50-100 shots per fill so no need for air with me. Quit using a rangefinder as it just takes too much time and from experience know alot of the usual distances of where birds usually roost so prefer to not take it now.
When the hobby started to become a chore with what I thought I needed to do to enjoy it, I got burnt out. Took a step back and simplified and enjoy it way more.
Upvote 0
Thanks, a checklist and getting it all in a pile the night before is way better than forgetting something important far from home.
Upvote 0
My work days are a technical and literal rush around Manhattan. I have a 30lb backpack with two laptops, cables, drives, calibration sensors... all that garbage. So, unless I am working on tuning and calculating dope (I do that one or two days a year), I am grabbing a gun, a tin of pellets and some targets. Maximizing my shooting time involves figuring out how I can manage an hour or two, uninterrupted by anything that would require me to stop shooting. Even when I am able to get out on a hunt, I pack very light: gun, one loaded magazine, a canteen and a dog (maybe two). 90% of the time I make it back without having shot all of my ammo.
Upvote 0
Charging chrono batteries ( AAA ) and i have 4 sets of those, well i some times forget
Fortunately my M8 are stocked well in AAA alkaline batteries, so no biggie.
Also now i have run out of juice on the sekmet gauge, so now have its charge cord in the kit.
Tools / Ammo ASO i do not forget, some spare parts follow the individual rifles. A blow breech O-ring will not stop me for long on a outing.
I will probably also forget to charge my day / night scope and its IR light source,,,,,, i better get myself a power bank
PS: i do have a power bank, the power pack for my dashcams can act like a power bank on a USB A outlet so just a matter of having a wire, and those i also have spares of in car or if need be the dashcams are also USB C input.
SO in a pinch i can charge in the car, though that will then stop me shooting.
My trusty 2" Shoot N See targets, follow the rifles with a stack of those in each rifle case.
Fortunately my M8 are stocked well in AAA alkaline batteries, so no biggie.
Also now i have run out of juice on the sekmet gauge, so now have its charge cord in the kit.
Tools / Ammo ASO i do not forget, some spare parts follow the individual rifles. A blow breech O-ring will not stop me for long on a outing.
I will probably also forget to charge my day / night scope and its IR light source,,,,,, i better get myself a power bank
PS: i do have a power bank, the power pack for my dashcams can act like a power bank on a USB A outlet so just a matter of having a wire, and those i also have spares of in car or if need be the dashcams are also USB C input.
SO in a pinch i can charge in the car, though that will then stop me shooting.
My trusty 2" Shoot N See targets, follow the rifles with a stack of those in each rifle case.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
It's usually just a matter of grabbing a gun, some pellets, the range cart and stepping out the basement door. Depending on the weather, I might setup a patio umbrella.
I like to prepare to airgun a head of time (check hardware, clean barrel, charge up) and have the targets and range cart by the back door ready to dash out to take advantage of calm weather.
The range cart is alway "ready" with all the stuff (HPA tank, chronograph, spotting scope, tools, cleaning kit, bug repellent, etc, etc) that I might need at the bench.
Tuning and target shooting sessions are usually an hour or so long twice a day - morning and evening when the winds are calm to light. Plinking can be at any time that the mood takes me
It's nice to be retired
Cheers!
I like to prepare to airgun a head of time (check hardware, clean barrel, charge up) and have the targets and range cart by the back door ready to dash out to take advantage of calm weather.
The range cart is alway "ready" with all the stuff (HPA tank, chronograph, spotting scope, tools, cleaning kit, bug repellent, etc, etc) that I might need at the bench.
Tuning and target shooting sessions are usually an hour or so long twice a day - morning and evening when the winds are calm to light. Plinking can be at any time that the mood takes me
It's nice to be retired
Cheers!
Upvote 0
I’m old school military so a solid load out list is essential. Each of my 20 guns has its unique “go box”. I keep a reminder load list with the box to include air/batteries/various pellets and snacks and water!!
Upvote 0
Prep is good. How do you like the new mini hunter? I have been interested in one since I can switch the cocking lever to left for me. But I am also wanting a talon SS. I like regulated guns but I absolutely love the simple marauders I have.
I use those dope card holders that attach to scope
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Cole-Tac Cheat Sheet
A&J Sporting LLCExplore the world of shooting sports with A and J Shooting Sports, a family-owned company dedicated to providing top-quality firearms and accessories. As passionate enthusiasts, we bring decades of expertise to offer a curated selection of products for all skill levels. Discover...
aandjsporting.com Upvote 0
If I’m afield hunting I’m not shooting a lot. Mostly sitting and waiting and observing. At home or at a dedicated shooting location I’ll have the truck or a wagon loaded with shooting gear: a shooting table, chair/bucket, pellet trap, targets, tape, SCBA tank, chronograph setup, external reg, pellets/slugs, kestrel, rangefinder, spotting scope setup, shooting rest, mags, single shot tray, tools, water, and gun bag. I prefer to use the DOPE in my phone. Then I stay and shoot until I don’t feel like it if I have that kind of time.
Upvote 0
At my age (67, soon to be 68) I try to find my ass with both hands, and if successful, go from there
Upvote 0