Bow shooting better than rifle
- Thread starter sniperjwt
- Start date
Great shooting Pal, though i don't think bows can shoot better than rifles..but IMO preference is everything.
I think that's more the shooter than the bow.
Been doing quite a bit of practice this summer with my PSE Evo at some extended distances. What I have found interesting is that I have shot several groups like this one in the video that are as good as I can shoot a rifle offhand at this distance with a scope.
No bow ever made could or can shoot better than any rifle at 110 yards.
On the other hand, some people either shoot their bows really well or their rifles very poorly, either way the groups from both will look about the same. A 4 1/2 inch rifle group at 110 yards from an offhand position isn't very good. Don't get me wrong, it's probably very common among most people but to anybody that ever competed or that practices from the offhand it's not that great.
On the other hand, some people either shoot their bows really well or their rifles very poorly, either way the groups from both will look about the same. A 4 1/2 inch rifle group at 110 yards from an offhand position isn't very good. Don't get me wrong, it's probably very common among most people but to anybody that ever competed or that practices from the offhand it's not that great.
xswanted
Gold $$ Contributor
I used to shot a pile of FITA back a few years ago. When I was in the mix of things, at 90 meters shooting sub 5” groups was normal with a bow. Firing 6 arrows per end.
At the same time in life I was still shooting rifle silhouette as well.
I decided to give it a try to see if I could, in fact shoot a better offhand group with the rifle than the bow.
The results were pretty well inconclusive.
I shot a few groups better with the bow then I’d shoot a few better with the rifle.
It is quite amazing however how accurate a bow can be at that range.
I know which one is easier to hold steady!
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Years ago around here, our archery club would challenge the police pistol team to a shoot-off, and routinely win. 25 yd bullseye pistol I believe.
I used to shoot amazing groups with my older bows. Not so much with these newer, shorter, twitchier bows.
jd
I used to shoot amazing groups with my older bows. Not so much with these newer, shorter, twitchier bows.
jdwedgy
Gold $$ Contributor
I had been regularly shooting 6" five shot groups at 100 yards with my hunting bow so I was very comfortable taking a 67 yards shot at a pig. I hit a little bit high in that "no vital zone" above the lungs but after watching it in slow motion video the pig had ducked the string. They call it jumping the string but they actually splay their legs out first lowering themselves, then they jump. So while long shots are very doable on targets you have a high probability of the animal moving during the time of flight. We tracked that pig over 2 miles and finally found him bedded in a rock pile. Actually I lost the trail at the rocks and he charged out at my buddy who was blasting away with his 9mm while running away. We do have some big pigs in CA
edit; I have not shot my bow since I had shoulder surgery in December, I now have 5 of the anchors in there and it looks like a shark bit me on the shoulder. I'm back to 50lb dumbells, push ups and pull ups and am going to shoot my bow any day now but its over 100F here every day so I'm not that motivated. Same goes for the salt bath annealer....it's hot enough, why make it hotter ?
edit; I have not shot my bow since I had shoulder surgery in December, I now have 5 of the anchors in there and it looks like a shark bit me on the shoulder. I'm back to 50lb dumbells, push ups and pull ups and am going to shoot my bow any day now but its over 100F here every day so I'm not that motivated. Same goes for the salt bath annealer....it's hot enough, why make it hotter ?
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Ok I'll join in.
In 97 I was ranked #3 Oregon state indoor
1st leg of the triple crown
Shooting fingers and pins.
Use to shoot at dime sized spots for cash at 20 yards.
Aim small miss small.
That was 22 years ago...
5 days ago I blew the dust off my Bowtech, first time I had shot it since killing my buck last year.
Grabbed arrows off of my Hoyts quiver "different broadhead " and took 1 shot at 15yds to confirm... bullseye!
3 @20 all bullseyes
Same at 40 and 50 yards.
It was like I'd been shooting all year.
Now I practice all the way out to about 75yards, and really put the shots in there, but I'll never shoot at an animal past 50 yards.
As stated above the pig jumped the string I'm not willing to risk it.
I've had a rag horn bull jump the string at 40yds and that's a big ol target.
In 97 I was ranked #3 Oregon state indoor
1st leg of the triple crown
Shooting fingers and pins.
Use to shoot at dime sized spots for cash at 20 yards.
Aim small miss small.
That was 22 years ago...
5 days ago I blew the dust off my Bowtech, first time I had shot it since killing my buck last year.
Grabbed arrows off of my Hoyts quiver "different broadhead " and took 1 shot at 15yds to confirm... bullseye!
3 @20 all bullseyes
Same at 40 and 50 yards.
It was like I'd been shooting all year.
Now I practice all the way out to about 75yards, and really put the shots in there, but I'll never shoot at an animal past 50 yards.
As stated above the pig jumped the string I'm not willing to risk it.
I've had a rag horn bull jump the string at 40yds and that's a big ol target.
The story there would be a few things:
1) Like myself, you have spent a lot time sending arrows with intent.
2) Unlike myself, you have not spent a lot of time shooting rifles offhand with intent.
3) You are pretty good with the arrows, but not so good with the bullets.
4) That may be near the accuracy potential of your bow, but you should shoot rifles more if you want to use a 1/2 inch rifle to shoot better-than-paper-plate at 100 meters.
5) I found that offhand rifle was very crossable in skill to the bow, and vv. So there's that step up already there for you, if you want it.
Good shootin,
-Nate
1) Like myself, you have spent a lot time sending arrows with intent.
2) Unlike myself, you have not spent a lot of time shooting rifles offhand with intent.
3) You are pretty good with the arrows, but not so good with the bullets.
4) That may be near the accuracy potential of your bow, but you should shoot rifles more if you want to use a 1/2 inch rifle to shoot better-than-paper-plate at 100 meters.
5) I found that offhand rifle was very crossable in skill to the bow, and vv. So there's that step up already there for you, if you want it.
Good shootin,
-Nate
I am better with bullets than arrows but seeing an arrow go out and hit a target is more fun than seeing bullet holes in paper. I like to shoot rodents & steel targets and arrows would not see much of an application for that. What is the max range for an arrow? I might guess somewhat less than 300 yards. Some Norman archer put an arrow through king Harold's eye a long time ago. When ever I think of arrows it is twang, zip, thunk vs. bang, zip, splat.
MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
Sniper: Nice shooting xs: For me a vertical bow is hands down easier to hold steady than a fire arm. Also thank you for providing me a diversion. I need a diversion as my new barrel has sucked me into neck turning. Rookie at it so I have to go back and take more off all them puppies, aaaaaaaarggg!! I currently live in Washington state, the arcane laws here force me to choose archery for deer hunting. Neck issues have forced me to switch to a crossbow. Picked up a Ravin. Shoots pretty good. Ravin claims "rifle like accuracy". Obviously they don't follow accurateshooter. IIRC, in their ad they shoot 1" groups at 100yds. Mine will shoot close to 1" groups at 50yds. That's off a Caldwell field pod, no wind. I took a stroll and looks like the farthest distance I can get is about 95. I need to cut off some branches and do some brush cutting. I will do that and if the wind sits down, I'll try it off the field pod first. Then on account Xbow arrows aint cheap I'll do offhand second. Again, thanks for the diversion. Mike
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
We called a coyote one time, and I started missing him at fifty yards or so. Finally dumped him with my last shot at around 300.
Told my partner that I was always better on the long shots. He wasn't buyin it. jd
MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
Do you get much flack from the archery "purists" about your vids?Been doing quite a bit of practice this summer with my PSE Evo at some extended distances. What I have found interesting is that I have shot several groups like this one in the video that are as good as I can shoot a rifle offhand at this distance with a scope.
Either one is a perishable item. If you don't use it, you lose it. It's been a long time since I've shot a bow at over 100 yards, but I used to be able to rock it. When I practice my 100 and 200 yard offhand rifle shooting I'm pleased with my results. Positional shooting is important to practice, at least to me it is. Good job sniperjwt.
I don’t post it on the dedicated archery sites. Only on here and FB but it is a YouTube video so I’m sure some will run across it at some point.
Long bows are not an option for me, bad shoulder. I have shot to 80 yards with my Xbow, Ghost 420, and couldn't believe how long it took for the bolt to get there. The accuracy was certainly adequate in calm conditions. I liked 60 yards as my maximum but only ever needed 50. This of course only applies to hunting accuracy.
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