Shooters and Hunters: What's Your Best Ever Distance / Accuracy Personal Record?

[SBC]

I shoot traditional bows (recurves/longbows), "bare" (no sights -- aiming is some variation of "instinctive").

As you might imagine, the standards of a good shot for this kind of archery are extremely different than the standards of a good shot in modern, sighted, compound archery (let alone firearm marksmanship!).

Instinctive traditional archers usually limit ethical hunting shots to 25 yards (although we often practice at greater distances, for fun).

I'm not great, but when I skewer a hanging tennis ball at 25-30 yards, it's very satisfying.

 

[JOHN72]

However. In civilian life, I have never practiced with long guns again, nor have I ever done long-range or precision shooting. Maybe throwing olive pits, with the mouth, from a cocktail.

 

[woodsroad]

A destructive weapon, just the sound alone, was already terrifying. Then we were assigned something totally different, a green plastic cetme, which looked like a toy rifle, one of those used in the duck shooting fair, hahahaha. Thanks friend for the information. We also used an automatic submachine gun. I think it was from the same period as the cetme, or maybe older. This is the Star Z-62. submachine gun.View attachment 251636

Nice to see that you were able to retain your copy!

 

[JOHN72]

Nice to see that you were able to retain your copy!

Oh no. I don't have copies of any guns at home. It's just pictures from the internet. Authentic pieces of museum now, that I used in the army in the 90's, when I was 17 years old.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Oh no. I don't have copies of any guns at home. It's just pictures from the internet. Authentic pieces of museum now, that I used in the army in the 90's, when I was 17 years old.

Did some shooting with the local law enforcement guys a couple of years ago and was able to shoot a submachine gun, holy cow, that thing was something else to handle in full auto - a few bursts and although entertaining, having done it, won't be needing to repeat the experience!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

And just to make the real shooters have a chuckle - 10 yards is about all I can handle with a pistol, haha - first mag with a Glock 19 from a couple years ago - recently traded it for a nice S&W M&P Shield Plus which I like much better. Took a minute to figure it out and stop jerking the trigger.

 

[gubbyduffer]

I shoot traditional bows (recurves/longbows), "bare" (no sights -- aiming is some variation of "instinctive").

As you might imagine, the standards of a good shot for this kind of archery are extremely different than the standards of a good shot in modern, sighted, compound archery (let alone firearm marksmanship!).

Instinctive traditional archers usually limit ethical hunting shots to 25 yards (although we often practice at greater distances, for fun).

I'm not great, but when I skewer a hanging tennis ball at 25-30 yards, it's very satisfying.

I do a bit of barebow shooting here in Scotland. Never liked shooting with a sight. We can't hunt with bows here, but managing a decent standard up to 40 yards. Here's one of my better ends at 30 yards on an 80cm face.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I do a bit of barebow shooting here in Scotland. Never liked shooting with a sight. We can't hunt with bows here, but managing a decent standard up to 40 yards. Here's one of my better ends at 30 yards on an 80cm face.
View attachment 251673

Wow, it would be a miracle for me to have a group that good with a handgun/open sights from 30 yards - that's really cool!

 

[gubbyduffer]

Wow, it would be a miracle for me to have a group that good with a handgun/open sights from 30 yards - that's really cool!

Thanks Haweye. I have a photo of this end for a reason. They aren't all that good, but been shooting for around 18 months and really enjoying it. It seems to be all about trying to repeat each step exactly the same, time and time again.

 

[anotherbob]

you wouldn't believe me. With a rifle cause you probably don't think I'd be that good with one and with a pistol a toddler could do better. Seriously I don't know how I can be that bad at anything. It's on par with trying to smoke a pipe and some how ending up with more tobacco then you started with.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Several years ago when I was dabbling in gunsmithing I built a sporter with an inter-war Gewehr 98 Turkish Mauser receiver/bolt and a Remington 700 barrel chambered in 30/06. It’s glass bedded and bolt turned with a custom made adjustable trigger. I can comfortably reach out to 300y with it all day in a 2” pattern. My hot rodded M1 Garand is a lot more fun to shoot though, but not quite as accurate.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I won't try a deer over 150yds. Even if at 200 and I'm confident, I'll wait for a better shot. Though with targets I've done good at the 250-300 range. I mostly hunt birds though so I don't focus as much on distance accuracy

 

[romaso]

Once was shooting flintlock with boy scouts. Was told to keep it pointing at the target if it doesn't go off. Sometimes, there's delay. One of the boy pulled the trigger, but there was no "boom". Waited forever until the guide came and took the rifle, put gunpowder and tried again. Worked that time.

That's easy to happen at events where 4 or 5 guys go out to shoot a trail, get talking and forget the steps. One event I go to gives out T-Shirts afterwards that say "Powder, Patch, Ball" in big letters, upside down so the wearer can read it by looking down. I've managed to avoid that by leaving my powder measure in the muzzle until I have my patched ball ready. Pulling a dry ball is no fun.

 

[romaso]

I remember in the army, shooting periodically with the CETME, which used the 7.62 caliber.

Did they let you keep it when you got out?

 

[romaso]

I do most of my hunting with a flintlock and yes, they can be finnicky. Attention to detail is required. A properly tempered frizzen, a good sharp flint, a well tuned lock, an open touch hole and dry prime are all important. Using actual black powder is a must as the ignition temperature is much lower than the substitute powders. I've been fortunate and never had a misfire on an animal. I'm not a long distance hunter, preferring to get up close and personal with my quarry. While venison features heavily in my yearly diet, I let more animals walk than I actually take.

I just haven't learned enough about flints. I'm sure back in the day people knew what would spark and what wouldn't, but I'm still learning that. Glad you can feed yourself with yours, takes more skill the old-fashioned way.

 

[VDL_Piper]

I'm a member of the full bore shooting club here and we frequently shoot 1000 yards with open sights.

 

[jaytex1969]

I used to qualify Expert in the US Army with the M-16, iron sights out to 360 meters.

Nowadays, though I collect and shoot old bolt action surplus rifles, I am more like @JOHN72 , skilled at launching the olive pits from adult beverages.

My aging eyes are probably still good out to 250 yards or so with iron sights. Maybe double that with a scope and tightly managed caffeine intake.

More than distance, my accuracy depends on the size of the one chasing me...

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I just haven't learned enough about flints. I'm sure back in the day people knew what would spark and what wouldn't, but I'm still learning that. Glad you can feed yourself with yours, takes more skill the old-fashioned way.

I typically purchase the Tom Fuller black English flints from Track of the Wolf. Much depends on the lock geometry of your particular weapon and the temper of your frizzen. It's paramount that your lock/flint/frizzen combination throws good sparks. A good sparking lock can also be used with char cloth for traditional fire making. Makes it a bit easier than using flint and steel. Just make sure the gun is empty or the touch hole is properly plugged.

I enjoy the challenge of doing things the way my forefathers may have done them back in the 18th century.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

That's easy to happen at events where 4 or 5 guys go out to shoot a trail, get talking and forget the steps. One event I go to gives out T-Shirts afterwards that say "Powder, Patch, Ball" in big letters, upside down so the wearer can read it by looking down. I've managed to avoid that by leaving my powder measure in the muzzle until I have my patched ball ready. Pulling a dry ball is no fun.

I think we've all loaded a ball without powder once or twice. As you mention, it can be easy to do if you allow yourself to get distracted.

 

[romaso]

I'm a member of the full bore shooting club here and we frequently shoot 1000 yards with open sights.View attachment 251732

Are you using a 60mm or 81mm mortar at that distance?