A discussion got me thinking, always a risky thing(G)....
So I get to the range, post my target, lay out my stuff and when the line gets hot, so do I. I concentrate on the front sight, squeeze,and a hole appears right where I want it to be out there at the 50 yard line. After a few more shots pretty much go into that same hole, I get up and let the bbl cool. As we go forward to post targets, I hear a guy I know slightly telling the rookie he's helping sight in that old saw about....
" If you can keep them on a paper plate at X number of yards, you're ready and you're sighted in"....
Sound familiar?
Trouble is, at the range you're rock steady, shooting at an immobile target, a known distance, and so on. There's no adrenaline causing your heart to race, no heavy breathing, tunnel vision,etc.
But in the field, your target is capable of movement in a twinkling, your position is less than rock solid, your heartbeat is accelerating, and you've been smitten by, THE FEVER. SO, keeping them on a paper plate at the range is too loose a parameter to apply.
And, paper feels no pain. A bad shot on a critter means pain, and possibly prolonged, agonizing pain.There's enough on my conscience now, I don't need that.
So, let's redefine how accurate you should be, and, remember, this is my opinion.
That paper plate is 8-9" in diameter.The vitals on a deer run larger,especially on larger deer, but think of a volleyball sized target. There's why the paper plate idea is popular.
So,like that loudmouth on the Food Network says, let's kick it up a notch....
Instead of a paper plate, think paper saucer. Make it all shots in 4-5 inches at the range, that gives enough fudge factor to make it effective and HUMANE in the field.
If you and your shotgun are capable of hitting that 4-5" saucer under field conditions EVERY time at a given range, that's your effective range,and shots longer than that should not be taken under ordinary circumstances.
But, don't throw those paper plates away. Set up one and have at it with your buckshot of choice. For hunting, since there's probably not going to be innocent bystanders near your deer, I'd hunch it and say that the distance where half your load is on that plate is the practical accuracy range for you and that combo. Remember,buck depends on multiple hits for effectiveness.
For HD and tactical, ALL the pellets need to be on that plate, or you're shooting at something way too far out for you and that combo. Stray pellets in an AS scenario are egregious.
If you insist on using that paper plate criteria, do it offhand, after enough running or jumping jacks,etc, to make your heart pump and you breathe hard. THEN, that makes more sense.
I realize this may be controversial, but maybe some discussion is in order so that we're ALL more effective and taking realistic shots.
So I get to the range, post my target, lay out my stuff and when the line gets hot, so do I. I concentrate on the front sight, squeeze,and a hole appears right where I want it to be out there at the 50 yard line. After a few more shots pretty much go into that same hole, I get up and let the bbl cool. As we go forward to post targets, I hear a guy I know slightly telling the rookie he's helping sight in that old saw about....
" If you can keep them on a paper plate at X number of yards, you're ready and you're sighted in"....
Sound familiar?
Trouble is, at the range you're rock steady, shooting at an immobile target, a known distance, and so on. There's no adrenaline causing your heart to race, no heavy breathing, tunnel vision,etc.
But in the field, your target is capable of movement in a twinkling, your position is less than rock solid, your heartbeat is accelerating, and you've been smitten by, THE FEVER. SO, keeping them on a paper plate at the range is too loose a parameter to apply.
And, paper feels no pain. A bad shot on a critter means pain, and possibly prolonged, agonizing pain.There's enough on my conscience now, I don't need that.
So, let's redefine how accurate you should be, and, remember, this is my opinion.
That paper plate is 8-9" in diameter.The vitals on a deer run larger,especially on larger deer, but think of a volleyball sized target. There's why the paper plate idea is popular.
So,like that loudmouth on the Food Network says, let's kick it up a notch....
Instead of a paper plate, think paper saucer. Make it all shots in 4-5 inches at the range, that gives enough fudge factor to make it effective and HUMANE in the field.
If you and your shotgun are capable of hitting that 4-5" saucer under field conditions EVERY time at a given range, that's your effective range,and shots longer than that should not be taken under ordinary circumstances.
But, don't throw those paper plates away. Set up one and have at it with your buckshot of choice. For hunting, since there's probably not going to be innocent bystanders near your deer, I'd hunch it and say that the distance where half your load is on that plate is the practical accuracy range for you and that combo. Remember,buck depends on multiple hits for effectiveness.
For HD and tactical, ALL the pellets need to be on that plate, or you're shooting at something way too far out for you and that combo. Stray pellets in an AS scenario are egregious.
If you insist on using that paper plate criteria, do it offhand, after enough running or jumping jacks,etc, to make your heart pump and you breathe hard. THEN, that makes more sense.
I realize this may be controversial, but maybe some discussion is in order so that we're ALL more effective and taking realistic shots.