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<blockquote data-quote="Song Dogger" data-source="post: 1495722" data-attributes="member: 101648"><p>I'd never discount that possibility. But, I will say I had plenty of time to consider the shots and discuss them with my spotter.</p><p></p><p>My spotter saw the herd first, then called me to his side of rock peak. They were 750 yards away. We watched for 5 minutes, discussing whether to go after that bull on the evening of the hunt's first day (both beams were busted above the G4). We decided to get closer and reevaluate, no big deal if they spooked since we were undecided. We walked upright, then bent over, and eventually slithered on our bellies for 100 yards to a bush. I watched the bull through my scope for 3-4 minutes, flipping my safety off and on several times, just couldn't decide if I wanted that particular bull. I then sat up and asked my spotter twice, should I or not, and he wanted nothing to do with that decision. I literally weighed the pros and cons, finally deciding to shoot to get back home for my family (our dog died that day). After the first shot sailed high, I sat up again to discuss the shot with my spotter, figured I was done. Then, he noticed the bull stopped broadside again, only 37 yards further than the 1st shot. I purposely left the turret alone, over 1 MOA less than called for, but still shot high. Each shot, I calmly reminded myself, "gently squeeze the trigger and stay behind the scope", a mantra I use while archery hunting too. Long story short (too late?), I discussed each shot with my spotter and never felt hurried, at least until I spined him and tried to finish him off.</p><p></p><p>All this transpired over a 20 minute period. I never felt more under control with an animal in the crosshairs. Operator error? Absolutely! But in this case, inadequate form and insufficient practice prone with a rear support is more likely the culprit vs "bull fever".</p><p></p><p>I'll elaborate more on my improper form. Prior to this, I was under the impression "the less I interact with the gun, the less mistakes I'd make". In practice, the Lead Sled braced the butt and I gently hung my fingers from under the fore end to avoid scope bite - no crosshair movement from breathing or heartbeats. When I shot this elk, it was a conscious decision to not touch the fore end, I did not lean into the bipod, and the butt barely touched my shoulder. Only my trigger arm, elbow on the ground, held the butt and crosshairs in place. My focus was steady crosshairs, and I achieved that.</p><p></p><p>But, I didn't consider that the gun kick would happen fast enough to affect bullet flight. But, it has to, right? It only takes nanoseconds for the bullet to leave the muzzle, but the forces driving the muzzle up and butt down are instantaneous. And, it wouldn't take much movement to affect bullet flight a couple feet at 450 yards.</p><p></p><p>To anyone skimming this thread - no need to say "sight in and practice using the technique with which you intend to hunt". We're on the same page now.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Song Dogger, post: 1495722, member: 101648"] I'd never discount that possibility. But, I will say I had plenty of time to consider the shots and discuss them with my spotter. My spotter saw the herd first, then called me to his side of rock peak. They were 750 yards away. We watched for 5 minutes, discussing whether to go after that bull on the evening of the hunt's first day (both beams were busted above the G4). We decided to get closer and reevaluate, no big deal if they spooked since we were undecided. We walked upright, then bent over, and eventually slithered on our bellies for 100 yards to a bush. I watched the bull through my scope for 3-4 minutes, flipping my safety off and on several times, just couldn't decide if I wanted that particular bull. I then sat up and asked my spotter twice, should I or not, and he wanted nothing to do with that decision. I literally weighed the pros and cons, finally deciding to shoot to get back home for my family (our dog died that day). After the first shot sailed high, I sat up again to discuss the shot with my spotter, figured I was done. Then, he noticed the bull stopped broadside again, only 37 yards further than the 1st shot. I purposely left the turret alone, over 1 MOA less than called for, but still shot high. Each shot, I calmly reminded myself, "gently squeeze the trigger and stay behind the scope", a mantra I use while archery hunting too. Long story short (too late?), I discussed each shot with my spotter and never felt hurried, at least until I spined him and tried to finish him off. All this transpired over a 20 minute period. I never felt more under control with an animal in the crosshairs. Operator error? Absolutely! But in this case, inadequate form and insufficient practice prone with a rear support is more likely the culprit vs "bull fever". I'll elaborate more on my improper form. Prior to this, I was under the impression "the less I interact with the gun, the less mistakes I'd make". In practice, the Lead Sled braced the butt and I gently hung my fingers from under the fore end to avoid scope bite - no crosshair movement from breathing or heartbeats. When I shot this elk, it was a conscious decision to not touch the fore end, I did not lean into the bipod, and the butt barely touched my shoulder. Only my trigger arm, elbow on the ground, held the butt and crosshairs in place. My focus was steady crosshairs, and I achieved that. But, I didn't consider that the gun kick would happen fast enough to affect bullet flight. But, it has to, right? It only takes nanoseconds for the bullet to leave the muzzle, but the forces driving the muzzle up and butt down are instantaneous. And, it wouldn't take much movement to affect bullet flight a couple feet at 450 yards. To anyone skimming this thread - no need to say "sight in and practice using the technique with which you intend to hunt". We're on the same page now. [/QUOTE]
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