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]

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]

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.

 

[CB11WYO]

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]

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.