Author Topic: Kill Zone target size? (Read 2292 times)

Buddy in AK · « **on:** November 22, 2005, 06:30:44 AM »

Wondering what you use as a kill zone target size. Deer, Elk, Black Bear and whatever.......... I get boxes from work that are 12" x 24" (about deer body size). I draw a 9" circle in pencil that I can't see from shooting distance. Then practice picking a spot to shoot as if it is a broad side shot, then see how I hit in the circle.

What do you use? What size kill zone?

Buddy in AK

armory414 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2005, 08:14:19 AM »

When a kid growing up and learning to shoot archery, I was told that if you can hit a gallon jug, you can hit the kill zone on a whitetail. I was 9 when I first wanted to deer hunt with archery. I think dad thought I was too young, and said that I had to first show him I could hit the jug. I did, and I went.

JKump · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2005, 09:00:55 AM »

Use a 12" paper plate. They work good as deer size kill zones.

Van/TX · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2005, 01:52:12 PM »

Football......Van

longwalker · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2005, 06:52:06 AM »

I don't mean to sound snobby, but I don't have a size to shoot at. I think about where the bullet has to go and where it is going to end up. Then decide where to place the shot and aim for that very small spot.

I am sure you are thinking about margin of error. What if? I guess When I make my choice about where and when to shoot I make this decision as well but it has more to do with the position the game is to me than the size of the heart/lung area. After all that doesn't change. What does change is the bullets path. Think about what the bullet has to travel through to get to the organs you are shooting at and then where it will exit.

I hope I didn't preach.

longwalker

armory414 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2005, 08:03:36 AM »

No, you don't sound snobby at all. Margin of error is exactly what you're talking about when you talk about "kill zone." It's nice to talk about having a gun that shoots MOA, but many hunting weapons don't shoot that accurately, especially when you don't have a rest, the wind is blowing, you're shivering your butt off because it's cold and rainy, and your heart is beating a thousand beats a minute because the deer of a lifetime just topped that ridge. That's when you forget MOA, and know in the back of your mind that you and your weapon are "good enough" to place the shot where it counts--in that kill zone.

Buddy in AK · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2005, 08:49:11 AM »

Yeah.... what a414 said...
I aim at one spot with each shot, I practice off hand and this Kill Zone lets me know what my effective range is (just a tool). If I can keep inside of the circle consistently I move out 5 more yards. I like the pencil circle because I can't figure out how to get one of them black dots on the deer. I sight in with a sandbag but practice offhand.

B in AK

jro45 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2005, 01:54:40 AM »

I'd say an 8" circle right behind the leg half way up is what you want to be able to hit. A paper plate would probably work as already said.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2005, 02:52:58 AM »

I aim for a spot, a crease or a hair. I don't think of a size like a 12 inch circle. I think of a specific spot and that is where I aim.

RJM · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2005, 06:31:03 PM »

...a simple 3D target. Take a shoebox and tape the lid on. Then get two of the cardboard deer targets and glue the shoe box in between the two deer targets in the kill zone. You can then angle the target toward or away from you and can get an idea of the path of your bullet through the kill zone and where it will exit on the other side.

Bob

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2005, 01:56:59 AM »

Sometimes I use those 3D targets. I stand without support and try to get 3 shots at a time within this 8" 3D target at 100 yds. I want to get all 3 shots inside this target so far I can get 2 inside. I use my 300 Win. Mag.
I'll keep practaceing. when I get all 3 inside I'll go to a 6" target. This is not easy.

corbanzo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2006, 09:57:40 AM »

The eight or nine inch is a good kill zone, but for practice, I usually use something a little smaller. i get those mini paper plates, (four inches or so) and then put a dot in the middle, and aim for that dot. Just aiming for a spot 8 inches wide isnt really aiming... You actually have to be looking at something specific. Good call Redhawk!

OF course when you are talking about 100 yards or more, small stuff gets tough!

John · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2006, 05:44:58 AM »

I agree with the paper plate size for a kill zone, but I practice for much better than that.

In the movie "The Patriot" the main character played by Mel Gibson tells his boys, "Aim small, miss small."

That sounded like some great advice to me, so my goal is for the bullseye, which is often where two lines cross on the target, and if the holes ain't dang close together, I ain't happy.

On game, the "spot" is very small.

Works for me.

wyocarp · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2006, 12:58:13 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

I aim for a spot, a crease or a hair. I don't think of a size like a 12 inch circle. I think of a specific spot and that is where I aim.

You aim for a hair? Depending on the hair, doesn't that give you a target of maybe a couple of inches long? Seems like just one spot would be better, like the tip of a strand of hair.

JUST JOKING WITH YOU Redhawk!.