Bone to pick with new rifle owners - 100 yards out of the box

[marksman1941]

Probably those then who only shoot 20 rounds a year.
They should be practicing more, and put 500 plus shots through their rifles a year, till they can easily hit a beer can at 500 yards.

I'm glad that you hunt with such a skilled crew! I think you'd be hard pressed to find a group of shooters who could reliably make that shot, especially first shot cold bore. But, I could be off base.

 

[Small Lady]

I'm glad that you hunt with such a skilled crew! I think you'd be hard pressed to find a group of shooters who could reliably make that shot, especially first shot cold bore. But, I could be off base.

No scope, from the saddle, with a 30-30, absolutely no way I can make that shot.
But laying down, using a bipod, Leica Rangemaster to get the range and bullet drop dialed in, not a difficult shot with a 7mm prc, after doing some reading.
Imagine 100 years ago though, open sites, Lord knows what for ammunition, a rifle barrel likely worn out, those old timers did great in my opinion to hit a 5 gallon bucket at 100 yards.

 

[Turpentine21]

No scope, from the saddle, with a 30-30, absolutely no way I can make that shot.
But laying down, using a bipod, Leica Rangemaster to get the range and bullet drop dialed in, not a difficult shot with a 7mm prc, after doing some reading.
Imagine 100 years ago though, open sites, Lord knows what for ammunition, a rifle barrel likely worn out, those old timers did great in my opinion to hit a 5 gallon bucket at 100 yards.

I remember the days when my eyes were good enough to use open sights. They are long gone.

 

[Turpentine21]

To most hunters in my part of the world 200 yards is a long shot. I'm fortunate enough to have a friend that farms and has a field where I can practice out to 1200 yards. I'm no great shot. Spasms from a back injury limit me. But I can hold my own and make decent wind calls some days. Where shooting at 1000-1200 yards has helped me more than anything is with my intermediate 500 to 800 yard shooting. Not that I shoot game that far but it really helps build confidence and teaches you your limitations.

 

[Critter Picker]

I work at a LGS, I have guys tell me all the time that a box of ammo will last them 15 years or more.

And this is what is out there during hunting season.

 

[marksman1941]

I work at a LGS, I have guys tell me all the time that a box of ammo will last them 15 years or more.

And this is what is out there during hunting season.

That mindset makes it real hard to convince folks on the fence that hunters are ethical and safe. Cause there seems to be so many that just aren't.

 

[birddog 68]

To most hunters in my part of the world 200 yards is a long shot. I'm fortunate enough to have a friend that farms and has a field where I can practice out to 1200 yards. I'm no great shot. Spasms from a back injury limit me. But I can hold my own and make decent wind calls some days. Where shooting at 1000-1200 yards has helped me more than anything is with my intermediate 500 to 800 yard shooting. Not that I shoot game that far but it really helps build confidence and teaches you your limitations.

Years ago my buddy would laugh when I was practicing with my bow because I was shooting 60-70 yards. I explained that I wasn't going to be shooting a deer that far but 30-40 yards will seem like a chip shot.
Practice farther than you plan to shoot game is a great formula for success.
And I have noticed that word PRACTICE has been mentioned quite frequently in this thread.

 

[Critter Picker]

These people want a rifle bore sighted,then when you tell them that bore sighting doesn't get the gun exact,just close, they tell me that I don't know what I'm doing. When you try to explain barrel harmonics, they stare at you like you just stepped off a flying saucer.

 

[Turkeytider]

I'm glad that you hunt with such a skilled crew! I think you'd be hard pressed to find a group of shooters who could reliably make that shot, especially first shot cold bore. But, I could be off base.

I don`t think you are. Off base, that is.

 

[LongestShot]

I work at a LGS, I have guys tell me all the time that a box of ammo will last them 15 years or more.

And this is what is out there during hunting season.

Amazing the excuses people will use not to practice or even do nominal range time just before deer season; too busy at work, even though they have Saturday and Sunday off, I've even heard somebody complain that ammunition is too expensive to spend a lot of time practicing. Fortunately I enjoy reloading as much as I do shooting which really keeps the cost down. Surprising how many times brass can be reloaded if the rounds aren't maxed and velocities are kept at reasonable levels. You can also find economically priced bullets to practice with and keep your high end hunting bullets for deer season. The notion of a box of shells lasting 15 years is wrong on several levels. These are the same people who don't own a cleaning kit.

 

[Rflshootr]

That is a HUGE target.

If someone can't hit that, they should not be allowed near a gun, much less shoot it.
A few of us were shooting yesterday in preparation for our hunt this week.
In the words of my boss, and trip leader, "If anyone here cannot consistently hit a beer can at 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, you'll not be coming on the hunt". He even made his own wife and dad prove it, and he knows that both are extremely accurate.
We all had a good laugh when his wife said to him, " exclude me from the hunt and you will never have sex again ".

But we already knew that she is a dead on shooter, and could hit something a lot smaller than a beer can, so it was funny.

That's nothing.....I can shoot a running deer at 1000 yards, in the blowing snow, over a hill where you can just see the top of it's head, through the woods, using a 22 Hornet rifle with open sights, resting over my shoulder, using a mirror to see the sights and hit him in the heart. Oh, and that would be at dusk...........beer cans are too easy.

Has anyone seen hip boots on sale anywhere lately? I need a new set.

 

[Small Lady]

I haven't kept an accurate count, but will guess that I have fired about 1300 to 1500 rounds so far this year.

 

[LongestShot]

I haven't kept an accurate count, but will guess that I have fired about 1300 to 1500 rounds so far this year.

You must reload!

 

[Small Lady]

That's nothing.....I can shoot a running deer at 1000 yards, in the blowing snow, over a hill where you can just see the top of it's head, through the woods, using a 22 Hornet rifle with open sights, resting over my shoulder, using a mirror to see the sights. Oh, and that would be at dusk...........beer cans are too easy.

Has anyone seen hip boots on sale anywhere lately? I need a new set.

I hope you were drinking a beer, and sharpening your skates at the same time, otherwise its not all that impressive