The 7 Must-Have Rifle Accessories for Every Hunter

Firearm accessories can make a huge difference in your performance as a shooter. While they won’t improve the accuracy of your firearm, they will make you more accurate. The right accessories will also help you to learn critical components of accurate shooting such as eye relief, trigger control, and shooting positions. In this article, we identify seven rifle accessories that every hunter should have. 

#1: Rifle sling

A rifle sling is the number one indispensable hunting accessory. Its main purpose is to serve as a carry handle for your rifle when you are on the move. It allows you to sling the rifle over your shoulder, keeping your hands free for other tasks. 

Finding the best rifle sling can be a bit of a hit-or-miss approach. Experienced hunters, however, make more advanced use of their rifle sling, using it to help stabilize their body and their rifle in any shooting position.

Rifle slings come in a wide variety of styles. Many come with a soft pad that is wider than the sling strap. They are usually made from leather or nylon. They should be at least 1.25 inches wide, be 2.5 times the length between the swivels on the firearm and be adjustable, either by buckles and hooks or a slider.

#2: Cheekpiece

A cheekpiece is a riser or comb added to the stock of the rifle that increases the height at which the stock contacts the cheek of the shooter. It is critical for helping to maintain correct eye alignment and eye relief behind the scope. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including adjustable, non-adjustable, and temporary. Most cheek pieces are made from high-density plastic or composite material. They are cross-bolted to the stock. The best cheekpiece should be simple, lightweight, and effective.

#3: Bipod

A bipod is a rifle support that holds the fore-end of the weapon in a prone position or whenever a bench is used. It provides two points of stability for the rifle, allowing the shooter to form the third point. Bipods are comprised of two legs and a center section that the legs extend and pivot from. The best bipods will have legs that collapse and position out of the way when the bipod is not being used. The legs should also be spring-loaded for extension and have a locking detent that allows the legs to be extended and set at various heights independently of each other.

#4: Monopods

A monopod acts as a bipod for the rear of the rifle. It is designed to be used in the sitting bench rest or prone position. In this way, it provides an additional point of stability. The most basic monopod has a rod that can be unlocked and comes down from a recess in the butt of the rifle. More elaborate (and expensive) models allow for height adjustment of the monopod in the shooting position, and for fine elevation adjustment.

#5: Muzzle brake

A muzzle brake reduces the recoil of firing. It does this by directing the chamber and bore gases that are produced when firing out the sides of the barrel at the muzzle as the bullet leaves the muzzle. The gases then produce a forward push on the muzzle brake as they are forced to turn the corners of the brake. This pulls the rifle forward, effectively reducing the recoil that the shooter experiences.

There are many styles of muzzle brake available. Although they will all claim to have a massive impact on recoil, many do little in this regard. That is why it is vital that you get a quality unit that suits the type of firearm. The most important consideration is the  port size. A large cartridge with a large powder charge requires large ports to allow enough gas to escape. But if the ports are too large for the rifle, there will not be enough gas volume to produce the required recoil-reducing force. If you’re shooting from a multi-person blind, getting a muzzle brake can make life a good bit easier. 

Check out our guide on the best hunting blinds.

#6: Shooting sticks

Shooting sticks are sticks that are placed into the ground to form a ‘V’ shape into which the forearm of the rifle is placed. They can be made to almost any length. Some of them have a leather thong at the top of the unit that can be wound around the point where the V is formed to provide extra support.

The first shooting sticks were made from wood, yet they are now made from carbon fiber and come with built-in hand grips, wrist loops, and shock absorbers. Some shooting sticks are also made into sections that can be connected to form a single walking stick. Many are also telescopic so that they can be used at various heights to account for uneven ground.

#7: Sand sock

A sand sock is a large thick sock that is filled with sand. It has two main uses. The first is under the fore-end of the rifle to provide a soft interface. The other purpose is to provide the third point of stability when you’re using a bipod in the prone position. In this case, the sand stock is placed under the butt, not only providing extra stability but also preventing lateral swing.

A sand sock can also be used as a shock absorber by laying it on the base support and then working the sand sock back and forward to form a ‘V’ in the sand sock. When the rifle recoils after firing, it will slide back into the ‘V’. It can then be run forward into the exact same firing position which enhances firing consistency.

FAQs about Rifle Accessories

What are the basic must-have rifle accessories for every hunter?

The basic must-have rifle accessories for every hunter include a quality scope, sling, recoil pad and cleaning supplies.

How can these accessories help improve accuracy and performance when hunting?

These accessories can help improve accuracy by providing a steadier aim and better visibility when targeting game. They can also help to reduce recoil shock which can affect shot placement and performance when hunting.

Are there any specific types of rifle accessories that are better suited to certain types of terrain or game?

Certain types of rifle accessories might be better suited to certain types of terrain or game depending on the type of shooting that will be done. For example, a bipod may be more beneficial in areas with steep inclines or hilly terrain as it will provide additional stability for the shooter’s aim.

What safety measures should be taken into consideration when choosing a rifle accessory?

Safety should always be taken into consideration when choosing any rifle accessory as these items are integral to the safety of both the shooter and those around them while shooting at targets or game animals. Ensuring that all parts are securely mounted and properly maintained is key in this regard.

What components should be considered when mounting a scope onto a rifle?

When mounting a scope onto a rifle components such as eye relief distance, eye box size, reticle type and magnification should all be taken into consideration so that you have the best possible sight picture for your specific needs when hunting or shooting targets.

Is there any maintenance required for most rifle accessories to ensure they remain in proper working order?

Yes there is some maintenance required for most rifle accessories including lubrication, cleaning and proper storage methods to ensure they remain in proper working order over time.

Wrapping up

The firearm accessory market has exploded to provide every product you can conceive. The choice can be overwhelming and the expense astronomical. In this article, we have pared it down to 7 firearm accessories that will make a real difference to your ability to accurately use your weapon. 

Trey

About the Author

Trey is a lifelong hunter and avid camper. He lives outside Denver, CO with his wife Kaci and their lab mix Ziggy. They spend as much time as possible outdoors - hunting, fishing, and camping.

1 thought on “The 7 Must-Have Rifle Accessories for Every Hunter”

  1. Hi
    I liked your top picks , I shoot a 7mm rem mag and my son gave me a nice lightweight magnetic mount bipod that works great but I don’t like that it is not with my rifle so I am looking for a stock mounted sleeve or push to keep it in ……. any suggestions ?

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Master of the Outdoors

© 2024 master of the outdoors