Archie wrote:I don't like headshots. I understand why people do them, I don't. 4 reasons:
1/ Most decent shooters can probably hit a head at similar distances to a reliable heart lung shot. But heart/lung is a bigger target in most cases (angle, ribs etc can complicate that a bit). Bigger target = more margin for error. I like margin for error in imperfect shooting conditions, and field shooting is always imperfect. Never a bench when you need one.
Stix wrote:I think if you can head shoot then do it...especially if you're capable of a brain shot...!!
Know & stick to your limits though.
pomemax wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJr7Ph5SGO4&t=65s
this is very graphic see if you can watch it
bigpete wrote:Stix wrote:I think if you can head shoot then do it...especially if you're capable of a brain shot...!!
Know & stick to your limits though.
ONLY if you're capable of a brain shot. Anywhere else leaves a wounded animal to die slowly
Gwion wrote:One expression comes to mind:
Never mistake ambition for ability!
Being able to pass up the shot is also a valuable skill.
marksman wrote:if you cannot hit the brain area in a deer head your firearm has a problem,
even a bad shot can shoot a good rifle well but a good shot will never shoot a bad rifle any good
all hunting rifles should be able to shoot 2' moa at 200, you hear it all the time "1' moa is good enough for a hunting rifle" at 100
bladeracer wrote:I prefer a brain shot when it's a clean shot, but those opportunities are rare. Next best is upper spine just below the head. But a good boiler room shot is extremely effective as well.
One of my mum's chihuahua's was shot straight into the front of the chest. The .22LR bullet went right through his body and exited at the root of his tail without breaking it. He was in intense pain for a few days but no internal organs were injured and no surgery was required. He lived into happy old age with no effects.
That left a lasting impression on me, so much so that I find I won't take a head-on shot into the chest on anything bigger than a rabbit. I am well aware that such a shot is virtually impossible, especially for one person to see such twice in his lifetime, but I just can't take the risk of doing that to any animal.
sungazer wrote:Hi Marksman our rifle club has twice yearly events with the Deer Hunters Association and one of the ranges is free standing at 100yrd using 6 ft by 6 ft targets with a 300yrd Target rifle score ring in the chest area which would be about 2 ft across. I am sad to say that some of the deer hunters fail to hit that scoring target 5 out 5 shots some even fail to hit the full scale black deer only hitting the white in the target backboard. There are some truly bad shots out there.
On the other hand in the Deer hunters Association there are some very impressive shooters as well, so I am not labeling them all as bad shots just there are a few firearms owners that give deer a very good chance of living.
sungazer wrote:Hi Marksman our rifle club has twice yearly events with the Deer Hunters Association and one of the ranges is free standing at 100yrd using 6 ft by 6 ft targets with a 300yrd Target rifle score ring in the chest area which would be about 2 ft across. I am sad to say that some of the deer hunters fail to hit that scoring target 5 out 5 shots some even fail to hit the full scale black deer only hitting the white in the target backboard. There are some truly bad shots out there.
On the other hand in the Deer hunters Association there are some very impressive shooters as well, so I am not labeling them all as bad shots just there are a few firearms owners that give deer a very good chance of living.
marksman wrote:sungazer wrote:Hi Marksman our rifle club has twice yearly events with the Deer Hunters Association and one of the ranges is free standing at 100yrd using 6 ft by 6 ft targets with a 300yrd Target rifle score ring in the chest area which would be about 2 ft across. I am sad to say that some of the deer hunters fail to hit that scoring target 5 out 5 shots some even fail to hit the full scale black deer only hitting the white in the target backboard. There are some truly bad shots out there.
On the other hand in the Deer hunters Association there are some very impressive shooters as well, so I am not labeling them all as bad shots just there are a few firearms owners that give deer a very good chance of living.
so don't shoot off the shoulder
be a spot and stalk hunter not a bumper and blaster be a hunter not a scarer
I did mention to use a good rest,
I use these texas bipod shooting sticks when going through the bush, these are very good
I especially use these off one leg but my shots off one leg are out to 100 at most
but practice how you are going to shoot, benches are for testing loads
usually bumper and blaster's don't shoot over 50, if its a longer shot they will take a rest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFkLE4JFGfA
but I usually sit and snipe at distance
and at little river ssaa range (when I was welcome )
I used to hit a steel gong at 500 easily off the shoulder even with my 375 H&H that gong is about 500mm round
I dont shoot animals with a rifle off the shoulder, I dont think I am good enough and wont take the risk
brett1868 wrote:Funny enough, the govt fella mandates that Giant Bunnies be head shot...If its good enough for Skippy then it should be good enough for Bambi. Each situation will be different so skill and good judgement will be key to shot placement.
Gwion wrote:One expression comes to mind:
Never mistake ambition for ability!
Being able to pass up the shot is also a valuable skill.
Gwion wrote:brett1868 wrote:Funny enough, the govt fella mandates that Giant Bunnies be head shot...If its good enough for Skippy then it should be good enough for Bambi. Each situation will be different so skill and good judgement will be key to shot placement.
Very good point. From memory, the gov't fella also mandates that pro giant bunny shooters pass an accuracy test before being issued a permit. Also suggests that any tag permit properties get shooters to do an accuracy test before letting them loose on the giant bunnies.
Oldbloke wrote:Gwion wrote:One expression comes to mind:
Never mistake ambition for ability!
Being able to pass up the shot is also a valuable skill.
Title_II wrote:If you carry a fun in Australia you will go to jail.