In 2008 I was hog hunting with gen 3 morovision scope fixed 4 power with a .223 rock river varmint ar-15. We shot a three hogs in large group while standing I hit a hog in full run at over 500 steps. Was it luck yes but I looked like a real bad ass that night and still enjoy getting to tell that story. It was before any tripod or fancy bipods were being used to hunting hogs just a sling and full mag.
The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!
- Thread starter alexj-12
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Most memorable shot was on a coyote hunt in Montana. I was using my Ruger M77 7RM because that was the best option I had. Shooting a 162 ELD-X. Coyote came into our stand, and got about 40 yards before busting us. He started running away. I turned, swung my rifle, and touched one off. At that point he was 90 yards. I smoked him. He flipped over headfirst from the momentum. Upon checking him out, I realized why he immediately flipped over.
Was sitting in a Hay field glassing for groundhog.
Across the road in the back of the opposite field I could see a groundhog moving at the edge of the field.
I was shooting a 25-06 with the speer tnt 100gr HP.
I adjusted for wind and distance. Still held at the top of his head(he was standing up)
Felt like forever and the darn thing flopped over.
886 yds. I dont know if I could ever be that lucky again.
Across the road in the back of the opposite field I could see a groundhog moving at the edge of the field.
I was shooting a 25-06 with the speer tnt 100gr HP.
I adjusted for wind and distance. Still held at the top of his head(he was standing up)
Felt like forever and the darn thing flopped over.
886 yds. I dont know if I could ever be that lucky again.
On a whim and at the urging of my son-in-law, I signed up for a precision rifle course with Frank and Marc.
I had never shot much past 300 yds, but for this class we were shooting long range.
After working on fundamentals and working our way up through the distances, I hit my most memorable shot EVER.
I hit the target at 1240 yds on my second shot.
I was amazed and so was everyone else in the class.
I should add, I was 73 at the time and didn't think I could even see 1240 yds.
It makes you feel good.
I had never shot much past 300 yds, but for this class we were shooting long range.
After working on fundamentals and working our way up through the distances, I hit my most memorable shot EVER.
I hit the target at 1240 yds on my second shot.
I was amazed and so was everyone else in the class.
I should add, I was 73 at the time and didn't think I could even see 1240 yds.
It makes you feel good.
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Back when I first got into long range shooting I had buddies get me out on the 1000 yard line at the range. They had a few good targets but had this one that looked like it was a bowling pin sized target. Me still being new I wanted to try at it and my buddies said its impossible to hit. Beginners luck i hit it on shot 3 with a Seekins Havak Bravo in 6 Creed. Bout that time the RO said "well, that's actually a beer bottle target hanging down there. Friends were silent. Ride home was silent. I never let them live that one down.
When I was a young silly pup in 83-84 walking down a back road with my buddy and our BB guns, I saw a bird about 40-50 yards away in a tree. I tell my buddy watch this, off the hip I let the Daisy 880 bark. The bird flew away we giggled and kept walking. We came around the bend in the road and that bird was laying in the road dead with a BB in its neck. 14-15 year old me thought that was pretty cool.
Went three for three shots hitting a 4” x 6” plate at 650 yards to win a long range match at Rayners and score 630 points to get in the 600 club.
Around 13 years old I aimed 3-ish feet high to hit a tweety bird on the very top of a dead Ponderosa tree approx 90Y away. The bird fell instantly and bounced off some branches on the way down. This was with my Diana M27 spring piston air rifle and using a 8 grain pellet. I estimate only 1.5 ftlbs of energy was left by the time the pellet arrived.
My most Lucky shot ever.
My best shot, which happened about 12 years ago, was hitting a steel plate at 2356Y on the first try with my 30-375R/230gr hybrids, which is much like a 300PRC.
My most Lucky shot ever.
My best shot, which happened about 12 years ago, was hitting a steel plate at 2356Y on the first try with my 30-375R/230gr hybrids, which is much like a 300PRC.
Mountain goat hunting in the NW of MT, Cabinet mountain wilderness, I came upon a very good goat at nearly 8000’. I climbed to within 265 yards and a 65 degree up angle shot. Took him with my Remington 700, 300WSM, 180 grain Nosler Accubond handloads. One and done. All the fun was over then as I had to skin him for a full body mount and take 80% of the meat. Descent was quite difficult.
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At my place in AZ we were building a shed for the tractor and I had my 2 boys (10 years old) helping.me out. It was a rare windy day out there and we were struggling to hang the tin siding and I was having a hard time keeping my boys attention as I was trying to teach them how to do a few things. My son Colt spotted a big jackrabbit all the way down our driveway and I grabbed my Savage 17 hmr with a 2-7 Nikon duplex scope. I raised up on him and at the angle I was shooting it felt like a 15 mph full value crosswind. The rabbit took a couple steps and I knew I didn’t have long. I held left 6” and up 6” and took the shot offhand. The bullet hit center in the head and made a pink mist cloud on exit. I put the rifle down and turned to my boys who were looking at me like in a state of disbelief. It was a rushed 200 yard shot offhand in the wind and my sons still talk about it. I of course acted like it was no big deal. It’s a fun story to hear my sons tell. You wouldn’t believe how long that driveway gets sometimes.
I was training at Sig Sauer Academy with Senior Instructor David Hinkell along with 20 other guys. We were at the 1000 yard line and the instructor made us aware of a spray paint can sitting on a pole at 1004 yards. He stated that during his career training numerous sniper course no one has ever hit that spray can on the first shot. He said in fact if you hit that can on the first shot you’ll get a new Sig516. I was the first shooter up using a 700 LTR, Nightforce 5.5-22x56 with Hornady 168 gr A-MAX Tap #80965. After ranging and doping the wind and getting into position just prior to taking my shot Hinkell bent down and tap me on the shoulder and said he was just kidding about the 516. Once I got the Send It from my sniper team leader I struck the yellow spray can and it blew up. Upon examination the bullet hit the can dead center. Each shooter got 3 attempts with a range call on each shot and the only other guy to strike gold was my team leader on his third attempt. Hinkell said it took him 7 rounds to hit that can when him and his son were practicing.
So there was this match in the early days of the PRS. There was a single shot at what would have been a half minute at 200 yards. It was a black dot surrounded by 4 grim reapers. Hit the dot it was pulse 100 points. Miss the dot, zero. Hit a reaper, minus 50. Yours truly tagged a reaper. If I had just burned that round into the dirt I would have been 4th place!!!! The agony of defeat. Sill have that target on my wall…lol
I went to the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club 600 yard line on September 18, 2024 to get some practice time in with my son for the vintage sniper matches. As I was packing the truck, I looked at my M1 Garand and I figured it was time for me to get some trigger time with this fine rifle.
It was the first time that I took my Garand out in 3 years. It was the first time since I reassembled it after I moved in 2022. No DOPE for 600 yards and we couldn’t shoot 200 yards or 300 yards because the shooting positions there were flooded so I went in to the 600 yard line blind. I Centered up the rear sight and counted 8 clicks from bottom to estimate a 100 yard setting. Hmm, that setting is close to the 100 yard mark on the rear sight, so I went to the number 6, but subtracted 2 clicks and let her fly.
Now keep in mind that when I moved from Oregon to Florida, I fully dismantled the rifle. I even pulled the barrel off and the rear sights were removed from the receiver. I rebuilt the rifle when I got to Florida but never zeroed it.
I had never shot this rifle, ever, at 600 and never with this load recipe at any distance. I scored a FIRST ROUND BULLSEYE AT 600 YARDS!
I finished off with 9 more rounds. Software indicates that the last 5 rounds grouped in at 2.66 MOA. Looks like all 10 shots came in around 4 MOA.
Not a bad day at 600! I should note that this rifle has ZERO NM modifications and is not bedded at all. It has a DEMO Lothar Walther 308 barrel that I did my review with a few years ago. This rifle has hardly been shot and I doubt it has even 50 rounds through it. Definitely less than 100, for sure.
From 5 years ago...
My son was there as well as two other witnesses who were next to me when I made the shot.
Tony.
It was the first time that I took my Garand out in 3 years. It was the first time since I reassembled it after I moved in 2022. No DOPE for 600 yards and we couldn’t shoot 200 yards or 300 yards because the shooting positions there were flooded so I went in to the 600 yard line blind. I Centered up the rear sight and counted 8 clicks from bottom to estimate a 100 yard setting. Hmm, that setting is close to the 100 yard mark on the rear sight, so I went to the number 6, but subtracted 2 clicks and let her fly.
Now keep in mind that when I moved from Oregon to Florida, I fully dismantled the rifle. I even pulled the barrel off and the rear sights were removed from the receiver. I rebuilt the rifle when I got to Florida but never zeroed it.
I had never shot this rifle, ever, at 600 and never with this load recipe at any distance. I scored a FIRST ROUND BULLSEYE AT 600 YARDS!
I finished off with 9 more rounds. Software indicates that the last 5 rounds grouped in at 2.66 MOA. Looks like all 10 shots came in around 4 MOA.
Not a bad day at 600! I should note that this rifle has ZERO NM modifications and is not bedded at all. It has a DEMO Lothar Walther 308 barrel that I did my review with a few years ago. This rifle has hardly been shot and I doubt it has even 50 rounds through it. Definitely less than 100, for sure.
From 5 years ago...
My son was there as well as two other witnesses who were next to me when I made the shot.
Tony.
Pretty sure it was back in 2012.
Got a 300 SAUM AR10 to hopefully use for elk, (in 2025 i still haven't drawn an elk tag) but I decided to use it for pronghorn.
Couldn't have gotten a more perfect opportunity with roughly 2-3mph wind. A 931 yd shot doesnt get much more simple than this.
Got a 300 SAUM AR10 to hopefully use for elk, (in 2025 i still haven't drawn an elk tag) but I decided to use it for pronghorn.
Couldn't have gotten a more perfect opportunity with roughly 2-3mph wind. A 931 yd shot doesnt get much more simple than this.
Shooting the RTC match at Kartstetter with my partner (Alsation) on a 1100+ prone down hill stage. Time had just expired and I had not gotten to take a shot on the 1100+ target. I asked the RO if I could let it rip off the clock, and he said yes. I must have misheard, the RO and not my partner, as we both took an extra shot off clock. The funny part is, since I did not know Alsation was taking the shot, when I broke the shot, it "SOUNDED REALLY LOUD", I though my gun blew up!!!, I was checking my fingers, my gun, my barrel, when I hear the RO scream, " That was the coolest thing ever!!!!" I asked him what he was talking about, and he said that we had fired simultaneously, and both shot hits the target simuntaneoulsy mine 4" left of center, and Alsations Shot 4" right of center, and there was no double "gong" and the target barely moved becuase the shots cancelled each other out!! I missed it because I was checking for damage!!! We were shooting Tactical class and both had .308 175GR RDF's shooting Accuracy International AI-AT's with Night Force 7-35's. One of the best shots I have ever taken and never saw it!!!
I would have to say the one shot that I’ll never forget would have to be with one of my friends. We still talk about this shot today and it was only about 100 yards but I don’t think we could ever recreate it.
We both had just got Mosin Nagants and were out just target shooting having a good time. Set up a handful of water bottles and we were just plinking away. Anyways we got to the last bottle and we are both just shooting away trying to hit before the other. So all you see is this bottle starts to topple over and not even half second later it explodes into a shower of water. We both had shot within a second and connected the same bottle.
It was so cool to see and it was such a blast. Nothing crazy but it was a moment that neither of us will forget and doubtful we will ever recreate it.
We both had just got Mosin Nagants and were out just target shooting having a good time. Set up a handful of water bottles and we were just plinking away. Anyways we got to the last bottle and we are both just shooting away trying to hit before the other. So all you see is this bottle starts to topple over and not even half second later it explodes into a shower of water. We both had shot within a second and connected the same bottle.
It was so cool to see and it was such a blast. Nothing crazy but it was a moment that neither of us will forget and doubtful we will ever recreate it.
When I was ~ 21 years old and thought I was dry firing my pistol into the berm. It was not dry. I was on a firing line and was the only one that knew the gun was supposed to be, and yet was not empty. Made an impression.
I detached to Fallon, NV last year and found a great public range/area to shoot. A couple of co-workers were amazed that I cold bored a 600 yard shot on a 6" plate with a rifle that I had just put together and zeroed. In 20MPH wind nonetheless. I hadn't shot anything that far since I was competing PRS style over a decade ago. I was never very good but the numbers don't lie. Range, add elevation, hold for wind, breathe, and send-it! 17" barreled 7PRC.
Decided to shoot my last four rounds to the 8"x14" left steel plate after waisting almost 2 boxes of ammo at the 14"x14" plate to the rigth. Wind at 12mph at 2 o'clock and heavy mirage. Shooting prone with Rem 700 Var-SPS in 308 and a 8-32x56 NXS Nigthforce scope. Distance of 900mts at Camp Santiago Salinas,PR.
1st shot a miss. 2nd shot a hit-left. 3er shot a miss. 4th and last a hit to the rigth. I must tell you that this 68 year old man felt so great about that it had to go all the way up to the 900mts and take pictures of those hits.
1st shot a miss. 2nd shot a hit-left. 3er shot a miss. 4th and last a hit to the rigth. I must tell you that this 68 year old man felt so great about that it had to go all the way up to the 900mts and take pictures of those hits.
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My first hunt after having my 700 custom built. 20 inch bartlein barrel, blueprinted and chambered in 6.5x47 by Bugholes, mdt lss xl, vortex venom 5x25x56, and a triggertech diamond. Last day of the hunt I had a big doe walk out across the field. 240 yards out and walking away. I got steady and held over. Pulled the trigger and down she goes. It was a perfect placed shot. A gun I had put together myself except for smith work, my first hand loads, and the first time shooting a deer on that property. To top it off my best friend was in the stand with me to celebrate. Thats a shot I'll never forget and it was the perfect validation for the work I put into it.
I was living in Show Low, Arizona a few years ago. Just north, about 45 minutes was a ranch that consisted of about 15 sections where the rancher raised cattle. I shot coyotes for him because losing a new born calf was about a $1000 lose.
On the first day that I met the rancher to ask permission to do some coyote hunting, he took me on a guided-tour and pointed out some of the interesting features of the ranch...old buildings, a pond, a creek, a couple of draws.
He was concerned about my shooting abilities since I would be shooting amongst his herd...and there were about 20 wolves in the area collared by Fish & Game. He didn't want me shooting any of his cattle or any of the wolves.
I provided my boni fides and answered his questions honestly as we drove around. About an hour into the tour, we spotted two coyotes about a quarter mile away sitting in an arroyo watching us. He asked if I thought that I could hit one of them and of course I said that I could.
I brought my rifle case and within was a 24" 5.56 Wylde barrel on a lower that I had built. I had a Magpul PSR Gen 3 stock and a 6-24x56mm scope. I was shooting Sierra 75 gr MK bullets pushed by Win 748 powder. I use printed Range/DOPE cards.
I stepped out of the passenger side of his truck, leaving the door open, and pulled out my rifle and laid it across the hood of his truck (bipod). I lasered the closest dog at 463 yds...his wingman was at 467 yards. I was shooting slightly depressed, into an arroyo with a high, far-side, no wind, about 90F, low humidity, and the Sun was to my right. I knew the second dog would run up the slope at the first shot so I looked for the most likely avenue of retreat, found it and made sure that I could swivel to it smoothly. It was a wild chance that I'd get a second shoot before he crested the hill.
I dialed in 465 yards, pulled the trigger and killed the first dog and quickly swung up on the second running dog...led him a body length and killed him, too. It was 4-5 seconds from first shot to 2nd kill. To be honest...I was surprised but I didn't show it. I just cleared my rifle and recased it.
The rancher simply said, "Come shoot when ever you wish." And I did.
P.S. I don't want a new rifle barrel. Just wanted to share. Hooaah!
On the first day that I met the rancher to ask permission to do some coyote hunting, he took me on a guided-tour and pointed out some of the interesting features of the ranch...old buildings, a pond, a creek, a couple of draws.
He was concerned about my shooting abilities since I would be shooting amongst his herd...and there were about 20 wolves in the area collared by Fish & Game. He didn't want me shooting any of his cattle or any of the wolves.
I provided my boni fides and answered his questions honestly as we drove around. About an hour into the tour, we spotted two coyotes about a quarter mile away sitting in an arroyo watching us. He asked if I thought that I could hit one of them and of course I said that I could.
I brought my rifle case and within was a 24" 5.56 Wylde barrel on a lower that I had built. I had a Magpul PSR Gen 3 stock and a 6-24x56mm scope. I was shooting Sierra 75 gr MK bullets pushed by Win 748 powder. I use printed Range/DOPE cards.
I stepped out of the passenger side of his truck, leaving the door open, and pulled out my rifle and laid it across the hood of his truck (bipod). I lasered the closest dog at 463 yds...his wingman was at 467 yards. I was shooting slightly depressed, into an arroyo with a high, far-side, no wind, about 90F, low humidity, and the Sun was to my right. I knew the second dog would run up the slope at the first shot so I looked for the most likely avenue of retreat, found it and made sure that I could swivel to it smoothly. It was a wild chance that I'd get a second shoot before he crested the hill.
I dialed in 465 yards, pulled the trigger and killed the first dog and quickly swung up on the second running dog...led him a body length and killed him, too. It was 4-5 seconds from first shot to 2nd kill. To be honest...I was surprised but I didn't show it. I just cleared my rifle and recased it.
The rancher simply said, "Come shoot when ever you wish." And I did.
P.S. I don't want a new rifle barrel. Just wanted to share. Hooaah!
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I never win a damn thing, I will tell you the story if I win.
I was living in Show Low, Arizona a few years ago. Just north, about 45 minutes was a ranch tjat consisted of about 15 sections where the rancher raised cattle. I shot coyotes for him because losing a new born card was about a $1000 lose.
On the first day that I met the rancher to ask permission to do some coyote hunting, he took me on a guided-tour and pointed out some of the interesting features of the ranch...old buildings, a pond, a creek, a couple of draws.
He was concerned about my shooting abilities since I would be shooting amongst his herd...and there were about 20 wolves in the area collared by Fish & Game. He didn't want me shooting any I'd his cattle or any of the wolves.
I provided my boni fides and answered his questions honestly. About an hour into the tour, we spotted two coyotes about a quarter mile away sitting in an arroyo watching us. He asked if I thought that I could hit one of them and of course I said that I could.
I brought my rifle case and within was a 24" 5.56 Wylde barrel on a lower that I had built. I had a Magpul PSR Gen 3 stock and a 6-24x56mm scope. I was shooting Sierra 75 gr MK bullets pushed by Win 748 powder. I use printed Range/DOPE cards. It was about 90F, no wind, low humidity, and the Sun was to my right.
I stepped out of the passenger side of his truck, leaving the door open, and pulled out my rifle and laid it across the hood ofvthe truck (bipod). I lasered the closest dog at 463 yds...his wingman was at 466 yards. I was shooting slightly depressed, into an arroyo with a high, far-side. I knew the second dog would run up the slope at the first shot.
I dialed in 465 yards, pulled the trigger and killed the first dog and quickly swung up on the Second running dog...led him a body length and killed him, too. It was 4-5 seconds from first shot to 2nd kill. To be honest...I was surprised but I didn't show it. I just cleared my rifle and recased it.
The rancher simply said, "Come shoot when ever you wish." And I did.
P.S. I don't want a new rifle barrel. Just wanted to share. Hooaah
On the first day that I met the rancher to ask permission to do some coyote hunting, he took me on a guided-tour and pointed out some of the interesting features of the ranch...old buildings, a pond, a creek, a couple of draws.
He was concerned about my shooting abilities since I would be shooting amongst his herd...and there were about 20 wolves in the area collared by Fish & Game. He didn't want me shooting any I'd his cattle or any of the wolves.
I provided my boni fides and answered his questions honestly. About an hour into the tour, we spotted two coyotes about a quarter mile away sitting in an arroyo watching us. He asked if I thought that I could hit one of them and of course I said that I could.
I brought my rifle case and within was a 24" 5.56 Wylde barrel on a lower that I had built. I had a Magpul PSR Gen 3 stock and a 6-24x56mm scope. I was shooting Sierra 75 gr MK bullets pushed by Win 748 powder. I use printed Range/DOPE cards. It was about 90F, no wind, low humidity, and the Sun was to my right.
I stepped out of the passenger side of his truck, leaving the door open, and pulled out my rifle and laid it across the hood ofvthe truck (bipod). I lasered the closest dog at 463 yds...his wingman was at 466 yards. I was shooting slightly depressed, into an arroyo with a high, far-side. I knew the second dog would run up the slope at the first shot.
I dialed in 465 yards, pulled the trigger and killed the first dog and quickly swung up on the Second running dog...led him a body length and killed him, too. It was 4-5 seconds from first shot to 2nd kill. To be honest...I was surprised but I didn't show it. I just cleared my rifle and recased it.
The rancher simply said, "Come shoot when ever you wish." And I did.
P.S. I don't want a new rifle barrel. Just wanted to share. Hooaah
I honed my shooting and reloading skills on groundhogs in Southern Ontario at 26 years old. My friend and I both shot some benchrest and hunted together and both used 220 Swift cartridges-my gun a Ruger M77 varmint barrel with a 20X Lyman scope. Our best day was 63 groundhogs between us. I also had a Sako 243 L579 Forester with a Canjar set trigger of 4 ounce pull which I used on windy days. The most memorable kill was in Nova Scotia, the first day of the deer hunt. It was a cool morning, grass still green and lush and the sun was just rising, still fairly dark. A few miles from my friends house, he stopped the truck. He instructed my to go up a long hill and have a look-so I did. I walked up scanning the hillside left to right, back and forth for for shapes. I saw a bucks head pop up above the horizon from feeding to look around at about 400 yards. I froze. The deer dropped his head and continued to graze. He did not see me as I was in the hills shadow. I crouched down and walked up the hillside in the tall timothy grass stealthily crouching lower and lower as I got nearer. The deer popped his head up a few times to look around and each time i froze as my head was visible to the deer. I had a tall bipod, but the grass was too high to take the shot. I got within 250 yds and took the shot kneeling and using the 4 oz trigger. I heard the thud echo, but he ran. I decided to go up and look for the deer but he was nowhere to be seen or at least closeby. I scanned the field quickly and saw an odd shape in the shadows. I turned up the scope to 12 power. It was what appeared to be a deer standing front legs on a small rise on an angle. I took a standing shot and again with the set trigger at 150 yds. He ran off. I decided to go back to the truck, have a cigarette, calm down and give the deer a chance to bleed out rather than chase them deeper into the woods if they were just injured. I said to my hunting mate-i could have one, two or no deer in the field up on the hilltop. We walked up together and found both deer just inside the tree line, both heart shots. We were back at his house by 8:00 in the morning sharing a shot of his secret scotch with big smiles on our faces and a swelling of my chest for 2 great shots. Many dont have those kind of lifetime experiences and if they do, its heartwarming to remember them one more time.
Showing up to the range with my AR-10 IN .308 WIN. Was loaded with 168 hornady HPBT. I was talking trash to some guys on the line saying it was all dialed in, they said BS. So I took it out the case and spun the knobs up and first shot hit a 3" swinging target at 600yrds.
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Setup: 1979, Grafenwohr West Germany, gunner on an M60A1 Tank. Night tank gunnery, table 8.
Situation: One of the things we were graded on was ammo conversation. Unfortunately I had fired 1 too many main gun rounds during the day phase due to a 50 cal machine gun jam at the tank commanders station. When the gun jammed, I sent a main gun round into the troops in the open. We got credit for the kill, but were on our way to not doing well due to main gun ammo expendature.
Analysis: After several hours of watching the tanks in front of me, I realized that on one of the engagements with a stationary tank and a moving tank, that on occasion, the moving tank would be in front of the stationary tank. Could I get lucky?
The Shot: All of the shots were first round hits as we pulled up to the two tank scenario. We had talked about it, the crew knew the time limit. When the clock started, the tank commander would count down the time. The loader would have the main gun loaded with the first round and be holding the second round ready.
The control tower call out, 2 tanks direct front, one moving one stationary, engage. The tank commander starts the count down, I lay the sights just short of the stationary tank and wait. The mover is going from right to left, looked damn slow to me. The tank commander screamed into his mike to fire, but I held, all I needed was another second. I yelled "On The Way" and squeezed the firing button on my Cadillac control. We watched the sabot round go through the moving target and then go through the stationary target. Target target, cease fire.
Debrief: At the after action briefing, the range officer declined to give us credit for 2 kills with one round. I reminded the officer that we had been told that our sabot rounds would go through way more steel that those 2 targets represented, or was that a lie?
We got the credit.
Situation: One of the things we were graded on was ammo conversation. Unfortunately I had fired 1 too many main gun rounds during the day phase due to a 50 cal machine gun jam at the tank commanders station. When the gun jammed, I sent a main gun round into the troops in the open. We got credit for the kill, but were on our way to not doing well due to main gun ammo expendature.
Analysis: After several hours of watching the tanks in front of me, I realized that on one of the engagements with a stationary tank and a moving tank, that on occasion, the moving tank would be in front of the stationary tank. Could I get lucky?
The Shot: All of the shots were first round hits as we pulled up to the two tank scenario. We had talked about it, the crew knew the time limit. When the clock started, the tank commander would count down the time. The loader would have the main gun loaded with the first round and be holding the second round ready.
The control tower call out, 2 tanks direct front, one moving one stationary, engage. The tank commander starts the count down, I lay the sights just short of the stationary tank and wait. The mover is going from right to left, looked damn slow to me. The tank commander screamed into his mike to fire, but I held, all I needed was another second. I yelled "On The Way" and squeezed the firing button on my Cadillac control. We watched the sabot round go through the moving target and then go through the stationary target. Target target, cease fire.
Debrief: At the after action briefing, the range officer declined to give us credit for 2 kills with one round. I reminded the officer that we had been told that our sabot rounds would go through way more steel that those 2 targets represented, or was that a lie?
We got the credit.
Hadn't shot past 200 yards in my life but wanted to get into long range. Went to a shoot near my house just to see what it was all about and someone let me jump on their rifle, a Bergara Premier in 308. I ended up getting two hits with two shots at 684 yards. Thats the day I got hooked and within a few weeks I had my own rifle built out and was making hits at 1100. Not the most glamorous or long shots, but its what got me addicted.
So I am going to go in another direction.
I drove about 6 hours to a IPSC National Match. Myself and the guy that got me into it were sponsored and traveled together. It was over 90 degrees out.
First stage I am first shooter, shoot targets, reload, shoot targets again.BEEP adrenaline kicks in Bam bam, bam bam, bam bam, drop mag BAM AD first stage, only one I ever had.
Next 10 hours walking around watching everyone else shoot, sweating miserable day.
I drove about 6 hours to a IPSC National Match. Myself and the guy that got me into it were sponsored and traveled together. It was over 90 degrees out.
First stage I am first shooter, shoot targets, reload, shoot targets again.BEEP adrenaline kicks in Bam bam, bam bam, bam bam, drop mag BAM AD first stage, only one I ever had.
Next 10 hours walking around watching everyone else shoot, sweating miserable day.
Wedding day............
My wife was on her knees. Right between the eyes. Movies are made about shots like that
My wife was on her knees. Right between the eyes. Movies are made about shots like that
My most memorable shot is when i befriended a complete stranger just outside of Jean Nevada who also liked to shoot long range. We took turns spotting each other for a while, then he set up his 2/3 size ipsc target at 1250 yards. I nailed it with my factory r700 and my hand loaded 175 smk. Shot with him a few more times a couple weekends, then our jobs sent on our own ways. I have a video but don’t know how to post it here.
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May, 2023- best friend and I went to New Zealand to hunt Tahr and Chamois. The day prior hiked up this mountain stalking these Tahr that we could not get a shot on. We would walk, catch our breaths, the Tahr would effortlessly leap across the mountain. Felt like we were walking to Mordor in the Lord of the Ring movies. Friend and I both injured ourselves on the way back down (messed up my shoulder after I almost fell off a cliff, buddy twisted his ankle). After a welcomed good nights rest, the next morning a chopper dropped us off on the side of another mountain (I am a little fearful of helicopters until this trip). Get off the chopper, started walking, guide and I saw this Tahr about 400 yards out sprinting HARD towards us. Can still hear the hoofbeats when I think about the hunt. I set up my Savage 110 Tactical Hunter chambered in .300 Win Mag and running Federal Ascent Polymer tip 200 grain. Glass is a Vortex Viper PST II 3-15. Had just used this rifle to take down two wildebeest, a blesbok and an impala the year prior in South Africa, all 200-500 yard range. Needless to say, I trust the rifle, its sub-MOA all day long. Fire first shot - it’s a high angle shot going up the mountain, wind sheer with the mountain elevation and a moving target- I miss. Tahr is closing fast and starts to quarter away as it’s running. 200 yards out, I couldn’t get the shot while resting on my pack. I stood up, held over, and shot it off hand- put it right on the shoulder and the mighty Tahr went down. My trusty .Savage 110 got the job done. Was a physically tough hunt, beautiful scenery and truly worth every minute. Later that night, I called my wife back home and found out that she was pregnant with our now 18 month old little girl after we had been trying for a long time and had faced uphill battles. Was the most amazing hunt and shot of my life; will never forget it. Funny thing is I finally got the taxidermy Back this week (looks great next to my wildebeest from SA in 2022!)
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This happened in the summer of 2013 (don't remember the exact date).
I had just got my gun licence and purchased a 1951 Tula Arsenal SKS as my first firearm. One weekend, I went to the range with some Chinese surplus 123 grain 7.62x39mm ammo to practice more. By this point, I had shot my rifle enough to know that 4 inch groups were pretty much the norm with these rifles.
The guy shooting beside me had a really nice Toz 22lr bolt action with iron sights. At the 100 yard line, he hung a piece of cast iron pipe that was about 2 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. He challenged me to hit it with the SKS. I took him up on it, but was doubtful that I would hit it. It's a pretty small target at that range, especially with iron sights. I got as steady as possible on the bench, took aim, and fired. Buddy started laughing almost immediately. I asked him what happened and he said that I hit it on the first shot and half of it fell to the ground. I laughed and said to him "GTF out of here". We announced a cease fire, put the green flag up, and went down range. Sure enough, he was right. I hit the pipe almost right in the center and cut it in half. I was still in disbelief because I was new at the time and never expected that level of accuracy with a surplus rifle.
When we got back to the shooting table, I looked down at the SKS on the shooting table and knew she was a keeper.
I had just got my gun licence and purchased a 1951 Tula Arsenal SKS as my first firearm. One weekend, I went to the range with some Chinese surplus 123 grain 7.62x39mm ammo to practice more. By this point, I had shot my rifle enough to know that 4 inch groups were pretty much the norm with these rifles.
The guy shooting beside me had a really nice Toz 22lr bolt action with iron sights. At the 100 yard line, he hung a piece of cast iron pipe that was about 2 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. He challenged me to hit it with the SKS. I took him up on it, but was doubtful that I would hit it. It's a pretty small target at that range, especially with iron sights. I got as steady as possible on the bench, took aim, and fired. Buddy started laughing almost immediately. I asked him what happened and he said that I hit it on the first shot and half of it fell to the ground. I laughed and said to him "GTF out of here". We announced a cease fire, put the green flag up, and went down range. Sure enough, he was right. I hit the pipe almost right in the center and cut it in half. I was still in disbelief because I was new at the time and never expected that level of accuracy with a surplus rifle.
When we got back to the shooting table, I looked down at the SKS on the shooting table and knew she was a keeper.
I was 12 years old at the time, on my first hunting trip in Wyoming with my dad and his long time friend Monte. It was 2 degrees outside and snowing on the outskirts of the small town of Hulet Wyoming. We were watching a nice little 5 point grazing and decided to make an attempt. We spooked him and he started running straight away from us and Monte instructed me to aim for the back of the head. I touched off on the trigger offhand on a shot that was approximately 250 yards while the buck was in a dead sprint straight away. Dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Upon finding his body we were all bewildered at the lack of entry or exit wound and no blood whatsoever. Turns out I had performed a "Texas Heart Shot". The bullet traveled right up his butt and exploded his heart, without ruining a single steak. To this day my nickname is Bungholio.
About 6 years ago I had just gotten my first bolt gun. My local range went to 400 yards. An old timer helped me get sighted in. I got bored with 400 and joined a long distance range about an hour from my house. I had to qualify to use the tower to attempt the mile although I knew I didn’t have enough scope base to hit it. The range master worked me out to 800 and got frustrated because I couldn’t hit. After about 6 shots he played back video and realized I was shooting a 1 hole group with a Ruger precision .308. With sierra match kings 168g factory ammo. I never hit the mile but I got really good out to 1000. All this from a novice. It really got me into the sport and I’m so glad I stuck with it.
THIS one is my favorite story.
12 years oldyour kida girl650 yard hunting shot➠ ALL 4
are very cool!But together — unbeatable!
Congrats on being a good father that would do that with his daughter!
Not many have a chance to achieve even 2 of these
. Getting all 4
is like 4 aces!! 
Matthias
When I was 10 years old my dad and I were shooting at flying dragonflies w an iron sighted 22 lr bolt action. Front sight bead had snapped off many years prior on my grandfather’s rifle, just a hint of the front sight post remained. The rear sight elevation ramp was removed so you could get a sight picture. I never hit one but dad went three for three!
Both my grandfather and my dad have passed. I still have that rifle and I bought a replacement front sight 15+ years ago but I just can’t bring myself to remove the broken one!
Both my grandfather and my dad have passed. I still have that rifle and I bought a replacement front sight 15+ years ago but I just can’t bring myself to remove the broken one!
Took this P.D. years ago with a XP-100 in 243AI, it was my few seconds of fame as it was in the Berger catalog later that year
Not the longest shot of my life, as those were in the Army back in the day... Back around the turn of the century I was still living out north of Kansas City. Missouri is a great state but has a stupid short long gun deer season of only around 8-10 days. I hadn't even seen so much as a track in any of the properties I was fortunate enough to hunt. The last afternoon of the gun season my best friend asked me to cover a field of terraces being harvested out of corn. Should have jumped at least a couple of deer, but nothing at all. Right at twilight, the last of the light was coming thru my 7 power single post old EuroLux scope on my old LH Remington 700 .270. Lying on one of the top terraces, I thought I saw a shadow in my scope. At the far end of the lower edge of the field a large doe had stepped out from a huge brush pile below the terraces. I tried to range it, but was past my rangefinder limit. It was well beyond anything I've ever considered as ethical. But having not taken a deer or even a shot on a deer in 2 seasons I needed to put meat in the freezer. My best fast estimate was just shy of 500 yards and with the light failing, I put the barely trackable post roughly 4 feet over her neck where her back would be if I got her to stop. I blew out a loud breath and she froze so I squeezed off the shot. She hunched, took 2 steps and fell over. I sat there stunned but truly thankful. My friends came up in the growing dark both asking who shot as they were in the fields to the north and west of me. When I told them it was me and where I shot they laughed as we got in the truck to go look. I stopped halfway to range the real distance and it was 462 yards. She took one 140 grn Sierra GameKing handload to the neck. Just thankful for a lifetime of practice, patience and timing. Now in Georgia all my shots have been well under 100 yards, but at least I made one once...
My first hunting trip, with my father in law. All I had was my stock precision rifle in .260 Remington.
Went out early in the morning, were in a stand in the trees for three hours. Just when we had given up hope, an 8 point buck comes walking out.
Of course I also had a high powered scope on the rifle, but I tried to lead the deer to kill him.
One shot, through the neck, just dropped him. Most exciting moment in my life, probably. Haven’t killed another deer since
Went out early in the morning, were in a stand in the trees for three hours. Just when we had given up hope, an 8 point buck comes walking out.
Of course I also had a high powered scope on the rifle, but I tried to lead the deer to kill him.
One shot, through the neck, just dropped him. Most exciting moment in my life, probably. Haven’t killed another deer since
376 yard shot at a small bird with a Reminton 700 HB in .223 Remington caliber.
55gr nosler BT at 3050fps. Leupold 6.5-20x40 EFR Target dot reticle. Timney trigger 2lb pull weight. One witness. Had to be luck!
55gr nosler BT at 3050fps. Leupold 6.5-20x40 EFR Target dot reticle. Timney trigger 2lb pull weight. One witness. Had to be luck!
My first coyote...
Now to begin this story the moto I had at the time was; if at first you dont succeed....reload... I had just turned 16 and me and my brother were driving out to the ranch during our winter break from school. We waddled out into the snow to try and shoot the elusive coyotes that have managed to dodge our bullets like they do in the matrix. I was carrying my grandfathers Ruger mk77 in 270 win with a classic 4x leupold scope and 4 cartridges in the rifle... my brother had my 1909 Argentine Mauser with 2 bandoliers worth or stripper clips. We headed out to the frontlines where we knew we seen coyotes near the cattle every day and had fresh snow. Eventually I see one at 300 yards to my inexperienced eye and I begin launching 270s at it with piss poor precision.. well my indirect fire caused another coyote to run out of the trees right pass my brother who began his volley of fire at the coyote and nailed it trhu the hind legs and its tinder bits. It continued on like the wounded dog it was and attempted to climb the barbed wire fence.. At this point I was out of ammunition and butt hurt my brother shot a coyote.. He kept missing the coyote as it tried to climb the fence so as he fumbled to reload the old mauser with a striper clip. I took the rifle and clip from his hands and began another volley of fire strikeing it 2 times... it flops over the fence and serpentines thru the 3' of fresh snow trying to get away from the joke of shooters we are. We chase it down with a single round left in the mauser, me now haveing a asthma attack layed in the snow 10' away from the coyote who was cornered at the other fence 300 yards away from where we originally shot it.... As I caught my breathe I walked up to this mutilated coyote... My brother who had so much faith in my shooting abilities told me If I missed he had a knife to finish of the coyote. Fortunately I was smart enough just to lay the barrel 4" from its ear and finished the job... we drug it home like we found bigfoot as if you knew how much ammunition we have used up to get one was a huge deal for us and my grandfather got it tanned with 9 bullet holes in it from a 7.65 mauser... Not a very snipery shot but we didn't really have great teacher at a young age. Once I had a real job got into prs and now the shit shows are not as horrific...
Now to begin this story the moto I had at the time was; if at first you dont succeed....reload... I had just turned 16 and me and my brother were driving out to the ranch during our winter break from school. We waddled out into the snow to try and shoot the elusive coyotes that have managed to dodge our bullets like they do in the matrix. I was carrying my grandfathers Ruger mk77 in 270 win with a classic 4x leupold scope and 4 cartridges in the rifle... my brother had my 1909 Argentine Mauser with 2 bandoliers worth or stripper clips. We headed out to the frontlines where we knew we seen coyotes near the cattle every day and had fresh snow. Eventually I see one at 300 yards to my inexperienced eye and I begin launching 270s at it with piss poor precision.. well my indirect fire caused another coyote to run out of the trees right pass my brother who began his volley of fire at the coyote and nailed it trhu the hind legs and its tinder bits. It continued on like the wounded dog it was and attempted to climb the barbed wire fence.. At this point I was out of ammunition and butt hurt my brother shot a coyote.. He kept missing the coyote as it tried to climb the fence so as he fumbled to reload the old mauser with a striper clip. I took the rifle and clip from his hands and began another volley of fire strikeing it 2 times... it flops over the fence and serpentines thru the 3' of fresh snow trying to get away from the joke of shooters we are. We chase it down with a single round left in the mauser, me now haveing a asthma attack layed in the snow 10' away from the coyote who was cornered at the other fence 300 yards away from where we originally shot it.... As I caught my breathe I walked up to this mutilated coyote... My brother who had so much faith in my shooting abilities told me If I missed he had a knife to finish of the coyote. Fortunately I was smart enough just to lay the barrel 4" from its ear and finished the job... we drug it home like we found bigfoot as if you knew how much ammunition we have used up to get one was a huge deal for us and my grandfather got it tanned with 9 bullet holes in it from a 7.65 mauser... Not a very snipery shot but we didn't really have great teacher at a young age. Once I had a real job got into prs and now the shit shows are not as horrific...
I just spent 15 min typing out this epic story and when I opened the photo to add it the thread refreshed and it disappeared. Man. But anyway here’s a retyped short version.
On my birthday, on a beautiful, perfect fall morning I took this big 14 point whitetail in the Ozarks (they count all the points in Missouri)
Perfect shot, dropped him DRT.
LaRue Black & Tan 6.5 Grendel with a vortex optic.
On my birthday, on a beautiful, perfect fall morning I took this big 14 point whitetail in the Ozarks (they count all the points in Missouri)
Perfect shot, dropped him DRT.
LaRue Black & Tan 6.5 Grendel with a vortex optic.
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I had recently become a member at K&M, and one day I decided to bring my wife as a guest. We get there and there's a thunderstorm blowing in- so a bunch of rain and wind. I setup my 300 PRC to shoot at a reduced elk silhouette at 1000yd, and she gets down behind it. Told her to hold a bit into the wind, and she proceeds to make a perfect cold bore shot at 1000yd. Then she makes 6 other hits without missing. It was her first time shooting long range, and she was surprised how easy it was. I was very pleased!
“The Ridge Shot” – Told by Me
So there I was, five days deep into the backcountry, solo. Just me, my gear, and the kind of silence that presses in on your ears. I was up past my favorite Ridge — way out where nobody hikes unless they’re trying to find something they can’t explain.
I’d been grinding every day. Boots soaked, lungs on fire. Passed on a couple spikes, a cow, even had a decent five-by-six at 400 yards on day three, but something told me to hold off. Call it instinct, call it stubbornness — I wanted the bull.
Anyway, morning of day five, I’m glassing from this nasty little rock ledge, sun just starting to come up, fog rolling off the trees like breath. That’s when I saw him.
Big boy. Real big.
Standing across the canyon, damn near glowing in the light. Rack like a rocking chair. Easy 360-class. He’s broadside, calm, no clue I’m even on the mountain.
I range him.
1,371 yards.
And I just laugh. Like, out loud. Not because it’s funny — just because it’s stupid. That’s not a shot, man. That’s a NASA mission.
But I start doing the math anyway, because... why not?
I shoot a 7mm Rem Mag — custom-built it myself over the years. Bartlein barrel, hand-loaded 168 grain Berger VLDs, zeroed to hell and back. I know the rifle. I know my data. And the wind that morning? Dead flat. Like the mountain was holding its breath for me.
So I lay down, dial everything out, and then I remember thinking, if I screw this up, nobody will ever know — except me.
So I breathe. I squeeze.
Boom.
Recoil rocks me. I cycle the bolt without even thinking. Look back through the scope — the bull’s still standing there.
Then... his legs go stiff. He wobbles. Drops.
Stone. Cold. Dead.
I just laid there for a second, like... did that really just happen?
Took me nearly five hours to get over there. Hiked around the canyon, nearly lost my footing twice. When I finally got to him, it was real. Hit him right through the lungs — clean as it gets. That bullet did exactly what it was supposed to do.
I just stood there, hand on his antler, not saying anything. No whooping, no photos, just... quiet.
Because that shot? That wasn’t luck.
That was everything—every missed shot, every busted stalk, every hour at the range—coming together in that one moment.
You ever make a shot like that? you don’t brag.
You don’t need to.
You just pack the meat, hike out, and when someone asks how the hunt went?
You smile and say,
“It was just the one.”
So there I was, five days deep into the backcountry, solo. Just me, my gear, and the kind of silence that presses in on your ears. I was up past my favorite Ridge — way out where nobody hikes unless they’re trying to find something they can’t explain.
I’d been grinding every day. Boots soaked, lungs on fire. Passed on a couple spikes, a cow, even had a decent five-by-six at 400 yards on day three, but something told me to hold off. Call it instinct, call it stubbornness — I wanted the bull.
Anyway, morning of day five, I’m glassing from this nasty little rock ledge, sun just starting to come up, fog rolling off the trees like breath. That’s when I saw him.
Big boy. Real big.
Standing across the canyon, damn near glowing in the light. Rack like a rocking chair. Easy 360-class. He’s broadside, calm, no clue I’m even on the mountain.
I range him.
1,371 yards.
And I just laugh. Like, out loud. Not because it’s funny — just because it’s stupid. That’s not a shot, man. That’s a NASA mission.
But I start doing the math anyway, because... why not?
I shoot a 7mm Rem Mag — custom-built it myself over the years. Bartlein barrel, hand-loaded 168 grain Berger VLDs, zeroed to hell and back. I know the rifle. I know my data. And the wind that morning? Dead flat. Like the mountain was holding its breath for me.
So I lay down, dial everything out, and then I remember thinking, if I screw this up, nobody will ever know — except me.
So I breathe. I squeeze.
Boom.
Recoil rocks me. I cycle the bolt without even thinking. Look back through the scope — the bull’s still standing there.
Then... his legs go stiff. He wobbles. Drops.
Stone. Cold. Dead.
I just laid there for a second, like... did that really just happen?
Took me nearly five hours to get over there. Hiked around the canyon, nearly lost my footing twice. When I finally got to him, it was real. Hit him right through the lungs — clean as it gets. That bullet did exactly what it was supposed to do.
I just stood there, hand on his antler, not saying anything. No whooping, no photos, just... quiet.
Because that shot? That wasn’t luck.
That was everything—every missed shot, every busted stalk, every hour at the range—coming together in that one moment.
You ever make a shot like that? you don’t brag.
You don’t need to.
You just pack the meat, hike out, and when someone asks how the hunt went?
You smile and say,
“It was just the one.”
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