Self Confessions

[K22]

I've heard it said that self confession is good for the soul - I'm not sure about that.

I've had some bad days in the field hunting ghogs over the last 40+ years, fortunately not too many. Usually it's due to high cross winds or some distraction in my personal life. I have to admit at 69 years of age, my skill isn't what it use to be.

Well, I was out on Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Low 80's, winds light to non existent. They just cut the field two days again. Perfect! I set up at 3:30 PM on an "L" shaped tree line. Shots ranged from 120 yards to 250 yards from my position. Perfect for me and my heavy barrel 223 Weatherby Supervarmint master. This rifle is a 1/4 - 1/2 moa rifle with my H4895, Federal 205M primer, and Nosler 55 BT.

At about 4:15 first hog appeared, 218 yards. Very make able shot. He stood up giving me a perfect profile. I fired and missed. Twenty minutes later he appeared and I missed again. Ready rattled now wondering if the scope somehow got knock out. Ten minutes later he appeared again, crawling this time. Fired and missed again. Cursed myself for not bringing a second rifle. He disappeared - story to be continued.

Field when cold until about 6:00, crawler spotted at 240 yards. Sent the 55 Nosler and heard the classic "plunk". Hog down. I felt better but it was only temporary.

Ten minutes later one appeared at 208 yards, another crawler. Fired and missed. He disappeared in the the tree line for the evening.

Fifteen minutes later another one appeared at 221 yards. Fired and missed. This guy wasn't as smart. He came out again about ten minutes later and I missed again. Bad day, 7 shots, 1 ghog. Going down as my worst day ever.

A few minutes later one appeared at 227 yards. Another crawler, small hog, pup class. Fired and saw the tail death dance. Hog down. 8 shots, 2 hogs - not good but hopeful.

Another lull in the action. Sun dropping low in the sky. One pops up at 128 yards. Sure kill right? Wrong. He is sitting in high weeds bobbing up and down. Waited for him to some out. No deal. So I waited for him to pop up then shot. He disappeared. Figured I got him. Later when I went to check it out I learned that I missed him. At 128 yards!!! 9 shots, 2 hogs. Worse day ever!!

Guess what? The ghog I missed at 4:15 came crawling out again! The guy must have thought he was bullet proof or, more likely that the idiot with a rifle must be blind. I really took my time waited for a broad side shot. Fired and missed!! 10 shots, 2 hogs. Thinking an different hobby - bird watching maybe?

Something wrong with the rifle. Right? Next day I go to the range and fired ten shots, five at 100 yards, 5 at 200 yards. (range only goes to 200 yards). Result, 100 yards - group .456", 200 yards - group .812". Met the enemy - it's me not the rifle or scope.

Going back on Saturday - on a mission for redemption.

 

[joshb]

Hey! Ya went hunting. You bagged a couple. Better to have shot and missed than sitting at home doing chores. Years ago, I went salmon fishing in northern Canada. Long flight and expensive week. When I got there, they informed me that the ice flows were still blocking the mouth of the river and the fish couldn't get in. Fished a whole week and only caught a 6 inch brook trout.

 

[snert]

Sometimes it works for ya, sometimes against ya. But that is what is wonderful about hunting. And besides, when you go back, you know where they are!

 

[jpx2rk]

Good read, but definitely a frustrating day for sure. We've all had those type days whether its chasing the ghogs or trying to fix something around the house. At least you were out chasing the hogs. I spent the day cleaning the RV, and have another full day of it to go today.

 

[misfire]

Just like the old saying a bad day of hunting is still better than a good day at work. great story though

 

[Big Mc]

I've heard it said that self confession is good for the soul - I'm not sure about that.

I've had some bad days in the field hunting ghogs over the last 40+ years, fortunately not too many. Usually it's due to high cross winds or some distraction in my personal life. I have to admit at 69 years of age, my skill isn't what it use to be.

Well, I was out on Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Low 80's, winds light to non existent. They just cut the field two days again. Perfect! I set up at 3:30 PM on an "L" shaped tree line. Shots ranged from 120 yards to 250 yards from my position. Perfect for me and my heavy barrel 223 Weatherby Supervarmint master. This rifle is a 1/4 - 1/2 moa rifle with my H4895, Federal 205M primer, and Nosler 55 BT.

At about 4:15 first hog appeared, 218 yards. Very make able shot. He stood up giving me a perfect profile. I fired and missed. Twenty minutes later he appeared and I missed again. Ready rattled now wondering if the scope somehow got knock out. Ten minutes later he appeared again, crawling this time. Fired and missed again. Cursed myself for not bringing a second rifle. He disappeared - story to be continued.

Field when cold until about 6:00, crawler spotted at 240 yards. Sent the 55 Nosler and heard the classic "plunk". Hog down. I felt better but it was only temporary.

Ten minutes later one appeared at 208 yards, another crawler. Fired and missed. He disappeared in the the tree line for the evening.

Fifteen minutes later another one appeared at 221 yards. Fired and missed. This guy wasn't as smart. He came out again about ten minutes later and I missed again. Bad day, 7 shots, 1 ghog. Going down as my worst day ever.

A few minutes later one appeared at 227 yards. Another crawler, small hog, pup class. Fired and saw the tail death dance. Hog down. 8 shots, 2 hogs - not good but hopeful.

Another lull in the action. Sun dropping low in the sky. One pops up at 128 yards. Sure kill right? Wrong. He is sitting in high weeds bobbing up and down. Waited for him to some out. No deal. So I waited for him to pop up then shot. He disappeared. Figured I got him. Later when I went to check it out I learned that I missed him. At 128 yards!!! 9 shots, 2 hogs. Worse day ever!!

Guess what? The ghog I missed at 4:15 came crawling out again! The guy must have thought he was bullet proof or, more likely that the idiot with a rifle must be blind. I really took my time waited for a broad side shot. Fired and missed!! 10 shots, 2 hogs. Thinking an different hobby - bird watching maybe?

Something wrong with the rifle. Right? Next day I go to the range and fired ten shots, five at 100 yards, 5 at 200 yards. (range only goes to 200 yards). Result, 100 yards - group .456", 200 yards - group .812". Met the enemy - it's me not the rifle or scope.

Going back on Saturday - on a mission for redemption.

I've heard it said that self confession is good for the soul - I'm not sure about that.

I've had some bad days in the field hunting ghogs over the last 40+ years, fortunately not too many. Usually it's due to high cross winds or some distraction in my personal life. I have to admit at 69 years of age, my skill isn't what it use to be.

Well, I was out on Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Low 80's, winds light to non existent. They just cut the field two days again. Perfect! I set up at 3:30 PM on an "L" shaped tree line. Shots ranged from 120 yards to 250 yards from my position. Perfect for me and my heavy barrel 223 Weatherby Supervarmint master. This rifle is a 1/4 - 1/2 moa rifle with my H4895, Federal 205M primer, and Nosler 55 BT.

At about 4:15 first hog appeared, 218 yards. Very make able shot. He stood up giving me a perfect profile. I fired and missed. Twenty minutes later he appeared and I missed again. Ready rattled now wondering if the scope somehow got knock out. Ten minutes later he appeared again, crawling this time. Fired and missed again. Cursed myself for not bringing a second rifle. He disappeared - story to be continued.

Field when cold until about 6:00, crawler spotted at 240 yards. Sent the 55 Nosler and heard the classic "plunk". Hog down. I felt better but it was only temporary.

Ten minutes later one appeared at 208 yards, another crawler. Fired and missed. He disappeared in the the tree line for the evening.

Fifteen minutes later another one appeared at 221 yards. Fired and missed. This guy wasn't as smart. He came out again about ten minutes later and I missed again. Bad day, 7 shots, 1 ghog. Going down as my worst day ever.

A few minutes later one appeared at 227 yards. Another crawler, small hog, pup class. Fired and saw the tail death dance. Hog down. 8 shots, 2 hogs - not good but hopeful.

Another lull in the action. Sun dropping low in the sky. One pops up at 128 yards. Sure kill right? Wrong. He is sitting in high weeds bobbing up and down. Waited for him to some out. No deal. So I waited for him to pop up then shot. He disappeared. Figured I got him. Later when I went to check it out I learned that I missed him. At 128 yards!!! 9 shots, 2 hogs. Worse day ever!!

Guess what? The ghog I missed at 4:15 came crawling out again! The guy must have thought he was bullet proof or, more likely that the idiot with a rifle must be blind. I really took my time waited for a broad side shot. Fired and missed!! 10 shots, 2 hogs. Thinking an different hobby - bird watching maybe?

Something wrong with the rifle. Right? Next day I go to the range and fired ten shots, five at 100 yards, 5 at 200 yards. (range only goes to 200 yards). Result, 100 yards - group .456", 200 yards - group .812". Met the enemy - it's me not the rifle or scope.

Going back on Saturday - on a mission for redemption.

 

[Big Mc]

I be 69 myself.. Never had that happen. LOL.. Tommy Mc..

 

[ShootDots]

I am originally from Western New York State. While in Texas, I bought a Marlin .22MAG. It was phenomenally accurate! At 50 yards, it would shoot all in one tiny hole. At 100 it would shoot inside an inch. I went back to New York for a visit one summer, after the kids were out of school on summer vacation. I bought a 10 day license and went back to one of my old haunts. The people who own the dairy farm STILL remembered me from a kid! I was welcomed. One of their fields was about 80 yards or so wide and about 175 yards long. I set up in one corner on mound of grass that overlooked the entire field. Long story short, I shot 6 'chucks with 6 shots! A bit different from your story. NOW on one memorable trip, when I was a kid, where I had a 6mmRem, and was traipsing over several fields teeming with 'chucks. I shot at and missed, I don't remember how many>> But it was a substantial number! My 6mm Rem was shooting factory ammo (I was still in early high school) but it was fairly accurate for those times and factory ammo. But I shot at and missed several INSIDE 100 yards! How did that happen?

Bottom line, sometimes you can't miss and at other times you can't BUY A HIT!

 

[Shooter16]

I've heard it said that self confession is good for the soul - I'm not sure about that.

I've had some bad days in the field hunting ghogs over the last 40+ years, fortunately not too many. Usually it's due to high cross winds or some distraction in my personal life. I have to admit at 69 years of age, my skill isn't what it use to be.

Well, I was out on Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Low 80's, winds light to non existent. They just cut the field two days again. Perfect! I set up at 3:30 PM on an "L" shaped tree line. Shots ranged from 120 yards to 250 yards from my position. Perfect for me and my heavy barrel 223 Weatherby Supervarmint master. This rifle is a 1/4 - 1/2 moa rifle with my H4895, Federal 205M primer, and Nosler 55 BT.

At about 4:15 first hog appeared, 218 yards. Very make able shot. He stood up giving me a perfect profile. I fired and missed. Twenty minutes later he appeared and I missed again. Ready rattled now wondering if the scope somehow got knock out. Ten minutes later he appeared again, crawling this time. Fired and missed again. Cursed myself for not bringing a second rifle. He disappeared - story to be continued.

Field when cold until about 6:00, crawler spotted at 240 yards. Sent the 55 Nosler and heard the classic "plunk". Hog down. I felt better but it was only temporary.

Ten minutes later one appeared at 208 yards, another crawler. Fired and missed. He disappeared in the the tree line for the evening.

Fifteen minutes later another one appeared at 221 yards. Fired and missed. This guy wasn't as smart. He came out again about ten minutes later and I missed again. Bad day, 7 shots, 1 ghog. Going down as my worst day ever.

A few minutes later one appeared at 227 yards. Another crawler, small hog, pup class. Fired and saw the tail death dance. Hog down. 8 shots, 2 hogs - not good but hopeful.

Another lull in the action. Sun dropping low in the sky. One pops up at 128 yards. Sure kill right? Wrong. He is sitting in high weeds bobbing up and down. Waited for him to some out. No deal. So I waited for him to pop up then shot. He disappeared. Figured I got him. Later when I went to check it out I learned that I missed him. At 128 yards!!! 9 shots, 2 hogs. Worse day ever!!

Guess what? The ghog I missed at 4:15 came crawling out again! The guy must have thought he was bullet proof or, more likely that the idiot with a rifle must be blind. I really took my time waited for a broad side shot. Fired and missed!! 10 shots, 2 hogs. Thinking an different hobby - bird watching maybe?

Something wrong with the rifle. Right? Next day I go to the range and fired ten shots, five at 100 yards, 5 at 200 yards. (range only goes to 200 yards). Result, 100 yards - group .456", 200 yards - group .812". Met the enemy - it's me not the rifle or scope.

Going back on Saturday - on a mission for redemption.

Sounds like the wind was messing with you.

 

[P72]

Good story, before attacking the rifle and scope with a screw driver or pulling bullets check things out.
About 10 years ago I had a bunch of misses on the western version of the hog or chuck only to discover that the elevation adjustment of my Leupold scope had not been changed from the last time I shot it at 500 meters. I usually keep that particular rifle sighted in at 200 meters for the steel chicken silhouette. In any event a sight adjustment was made in time for a kill before the chucks went into their dens after looking up at wizzing bullets.

In any event I am now an old guy who needs to shoot using some type of rest.

 

[MrMajestic]

Sometimes the "gimmies" are the toughest!

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Reminds me of the story of when I had $100 on a 2 foot putt.

 

[snert]

Reminds me of the story of when I had $100 on a 2 foot putt.

Ya, I missed one at 47 yards yesterday...with a rest!

 

[Tommie]

If hits were 100% gauranteed, I'd quit shooting all together.

 

[mikeinct]

K22, make your shooting life easy...Get a nice bi-pod...Learn to shoot sitting behind it..Get a five gal pail , keep a sandbag or rear rest right in there w Water & snacks..Get comfortable...Use the pail as a booster for rear rest sandbag..I've made shots to 500 yds using that set up...Practice at your 100 to 200 yd range..Shooting with your butt on the ground or from prone position takes practice...Time to get some practice...Mike in Ct

 

[K22]

K22, make your shooting life easy...Get a nice bi-pod...Learn to shoot sitting behind it..Get a five gal pail , keep a sandbag or rear rest right in there w Water & snacks..Get comfortable...Use the pail as a booster for rear rest sandbag..I've made shots to 500 yds using that set up...Practice at your 100 to 200 yd range..Shooting with your butt on the ground or from prone position takes practice...Time to get some practice...Mike in Ct

Thanks for the advice - used a Harris in the prone for several years - no doubt most accurate shooting system outside a portable bench - I now use a shooting stick home made and sit on a portable sportsman's chair - problems I have with Bipod in prone are:

1. I'd loose approx 60% of my opportunities since a lot of field of view would be eliminated in the prone.

2. Lying prone lends itself to getting infested with ticks - there are tons of them in my area and it's known as an area with high incidence of Lyme's disease.

3. I have a chronic back condition. If I get in the prone position I may not be able to return home.

My system is usually quite effective but I had a very bad day. I do practice a lot off the sticks but it does have it limitations especially beyond 250 yards.

I went out Saturday for payback. It was another perfect weather day. Only saw one in the area where I missed on Tuesday - the short range guy. I got him this time at 122 yards. Saw one at 259 yards, far end of the tree line. I got him. One of the best shots I ever made - crawler. Saw another at 158 yards, pup size, nailed him. 3 shots - 3 hogs. Better day. Going back out tomorrow - hopefully I'll get a crack at the ones I missed.

 

[mikeinct]

Wow, K22 you are dedicated to the game..I give you props for that..I've had a steel plate installed in my neck...I sympathize...I wish I could find the pics I have of a converted golf bag I rigged up..The kind w the wheels..I can drag two or three rifles around w that...and A Five Gal. Pail in the other hand..Anyway..I like the sportsman chair idea..The shooting stick out in front can be improved..How about you post some pics of your rig at the range & see what we can all come up with ??...you know to steady things up & increase your range from that chair....Mike in Ct

 

[K22]

Wow, K22 you are dedicated to the game..I give you props for that..I've had a steel plate installed in my neck...I sympathize...I wish I could find the pics I have of a converted golf bag I rigged up..The kind w the wheels..I can drag two or three rifles around w that...and A Five Gal. Pail in the other hand..Anyway..I like the sportsman chair idea..The shooting stick out in front can be improved..How about you post some pics of your rig at the range & see what we can all come up with ??...you know to steady things up & increase your range from that chair....Mike in Ct

I never figured out how to post pictures on here. I have a rather old computer system; kind of like me. If you're real interested I can try and email a picture to you. PM me.

I've designed by own shooting sticks because the factory offerings either have too much flex, are not high enough to shoot sitting on a chair or they are too difficult to adjust in the field quickly. You can make them for less than $25.

Mine are made of 1/2" solid aluminum rod, cut to 45" in long. I sharped one end on each stick to a point. I place 12" of 1/2" I.D rubber heater hose over the other end of each stick which protects the rifle. I bound the sticks together with 1" Velcro about two wraps about 5 inches from the top. This a cross stick arrangement. These sticks are light weight, do not flex, and can be adjusted in height simply by changing the spread of the sticks. For greater changes in height you can slide the Velcro ring up or down.

I carry a folding Sportsman Chair (Midway has them) on a sling type harness. I can set up in less than a minute on the stalk and be in action or I can set up and just sit comfortably. Shooting off the chair gives me a very stable position, four points of support, elbows on knees, feet on ground. One hand holds the stick with elbow on knee, the shooting hand elbow is resting on other knee. I've been using this system now for about 15 years and have shot 1,539 ghogs with it. I'm about 85% confirm kill rate. I will not shoot any under 100 yards with a rifle. Beyond 250 yards this system is a challenge. I've shot some at 300 yards with my 22 250 using this system. This system cannot match the prone / bipod technique for consistency of hits but as I explained in another post the shooting sticks system works best for me. I practice a lot with them but I'm limited to a 200 yards rifle range.

 

[snert]

2 rods, four screws in my back too...and ticks here. Since I can't do a lot of walking, I use the McFadden Machine Ultimate Tripod. Kills to over 500 with it. Know a guy who popped a chuck at over 800 off his. Very stable, but not as easy to carry about!

 

[Frankr]

well K22 I hunted a season with a super accurate 40X in 14T 223 and that was enough missing for me..I also used a 22PPC and still enough missing for me..Tricky PA wind..swirling,up down left right some days are like that when we were young my buddy's granpap hunted with us he would go to sleep and let us shoot up a box of 222's knowing we would never hit nothing in the wind. I have had days like that..I had two G Hogs the size of beavers at 300 yards I shot about 12 times at both of them standing up. with the 223..High,low,left right..just could not get it..The 22/250 will take care of most of them days. Although I have been wanting to try a fast 8 twist 223 and use the 70 gr VLD...
I went to a 14T 6BR with a 65 V max at 3,500 FPS and 300 yards is a chip shot..200 yards is a give me even with some wind.
You say it does not seem windy,very light nice day,but it is there.It always up sets me because it is never consistent . like L to R 5mph...it is like 1-2 mph left,right,in,out,up down,swirling...we found a 55gr out of the 22/250 at 3,850 FPS buck that light tricky wind real well out to around 500 yards.