GonzoK34
Well-Known Member
Comparing the 308 vs the 30-06, the 6.5CM vs the 260, etc., is a great subject to toss around. Raising the issue of hunting and target shooting has a key factor missing. Target shooting vs competition/Match have no level playing field. Target shooting is enjoyed by many. It doesn't require formal training, skill or extensive practice.
Hunting on the other hand requires a higher level of knowledge for the game you pursue, the terrain, distance, ballistics, foot pounds of energy, your physical fitness, and the fact that now that your game is down you have to process it in other to get it home.
I've observed over 61 years that going out and blasting hundreds of rounds isn't the same as a skilled shooter who works on the basic principals of accurate marksmanship hour after hour.
I come from a background of Uncles who served in WWII, Korea, and who enjoyed hunting for small game, birds, and deer. Having Combat Experience among them they passed those skill sets to my brother and the rest of our family. They emphasized safety, proper firearms handling, and cleaning. But the key message was a firearm was designed to hunt for food, survival, and if you found yourself in a life or death situation, to stop the threat. i.e, kill.
As a Snuffy young U.S. Marine I was fortunate to qualify as an Expert Rifleman in Boot Camp. Even lucky enough to Pull Butts for incredible Marines. What I learned and Earned was the principals of Marksmanship. Serving a few tours in Vietnam as an Infantryman and as a Recon Team Member what I experienced was that your weapons had to be constantly maintained, cleaned and zero'd. Engagement of targets varied requiring verified come ups.
Shooting effectively and accurately require:
Proper cheek weld
Sight Alignment
Breath Control
Trigger Squeeze
Follow Through
Practice, Practice, Practice!
My Weapons of Choice:
22 Hornet small game, varmints, prairie dogs, squirrels
6.5 Grendel small game, varmints, prairie dogs, pigs, and deer
7-08 coyotes, pigs, antelope, deer and elk
30-06 same as above
300WinMag EVERYTHING that appears in my sights
SEMPER FIDELIS
Sergeant Of Marines
Disabled Vietnam Veteran
Gonzo
Hunting on the other hand requires a higher level of knowledge for the game you pursue, the terrain, distance, ballistics, foot pounds of energy, your physical fitness, and the fact that now that your game is down you have to process it in other to get it home.
I've observed over 61 years that going out and blasting hundreds of rounds isn't the same as a skilled shooter who works on the basic principals of accurate marksmanship hour after hour.
I come from a background of Uncles who served in WWII, Korea, and who enjoyed hunting for small game, birds, and deer. Having Combat Experience among them they passed those skill sets to my brother and the rest of our family. They emphasized safety, proper firearms handling, and cleaning. But the key message was a firearm was designed to hunt for food, survival, and if you found yourself in a life or death situation, to stop the threat. i.e, kill.
As a Snuffy young U.S. Marine I was fortunate to qualify as an Expert Rifleman in Boot Camp. Even lucky enough to Pull Butts for incredible Marines. What I learned and Earned was the principals of Marksmanship. Serving a few tours in Vietnam as an Infantryman and as a Recon Team Member what I experienced was that your weapons had to be constantly maintained, cleaned and zero'd. Engagement of targets varied requiring verified come ups.
Shooting effectively and accurately require:
Proper cheek weld
Sight Alignment
Breath Control
Trigger Squeeze
Follow Through
Practice, Practice, Practice!
My Weapons of Choice:
22 Hornet small game, varmints, prairie dogs, squirrels
6.5 Grendel small game, varmints, prairie dogs, pigs, and deer
7-08 coyotes, pigs, antelope, deer and elk
30-06 same as above
300WinMag EVERYTHING that appears in my sights
SEMPER FIDELIS
Sergeant Of Marines
Disabled Vietnam Veteran
Gonzo
