Safari Shooting Prep and Training

csmcclain said:

Does anybody else do something similar or have other training techniques that I could implement into my training? Always looking to improve.

Click to expand...

csmcclain said:

Last year, I started prepping for a safari by cutting out a target like this and seeing how fast I could get off an accurate shot on the sticks. As proficiency progressed, I would run 200-300 yards with a rifle to elevate my heart rate and then set up on the sticks and fire a quick five-shot group.

Does anybody else do something similar or have other training techniques that I could implement into my training? Always looking to improve.

Click to expand...

Rare Breed said:

I would buy a 15 pound steel cardio bar that is as long as a rifle. 3 months before I go to Africa I used it on all my power walks on mountains and hills as it perfectly simulates my rifle only much heavier so my rifle feels like nothing while on safari. Also it enables me to practice carrying my rifle by the barrel on my shoulder only at a 45 degree angle not pointing at someone’s back

Click to expand...

Rare Breed said:

First, excellent training doing what your doing! I would buy a 15 pound steel cardio bar that is as long as a rifle. 3 months before I go to Africa I used it on all my power walks on mountains and hills as it perfectly simulates my rifle only much heavier so my rifle feels like nothing while on safari. Also it enables me to practice carrying my rifle by the barrel on my shoulder only at a 45 degree angle not pointing at someone’s back

Click to expand...

• Hike 5 miles per day as often as time allows.
• Squirrel hunt with a 22lr rifle shooting off sticks as practice quickly aiming and shooting at game.
• Practice shooting DumDum suckers at 35y off sticks with my 22lr to practice transition from rifle slung on my shoulder to mounting sticks and making one accurate shot on a 1/2" tgt at 35y. This is roughly equal to a 3" tgt at 200y. I try to break five lollipops with five shots in a row without a miss taking no more then 3-5 seconds for each shot. Do this once each day until it is second nature.
• I use the Rhodesian carry for safety and speed onto the sticks. African carry is unsafe and Army carry while safe is very slow to deploy onto sticks.
• Shoot my hunting rifle(s) at 100y from bench to zero, usually about 2" high at 100y which is zeroed at 200y and a little low at 300y (varies by caliber). Then shoot off sticks at 100/200/300y to verify dope and build confidence. I will repeat this about once every 2wks leading up to the hunt with last few trips using only my hunting ammo.
• Clean rifle bores and fire two fouler shots at range from sticks at 200y prior too flight out to Safari. Expect to hit a 6" steel plate 2 for 2 with each rifle.

Rare Breed said:

First, excellent training doing what your doing! I would buy a 15 pound steel cardio bar that is as long as a rifle. 3 months before I go to Africa I used it on all my power walks on mountains and hills as it perfectly simulates my rifle only much heavier so my rifle feels like nothing while on safari. Also it enables me to practice carrying my rifle by the barrel on my shoulder only at a 45 degree angle not pointing at someone’s back

Click to expand...

coreydb said:

Continue with your shooting regimen; learn to shoot off shooting sticks. You'll kill at least one animal from them.

Click to expand...

Tanks said:

When I was in Argentina I shared a camp with a few Americans. One of the guys probably weighed 300+ pounds and could hardly walk. On my hunt we crawled through open terrain, and I still took a shot that was a few hundred meters down. "Rocket" the guide, even commented that he made me crawl like a snake!!!

I asked "Rocket" how the big guy was going to hunt. his reply "oh, we'll just put him downwind at a stag crossing. He'll have an easy shot.

The PHs will accommodate based on one's fitness and abilities, so while training is great, don't sweat it.

Here is the terrain of my hunt in the background.

Click to expand...

Mark A Ouellette said:

Good point! Here's another short video I made to break up the "fun" of three times a week 7-mile training walks with 10+ pound rifle, full water bladder, binos, inert ammo, and other safari goodies totaling with rifle over 18 lbs. That 15 pound steel cardio bar would be great where rifles are not allowed!

Click to expand...

skydiver386 said:

Still, it's better to not be "that guy".

At the AH dinner during the SCI Convention, Marius @HUNTROMANIA told us about a client that couldn't climb to the top of the mountain on a Chamois hunt. He showed the guy a pic of @tinktink12 with her Chamois and gave him the old "If she can do it, you can do it".

Click to expand...

csmcclain said:

Last year, I started prepping for a safari by cutting out a target like this and seeing how fast I could get off an accurate shot on the sticks. As proficiency progressed, I would run 200-300 yards with a rifle to elevate my heart rate and then set up on the sticks and fire a quick five-shot group.

Does anybody else do something similar or have other training techniques that I could implement into my training? Always looking to improve.

Click to expand...

csmcclain said:

Last year, I started prepping for a safari by cutting out a target like this and seeing how fast I could get off an accurate shot on the sticks. As proficiency progressed, I would run 200-300 yards with a rifle to elevate my heart rate and then set up on the sticks and fire a quick five-shot group.

Does anybody else do something similar or have other training techniques that I could implement into my training? Always looking to improve.

Click to expand...