Moving targets

You'll have to lead the animal while swinging the rifle and pull the trigger without stopping the swing. Thats what follow though is.

Your lead will depend on the animal's speed, distance and firearm you are using.

Example:
A dove going 50mph from 9 to 3 or vice versa will require at least a 2 and a half to 3 feet lead at around 35 to 40 yds with complete follow through, you'll actually see the wad from the shotgun as its going towards the dove, it will give you a good reference of your lead. The point is you never start aiming

For a running deer at 200 yds with a bullet leaving the muzzle at 3,000 fps you'll need to aim right on the hair of the front part of the chest while swinging and again, pull the trigger as you are swinging. The swing never stops.

I didn't see anyone mention this or maybe I missed it. Skeet with a shotgun is one of the best ways to learn and practice since you will learn to shoot at different angles. Animals aren't always going from side to side.

Some hunters wait for the animal to almost run in to the guns aim, they ambush the animal, in my case this did not work for me, and it doesnt work in wing shooting, so I found that leading with a follow through works best.

Lol this topic brings back one of my favorite hunting memories. My 13 yr old daughter shot at a very large antelope buck at 340 yards. She shot about 1" over it's back. It took off like only antelope can. I was laughing at her miss and BANG!! She shoots again. She was right in line with the vitals about 15 yards behind it. We both learned something. I learned to explain what I know instead of assuming she knew. She learned not to shoot at running antelope at 350 yards.

For under 200 yard shooting running deer. Example; jump shooting deer in cut-overs
1. Use a flat shooting cartridge, ex- 25/06
2. Scope with low power setting
3. Always shoot with both eyes open- get on target quicker
4. In addition to your regular practice stand in your pasture practicing finding targets quick through scope. How: pick a target, practice getting on target fast with both eyes open, hold target for 2 seconds. Do this at least 500 x's a week, preferably a 1000 plus. Like anything, you don't get good without practice.
5. Don't even think about lead. With a flat shooting cartridge as you move on target.....shoot. You are moving the barrel as you get on target.
6. If not physically strong use a lighter weight rifle.

As a couple of the others have said, grab a shotgun and go shoot trap and skeet. Grab your varmint rifle and shoot prairie dogs and other vermin on the run... Don't play the shoot the deer/elk running game at all until you have a good understanding on time of flight and follow through. Even then you'll have to choke your shots back to what most here will consider moderate distances.
The furthest out I've shot a running deer was a bit over 650 yards with a cross wind too boot. I was swinging as fast as the deer and two body heights up (I was also shooting from elevation) and a couple lengths ahead. The rifle I was using was a rem 700 bdl in 7rum tossing a 140 sierra pro hunter at 3450 fps with a heavy charge of rl25 in r/p brass with a 215 lighting the fire. This load was good for 1/4"- .3" groups at 100 yards in that rifle.
The most memorable/ dramatic kill I have had on a running deer was a mule deer I shot with a 300rum using 180 Winchester silver tips and enough 5010 to net around 3400 fps. It summersaulted on the bullet's path after I pulled the trigger on a following shot with the cross hair just below the critter's nose.

Me and some buddies did a lot of man drives back when we were young enough to walk 6-7 miles through woods a day, we would set in climbing tree stands and know where drivers where. Took alot of running shoots about 75yds and in using swing through method, no lead as you swung through cross hairs hit where you want send shot, bang flop dont stop rifle make sure follow through the futher you get out you have to stay leading the animal, it is instinctual and only way to learn is practice, shot at running coyote in pouring rain at place i hunt whitetail starting at 300 and enterd woods at 550 amazing at the lead needed at extended ranges could see water splash in field every time i shoot, 4 times 3 behind 1 in front the one in front was just and coyote barely in scope and swinging through at about 450.

klemm said:

Looking for some info, videos, ways to practice engaging moving targets. More of a hitting running deer at close range 150 yards or in. Not really A long range question.

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Take up bird hunting. Then find some guys who rabbit hunt with hounds and shotguns.

Then buy an AR, Mini 14 or M1A and start hunting hogs and coyotes in open fields.

There are some computerized simulators that help but nothing will get you there as actual practice on live game.

Oh, Sporting Clays will also help you a whole lot.

klemm said:

Looking for some info, videos, ways to practice engaging moving targets. More of a hitting running deer at close range 150 yards or in. Not really A long range question.

Click to expand...

Practice every option for your prey!

Been shooting movers the past several days/nights. That streak of light (firefly) next to the 20 board is the bullet being lit by the IR light.