Something I have noticed over the years...
- Thread starter 303carbine
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pharaoh2 said:But my point is, I do ##### and whine...Ask my wife!
Ahhhh, I see
So true.Gibbs505 said:You might as well watch the cheerleaders as the rest isn't going to be doing anything!
GO LIONS!!
But at least with a good set of binos I get to take in all the action in excellent detail.
I've been wet, cold, I used my van for hunting and put over 5ooo offroad miles on it. All I cared is that if the opportunity arised, my bullet would hit where I aimed. I'm more preocuppied of becoming a better hunter than what gear I use.
Of course I walked out broke from Cabela's... and not only once
and in time, I got better equipment, but I always thought that the rifle is of the utmost importance (that is related to the quality/ quantity of the shooting).... not in price but quality. One can only become a better hunter by.... hunting, but one does not become a better shot just hunting.....
I was member to the only 100yds range for many, many miles. You'd be amazed how few people even bother to check their rifles before big game season, and the vast majority sight them in @ 25 yds.... and yes, those guys lived in the city, no farms to shoot "at home" and some even had quads they only used for hunting.
They asked me to go moose hunting with their group . Do I need to say that all of them read the same magazine and bought 300WM s and that they still have some ammo left in the box they group-bought ?
They made me so sick
I had to tell ....
PS: Luckily they are not very good hunters either, as this is their third or fourth season moose-hunting and nothing walked on the roads they hunted so far...... The group is 6-7 guys
Of course I walked out broke from Cabela's... and not only once
and in time, I got better equipment, but I always thought that the rifle is of the utmost importance (that is related to the quality/ quantity of the shooting).... not in price but quality. One can only become a better hunter by.... hunting, but one does not become a better shot just hunting.....I was member to the only 100yds range for many, many miles. You'd be amazed how few people even bother to check their rifles before big game season, and the vast majority sight them in @ 25 yds.... and yes, those guys lived in the city, no farms to shoot "at home" and some even had quads they only used for hunting.
They asked me to go moose hunting with their group . Do I need to say that all of them read the same magazine and bought 300WM s and that they still have some ammo left in the box they group-bought ? They made me so sick
I had to tell ....PS: Luckily they are not very good hunters either, as this is their third or fourth season moose-hunting and nothing walked on the roads they hunted so far...... The group is 6-7 guys
Republic of Alberta
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Exactly eltorro
If a man sets his goal to become a realy good hunter he would be better off with an old iron sighted rife, no camo, no bino,s and an old back pack with a couple granola bars and role of ass wipe in it and lots of time spent in the field.
Making do with what you got and learning to use it. This is what builds character and skill.
People don't want to hear that though, they want to discuss WSSM's and the latest bullet's weight retention.
If a man sets his goal to become a realy good hunter he would be better off with an old iron sighted rife, no camo, no bino,s and an old back pack with a couple granola bars and role of ass wipe in it and lots of time spent in the field.
Making do with what you got and learning to use it. This is what builds character and skill.
People don't want to hear that though, they want to discuss WSSM's and the latest bullet's weight retention.
Republic of Alberta said:
Well, I guess it's possible. It's also possible that he gets frustrated because he can't spot the animals, can't hit them because he isn't very good at shooting with the iron sights and he hasn't practiced much a the range, and he gets a sore back from the crappy backpack, so he decides hunting isn't for him!!
Hey, if all you got is a SMLE with bent sights, a wool coat and a pair of binos from 1942, then get out and go for it, but if you can afford better gear, there is no harm using it. Grandpa that always got his buck would not have refused a pair of waterproof boots, and bullets that worked consistently well.
Republic of Alberta
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Any man that is worth his salt can make do with what you give him, incapable, tubby out of shape men don't realize this.....obviously.
There is one thing about the fellow that constantly tries new guns and ammo that is quite different than the fellow with only the old iron sighted 303.While that fellow is trying new guns and loads,he is spending a great deal of time shooting and honing his skills.On the other hand that fellow with the old iron sighted 303 often never takes his rifle out until a day or two before the season,and usually never practices at all.Of course there are exceptions,but those have been my observations over the years.
Your right. Or worse, many don't shoot at all at a range. I know a few of these. "I've had this box of ammo for thirteen years. And I've shot thirteen deer with it..."
I think it's great to get to know a rifle and load intimatly, by shooting it and only it. But there is somthing just plain boring about it too. Part of being a gunnut is shooting many guns, of all types. That's how you learn what works and what doesn't.
I think it's great to get to know a rifle and load intimatly, by shooting it and only it. But there is somthing just plain boring about it too. Part of being a gunnut is shooting many guns, of all types. That's how you learn what works and what doesn't.
Republic of Alberta
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Some people are just natural rifle shots and need no practice, my little brother is an example of this. He dosn't realy hunt, owns no guns at all and never has. He grew up shooting a pelet rifle in the back 40 at gophers I guess but that is it.
The last 3 seasons I have taken him out hunting. We go down to the range or out to the bush and shoot at a coffee can at 50 yards then a paper target at 100, all off hand. Mabey 6 to 10 shots, all right on the money. Then we go out. In the last 3 seasons he has shot 9 deer with 9 shots. All but one shot was off hand.
I have hunted with guys that I thought were good rifle shots and not seen them shoot as well as my brother. These guys practice but I guess you cannot polish a turd.
The #1 reason that opportunitys are lost is due to the guy not being ready and taking to long as well as making poor decisions moments before the shot. I have seen guys with all the latest "bing" take a full minute to shoot a brodside deer at 40 yards! A natural shot gameshot like my brother can have the rifle up and shoot in less than 3 seconds and make the shoot too. A very high sucess rate when I hunt with him compared to some 20 year "vetrans" that never seem to be able to put the game down when the time comes.
You cannot buy that at the store.
The last 3 seasons I have taken him out hunting. We go down to the range or out to the bush and shoot at a coffee can at 50 yards then a paper target at 100, all off hand. Mabey 6 to 10 shots, all right on the money. Then we go out. In the last 3 seasons he has shot 9 deer with 9 shots. All but one shot was off hand.
I have hunted with guys that I thought were good rifle shots and not seen them shoot as well as my brother. These guys practice but I guess you cannot polish a turd.
The #1 reason that opportunitys are lost is due to the guy not being ready and taking to long as well as making poor decisions moments before the shot. I have seen guys with all the latest "bing" take a full minute to shoot a brodside deer at 40 yards! A natural shot gameshot like my brother can have the rifle up and shoot in less than 3 seconds and make the shoot too. A very high sucess rate when I hunt with him compared to some 20 year "vetrans" that never seem to be able to put the game down when the time comes.
You cannot buy that at the store.
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I'm a bit bored tonight and dug out a few old gun magazines. I thought this might be appropriate. It was an article published in the Rifle annual hunting issue of 2002. The article was by Ross Seyfried, and is simply titled: You Cannot Buy Skill.
Nuff said.
Nuff said.
Republic of Alberta
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stubblejumper said:
I agree with that. However some people start out where others end up.
Republic of Alberta said:Any man that is worth his salt can make do with what you give him, incapable, tubby out of shape men don't realize this.....obviously.
This is a bit misleading..Of course you make do with what you have. Few guys start out with the best gear, for financial reasons and because they really don't know what they need/want/like yet. So you make do with whatever you got....
However, if you can afford better gear, you may as well use it, and it can help you take your skills to a higher level. A guy that can glass well is going to find more animals with a pair of cheap binos than the unskilled guy with the Swaros- But when that skilled guy gets his hands on the Swaros, he will be that much better.
Most of the northern BC guides, guys that are in the bush for a couple of months at a time use the best gear they can afford. Lots of high end optics and gear represented there...I guess they aren't worthy.
If you are comparing the absolute least talented that practice, with the most talented that don't ,certainly.But as the shot distances increase and wind drift,trajectory and shot angle become factors,practice and experience can overcome sheer natural talent.Even the most talented shooter must learn how to deal with these factors to be successful.
I tend to agree with ROA. My father lives on an acreage on the east side of Sherwood Park. He has no range time at all and no crown land to practice or hunt. We never really hunted together until he got back into it 4 years ago after a lengthy layoff. In the last 4 seasons i have seen him pull off some easy shots as well as three very impressive shots. He has a sight in range day with a couple practice shots and thats it.
.............the man can shoot and his love for hunting and exploring is back. He however has no time for all the bla bla WSM, its junk if it doesn't shoot 1/2" MOA and cost under 600.00 including the scope talk that alot of heroes here yap about.
.............the man can shoot and his love for hunting and exploring is back. He however has no time for all the bla bla WSM, its junk if it doesn't shoot 1/2" MOA and cost under 600.00 including the scope talk that alot of heroes here yap about.
stubblejumper said:
Absolutly. Practice will help even the best shots. But I think the problem lies with those who can't hit a barn standing inside of it. Wait, I take that back. Those who won't admit to not being able to hit a barn while standing inside of it. I think they feel they can get away with buying a Sako rifle, in a hot cartridge. Say a 7mm STW. They will buy a Leupold 50mm scope that will magnify up to 14 times. By all rights, they have a very capable, albiet overweight and over priced set up. But they may or may not be able to shoot it well, yet they will still expect it to almost find the animal and pull it's trigger itself. If they pull the shot, shoot Bambi in the arse, are they going to blame themselves or the rifle? Too often people who don't know how to shoot don't get in the practice they require. I'm not saying I'm the best shot in the world. At best I'll call myself average. I don't practice enough in hunting postions like I should. I like to shoot off a rest at the range. But at the same time, I know my limits. If it doesn't feel right, I will not shoot. Just as a quick side note here, I know a fellow. I have for years. He used to use his old .303 SMLE in full wood for everything. He loved that rifle, and it treated him good. One day, not too many years ago, he was sitting about 50 yards looking a bull elk, straight on, face to face. He lined up the sights and fired. The bull was gone. What happened? First he shot at it head on, not the best angle. Second, he never saw any sign of a hit. I don't think a factory Winchester .303 could do much at that angle, and certainly not help in the way of a blood trail. He didn't search for the bull. Rather, he wen't back to town, and bought a new .270, because his rifle was no good no more. He relayed the story to me, and was ready to go back and try it again. Of course I wasn't there, but I certainly don't blame the rifle for that scenerio. Nor do I feel a .270, .30-06, .300 WM or anything would help out in that situation either. He blamed the rifle, I blame shooter error.
Republic of Alberta said:
So, your brother is a "natural" shot because he can hit a target offhand at 100 yards, and has killed 9 deer with 9 shots at close range?
Clearly, the reason for this is because they have spent some money on their gear!!!
