There’s no question about it — hunting separates the boys from the men. After all, the hunting season is an excellent time of year for hunters to hit the range and hone their skills. For those of you who are avid hunters, there is a plethora of gear that you like to have on hand. While there are several essential hunting supplies you’ll want to have on hand, including the right ammo, a reliable hunting rifle, and hunting boots, there are also some accessories that you should consider adding to your list.
Hunting: What To Consider?
There are different things to consider when selecting rifle accessories for your specific hunting requirements. You need to consider whether you will be carrying your rifle on your back or in a vehicle if you will be hunting in a range that you are not familiar with and if you will be hunting in wet or dry weather. And then, there is the myriad of choices within each category.
Scope
Scopes are often the first things that a new hunter thinks about once they have chosen their rifle. With so many options available at varying prices, it can sometimes be challenging to decide which is best. For instance, when selecting a scope, should you go for a Prism style one or those that boast higher magnification rates. The former is smaller and lightweight (usually the less weight, the better), but the latter enables you to hunt big games from greater distances. Some of the options to consider include:
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Hunting:
A hunting scope might seem like the obvious choice for a hunting rifle, but there are some drawbacks. These can include less magnification and fewer bells and whistles in general, i.e., they aren’t tactical! The benefits include being robust and durable, which can be the deciding factor, but you need to think about how else you will be using your rifle.
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Fixed:
These scopes come with a fixed magnification range that you can choose when you buy one. They are inexpensive, simple to use, and durable. However, they can become frustrating if you are hunting a selection of games at different ranges.
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Long Range:
Any scope that has a magnification over 10x typically falls into this category. They are great for shooting at long ranges, but the amount of specialized optics used results in a higher price.
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Variable:
These are usually the sweet spot for most hunters because you can use them at different distances. However, the downside is that you might find the higher magnifications beginning to distort unless you purchase an expensive model.
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Competition:
These are high-end, built with lightweight metals and high-performance optics. However, you probably don’t want to use one for hunting because they are also fragile and you might end up not actually hunting anything out of fear of destroying your bank balance.
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Prismatic:
These prismatic scopes use a piece of glass shaped after its namesake to create magnification without the need for lots of glass. They are the best choice if you are hunting to clear vermin, but they might not be the best option for longer ranges.
Silencer
These devices fit onto the muzzle of your gun and reduce the sound of the ammunition. Contrary to popular belief, they do not eliminate sound, and unless you are using subsonic rounds, your weapon will still make a noise. Nevertheless, the noise does get reduced, even when using standard rounds, and they are beneficial for three reasons:
- Extended shooting can damage your ears over time. Although you should be wearing ear defenders, a silencer is a great addition to protect your hearing further.
- The reduced sound is less likely to scare off other prey.
- Recoil is reduced, enabling you to get back on target faster.
Ammunition Holder
If you leave your gun at home or in the car, you should regularly remove your extra bullets and place them in the ammunition case. In order to keep your ammo safe from damage, the best storage units should be reasonably resilient. Additionally, they should have a tight seal so that you won’t get any dirt into the ammunition because no one has the time to clean individual bullets! Bullets are expensive these days, so ensuring they are appropriately stored will allow you to keep them safe and know what you are spending.
Rangefinder
Hunting rangefinders are wonderful tools for hunters, both beginners, and experienced hunters. These rangefinders are excellent tools for finding out what’s in your hunting area and can help you locate your target more accurately. Essentially it is an instrument used by hunters to gauge the distance of their targets. This is done by the use of a sensor that measures the distance to the target. Rangefinders are usually equipped with a lens and a sensor. The lens can magnify a target on the device’s surface, and the sensor measures the distance to the target.
Bipod
Bipods were initially developed for machine guns but have since found their way into the world of precision rifles. While you can use bipods in conjunction with a rifle’s stock, they can also be used as a stand-alone device, which is especially useful for long-range hunting.
If you’re a hunter, a hunting bipod is one of the essential pieces of your equipment. You need a bipod for when you’re aiming and shooting, but you also need it to prevent a shaky shot. This device has been used for hundreds of years and is still in use today. The high-end models can be expensive due to the lightweight materials used, but many hunters swear by them. If you are shooting extremely long distances, you might want to pair a bipod with a sand sock. This is a sock filled with sand or dirt that you place underneath the butt of your rifle, giving you even more stability,
Sling
Perhaps the most straightforward but underrated accessory of every hunter is the humble sling. A rifle sling is a type of sling that is used to carry and transport the rifle. This device allows the operator to hold the gun or gun on their back or shoulders, making it easier to carry. The longer you stay out, the heavier your gun begins to feel. When you are on the long march back to home base, you start to feel this extra weight.
Many people participate in hunting. It is fun but also provides a sense of accomplishment if you have had a successful one. The accessories in this post allow you to increase the odds of having a positive hunt and some which merely make your life easier.
Photo by Maxim Potkin on Unsplash
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