"I don't shoot paper"

[Wolfdog91]

So seems about every other time I go to the public range I end up having the same conversation with some one. I'll be testing loads and pulling targets to have someone next to me look over and at my targets start talking about me shooting groups. I usually have to explain what I'm looking for in a good groups ( basically just saying most mean I want a clover leaf or all five under a 1" group @100yd) which usually seems to irk most deer hunters the wrong way .They'll poke their chests out and say something along the lines of " Well I don't shoot paper past zeroing ! I'm a hunter I shoot live game not targets!" Like what do y'all say to that ? I always just kinda shrug like "mmmmmkay that's neat." and go back to testing. Like I hunt and I'm sorry but to me the shots I see most average hunters make dont really fill me with a ton of admiration. Like I personally like to put my round exactly where I want as best as possible and most of these guys are perfectly happy if there within 4" of the bull @100yd so idk lol.

 

[Jareds]

Well you could respond to them “ You must be really proud of yourself and I’m sure someday someone will write a book about you and your special live game skills until then shut up and go away. But I suppose that might be a tiny bit snarky.

 

[Spoonbill]

I got a buddy thats almost the same way. Best I can figure is they are cheapskates and hate "wasting ammo". No more than he shoots he is a heckuva shot though

 

[Downeast]

We've humbled a few "hunters" on our range who say they can hit a gnat in the butt at a 100 yards and end up not being able to hit a barn from the inside.

I usually tell them that I like guns and shooting and hunting season is only a few months out of the year.

 

[rwj]

I simply say “you do you, I do me”…

 

[Adam in WI]

Smile and ignore him next time. Pretend you're deaf. Maybe learn a minimum of sign language just to screw with them...

 

[Walt Krafft]

That is one reason I built my own range.

 

[brokeasajoke]

They're just jealous they can't shoot as good as you, don't know how to bring a rifles potential out, or their rifle is a piece and won't admit it. I stink, my hand loading stinks and I have rifles that just stink but y'all are helping me along the way.

 

[PigButtons]

Some chefs cut up their chicken with a cleaver, some with a filet knife, others still with a paring knife. As long as the dish tastes good, who cares how it was cut.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I have a Savage model 11 in 243, it always puts the first 2 shots 1" high, 1" right. And I mean always. So, I aim accordingly. It is strictly a hunting rifle and I know what it does, so for me it is OK.
Now my BR guns, well that is a different story.

PS I usually don't listen to the guys that show up twice a year. Once to sight in and once to see why they missed.

 

[Daddymac]

Shooting groups is one thing, killing deer is another.

I agree that shooting tight groups is what we should want to do and I am in this category. I have also known people that had pie plate accuracy at 100 and killed the hell out of deer, but at least they were at the bench shooting a pie plate.

 

[Adam in WI]

I have also known people that had pie plate accuracy at 100 and killed the hell out of deer, but at least they were at the bench shooting a pie plate.

These people at least have some idea of their limitations, then. I think it takes practice and commitment to take shots on game beyond 100 yards. I've sighted in enough rifles at 100 and then been surprised at what that rifle isn't capable of at 200 or beyond, that I won't attempt shots beyond where I've practice and verified that rifle at.

 

[moondog]

I hate going to the range before hunting season! I don't hunt big game anymore, but I still shoot. It never fails, I'm braking in a new barrel, zeroing a new scope, it's hunting season. Guys will inevitably ask, what you shooting? Most have heard of or seen a BR case or a 47 case. I look at their groups and feel sorry for the animal!
I've said it to a few guys, and yes, I am an a**hole.

 

[jobhopper66]

The funny thing is that we all belong to different gun clubs but apparently we all run into the same people. There is always that guy that is struggling to keep his shots on the paper but is more than willing to dole out pointers on shooting.

 

[bluealtered]

Pie plate shooters abound everywhere. With a few exceptions these are also the same "hunters" that take that last second of daylight shot and maybe walk out to where they shot to see if there's any blood, and if so say well it's to dark to track it tonight, I'll come back tomorrow and get it. It's 50/50 if they even try to find it in the morning.
When I go to the range I am competeing with me to do better than before, I couldn't care less about the other person next to me unless they need help and then I certainly will try to help them if I can.

One of the best way I have found to not deal with these people is to be at the range at daylight, in this area that may mean 4-4:30 in the morning during the summer. The members who may be there at that time are the ones who are interested in improving their marksmanship. The B.S'ers show up between 10:00 am and 2:00pm as a rule.

 

[butchlambert]

Don't have that problem at our club.

 

[hoz53]

I simply say “you do you, I do me”…

this is it - different strokes for different folks make the world go round.

So seems about every other time I go to the public range I end up having the same conversation with some one. I'll be testing loads and pulling targets to have someone next to me look over and at my targets start talking about me shooting groups. I usually have to explain what I'm looking for in a good groups ( basically just saying most mean I want a clover leaf or all five under a 1" group @100yd) which usually seems to irk most deer hunters the wrong way .They'll poke their chests out and say something along the lines of " Well I don't shoot paper past zeroing ! I'm a hunter I shoot live game not targets!" Like what do y'all say to that ? I always just kinda shrug like "mmmmmkay that's neat." and go back to testing. Like I hunt and I'm sorry but to me the shots I see most average hunters make dont really fill me with a ton of admiration. Like I personally like to put my round exactly where I want as best as possible and most of these guys are perfectly happy if there within 4" of the bull @100yd so idk lol.

you dont have to explain anything and when someone says i dont shoot paper, I say
”Oh thats because you cant hit the paper right”. lol

 

[mikecr]

There are many shooting perspectives. The most common of them centers on the power of guns being destruction. Many folks really only want to destroy with their gun.

I've seen people (who seem well grounded otherwise) bring out painted cinder blocks, paint cans(full), bricks, glass bottles of course, watermelons, and random breakable things to shoot at. They make a holy mess.
It seems that it has to be destroyed with an impact to provide the feedback they need.

As they come an go, having shot up a bunch of ammo so quick, I'm on a far bunch firing every once in a while. When they go downrange to assess the damage they did with all that power, they might notice my single 3x5 card stapled at 200 or 300yds with a 3/4" shoot-n-see dot, and a few holes in it.
They probably think I'm completely stupid. After all, it's taken me forever to do so little damage..

Once in a while someone just has to find out what the heck I'm doing.
Sometimes I can get them to shoot my gun one time. Just hit that dot. And I give them a little shpiel about the power of accuracy. I wouldn't call it evolution, but I believe it alters their perspective.

 

[moondog]

Last fall I was at my club getting a zero on my 6.5x47. Father and Son next to me were getting ready for the season. First hunt for this kid who's dad was having him shoot his 300wm. He couldn't hit the paper plate at 100! He didn't look like he wasn't having any fun. I felt really bad for him..
I asked his dad if he could shoot my 47 a few times. He was smiling after that!!

 

[Bill K]

I hunt deer/bear every year, but once you get your animal, you are done with the hunting. So I do shoot paper and work and play with various cartridges, working up loads and shooting more, overall.
So I would just tell that party you also hunt, but by shooting paper you get to shoot more and more often, than one or two shots at a game animal and then are done for the season.
See what his reaction is then. Or just let him vent and go on you way and have fun. While he is done, if he is legal, for the year.