Phoenix group with new scope not too bad....

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:16 am

As I described in the thread
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... hp?t=23081
my Phoenix suddenly lost accuracy recently.
I was back at the range yesterday afternoon and forgot my camera again, but I took my knife and cut out the portion of the target with my 3 shot group after replacing the scope.

BTW - I'm thrifty! I use black duct tape on scrap cardboard for a target.

This is a 3 shot group (pulling the arrow between shots) at 25 yards, and I think it may be accurate enough to deer hunt with now.

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:24 am

Nice shooting!! Now you just have to decide, which artery.

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:25 am

I think that'll do, Wabi!

I've always had trouble getting deer to stand still so I could put a second shot through the same hole, though. How do you do it?

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:29 am

Grizzly Adam wrote:I've always had trouble getting deer to stand still so I could put a second shot through the same hole, though.

Grizz . . .I thought you were going to say, "I've always had trouble getting deer to stand still so I could put a piece of black duct tape on it."

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:58 am

Great job Wabi~!

cbruce · Post by **cbruce** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:47 am

that's a great shot!!! Do you shoot free hand on standing position? I have a phoenix too, but I can't goup it quit well over 30 yards by either standing or one knee on the ground position free hand. So it gave me a hard time to sight in my scope, since it shoot 3" group or worse on 30 or 40 yards. I can shoot 1" on 20 yards though. Wabi: do I need a bench and sand bag to sight in my scope? I think I need a lot of practice to shoot it as good as you are.

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:16 pm

Good shooting

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:45 pm

cbruce wrote:that's a great shot!!! Do you shoot free hand on standing position? I have a phoenix too, but I can't goup it quit well over 30 yards by either standing or one knee on the ground position free hand. So it gave me a hard time to sight in my scope, since it shoot 3" group or worse on 30 or 40 yards. I can shoot 1" on 20 yards though. Wabi: do I need a bench and sand bag to sight in my scope? I think I need a lot of practice to shoot it as good as you are.

That was from a bench using a sand bag to rest my hand holding the forearm on.
I like to shoot from the bench just using one sandbag, grip the forearm, and rest my hand that is holding the forearm on the bag. That way the recoil is more like shooting over a shooting rail on the stand, a rest like a fence post, or offhand from a steady position such as kneeling.
When shooting targets or hunting I like to use the most comfortable and secure position possible. If a rest (tree limb, log, fence post, etc.) is available - use it! If not prone - kneeling - standing (in that order) are last resorts.
I like to sight in from a bench, then practice from the other positions.
And over 50 years of shooting has helped a lot in both improving groups and knowing when NOT to pull the trigger.

Grizz - put the first shot in the right place and the deer will still run!
As best as I can remember I only had to make a second shot one time with an arrow, though. In that case a bad storm was rolling in and I had to start trailing right away. The deer had gone less than 100 yards and bedded, but was still alive. I slipped up and put a second arrow in her and she didn't go far that time!

(then the storm hit, and I was soaked by the time I got her out

)

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:50 pm

cbruce . . .I've found that sitting against a tree/rock/post with a forearm on each knee is a super steady rest. Both knees bent about 90 degrees and feet flat on the ground. The more triangles you can form, the better. With this position, you have triangles with both knees and the ground, both elbows and the stock. Have your feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider. That's how I begin to set-up my still hunting . . .I spot a comfortable looking tree that's leaning slightly away from me.

There are a lot of different shooting positions that work well, but, for practical long term use in the woods . . .this is my favorite. Kneeling to one knee is my second favorite because I can get into that position very quickly. I use the kneeling position mainly when I'm stalking. When I have time, I'll still go on down into the sitting position even without the tree for a rest, just widen my feet and lean forward a little more or fold one leg under in front of me. The prone position was good for my first crossbow deer(may have been my second). I crawled on my belly until I got into position, can't do that with a compound.

Anyway, take time to practice them all. Then decide which ones work best for you. Some positions work better on different landscape situations, like different slopes. Practice shooting from your favorites, a lot.

Nothing beats the bench and the sand bag as wabi described, especially for sighting in your scope. Imperfections show up at 50 yards that you never see at 20-30 yards. Make sure you use a range finder, even at the range. You will be surprised how many times the ranges are off a yard or two. This can make a big difference on your speed ring.

Again . . .I offer too much information . . .sorry guys.

fuzzy · Post by **fuzzy** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Benu · Post by **Benu** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:02 pm

Nice shooting. I have not bench shot my Phoenix yet. I have always went from standing. This weekend I am going to see what benching in is like. Thanks for the idea!

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:12 pm

Like Wabi, I like to "dial in" with a very solid benched setup, and then I prefer to practice with only a semi-supported, "hunting style" rest of some sort.

I also think it's good to practice offhand. As has been stated, it only helps the other positions.

mikej · Post by **mikej** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:13 pm

glad you got it all sorted out wabi