Boers with Boring Bores

[GunHawk]

I recently watched a documentary on the Boer war where the Boers were " accurate out to 1200 yds" using Paul Mauser 7mm factory rifles. BTW that's:

No custom barrel
No trued action
No special bullets, powders, etc.
No telescopic sites... that's KENTUCKY F—-ING WINDAGE!


I was amazed, so I did some further research and found that those guys were for real and anything within 600yds was a guaranteed kill. Most of these threads makes the sport seem too technical and intimidating to the layperson, so how were they so accurate?

 

[Bravo 4]

Accurate can apparently be a loose term. If this was anything done by the History/Military Channel, take it with a grain of salt and more of entertainment. Telling me that anything within 600 meters was guaranteed I would tell you that A. These were either the greatest marksmen to ever live or B. That statement is slightly over exaggerated. Now, I don't want to take away that they were probably good and maybe fairly effective 600 to 1200 but this seems a little inflated. 600 is not a chip shot with "lesser" equipment, our SDM program shoots that far with an M16 series weapon and open sights so I know it possible. But 600 and out is where things get squirrely, that is where the "technical" side of things that can intimidate the layperson really start taking effect.

 

[snookntarpon]

metal sights, human target. lobbing shots out there and hoping they hit. but when hit it is probably very effective against the weak human body. the iron sight will probably cover a good 25-50 men at that distance. but it can be done.
SnT

 

[jjmp]

1200 is exaggerated , the rifles rear sites were calibrated for so many yards from the factory , 600 yds is doable ,but it would take one sharp eyed crack shot ,the 7x57 was the flattest military shooting round for some years , it's documented I'm sure . Remember all army's world wide have more then a few Davey Crocketts in their ranks ! Cheers !

 

[GunHawk]

https://www.si.com/vault/1954/09/13/544658/the-great-rifle-match Big targets though

 

[Canhunter35]

Compared to British kids hauled down to fight the boers, the boers were adults that had survived and claimed territory from the zulus, they would've all seemed like crack shots and marksman, but if they could all make shots at 1200 they wouldn't have lost the war.
My neighbor collects Ross rifles, that ww1 common wealth service rifle. They're actually quite accurate and well made. So it doesn't shock me that there rifles were accurate enough but without anyway to range shots there's only so far that ur gonna be effective

 

[Gregg C]

I recently watched a documentary on the Boer war where the Boers were " accurate out to 1200 yds" using Paul Mauser 7mm factory rifles. BTW that's:

No custom barrel
No trued action
No special bullets, powders, etc.
No telescopic sites... that's KENTUCKY F—-ING WINDAGE!


I was amazed, so I did some further research and found that those guys were for real and anything within 600yds was a guaranteed kill. Most of these threads makes the sport seem too technical and intimidating to the layperson, so how were they so accurate?

Gotta weigh in here, I can't help myself. They were experienced shooters. Distance can be judged, with a little ingenuity. The colonial shooters in the U.S. RevolutionaryWar were feared by the Crown's officers. I've read that 300yd shots were common. With open sights and a muzzle loader rifle. Flintlock. I can see it happening. Can I ? Shucks, I got all the high tech stuff, and I can't. Don't shoot enough. Had a 357 pistol once, tho, that I shot ALOT. 500rds a weekend was common. Guy wanted to have a match one day, rules being the entire cylinder shot, but only the last two would count. Lobbing in, essentially. Target was a good 600yds off. I busted out laughing when he pointed it out. He went first, and I did my best to get him on target, and he got close, I guess. Probably 8 ft from the target. My turn. I put the sights right on it . Bang. About 200 out, right on center, he says. I'm like this is really dumb. Left the front blade on target, and dropped the rear sight a ridiculous, pulled the trigger....and scored a dead on hit. I almost dropped my pistol, I was so surprised. And my buddy was so mad, he forgot it didn't count! I didn't even try a repeat. Any way, I can see the Boers making some of those shots. Sometimes, anyway.

 

[Bravo 4]

Great feats are possible just not probable. If you've never heard of George Farr and his shoot with a service rifle and issued ammo then read this:
http://looserounds.com/2018/07/25/george-farr-and-his-famous-71-at-the-1921-national-matches/

 

[Canhunter35]

Great feats are possible just not probable. If you've never heard of George Farr and his shoot with a service rifle and issued ammo then read this:
http://looserounds.com/2018/07/25/george-farr-and-his-famous-71-at-the-1921-national-matches/

Exactly, exceptional shooters are never the rule, they're the exception

 

[MudRunner2005]

The only "boers" I'm aware of are South African farmers and the boerbol dogs...

 

[Canhunter35]

The only "boers" I'm aware of are South African farmers and the boerbol dogs...

I'm a little fuzzy on my memory, but it was around 1905, the boer (Dutch) farmers and brits set to for control of sa.
On a side note of interest, in a fit of patriotism(much like ww1) Canadians wanted to go fight, but pm Laurier said fine go volunteer and fight, but you're not fighting as Canadian soldiers so they fought under Great Britain's flag

 

[JJMoody]

Has no one actually taken the time to fully appreciate the thread title....? Cheeky and fun, hats off to you sir...

 

[NDF]

After all Oswald did score 2 out 3 hits on a target moving 11 mph at approx 300' in less than 9 seconds, ... saw it on a documentary if that helps

 

[TheLongRanger83702]

I kinda doubt they cranked these out by the thousands. How many hundreds or even thousands of these rifles manufactured were actually able to shoot that accurate? 5% of production? Just sayin'. Not every ATACR scope passes Nightforces rigorous inspections and testing make it to market. I wouldnt expect these rifles outcomes to be ANY different.