Nobody seems to believe me...

[CB11WYO]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes exactly! It's like people are stuck in the rut of "300 yards is too far." Which is true when they don't understand that a rifle can shoot WAY tighter than 4" @ 100 yards. Just takes few tricks, time and practice.

[Browninglover1]

You have to remember that most hunters are shooting cheap, neglected rifles with $100 Wal-Mart scopes. Bad equipment combined with one or two shooting sessions from a lead sled the week before hunting season does make long range hunting impossible for them.

These non believers are also the ones that have "one hole" rifles but can't hit a pie plate at 100 yards from a bench rest.

[Franklin]

Seen that from alot of guys. If they can hit a paper plate at 100yds, its good enough. Half of these 1/4 minute of paper plate guys are also the ones that say longrange hunting is unethical...hmm, let's think about that for a moment shall we.

[varmintH8R]

Originally Posted by Franklin

Seen that from alot of guys. If they can hit a paper plate at 100yds, its good enough. Half of these 1/4 minute of paper plate guys are also the ones that say longrange hunting is unethical...hmm, let's think about that for a moment shall we.

That is a great point and definitely plays into some of the disbelief in LR shooting. I would also argue that some of the "wild internet claims" tend to reduce the credibility of us all. It always amazes me that guys are selling their 1 in a million factory rifle, less than 50 down the tube, that throws out consistent 3/8" 5-shot groups at 200 yds. Well, at least 10 consistent 5 round groups . . . Oh, and that Barska on top with the spring rings is available for an additional $85 if you want it.

Bottom line - people lie a lot, and we all get lumped in. Take 'em out and show 'em how to ring the gong! Argument over. And maybe you'll give someone the bug . . .

[Rupe]

I'm new to shooting long range. When I tell people that put a gong up at 250yards, ask what I am shooting and I tell them sav. Striker specialty pistol, they say oh really? But you can see it in their eyes that they don't really believe you. Then you tell them I "I hope to make it out to 1000yds. some day" you can really see it then. I send them to xphunters posts. I don't know if any have gone yet. I hope so!

Rupe

[Junior]

After 26 1/2 years in the Canadian Military ( Infantry) I find that most people don't understand the basic Principals of Marksmanship, let alone what it takes to shoot accuratly at long ranges. When you have Dad's old 30-30 that he's almost shot out before you got it, it's hard to fathom a long shot. After all, it's got to be a good rifle, Dad used it for years and always got his deer.

[WisLRH]

With good equipment and good knowledge you can coach a relative novice into a 400 yard shots. I did it with my daughter last year, and she ended up taking a doe at 422, now she is hooked on LRH Don't bring it up to anyone who doesn't practice past 200, otherwise it is an exercise in futility.