Using Bench-Rest Testing - Hunter

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Course Outline

• Unit 1: Introducing Muzzleloader Shooting
  • Topic 1: Firearm Safety Rules
    • Video: Welcome to Hunter Ed
    • The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety
  • Topic 2: Educating Hunters of Today and Tomorrow
    • Why Hunter Education?
    • Becoming a Responsible, Involved Hunter
    • Pittman-Robertson Act
    • Funding Hunter Education
    • Promoting Safe Muzzleloader Shooting
  • Topic 3: Introducing Muzzleloader Shooting
    • Introduction to Muzzleloaders
    • Defining “Muzzleloader”
    • The Development of Muzzleloaders
    • The Damascus Barrel
  • Topic 4: Keeping Muzzleloader Shooting Safe
    • Muzzleloader Safety
    • Focusing on Safety
    • Observing the Four Rules of Firearm Safety With Your Muzzleloader
    • Handling Muzzleloaders
• Unit 2: Knowing Your Muzzleloading Firearm
  • Topic 1: Understanding the Black Powder Load
    • Introduction to Black Powder
    • Granulation
    • Substitutes
    • Smokeless Powders, Storage, and Measuring
    • Interesting Black Powder Facts
    • Projectiles
    • Patches
  • Topic 2: Reviewing the Parts of the Muzzleloader
    • Lock
    • Flintlock Muzzleloader
    • Percussion Lock Muzzleloader
    • In-Line Muzzleloader
    • Stock
    • Barrel
    • Rifling in the Bore
    • Muzzleloader Rifle Calibers
    • Muzzleloader Shotgun Gauges
    • Set Trigger
    • Sights
    • Safety Mechanisms
  • Topic 3: Loading the Muzzleloading Firearm
    • Making Sure the Muzzleloader Is Empty
    • Safety While Loading
    • Steps for Loading a Muzzleloader
    • Loading a Muzzleloader, Part 1
    • Loading a Muzzleloader, Part 2
    • Loading a Muzzleloader, Part 3
    • Seating the Projectile
    • Loading and Cleaning Accessories
    • Disassembling and Cleaning the Muzzleloader
• Unit 3: Shooting Your Muzzleloader Safely and Accurately
  • Topic 1: Becoming a Responsible Muzzleloader Hunter
    • Comparing Muzzleloaders to Conventional Firearms
    • Understanding Maximum Point-Blank Range
    • Determining Velocity and Trajectory
    • Factors Affecting Maximum Point-Blank Range
    • Expanding Hunting Opportunities Using Muzzleloading Firearms
    • Hunting: A Tool For Wildlife Managers
    • Selecting a Firearm for Shooting and Hunting
    • Safe Hunting Habits
  • Topic 2: Learning the Basics of Firing a Muzzleloading Rifle
    • Sight Alignment
    • Aligning an Open Sight
    • Identifying Your Master Eye
    • Sighting In Your Muzzleloading Rifle
    • Rifle-Firing Techniques: Shooting from a Rest
    • Rifle-Firing Techniques: Practicing the Five Fundamentals
    • Protecting Your Firearm for Dry-Firing Practice
    • Positioning Your Body for Accurate Rifle Shooting: Prone
    • Positioning Your Body for Accurate Rifle Shooting: Sitting
    • Positioning Your Body for Accurate Rifle Shooting: Kneeling
    • Positioning Your Body for Accurate Rifle Shooting: Standing
  • Topic 3: Learning the Basics of Firing a Muzzleloading Shotgun
    • Using Correct Shotgun-Firing Techniques
    • Patterning Your Shotgun
    • Swing-Through Lead
    • Sustained Lead
    • Shotgun Choke and Shot String
  • Topic 4: Determining Correct Loads
    • Understanding the Importance of Loads in Accurate Shooting
    • Using Bench-Rest Testing
    • Setting Up for the Test
    • Determining Loads with Bench-Rest Testing
    • Steps for Testing Firearm Performance
  • Topic 5: Improving Marksmanship
    • Good Marksmanship
    • Becoming a Responsible Muzzleloader Hunter: Four Steps
• Unit 4: Hunting Responsibly and Ethically
  • Topic 1: Hunting Ethically
    • Behaving Responsibly with Landowners
    • Landowner Complaints About Hunters
    • Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands
    • Observing the Hunter's Ethical Code
    • How to Behave If Confronted by Anti-Hunter Protesters
    • Examining Personal Ethics
    • Fair Chase
  • Topic 2: Taking Vital Shots
    • Understanding Game Anatomy
    • Choosing the Proper Shot Angle
    • Animation: Choosing the Proper Shot Angle
    • Shot Angles—Broadside
    • Shot Angles—Quartering-Away
    • Shot Angles—Quartering-Toward
    • Shot Angles—Head-On
    • Shot Angles—Rear-End
    • Determining When To Shoot
    • Trailing Wounded Game
    • Approaching Downed Game
  • Topic 3: Performing Field Care of Game
    • Observing Regulations on Field Care
    • A Game Care Kit
    • Avoiding Bacteria Growth
    • Boning, Bagging, and Hanging Meat
    • Field Dressing Larger Game
    • Treating the Meat With Citric Acid
    • Keeping Meat Safe During the Hunt
    • Transporting Game

View Course Outline

An effective way to get the most out of your resources is to do bench-rest testing. As you test and understand how your firearm performs with different load combinations, your marksmanship will improve also.

To develop effective loads, always refer to the owner’s manual for your firearm. Know the manufacturer’s recommendations before you begin.

Your firearm usually will shoot more accurately with some loads than with others. Only testing determines the best load.

• Test the firearm and loads, not your marksmanship. Using the bench-rest position isolates firearm performance as well as load efficiency, while still improving your shooting skills. Your goal in bench testing is to make the shots as consistent as possible. The best loads deliver the smallest groupings on the target.
• Use the scientific method to perform the testing.
  • Use checklists to organize the elements you’re testing, the order of testing, and the steps involved so that nothing is forgotten.
  • Isolate and test one element at a time (projectile, powder, patching, and so on) while keeping other elements consistent. Record all of these scenarios in a notebook throughout the entire testing process. Include all specifics related to the firearm; the ammunition variables; information about the target, range, and procedure; and basics such as the date and location. Record velocity if you use a chronograph.
  • Eliminate all high-level variables which would compromise your results. For example, avoid testing in windy conditions.

• Unit 3 of 4
• Topic 4 of 5
• Page 2 of 5

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