Nobody seems to believe me...

[CB11WYO]

So I've noticed the last little while that many of the people I work with don't believe that all this long range shooting stuff is possible. Many of these guys are even avid hunters themselves. We usually end up talking about guns, hunting experiences, or long-range shooting in general and after telling them what I know/have done they blow me off like I don't know what I'm doing or am lying to them about being able to actually make shots from 500 yards to even an occasional mile gong-ringer.

A few of my long-range shooting buddies have said they get the exact same reaction from some of their friends/co-workers.

Here's a good example:
My uncle from Texas came up here on vacation and my dad and I took him out to whack a few "mile" rocks. He was hooked and went home to all his buddies telling them what he had been able to do. They all told him it was impossible to do that stuff, "Only in Hollywood" they'd say. So next time my uncle came on vacation he bought himself a long range gun, and took it back to Texas so he could prove his buddies wrong .

Anybody else here get similar reactions?

[Broz]

The most common reaction I get is, "yeah, in 19?? I shot my elk at 650 yards" I say "cool what kind of rangefinder do you have" answer "I don't own one".

Jeff

[Joe King]

I don't even bother getting into it with most. One of my closest friends, was a scout sniper in the Marines (the guy that initially taught me). His take on it is, when you get good enough and learn enough that 99% of the rest can't wrap their heads around it, your A: now in that 1%, and doing things that nobody else can comprehend, so B: they'll either not believe you, or try to play it down. "well I just don't see why you need to do that" The second response is the one I get most. I generally respond by either saying it's not about need but doing what I enjoy, or explaining that I feel I owe it to the game I hunt to make the kill as quick as possible so that means being as good as I possibly can be even at ranges far beyond that at which I will shoot an animal. Most of the time though your just talking to a wall, and you have to actually have to take them out and show them 1st round hits at ranges they'll never consider in their wildest dreams.

[kcebcj]

I don't bring it up anymore with people I don't know. Now I only shoot to 800 yards so not in the same league as many of you but even that range is impossible in some peoples view when you say that a cold bore first shot you can hit a 10 inch bull. Rather than trying to explain to someone who does not get it I just don't bring it up unless asked a direct question and that will usually comes from a hunting buddy or someone who knows me.

[CB11WYO]

Originally Posted by Joe King

I don't even bother getting into it with most. One of my closest friends, was a scout sniper in the Marines (the guy that initially taught me). His take on it is, when you get good enough and learn enough that 99% of the rest can't wrap their heads around it, your A: now in that 1%, and doing things that nobody else can comprehend, so B: they'll either not believe you, or try to play it down. "well I just don't see why you need to do that" The second response is the one I get most. I generally respond by either saying it's not about need but doing what I enjoy, or explaining that I feel I owe it to the game I hunt to make the kill as quick as possible so that means being as good as I possibly can be even at ranges far beyond that at which I will shoot an animal. Most of the time though your just talking to a wall, and you have to actually have to take them out and show them 1st round hits at ranges they'll never consider in their wildest dreams.

Thanks, you put into words alot of what I was trying to say. Very true

[CB11WYO]

Originally Posted by kcebcj

I don't bring it up anymore with people I don't know...

That's kinda been my conclusion as well, unless they wanna come actually shoot with me there's not much they'll believe from just talkin' bout it.

[jkupper]

It's about half and half where I live. Many hunters around here are proficient out to 400 yards, so they can understand that with practice and the correct equipment an 800-1000 yard shot is feasible. The other half believe it is unethical to take game past 200 yards. I have found that most of these guys shoot once a year, when they make sure their deer rifle is sighted in, and a 4" group at 100 yards is good enough for them. I think a lot of people just do not understand the accuracy that a rifle can accomplish, even at extended range. I took my wife out hunting one day and there was a coyote looking at us from 600 yards on the dot. I put the gun on him, and she laughed, believing that I couldn't hit him. She was impressed when he crumpled to the ground. My dad on the other hand doesn't even question me when I try to take one at 400 yards or more. For some people seeing is believing.