16 Nebraskaland • July 2023
IN THE FIELD
By Jeff Kurrus
LESS AMMO ON THE RANGE
Some of us like to shoot guns. We
look forward to the activity, save
money for it, and we definitely don't
see dollar signs disappearing every
time a cartridge is ejected. Yet there
are others who pay attention to the
rising cost of ammo prices, sweating
each time a bullet leaves the barrel.
If you fit in the latter group, pay
attention to these tips when getting
your scopes locked in for hunting
season. Sighting in a firearm quickly and
accurately will conserve ammunition.
Bore-sight
This an age-old, do-it-by-eye
method that calls for centering a
target through a rifle's open bore while
simultaneously centering the same
target through the scope. Laser bore
sighters can help.
Start Close
There is no need to line up a rifle at
100 yards to start. Twenty-five yards
makes much more sense, both for
speed as well as saving a few bucks on
ammo in the beginning.
Make a Cradle
While leaning against a vehicle or
even resting the rifle on a table will
help a shooter line up a rifle, creating a
wooden cradle is an easy DIY project.
When shooting with your rifle in the
cradle, this device keeps you and the
gun steady, which ensures maximum
accuracy.
Making the Cradle
1. Using ¼ to ½ plywood or strand
board, create a stable base.
2. Cut two vertical boards and create
two grooves so that the gun you
shoot will rest comfortably with
the trigger housing outside of the
boards.
3. Use L brackets to connect the
base to the vertical boards.
4. Glue carpet or use self-adhesive
rubber strips for the notches. Add
carpet or rubber strips underneath
for even more stability. You can
also use a couple old socks filled
with sand in the notches to raise
or lower the front or back of the
firearm.
Depending on the rifle's dimensions,
the spacing on the slats can be
adjusted. You're simply looking for
stability when lining up a rifle, both
for the game you're pursuing as well as
the pocketbook you're carrying.
Using a gun cradle helps steady the shooter and limits the use of costly ammo. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
