John-R Jones
It was a quiet long weekend shoot with only the regulars turning out. Lever actions were in the majority on the day and although the scores were not high it was again a “lekker” day of shooting and talking nonsense. Douglas was the least worst on the day.
If you have an open sight rifle at home come join us again on 24 June at 10h00 for our next shoot. You only need fifteen bullets. The format allows for shooting at 5 animal print targets with two shots per target from 100 meters (shooting position vary per target) and one shot per target from 50 meters (headshot from standing position). Any open sight rifle larger than .22 caliber is allowed.
The scores for the day:
Allan Peeters
POINTS TO PONDER ON…
This week we had the open big bore rifle shoot, it looks like fun, big gun, no scope and 100m shots.
I do not have a big rifle without a scope, so I do not shoot it.
100m body shots on a buck target
50m with head shots.
…and some in between…
Now I do not know who has a rifle without a scope. Its not the norm. In days gone by It was the norm scopes were scarce.
Now, open sights like the old folks used to use, I doubt if they tried shots out to 200m or more. We hear of amazing shots. But I think they could not judge distances, and around the campfire it was embellished a bit.
Take an open sight rifle, aim at a buck 200m away, look over the sights and close one eye… Where the fuc@# did the buck go? Let alone a head shot.
Unfortunately (my opinion), scopes are now fitted to most rifles, my problem is, guys are taking longer and longer sometimes impossible shots at game. You cannot see twigs or small branches through the scope. At a target or a plate its ok to have a bash at it.
The scope be it 4 power or 24 power brings the buck on to your stoop, and you have a go.
The upside is, if you know your gun, your scope settings and can judge distances, the scoped gun gives you a better shot and a cleaner kill. But you must know all of this.
Some, if not a lot of hunters, have the scope fitted, and someone sights it in for them with a packet of ammo. They might get to shoot at a target on the first day of the hunt at a target. Normally 50 or 100m. And they think they are good to go. And that it will work out to 300m. That is not how it works. In the bush you rarely go out to 100m. If you are along a path, or the game fence it will be longer shots. But know your distance and your scope settings.
