how good of a shooter are you?

Maybe the OP was just trying to challenge us as to our versatillity. It is one thing to consider ourselves proficient at one form of marksmanship, say longer range utilizing high magnification scope out of a lead sled with a custom heavy barrel rifle and another thing all together using an off hand stance at unkown distances shooting at a moving target. So what is your weakest method and conditions? How well do you do then?
 
In that context, it's a fair question.

I suppose, that if I had unlimited time, and money, being proficient in more than type of shooting would be cool...

But, it's a two hour drive to the 1000 yard range, and when my sons and I go shooting, it's about 300 rounds for long-range, and hopefully we can still manage to find an hour for some handgun time. A day of shooting with range fees and ammo still costs (even match handloaded ain't cheap) about $200...

So, while we do occasionally send a few offhand rounds- particularly with an AK, the vast majority of the time we're working on long range skills.

Boy, do I envy those guys that can just walk out their back door and send lead...
 
Ugh, detesting benches, I shoot off hand more than most and he didn't ask for offhand, any position. Further, with reading skills we'd learn that I posted my NRA highpower offhand average which is based on 10 shots at 200.
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Your previous statement
I can't really remember the last time I shot for groups while wasting ammo by not using a bipod or a sling unless you count off-hand Highpower where I average about a sucky 90.
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This statement makes it seem like you ONLY shoot offhand in Highpower competition, and always use some other form of support in other situations...

And while the OP did not specify off hand, he did say

Whatever position works best for you but just you, your rifle, a target at 100 yards, and five shots.
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I think that quote from the OP makes the intent of the post pretty clear. He was attempting to start a conversation about skill rather than equipment. Of course there are other skills that can be measured - moving targets, rapid fire, the list goes on... but no where in his post did he say or even imply that using other criteria than his makes someone a poor shooter. How about we try to calm down a bit and let the question be what it is, rather than arguing and getting offended about things the OP didn't even say.
 
I just hopped around on this thread (Saw it late). Sometimes it depends on the rifle. I think I shoot better with out a scope with my 99 Savages. They just seem to "Fit" better. Most of the deer I have shot have been off hand snap-shots. I seem to shoot pretty well when I don't have time to concentrate and just react no matter what type of rifle I am using.
 
Bipod, rear bag, big rig 1/2 MOA. Just with sling - can't pass the marksman level at the appleseed. Standing free, no sling - there's some deer still snickering about that one.
 
I appreciate the guys who participated constructively in this thread. I apologize to the ones whose feathers it apparently ruffled. There was no intent to malign other types of shooting whatsoever. I only wanted to discuss a style and method that isn't discussed at length very often.
I received a lesson in physics yesterday. F=M×A. I was on the receiving end of that simple equation and now my left arm is in a cast from below the wrist to above the elbow. Apparently 5000 lbs combined weight of two bulls slamming through a gate as they fight creates enough force to break bones when you are in the travel path of the gate.
I'm pretty sore and don't have much interest in continuing this thread. You guys can have at it or close it. Whatever. I'll keep reading but typing is slow and painful right now. Lucky it was only my arm but I hate pain killers so I'm just riding this one out.
 
I used to have access to a 1000 yrd range. I had a Olympic Arms PCR rifle with a heavy 20 in free floated barrel. There was a 24X24 in hanging steel plate at 575 yrds. With good hand loads I could put 4 out of 5 shots on the plate at 575 yrds unsupported. But that was 15 years ago and I know I could not do that unsupported today. The only range I have access to today is an indoor 25 yrd range. I can put 30 rds into a 1 in square at 25 rds but not very often. I now have a S&W 15 Sport AR, very accurate for the price. The 5R rifling does a great job.

I don't mind getting old but sure do hate getting decrepit!!!
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Update as of 2/22/12

I found some 15 year old hand loads that I was doing for 100 yrd accuracy work. The following image is 30 rds for those hand loads unsupported, leaning my left shoulder against the left wall of the shooting stall. These were shot with the 15 Sport and a Primary Arms M3 red dot scope. This is the same hand loads I was using to shoot the 575 yrd plate.

15yroldhandloads.jpg
 
Ive got a Mosin Nagant, i love the thing, and im a pretty good shot with anything else, but because the rifling is so worn down, i shoot minute of barn door:D
 
Don't know about target shooting but I've been deer hunting for 26 years for the most part. There's not too many years that I haven't gotten a deer and every one of them has gone down with a single shot no matter the weapon or the range. Don't ge me wrong, I'm no where near perfect, there are a couple of deer still alive because i've missed 5 shots over the years. ;)
 
While I shot for a few years in College on a rifle team, smallbore indoor and did quite well I can't say for sure just how good I am. I am still pretty good with a .22, pretty good with a centerfire and decent with a shotgun, with a pistol it is really a day to day basis and goes downhill quickly with distance.

All depends on the day, somedays I am smoking hot, other days I seem to miss simple shots. I'll never be what I would call "competition grade" nor do I have any desire to be, would turn a fun time into work for me. I can hold my own I guess but there are always folks who can beat me. I still enjoy it all.
 
About 3 inches standing at 100 yards with my AR. Friggin' shoot irons better than with a 2MOA Aimpoint. Aimpoint quick though..Still not too bad at 53. Prone a bit better but I groan a bit getting up on occasion.

Breathing, sight, hold, etc.
 
Good enough I avoided wearing a 'pizza box'. lol :D

Sitting I can hit the 'heart' of a cardboard deer at 125 yards with my Argentine on open sights. I can hit the 'heart' of a cardboard deer at 75 yards with my Slug gun, open sights. A varmit target at 100 yards is riddled at 100 with the .22. And I've killed a deer with a S&W .357 I-frame at 10 yard with a bullet to the engine room... That is how good I shoot and how I rate myself.
 
Proof is in the pudding as they say.

scaled.php

10 rounds, 50 yard Offhand with my H&R single shot:

scaled.php

5 rounds, offhand with my 70 year old Win 94 32 spcl:

Sometimes how good I shoot depends on what I shoot.
 
U know Grump...I think them Navy Seals coulda used ya....model 94 and all.....
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That ship sailed a long time ago. Tried out, passed the physical in 70 but they had all of us married men go through an indoctrination session with wives present. On the way home that night wife said I could if I really wanted to but I would do it as a single man. That should have been my warning then that I married the wrong woman and should have taken her up on her offer. Hormones make men stupid and I did not choose wisely. I was burdened with her for another 19 years and now I am staring 70 in the face. Besides I was good but not as good as I was to become later, I am on the downhill side of good now.
 
I've been down some of that road...lol...I did better this time....
 

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Hey Pa Hunter 37,

Where did you used to hunt up here? I have hunted public land in a few different states over the years, and maybe it is coincidence, but when a lot of Pa hunters start hunting an area the deer herd soon drops off. Lot of good shooters up here.
 
Anyone here think they can sight in their scoped deer rifle at 100 yards with 1 shot fired from standing, with or without a sling and no artificial support?

I've seen it done. Amazing but true. It's easier than most folks think, if you practice then do well the single most forgotton element of marksmanship.
 
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