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Last year I used a 6.5 Grendel in an AR to take my spike buck. This is my first year with the Howa. So in order to practice for this fall, I have my Marlin XT-22 set up like my Howa. Same scope, reticle and sling. It's actually a pretty good substitute for the Howa. The safeties operate similarly and they are about the same size, weight and trigger pull. It even has a DIPinc magazine well and trigger guard like my Howa 
In the evenings, I go out and try my hand at helping the neighbor by ridding her range of marmots (rock chucks, ground hogs, whistle pigs, whatever you want to call them...) They make lots of holes for the cows to twist their legs in. One calf has already broken a leg this year. I walk the trails and keep an eye out for the furry little guys. After tonight there are 5 less. My main goal is to get better at shooting (accurately) while free standing with just the sling for stabilization.
I find that while range time is always good, it doesn't replace actual time in the woods (at least for me anyways). Being able to spot the target, get a good sight picture and a steady aim before the target leaves isn't easy. At the range everything is consistent and you have all the time in the world. In the woods it is a different story. More practice means a more stable shot with less chance of buck fever kicking in.
I still plan on some more range time with the Howa between now and the start of hunting season (Sept. 1st), but the little 22 is making for some fun field practice.
In the evenings, I go out and try my hand at helping the neighbor by ridding her range of marmots (rock chucks, ground hogs, whistle pigs, whatever you want to call them...) They make lots of holes for the cows to twist their legs in. One calf has already broken a leg this year. I walk the trails and keep an eye out for the furry little guys. After tonight there are 5 less. My main goal is to get better at shooting (accurately) while free standing with just the sling for stabilization.
I find that while range time is always good, it doesn't replace actual time in the woods (at least for me anyways). Being able to spot the target, get a good sight picture and a steady aim before the target leaves isn't easy. At the range everything is consistent and you have all the time in the world. In the woods it is a different story. More practice means a more stable shot with less chance of buck fever kicking in.
I still plan on some more range time with the Howa between now and the start of hunting season (Sept. 1st), but the little 22 is making for some fun field practice.
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