Quartering To or Quartering Away — Which Is More Challenging?

Understanding Quartering Shots

Quartering to and quartering away are two common angles encountered in hunting, especially when shooting at larger game like deer. Quartering to involves shooting at an animal from the side, with the shooter’s position slightly behind the animal’s shoulder. This angle often presents a more challenging shot due to the increased angle of the shot and the need to compensate for bullet drop. For example, a 308 Winchester rifle firing a 150-grain bullet may drop 12 inches at 200 yards, requiring a more precise shot placement.

Compensating for Bullet Drop

When shooting quartering to, it’s essential to adjust for bullet drop to ensure a clean kill. This can be achieved by using a scope with bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles or by applying holdovers based on the rifle’s ballistic profile. For instance, at 200 yards, a 308 Winchester with a 150-grain bullet may require a 6-inch holdover at 300 yards and a 12-inch holdover at 400 yards. Understanding these holdovers is crucial for shooting accurately at longer ranges.

Practical Application

In a real-world scenario, a hunter may need to adjust for bullet drop when shooting quartering to. This can be achieved by using a combination of BDC reticles and holdovers. For example, if the hunter is shooting at a deer at 200 yards and needs to compensate for 12 inches of bullet drop, they can use a BDC reticle with a 6-inch holdover at 300 yards and apply a 6-inch holdover to the center of the deer’s shoulder. This will help ensure a more accurate shot placement and increase the chances of a clean kill.