I used to have some bad habits when preparing for hunting season. Like many hunters, I spend far more time worrying about my gear and accessories than preparing my rifle. I would go out the day before a hunt and shoot a couple rounds down and call it good. Ready to go. Now, I’m not saying this method doesn’t work, but it once cost me a lot of money, and that’s reason enough to find another system.
It was early morning and freezing cold and the male I had been watching for months, waiting for opening day, was about to cross the property line and into my kill zone. The monster we called “the big ten” shuddered as my first bullet passed over its back. Frustrated, I grabbed another one and let it go, I’ll never know where it went! The big male took off like lightning and in about two seconds he was gone, not to be seen for the rest of the season. It was a bad time to discover that two of my scope mounting screws were gone. Just like that dollar. I started following these seven easy steps to tune up my rifle before hunting season to make sure I never had the same problem again.
1. Clean and inspect your rifle
Most bolt pistols are so easy to disassemble and clean that there’s simply no reason to jeopardize the few days you have to hunt each year by taking an uninspected firearm into the field. After making sure the rifle is unloaded, remove the bolt. Use a simple cleaning and lubricating product to remove dirt and debris and lubricate the bolt. You’ll want to do the same for the internal components of the action. It may seem pretty basic, but it doesn’t always take a lot of dirt in the right place to keep a deadbolt from closing. Now, check the bolts that hold your action to the stock. Usually there is at least one screw on the front of the magazine and behind the trigger guard. If these screws come loose in the field, you will run into serious accuracy issues.
2. Show your barrel some love
Next, take a cleaning rod and run a patch down the barrel. If the barrel is dirty or you didn’t clean it after your last range session, I’d also go through a brush and cleaner first. This will help remove carbon residue and copper scale that hinder accuracy and help prevent future oxidation. You can get a basic cleaning kit from Brownell’s for under $30, a small price to pay to ensure you get the most out of your rifle hunting for years to come. Some people get into copper cleaners that require a hazmat suit to manage, but for the average hunter it really isn’t necessary.
3. Don’t rush the shooting range
One thing I have to continually remind myself is not to rush a trip to the shooting range. Reserve a few hours or an afternoon, enjoy the process and take your time. Familiarize yourself once again with the nuances of your rifle, from the unique way its bolt runs to the feel of its trigger. Take time to set it up, enjoy the sun, and give your rifle plenty of rest between shots. Slowing down not only helps you focus on proper shooting mechanics, but also makes the experience more enjoyable.
4. Believe in the bench
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve fired my fair share of test shots off the hood of my truck, but that’s far from ideal. If you want to get the most out of your rifle and ensure shooter error is subtracted from the equation, investing in a good bench and resting is essential. My go-to setup is Caldwell’s BR Pivot Bench ($450), which breaks down quickly and features sturdy tripod legs and a hardwood pivot top, and a Caldwell Lead Sled Rest ($200) that helps mitigate the recoil and ensure shot consistency. I went without these items for years, but to my own detriment. Check out the options at Brownell’s and get something that works for you.
5. Check your optics
As I mentioned earlier, I have lost the screws on my scope mounts, so I am very strict about checking the screws on my optics. Once I’ve made sure the bases are secure, I’ll retighten the ring screws. My current rifle hunting setup is a Mossberg Patriot Bantam rifle in .308 with a Leupold VX-3i scope, and with the Leupold mounting system, I have to remove the scope to re-attach the bases. At the very least, I’ll retighten the visor ring screws. Once the range is secured I will readjust the eye relief and zero check with a few shots at 100 yards.
6. Check your loads
I cringe when I see people shoot different loads from year to year without adjusting their range or at least zero checking. Sure, you may be shooting a deer to the minute, but that’s not acceptable for the sake of shooter confidence or ethical hunting. Due to the physics of gun harmonics, different loads and different sized bullets will impact at different points, sometimes with substantial variation. So if I shot a 150-grain Hornady American Whitetail in my .308 last year, I’ll recheck zero when I switch to the new 178-grain Hornady ELD-X for elk season this year. If there is a substantial difference I will adjust my scope accordingly, my preference being 2 inches tall at 100 yards.
7. Target practice makes perfect
There are many different styles of paper faces, but I have used EZ2C rifle faces for several years. They’re relatively inexpensive (a 12-pack is under $5), and the 1-inch grid makes scope adjustments easy.
Whatever goal you decide on, the important thing is that you get out there and practice, practice, practice. Remember, you’re not just making sure the rifle is on, you’re also making sure it’s still on! Work on your breathing, stability, and smooth trigger pull. Fire a group of three shots, let the rifle rest, then do it again. Move around the field and attempt shots with sticks or field positions. Try putting yourself in a real world scenario: hit a target, get into position, and make a well-timed shot. Good luck!