"Only accurate rifles are interesting"

[iron cat]

Things are different out WEST. Admittedly, most shots are under 200 meters, but sometimes the only shot we get is a long one. Same thing goes for all the remington 740-760 fans I see on here. In my 40 plus years of hunting, I have only known ONE guy that used one.

I see the Remington pumps and semi autos regularly at our range here ( mostly in 3006), and one of our CGN members here has taken several animals with his
" Mennonite machine gun"
They are not as inaccurate as some think
Cat

 

[Lefty Dick]

I see the Remington pumps and semi autos regularly at our range here ( mostly in 3006), and one of our CGN members here has taken several animals with his
" Mennonite machine gun"
They are not as inaccurate as some think
Cat

Can confirm, 760 in 30/06, and it shoots home brewed 150’s like this at 100 (1.5-6x32 scope)

 

[FNG762]

Start small. Shoot empty 22lr cases off the target stand at 100m, with your 22lr.
Best 5 shot group was hand load 168gr. A-max 42.5 Varget Remington 700 308....2-3/8" @600m.
My buddy Greg shot a 2-1/4" @ 600m, just to show off...he's the guy that did the hand loads.

 

[CranePete]

Perhaps the interesting part is in making a gun accurate?

I'd opine that any cf rifle that can't shoot 3/4" and under at 100 yds isn't interesting at all.

 

[270AB]

Perhaps the interesting part is in making a gun accurate?

Absolutely but larger than 1" groups at 100m isnt a big test. Simple lug bedding solves a lot of factory stock issues that can exist.

 

[track]

I have a sxs double rifle that is not accurate as a bolt action, but hell, it sure is most interesting. My single shot rifle is both very accurate and interesting.

 

[BigUglyMan]

As 'interesting' means different things to different people, I've only considered the statement as an opinion. This discussion shows that even the definition of accurate is somewhat unique. I find Thompson's machine gun to be intensely interesting, but I wouldn't call it accurate.

Also, not a rifle.

 

[Janeau]

"Only accurate rifles are interesting" is a famous quote by Col Townsend Whelen, published in The American Rifleman in 1957. However, when it comes to hunting rifles, I fundamentally disagree. There are more important considerations. Some hunting rifles feel almost alive, are perfectly balanced in the hand, and are easy to shoot quickly, while others definitely are not. Some "accurate" rifles can be real unbalanced logs to lug around in the bush. I will take a happy, lively and "accurate enough" (1.5 - 2 in. groups?) rifle any day over a log that shoots tiny groups at the bench. "Only lively rifles are interesting."

I have yet to find a hunting rifle that is a log. What do not fit you fit another guy that will be perfectly happy with it. That why there is so many brand and type of gun and today most shoot even better that 1.5 inches with proper ammo.

When Col. Whelen ( 1877-1961) made that statement - hunting rifle in the 1.5-2 inches were what was available.. I stand with him on that statement. The poster “lively rifle “ that shoot like crap is not interesting at all. An accurate rifle for a hunter is not the same than an accurate rifle is for a Benchrest or a 1000 yards shooter.

 

[iron cat]

Of course not, but Col Townsend Whelen didn't say, "Only accurate benchrest rifles are interesting." He said, "Only accurate rifles are interesting." And it gets quoted ad nauseam by many who should know better.

You are quite correct Rob.
In his book " The Ultimate in Rifle Precision", (which was copyrighted in 1958), Col. Whelen stated that in his early days he used the 3030 model 94 with a Lyman peep sight , and almost never had a failure with it , killing many deer as well as sheep and Rocky Mountain goats.

I am pretty sure that the good Colonel would not however, consider taking that same model 94 to one of his bench rest matches .
BTW, for those who are not aware , Colonel Townsend Whelen is known as one of the founding fathers of modern benchrest shooting , being the first Vice president of the National Benchrest Shooting Association, which was formed in 1947 ( according to Warren Page)
Cat

 

[wonksy]

Only accurate rifles are interesting, bolt action preferred.

I would not own a light weight hunting rifle if it did not shoot 3/4 inch groups or less, 1/2 inch or less preferred.

Nothing attractive about a "3" inch rifle nor a semi for me.

10000000000000%%%%%%

 

[Beeron]

Rifles, in my opinion, can be interesting for more than just accuracy.
I would not keep a "scoped" rifle that I couldn't get to shoot under 1 MOA.
But there are plenty of interesting rifles that should never see a scope. The two pictured above are great examples.
There are many many others. Almost anything in a full length Mannlicher imo.

Scoping a beautifully made rifle that has open sights is like playing a vintage 1950's Les Paul through a Line 6 digital relay. Yes, it conducts the signal from the guitar to the amp system (or DI, blech!) but it completely defeats the purpose.

 

[Hissatsu]

To be enjoyable a rifle must hit a small target repeatedly. A hunting rifle that won’t do 1” is not up to par. If the gun can only do 3” and you can only do 3” off hand then I’d buy my meat. Not one of us is happy with wounded game, but many shoot past their gun and personal abilities. Cutting down odds makes sense! I have a
few that are not 1 moa (old BP guns mostly) that don’t get hunted with. I’ve shot gophers and rabbits with these but at ranges I was sure of bullet placement.

 

[BigUglyMan]

It works for him just fine, though?

R.

Again, the difference between a hunter, a shooter, and a rifleman.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Enough about how hunters aren't real "riflemen."

When you meet enough of each, you see the differences pretty plainly. Some of the most successful hunters I know aren't riflemen by a country mile. Bullet construction? Handloading? Case Prep? Bedding? They don't care a bit for these things, yet they fill several freezers a year.

 

[Grain]

Also, not a rifle.

As demonstrated even agreeing on definitions isn't possible, let alone defining what interest's individuals.

 

[Rman]

Again, the difference between a hunter, a shooter, and a rifleman.

You are at the risk of sounding elitist by placing parameters and categories on individuals that simply don’t matter.
Who decides what each of the “titles” mentioned, means? If a feller shoots a rifle, does that not make him a “rifleman”?

R.

 

[BigUglyMan]

You are at the risk of sounding elitist by placing parameters and categories on individuals that simply don’t matter.
Who decides what each of the “titles” mentioned, means? If a feller shoots a rifle, does that not make him a “rifleman”?

R.

Only to people who fancy themselves something that they're not.

 

[Rman]

Only to people who fancy themselves something that they're not.

And what would that be?

R.

 

[anglia2]

Can confirm, 760 in 30/06, and it shoots home brewed 150’s like this at 100 (1.5-6x32 scope)
View attachment 1119931
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View attachment 1119935

I have a 760 in 308 that will shoot almost as well . Love the pics .

 

[DGY]

I have a sxs double rifle that is not accurate as a bolt action, but hell, it sure is most interesting. My single shot rifle is both very accurate and interesting.
View attachment 1120216
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