Return of the Booth Babes: The 2007 SHOT Show
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WHO SHOOTS WHAT GOOD?
I’ve never known a first-rate shotgunner who didn’t have terrific reflexes and hand-eye coordination. If you lack these qualities, you can train yourself to the point where you are good, but you are never going to be able to compete with the really gifted scattergunners.
On the other hand, I know a number of excellent rifle shooters who are dull, plodding fellows, whose reflexes have more to do with sloths than with cats, but give them the chance and they will put a bullet in whatever you want on the first try.
Back in the 1970s, I saw member of the New York Knicks professional basketball team pick up a trap gun and break something like 20 out of 25 birds. He had never fired a shotgun before, much less shot trap, but his coordination was so good, and his sense of distance and timing so acute, that it was possible for him.
I’ve never seen the equivalent of that in rifle shooting. Everyone, it seems, has to go through a period where they get their technique down, and develop a feel for what happens to a bullet at long range.
The only thing both disciplines have in common, it seems, is this: Unless you have complete mastery over your nervous system, you will never be a great shot with either rifle or shotgun, and you will probably never even be a good shot. The demands of the two guns take different forms, but both require that you be able to piss ice water in times of stress.
Nice observation. The best rifle shot I know has a habit of shooting at .38 special brass from 200 yards, he also sleeps 12 hours a day and moves very slowly. He may in fact be a sloth.
Posted by: Dr. Ralph | June 01, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I can hardly wait for the stream of posts on this topic. It might be very instructional! Heck, I just want my rifles to shoot better than I do. :-)
Posted by: Mtnhunter | June 01, 2007 at 02:57 PM
piss ice water? that sounds like it would hurt a bit.
Posted by: David | June 01, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Dave
I can teach you to do both. No joke!
Clay Cooper
Posted by: Clay Cooper | June 01, 2007 at 08:10 PM
PS
Dave
I triple dare you to take up my offer!
Clay Cooper
Posted by: Clay Cooper | June 01, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Gee Dave, you've been triple-dared by Clay Cooper to let him teach you how to piss ice water. I suppose a triple dare supercedes a double-dog dare to learn how to crap bricks. Will you post the video on YouTube?
Posted by: KJ | June 02, 2007 at 03:14 PM
nevermind kj aka grasshopper
Posted by: Clay Cooper | June 02, 2007 at 11:58 PM
KJ
Do you have any firearm certifications?
Posted by: Clay Cooper | June 03, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Gee, Clay, name-calling is the last defense of the undergunned.
~Grasshopper
Posted by: KJ | June 03, 2007 at 08:08 AM
KJ
You definitely show lack of knowledge and experience. You act like a know it all when you never been there or done that. Take your 450 Marlin and go play with your friends like a good little shooter. Clay asked you what certifications you have to back up what you say. It’s obviously you have none.
Sandbagger
PS
I’ve known Clay for a long time.
He is a certified NRA Instructor
with a vast knowledge in
both hunting and competition.
It’s too bad instead of asking questions,
you choose to shoot off your mouth instead
Posted by: Sandbagger | June 03, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Sounds like you've been pissing a bit yourself, sandbagger. Respect is earned, and neither you nor Clay have earned mine. You are a name on a webpage - nothing more. It could be that you are the finest shooters that ever walked God's green earth. It could be you are a woman named Jill. Who really knows? You don't know who I am anymore than I know who you are, so your assertions are made purely out of your own ignorance. Claims made on the internet are worth exactly nada. Now - take your boasts, your claims, your obvious delight at believing you are impressing everyone with your vast knowledge and unsolicited advice, arrogant challenges, name-calling, and hold them between your knees. If you want to make this a pissing contest - you win. You are obviously very good at pissing. I'll continue to read the blog, post when I feel I have something to say, ask a question when I want to learn, and crack a joke when I please. I am, you see, a self-actuated son-of-a-bitch.
Posted by: KJ | June 03, 2007 at 10:48 AM
KJ
What a WIND BAG!
Posted by: LC | June 03, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Damn Clay, can't you get along with anybody?
-Jabba the Hunt
Posted by: Dr. Ralph | June 03, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Sorry Ralph
Posted by: Clay | June 03, 2007 at 11:15 AM
KJ, You referring to your Mother as a BITCH?
A Sportsman your not
You have no respect in yourself!
Shame on you KJ
If I were your Mother I would nock you down
And thank you for showing your real colors
Posted by: Leslie | June 03, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Thank you, Mr Clay
Real Men have the backbone to say I’m Sorry?
Even if there right
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | June 03, 2007 at 11:24 AM
AAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!
I’m out of here!
Going to take my German Short Hair out for a ride
She likes riding on back of my ATV
Posted by: Clay Cooper | June 03, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Oh - the pain! The barbs and arrows of the self-impressed! Will I ever recover in time to learn to piss ice water at the feet (pun intended) of the self-proclaimed Master Pissers?
Posted by: KJ | June 03, 2007 at 01:23 PM
BTW Leslie (that's a pretty name) - my mom can spell. You'd never make it.
Posted by: KJ | June 03, 2007 at 01:24 PM
If you all are done ninny-slapping each other, maybe we could talk about something that's actually interesting. It doesn't even have to be guns. We could talk about philosophy, science, authors, or many other stimulating topics. Who's game?
Posted by: JA Demko | June 03, 2007 at 08:40 PM
I take it your done with your money shot, JA?
Posted by: KJ | June 03, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Need another volunteer to hold my target
I bumped the sights on my LAW ROCKET again
Sarge
Posted by: Sarge | June 03, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Pratice is what it takes to shoot well with any firearm. Buy a firearm that fits you and start shooting. Maybe a few born natural shooters, but most come from pratice and more pratice RR
Posted by: Disabled hunter gun nut. | June 03, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Look elsewhere for a dickwaving contest, KJ. Usually you are at least somewhat entertaining. When you're done huffing, puffing, and postureing I hope you will be again.
Posted by: JA Demko | June 04, 2007 at 08:39 AM
Anyways,,,back to the origional blog. I agree w/ that 100%. I shot expert marksman in the military and actually went through sniper school and still love shoot long range w/ all the rifles I own, including my 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70. I also shoot alot of shells through 5 different shotguns that I own and can only call myself good, not great. On the other hand, I took a friend of mine out who had never fired a shotgun at clays before and he almost kicked my ass. Give him more trigger time and he will.
Posted by: Michael | June 04, 2007 at 09:44 AM