What is a taco hold and will it varmint hunt?

[Bama76]

What is the Taco hold I here people talking about? I see it uses a rifle scope. I like that idea cuz it's cheaper! Is this hold useful in the hunting world? I need pics and info please.


Bama

[19 Turkeys]

The Taco hold is actually used with iron sights.  It is a sight system generally used on a Contender.  The front sight is covered by a 5" hood which you use to hold the pistol with your off hand.  The rear sight is a Bo-Mar with a .030" rear notch.  The pistol is held very close to your face; thus, you will want a load with low recoil such as a 22 Hornet, 25-20, or 30-20.  You can find a picture by going to www.ihmsa.org. and clicking on the photos for the 2002 Internationals.  Go to the fifth page, first picture.  It is captioned Lynn and Mike Bucholtz.  Lynn is using the Taco hold.

If you are wanting to use a rifle scope, you will need a Ken Light midrise or high rise mount.  This mounts the scope 3 to 5 inches above the barrel.  You will also find pictures of this setup at the same location.

While this description is in no way complete, the photos at ihmsa.org should help.

Considering these setups are for standing shooters, using them to varmint hunt will depend on your shooting abilities.

I hope this is helpful.  Best of luck.

Steve Ware

[hivel37]

Shooters in NRA Hunters Pistol w/rifle scopes use the taco hold also.  Have never used this set-up for hunting, so can't comment on it's practicality.  There are variations of this hold - cradling forearm between the thumb and fingers being most common.

[Sixgun]

hivel37,

The Taco Hold is useful when you have to shoot without a rest.  It does use a rifle scope and you can successfully hold a 20 power scope steady using the taco hold.  Of course, it does take practice.  I have used it with hot loaded 357 mag bullets from a 10 inch barrel and it worked ok but the scope did lightly hit my shooting glasses.  I mostly use it with a 22 Hornet and have used this setup when hunting ground squirrels.  

To do it, You grasp the bell of the scope, or the barrel, or both barrel and scope, with the weak hand.  The strong hand holds the grip just like normal.  In silhouette competition, you cannot hold your arms close to the body for support, but in a hunting situation, I would hold them in, next to my body for added support.

Sixgun

[19 Turkeys]

Shooting IHMSA where the scoped shooters use a 3 or 5" riser, I did indeed forget about the NRA 1.5" rule that would allow the taco hold for a scoped shooter.  Darn, but it's He** to get old!  (But then the alternative isn't very good either!)  

Steve Ware

[jcunclejoe]

For a hunting situation a thumb loop would be very helpful for keeping the wiggles down. They do require a little practice.
A thumb loop is a strap or leather strip with a loop on both ends that goes around your neck and then both ends loop over your thumb (whichever is more comfortable). You can push out a little to tighten the strap and make a more stable platform.
Good hunting.
Joe