The “It’s just a hunting rifle” Saying Bugs Me

I honestly want some feedback from you ladies and gents to see if I'm the only one that feels this way.

It really bugs me to hear/read the saying "It's only for hunting" or something similar. I see this a lot when people are talking about optics, rifles, and accuracy. It seems to me that because something is used for hunting, there is a lower standard for degree of precision than say a PRS style match or shooting steel long range. Now, let me be clear I understand that someone shooting deer out to 200 yards does not require a 0.25 MOA rifle, in fact a consistent 2 MOA is probably fine (although I wouldn't go any bigger). However, this forum is called long range hunting and that is what a lot of us like to do here.

Now, I love the sport of hunting. I know I am doing good for conservation and I love the meat that comes from it. But, to be honest, the actual moment of the kill is my least favorite of the entire process. You can call me soft or whatever, but, I get emotional every single time I take an animals life and I feel terrible if an animal has to suffer any longer than it should. therefore, I require a much greater degree of precision out of my hunting equipment than I do with my plinking equipment.

If I miss a piece of steel at 1000 yards and lose a $100-500 dollar check because I lost a match, sure I'll be upset, but I'll get 'em next time! If I miss a piece of steel out plinking, jack another one in and let it fly. But, what if I shoot an elk in the guts at 600 yards and the thing runs for two miles, dies 16 hours later and goes to waste because I couldn't find it? Shame on me, that's what. I understand that an event like this is part of hunting and sometimes crap like that happens. But, if it happens because I required a lower degree of precision because it's "just a hunting rifle" I have completely failed at my duty of being a humane hunter and conservationist.

I am sorry to go an a rant. I would love to hear your opinions. No offense will be taken if you feel I am wrong.

John

John you're wrong!!!! Just kidding man.

I feel the same and agree with you. Idk what it is, maybe the passion has grown stronger over the years but I as well get emotional with the game I take. Its a bitter sweet moment you voupd say.

I think your hunting rifle in all honesty should be just as accurate as someone's PRS style rifle. Unfortunately I know that is definitely not always what happens.

Too many times you see a guy with a savage axis in a caliber that loses that 1500 ft/lb threshold within 700 yards take that 800 yard shot on an elk and either completely miss or hit back due to lack of precision and frankly practice. (Savage axis guys-chill its just an example)

I don't think many long range hunters practice as much as they so should. And I really think the big kicker is lack of practice. And we sometimes have to blame social media with guys who PRACTICE make 1000 yard shots and dump that bull elk with ease. But again they practice. They make it look easy and so everyone else thinks they can do exactly that.

I think it depends on how it is interpreted. Sometimes it just means because it got dirty, scratched, or ding, it's just a hunting rifle and was bought/built for that. I know a lot of people on here would hate to have any of those happen to their setup. Just because the person is ok with that happening doesn't mean they don't take their shooting seriously. To some people it's just a gun that they use for hunting, lots of time these people are the same ones that buy the cheapest ammo to shoot also. These are two ends of the spectrum, so it depends on what context it is being used depends on if it bugs me or not.

I know not retrieving an animal sucks. You may not get to utilize it, but the bears, coyotes, birds, etc. get an easier meal. Just another way to look at it.

idcwby

I think you bring up a good point with the gear. I know mine definitely gets "used" while hunting.

This is how I try to look at it too, but I just can't quite get over it. Especially since the wolves leave plenty behind for those other critters after they kill something.

In all honesty I could have hunted with a 5 moa gun most years. Northeast Oklahoma has lots of short shots...

I take the saying to mean it's not a show car. Race cars look like hell and go like it too, hunting rifles should be like race cars.

Every person is different with what they call "good enough". My main hunting rifle typically only shoots about 1-1.5 MOA with my best handloads. That's why it's getting a new barrel this winter. I guess the rifle is "fine" for 400-500 yards on elk but I want better. I want to increase my odds the best I can. My other rifles and my hunting partner's rifle all shoot better than my main rifle. I know I'm capable of more. I can't get myself to settle for "ok" when I know there's more precision to be had.

JohnWess said:

This is how I try to look at it too, but I just can't quite get over it. Especially since the wolves leave plenty behind for those other critters after they kill something.

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The wolves don't seem to be wasting as much anymore, but that's a whole other can of worms. I always figured if you gave it everything you could to try to recover the animal, than that's all you can do and something will utilize it. It's no different than that elk getting away from the wolves only to die later because of the bites becoming infected.

idcwby

idcwby said:

I think it depends on how it is interpreted. Sometimes it just means because it got dirty, scratched, or ding, it's just a hunting rifle and was bought/built for that. I know a lot of people on here would hate to have any of those happen to their setup. Just because the person is ok with that happening doesn't mean they don't take their shooting seriously. To some people it's just a gun that they use for hunting, lots of time these people are the same ones that buy the cheapest ammo to shoot also. These are two ends of the spectrum, so it depends on what context it is being used depends on if it bugs me or not.

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My main two hunting rifles will never win any beauty contests, one looks like it has been beat to h-e-c-k and is almost embarrassing to look at. It gets run HARD and shows it, been rebarrelled multiple times and spray painted many more. It is a hunting rifle. Careful about making fun though, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of that thing...for a long ways out!

Funny memory for me- I went through a stage growing up where I refused to go fishing because of their process to death. Haven't fished hardly at all since. It doesn't bother me as much as it did then though.

I agree with the aspect of hunting. I had a scenario where I took a shot an animal at a distance I had not practiced for. Fortunately I was able to send another round quick enough to get the deer down, otherwise I am confident I would have lost it. I found the first shot through the base of the neck- esophagus was blown out, but there was not enough damage to be immediately lethal. Second shot hit vitals though. I got lucky and have carried that lesson with me ever since. A very big lesson was learned for me. The other hunter with me was thrilled about the shot, but I was pretty ticked with myself.

As for being "just a hunting rifle", I think the rifle is only as accurate as the shooter and their knowledge of their own rifle. How does it behave clean, fouled, etc.? How accurate is the load being shot at longer distances? HAS THE SHOOTER PRACTICED AT LONGER DISTANCES???
One can't simply zero at 200 yards and automatically think he is capable of shooting 400 plus yards. Too many things can go wrong, and likely will.

It depends on your use. By your definition I could never use my open sighted Savage 99 or Marlin 30-30. Because it would never live up to your requirements for group size. But I can consistently fill my tags with them every year.

Set realistic expectations and limitations for the tool you are using. A rifle shooting 3moa should not be used on an 800 yard shot. That's a bigger, and different, issue than a rifle being "just a hunting rifle"

I enjoy many of my hunting rifles that won't necessarily print a tiny little group. But I can still fill tags with them every year.

-Jake

bocajnala said:

It depends on your use. By your definition I could never use my open sighted Savage 99 or Marlin 30-30. Because it would never live up to your requirements for group size. But I can consistently fill my tags with them every year.

Set realistic expectations and limitations for the tool you are using. A rifle shooting 3moa should not be used on an 800 yard shot. That's a bigger, and different, issue than a rifle being "just a hunting rifle"

I enjoy many of my hunting rifles that won't necessarily print a tiny little group. But I can still fill tags with them every year.

-Jake

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First, let me preface this by saying that I have shot deer with open sight 30-30s and guns I am talking about now as not optimal. Now. I respect that you can fill your tags with them, but let me ask you a question. If you were to wound an animal with your open sight 30-30 don't you wish you would have grabbed your scoped bolt action whatever that your much more precise with?

I guess something has changed in me to where I feel now that I owe it to the animal to use my absolute best setup.

I absolutely hate going to the range in the fall and having guys say "thats a dead deer all day long" as they pepper a 7" group at 100 off the bench. The typical box of ammo a year hunter.

2 kids in the last 2 years and this year I was that guy. I killed my deer but he didn't drop right away. In fact he was able to keep on that does tail and jump a private property fence. I haven't felt that ****** in a long time. Rocked my world and lit a fire in my belly to do some stuff differently. Been out practicing twice alerady since the season ended.

Skimbleshanks said:

I absolutely hate going to the range in the fall and having guys say "thats a dead deer all day long" as they pepper a 7" group at 100 off the bench. The typical box of ammo a year hunter.

2 kids in the last 2 years and this year I was that guy. I killed my deer but he didn't drop right away. In fact he was able to keep on that does tail and jump a private property fence. I haven't felt that *Rule 4 Violation* in a long time. Rocked my world and lit a fire in my belly to do some stuff differently. Been out practicing twice alerady since the season ended.

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I respect the fact that you were willing to share that and I HIGHLY respect that you are consciously making a change.

For me killing an animal is a BIG part of it, it puts food on the table and that's why I'm out there hunting, to kill an animal. That being said I HATE to wound an animal, I want them down as fast and painless as possible. If I don't get an animal it ok as I fully enjoy all of the hunt. As far as "it's just a hunting rifle" phrase, to me it depends on how it is being used. If they are referring to it being inexpensive, not the best looker but functional and shooting well and right were they want it every time I have no problem. But if they don't care if it shoots well enough to now were it's going to hit I don't want to be hunting with them.