Know-How: Put a Sock on It

by
posted on November 12, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
putasockonit_harris_lead.jpg

It’s no secret that a stable muzzle on the target increases the likelihood of hitting where we intend. In the field, where we aren’t likely to have a bench with sandbags or a mechanical rest, a hunter should utilize what is available to aid in stabilizing the gun. The idea is to find a rest that will give the shooter a reasonably steady position from which to shoot.

What objects are available for field-expedient use depends on the geography, cover and terrain in which the hunt is taking place. In areas with trees, there are usually deadfalls, stumps and low limbs that make great rests for taking standing, sitting or kneeling shots. Much the same applies to sizeable rocks.

However, there is a caveat to using any of the above as an improvised rest, which if not recognized and accounted for, may cause a miss. Guns rested directly on a hard object such as a rock, tree or even an unpadded treestand support tend to recoil away from the object, causing the shot to go astray.

It is important to have some sort of cushion to attenuate this condition. I have used a thick sock partially filled with plastic beads from the hobby store for years with success. It is lightweight, fits in a pocket for quick deployment and maintains its cushioning effect when wet. Plus, it’s a good use for that odd sock that somehow over the course of last season lost its partner.

Latest

LEDE Thompson Center
LEDE Thompson Center

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.