Favorite handgun caliber?

Sigarms · Nov 13, 2005

Sometimes wonder about that.

Seems like people have different "standards" on what a "tight group" is.

Most "hunters" I see at the range (before I was able to shoot on my own land! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) were always there the week before the season. Hit a pie plate out to 100 yards, ok, done, lets go.

Then you have the "lets blow as much ammo as we can in the shortest amount of time" shooters.

Personally (sp?) to me shooting is a lot like shooting pool or playing golf (which I gave up years ago). The only person you're "competing" agaisnt is yourself. To me, there's a certain amount of skill to place a small piece of lead at extreme distances (not nessisarily sp? for hunting I might add).

Watched a t.v hunting show a year or so ago up in W.V. Guy was out in the woods at the edge of a clearing. Saw a deer about 450 yards down range. Guy shot at that deer about 6 times before he hit it. Some of the first shots that missed you could see where they were hitting (not to close to the deer I might add). Guy was so excitied that he hit it (the deer) at last. I thought to myself the guy was an idiot.

Only my opinion (sp?). If your hunting for sport (not for food that YOU MUST HAVE TO SURVIVE), you should be confident that you can hit your target on the first shot. If you are not absolutly sure that you can't "make the shot", you shouldn't take it.

Now, varmit hunitng is awhole other story. Seems to have some of the most **** retentive loaders/shooters I've met, people that can be so obsessed with accuracy, somtimes it just aint fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

One reason why I love bow hunting. Helps put things in perspective.

HGM · Nov 13, 2005

I'll second that.....

I have diled in my Savage 110(30'06) to be confident that the rifle can shoot touching groups of three at 150yds. If there is a question about whether or not I could make the shot, I dont shoot. I have passed some good deer in the past, just because I wanted to give fair chase. Like Ernie says, practice makes perfect. Since I havent applied much time to my '06 recently, I would be much less confident. Not in the rifle, but in myself. No need forcing a shot and wounding an animal to prove how much of a man I am.

Bird · Nov 16, 2005

There's a story in the Dallas Morning News this morning about a Denton County deputy sheriff who shot himself in the leg (accidental discharge) with his Glock .40 caliber at the range during a training session. It says the bullet went down his calf and broke his ankle. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

RedRocker · Nov 16, 2005

He wasn't doing a quick draw was he? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Bird · Nov 16, 2005

The news story doesn't explain what he was doing or what caused the accidental discharge. I didn't include a link to the story because it won't work unless you're registered on their website.

Dargo · Nov 16, 2005

( I'll second that.....

I have diled in my Savage 110(30'06) to be confident that the rifle can shoot touching groups of three at 150yds. )

That would put you pretty well tops in the world. I've been to a few national qualifier shooting competitions and nobody in any class could do that. One guy at Knob Creek shooting hand loaded .264 Winchester Magnum cartridges in a rifle he had about $8,000 in was able to do that once. However, on his follow up try, there was a slight breeze and he could not duplicate the feat. I have to assume that your rifle is highly modified and you shoot professionally.

fishman · Nov 16, 2005

Well Dargo, HGM did say the rifle "can" shoot those kind of groups, but didn't claim to do that every time. But I agree, that is some kind of shooting. Less than a half-minute of angle accuracy out of a stock 30-06. I have a .270 Savage and on a real good day with carefully prepared handloads I can put 5 shots crowding an inch at 100 yards. I think that's pretty darned good and more than adequate for deer hunting.

HGM · Nov 16, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifYes, I agree it sounds far fetched.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.. Like I said, the rifle has done it, on a rest... Can I make it do that, definitly not reliably.. After spending some time at the range getting myself comfortable with it I would not hesitate to take a questionable shot with a good rest and no wind, done it before.. I dont believe it is that difficult if you trust yourself and your firearm, conditions must be stable though.

To answer your other question. It is a "cheap old Savage" 110G with a Leupold 3.5x10x50mm, glass bedded,with target crown, Timney trigger(set light, dont remember oz's off hand). It was done with Federall Premium 150gr BTSP, right out of the box. I couldnt be happier with it for a total investment of less than $700. Believe It Or Not /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Nov 16, 2005

Im not sure of the age of your Savage, but if it doesnt have the Acu-Trigger(very nice), I highly recomend the Timney. Add a target crown to the barrel and glass bedding the wood stock. It honestly did wonders for mine. The Savage is probably the must underrated rifle out there because of the rough action, terrible trigger(until recently) and ugly stocks. But the steel couldnt get much better and the price is very reasonable.

EddieWalker · Nov 16, 2005

( ( I'll second that.....

I have diled in my Savage 110(30'06) to be confident that the rifle can shoot touching groups of three at 150yds. )

That would put you pretty well tops in the world. I've been to a few national qualifier shooting competitions and nobody in any class could do that. One guy at Knob Creek shooting hand loaded .264 Winchester Magnum cartridges in a rifle he had about $8,000 in was able to do that once. However, on his follow up try, there was a slight breeze and he could not duplicate the feat. I have to assume that your rifle is highly modified and you shoot professionally. )

Dargo,

Am I missing somethig here? Is it the 150 yards that makes the difference? Or did he word it to make it sound impossible? I don't get it. Lot's of people can shoot toucying groups at 100 yards.

I have a friend who's rather fanatical and is doing it with all his Weatherby's. He has one in every caliber and is trying to start a company to sell reloads for the Weatherby calibers.

There are also several custom rilfe makers who guatantee sub-inch groups with their rifles. Jarret rifles is one that comes to mind off the top of my head.

My Remington 700BDL has a Timney trigger and Hogue stock, but not other work, and with Federal Premium loads, I have shot half inch groups, and normally shoot one inch or less groups with it. Almost all of them touch most of the time, and that's groups of five shots.

I do get my zingers, but know it when it happens. I also know that as soon as I get tired, it wont happen either, but that's just me.

My brother shot a perfect score once in the Marines and was a range instructor for awhile. He went to sniper school, but droped out from the physical aspects, not the shooting. He's better than I am with a rifle and can do amazing things with his .308.

Eddie