Return of the Booth Babes: The 2007 SHOT Show
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Why You Should Aways Ask For Help
Don’t worry, this gets back to shooting.
For reasons too sordid and complex to get into, I’ve been required for some time to throw a plug 170 feet with a 6-foot baitcasting rod. In the past, I’d always been able to do it, but not this year. And so in a panic, I sought out a friend of mine who is both a mechanical engineer and an expert on setting up and using all kinds of tackle. I will even embarrass him by using his name: Dick Kondak.
Dick took a couple of casts with my rod and said, “Your reel’s broken. You hear it grinding?”
Of course I could not, so he opened up the panel that hides the little brakes and a busted, cheaply made part fell out.
Dick put a real reel on my rod, adjusted it, and then showed me (in 5 minutes) how to cast without herniating a disc or bursting small blood vessels in my face. (Dick casts two-handed. He gives the rod a little flick and the plug sails 220 feet plus.) With a day of practice, I was making effortless casts of 190 feet.
Now back to guns. As with baticasting, no one is born knowing how to shoot. You can be making simple, dumb mistakes, as I was, or your equipment can be screwed up, as mine was, and you can blunder on forever wondering what the hell is wrong. In the meanwhile, you will pay heavily in all sorts of ways.
If you can’t shoot as well as you want, get help from an expert who is also able to teach. Such a person can see instantly what the problem(s) is. Tennis players and golfers, who are not exactly overburdened with good sense, do this as second nature. Even yuppie sporting clays shooters get professional help. Only riflemen seem to struggle on alone.
Actually, I'd settle for a vanilla ice cream cone. If you want to know the truth, Ruth, I was really thinking of having a nice strawberry compote.
Dierdre, please tell Mr. Hitler to forget about the bellyfat blaster and just bring me a nice strawberry compote instead. Oh, and we'd like another double order of elk manure, too. Delicious!
I'll have the chilidog with cheese and onions, Mr. Hitler. Make it a footlong and I'll consider tipping you. Now get cracking!
Everybody, dear. Everybody had him, any time they wanted, any way they wanted. The poor boy probably never got a wink of sleep during those years. But we were building a new communist world, you must understand, and we had certain needs of our own to consider. Fidel was not by any means the only one who had to sacrifice.
The Revolution is a stern mistress. There is no doubt that eggs were broken, and there will be more eggs broken in times to come. The Revolution will endure.
Posted by: | June 18, 2007 at 05:48 PM
In Upstate New York it’s easy to find extremely gifted wing shooters to coach you. Rifle is indeed a different story. I never really got much out of the Military on shooting since IMHO military shooting is rather narrow and one dimensional.
I believe the majority of my field knowledge of rifles, handloading, and rifle shooting came from messing around with varmint hunters and primitive muzzle loaders.
These characters are always fussing with their rifles and loads. I found taken as a group these folks have considerable knowledge of rifles and shooting. All a person has to do is watch and listen.
Think there’s a reason God gave man two ears, two eyes, and one mouth.
Posted by: Mark | June 18, 2007 at 10:18 PM
In Upstate New York it’s easy to find extremely gifted wing shooters to coach you. Rifle is indeed a different story. I never really got much out of the Military on shooting since IMHO military shooting is rather narrow and one dimensional.
I believe the majority of my field knowledge of rifles, handloading, and rifle shooting came from messing around with varmint hunters and primitive muzzle loaders.
These characters are always fussing with their rifles and loads. I found taken as a group these folks have considerable knowledge of rifles and shooting. All a person has to do is watch and listen.
Think there’s a reason God gave man two ears, two eyes, and one mouth.
Posted by: Mark | June 18, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Well, Mr Petzel,
I am impressed by this observation and statement. I have been hunting for 21 years this fall so that makes me almost 30……. Last year when I started participating in your blog I had many questions about my upcoming Bear hunt in Alaska, with regards to bullet choice, brass and others. Needless to say I have a rifle that shoots well under an inch thanks to the insightful tinkering I learned from here. This fall I am heading for Caribou Solo in a non-bear area, and I loaded up some Ballistic tip 180 grain bullets (300 win mag). A friend of mine suggested going to the Accubond. (Of course after I had 25 cartridges of BT loaded). I am going to start working up a load for them I am fairly sure it will match the BT, but he had many reasons why to choose the Bonded bullet over the BT……..(just making a simple analysis of learning). I went to a few different sites and even called Nosler, it seems my friend is correct (again). I will measure my success after I get back.
There are a bunch of “ole fudds” who participate in this blog who we all can learn from
My Father always said:
Keep your eyes and ears open, and mouth shut and people will think you are a fool. Once you open your mouth you remove all doubt.
Thanks Dave.
Posted by: tom | June 18, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Help?? Help?!! WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN HELP!!!!
Until someone tells us "You are firing too soon between each shot; let the barrel cool down between each shot." And then we realize that there is a lot we may not know, and maybe we start to listen...
Posted by: John | June 19, 2007 at 10:12 AM
You are right about not asking for "coaching". This stonewalling is somewhat behind the quest for new and improved equipment, after all, it can't be us! Like Bill Shakespeare said, "The fault dear Brutus lies not in the stars but within ourselves." Or something close to that.
Posted by: PbHead | June 19, 2007 at 12:01 PM
The older I get the less proud I am about recognizing my mistakes and asking for help, unless it involves my wife.
My two sons look at me like I'm an idiot and can't understand how I handle the shame. Then again, I bowl, golf, shoot, fish, and play cards better than they do.
Posted by: Steve C | June 19, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Steve-I had to laugh when you mentioned your sons' reactions to your "buffoonery". I have a teenage daughter with the same superiority complex. They must realize (with all their wisdom) that soon "they" will be the ones with the addled brains. About that time, you sir, will be a genius! Ahhh, youth! I also wish that I could find a shooting coach.......
Posted by: mr.b | June 19, 2007 at 06:49 PM
WHY? OBVIOUSLY, HE THOUGHT YOU WERE FIDEL CASTRO.
THE CIA HAS BEEN TRYING TO KILL CASTRO FOR 50 YEARS, AND ALONG COMES BUDDY HINTON AND GETS THE JOB DONE IN 5 MINUTES AND MAKES CASTRO LIKE IT, BESIDES. WOW!
LET'S PUT BUDDY HINTON ON THE NEXT PLANE TO VENEZUELA WITH A PACK OF BUSTED RUBBERS AND A JAR OF MAYONAISE!!!
PS: They say he got Arafat, too.
Buddy Hinton, my ass. I'm the one what got Arafat. Don't let nobody blow poo at you on that one, kid.
Posted by: | June 19, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Hitler, Walt Disney, and Mother Teresa walk into this bar, and the bartender looks 'em over and says, "HOW 'BOUT A BIG OLD PLATE OF CHICKENBALLS!!!?
Morris Dees will make lampshades out of Buddy Hinton, just like he did B!lly Jack.
Hitler, Walt Disney, and Mother Teresa walk into this bar, and the bartender looks 'em over and says, "HOW 'BOUT A BIG OLD PLATE OF CHICKENBALLS!!!?
Posted by: | June 19, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Dave,
Is it possible to at least move these comments that have nothing to do with this thread to another comment section? I do not believe in sensorship, but this is annoying.
Posted by: RJ Arena | June 19, 2007 at 09:28 PM
As a reminder,
As one of those shooters who feels like he "goes it alone," I would like to remind say that the sharing of skills goes both ways. Everyone has their limits and if you see some young, cocky, man-child who is completely hell bent on blowing off his own darned foot by all means, remember that it is also your responsibility to offer what you know. I have seen a trend in older hunters to give up on those who they deem unworthy and to avoid them. I am not saying that it is your duty to put yourself in danger but always remember that every moment that you are not teaching someone else is a moment that will be forgotten. I've seen a lot of comments on how the next generation is going to &%#$ but I do not see a lot of responsibility taken for it. If you know a young shooter make it a mission to make sure that kid can outshoot you before he decides that he would rather be playing video games.
Posted by: Gruetz | June 20, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Most of us old foggies ae too stuborn to seek help.We afraid someone will think we nuts. Most of us are to a degree. Learned long ago, we never get to old (I') 72) to learn something new. I just wish more hunters would give me their advice and show me a better way to hunt. Afraid the younger generation is only interested in Vidio's and Puters. Never saw a puter in the woods yet. Been hunting 52 years for big game, and I do learn something new each trip I make. If I don;t know the answer, I will ask. I'm not to old to seek advice that will improve my hunting/shooting. And yes,Dave try to keep thos blog on Hunting, fishing, and firearms. This other crap needs to go elsewhere. I am interested in trying my luck with a handgun hunt for w-tails. I have been looking at the Taurus and the Blackhawk and Vanquero. The Taurus Gaucho is about 25% cheaper. Will a non- adjustable site such is on the Taurus and Vanquero be a suitable handgun for the deer?, also what bbl length 5.5 or 7.5" All help will be appreciated.See???? at 72 still need help. Thanks for any replies or suggestions.The old Gunslinger.PS: I use a Rem 700 in CDL 30-06 and a Rem 700 Classic 25-06 for all my large game hunting. To the guy on Bonded ammo. I have used the new Ammo by Rem for past 2 years out west. It is the Scirocco (swift) l80 gr on large game and l50 gr on w-tails on down. Had a one shot kill at 345 yds last year on deer. Bullet entered 4" below his spine on left side at last rib and exited his right foreleg. Dropped in his tracts. Thats the kind of kill I prefer, as I;m disabled and cannot walk the mtns tracking a wounded animal.I do pratice a lot, especially the 3 months prior to going to the Rockies. Always shoot 3 shot groups and allow the bbl to cool while shooting my other guns.I don;t buy the story of l or 2" high at 100 yds to be dead on at 200 yds. I want to know what that bullet will do at 200+ yds. This new Scirocco ammo with BT will fly flatter than any ammo I ever tried at 200 plus yards. I prefer to keep my shots at 200 or below, but out west its impossible in most cases, as those valleys and rolling hills will fool you. A rangefinder is a must out there, if you want to be successful.Again, lets all strive to keep this blog on firerms and hunting, hopefully we all will learn from it, I have.
Posted by: Rocky Mtn Hunter | June 23, 2007 at 09:24 PM
This younger generation is hopeless. They got all the answers they think. AS for this blog, should stick with guns/hunting or related info. Regardless of thickness of a bbl, after so many shots teh barrell become hot and your shots going to go astray. With teh younger generation wantinga 4-5 ;b gun, teh mfgers have reduced teh wt of the gun, most of the wt is in teh metal, so teh bbls are much thinner. Unless hunting, and need that 2nd shot, best yopu allow the bbl to cool down prior to even the 2nd shot. I do 3 shot groups with my 700 CDL in 06 and I allow about 5 minutes between each 3 shots. Then I set aside ans let completely cool down and shoot other guns I carry to my shooting range (homemade out to 250 yds). i learned teh had way on pattersns. My father did not hunt, so I learned by trial and error. If that bbl is not cool, you 2nd, 3rd or how many will fly all over the target. Now when I get my gun zeroed in to suite me. i clean the outside completely and set aside, day befoer i leave for the rockies, I go and shoot one time to dble check the zero. It is always exact as I want at 200 yds,a silver dollars will cover 3 at 200 yds.using l80 gr in the 06.Most of you guys know this, but some of the younger generation may not. Allow that bbl to cool when at the range.As a rule its not the gun or ammo, its a hot bbl or you. goo luck, try to let it cool down after shoting. The old Gunslinger
Posted by: Rocky Mtn Hunter | June 27, 2007 at 09:31 PM
If you do as I suggest above, and your gun is zeroed correct and your game is within your range one shot is all you gonna need if you hit the vitals. Try for a Vital shot, if can;t get a vital shot,try for a brokem shoulder and a quick folloow up shot to the vitals.Me, I like a neck shot, I;ve killed many animals with a neck shot, which dropped in their tracts.My first Elk was a neck shot. Bull was in middle of 30 or so cows, only shot I had was his neck, I had a solid rest and knew my gun would put the bullet where I wanted it at 185 yds.One shot, and the bull fell over at 5 yds and was dead.I was not concerned of hitting other Elk as I knew my ability and the guns ability, Plus if had hit a cow on other side, I had a cow tag as well. A bit of advice: you guys going west for first trip, buy both a Elk/Deer tags. Your chances of drawing are above 4 to 1 as the state wants the big $$$$, plus you gonna feel like a idiot if you got one of the other and the other comes out. I did once, still cry, but not now, as I apply for both. In 8 yrs, have missed only one time.Then with 2 weeks to go, game dept called to see if I yet wanted a tag as some were turned back in.I ALSO suggest a local guy go with you hunting, as he will know where they range. May cost you 100 bucks a day, but what is another few hundred, if you've spent thousands for the trip. I get same guy each year to go with me, and he scouts weeks before I arrive and knows where they should be on open day. Not always there, but will find another place they gone to in a few days. Anyway, if you ever go to the Rockies and hear a Elk Bugle, you ruined for ever.The old Gunslinger.Hey, I want to kill a Elk with a handgun, what caliber you suggest/ will a 45 Colt do the job? I;m disabled/handicapped and a 44 mag a tad much for me.
Posted by: | June 27, 2007 at 09:50 PM
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