Quote:
No matter how much one practices, and no matter how good the shot, long range shooting involves a substantial amount of luck. By that I mean, there are random variables over which we have no control whatsoever. At shorter ranges the random fluctuations are small enough that they will not cause a well-aimed shot to become a wounding shot. But the magnitudes of random variables increase with range (although the average remains zero); at longer range an otherwise good shot can easily become a gut shot, and there is nothing the shooter can do about it. If shooting inanimate targets bad luck causes no hardship. If shooting animals it causes great suffering. We are not required to harvest an animal. Passing up long shots is good sportsmanship, and is respectful of the animals we hunt.
Take care, Tom
TOM,
I agree with most of what you said--in regards to respect for animals, etc..however the luck in my opinion is inaccurate..no pun intended..
If luck is involved with consistently shooting prairie dogs at 150 to 400 yards then I need to go to Vegas as I have one hell of a lucky streak going--If you have not shot a lot at longer ranges I can understand your statement--HOWEVER, if someone is consistently shooting groups at 2,3,or 400 yards under a 1 1/2" group--I would suspect luck would not be as much of a factor as skill..
It's luck like the idiot that shot at an elk at 800 yards or whatever it was and closed his eyes at the shot--and still hit it--the person should not be allowed to use a firearm..period.
Ripp
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