By Jackie Bushman

Some folks say that shooting whitetails is easy; the hard part is scouting and predicting where they'll show up. 

Well, at least the scouting part is true. If only shooting were so easy. Seldom do bucks stand broadside and stone-still like they appear on magazine covers. 

If you hunt from a treestand and have some type of rifle support -- a rail around the stand, for instance -- it's usually not hard to place a bullet where you want. But let's say you're walking to your stand and a huge 10-pointer bolts across the path in front of you. In the brief instant a shot is presented, you don't have time to find a tree, a rock or some other means to steady the barrel. You have to shoot right now!

It'll sure make you wish you'd practiced from the offhand position like those shooting writers often preach. 

The next time you're at the range, make a point of firing from the standing, sitting, kneeling and prone positions and see how well you do. 

While you're at the range, take the time to find out which ammo your rifle likes best. Chances are, it will shoot one load and perhaps a single bullet type more accurately than the others. No one knows why rifles are so particular, but two identical models with the same parts and barrels will prefer a different load. 

Handloaders know that even a 1- or 2-grain difference in powder weight, or a slight change in the bullet's seating depth, can open up groups.

Some rifles, moreover, will shoot several types and brands of ammo well, while others will drive you mad trying to find that one good load.

It's a simple process of elimination. Shoot at least three different brands and types of ammo through your gun at 100 yards and measure the groups. If one ammo type isn't a standout, keep experimenting. Granted, this isn't cheap with the cost of ammo these days. 

Here are a couple of other tips that will help you on the road to becoming a great shooter:
-- If you flinch every time you pull the trigger of that hard-kicking rifle with a big hole in the end, trade it for a milder caliber such as the .260 Rem, .25 WSSM or 7mm-08 Rem.
-- Don't settle for any rifle with a heavy trigger. Replace it with an aftermarket trigger or take your rifle to a gunsmith and have him adjust the pull weight down to 31/2 or 4 pounds. While you're at it, have him glass-bed the gun to further tighten groups.

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