7mm Mag is THE MOST ACCURATE hog medicine...

[JungleBoy]

Reading the post by JJHack in the African hunting forum regarding hunters buying all kinds of super magnums, and HUGE scopes brought back some funny memories....

It may appear that this post does not belong here, but the 'funny story' involved guys whom were sighting in their rifles for 'hog hunting' (plus, I know the guys in this forum better, and would rather share it with them!).
A few years back, I went to the range to do some load development for one of my rifles. 2 guys showed up (one rifle) and sat next to me.

We greeted each other, and during a 'cease fire', we got to talking.... Make a long story short, they said that they will be sharing their 'flat shooting' 7mm mag for an upcoming 'hog hunt'.
Of course, they proceeded to try and convince me that the 7mm mag is MUCH more accurate, AND flatter shooting than the 300 Weatherby that I was load-testing, and that how everyone should shoot the 7mm mag, bla bla bla.

Now the funny part.... They started off by shooting at an 8 inch black bulls-eye target @100 yards. They would take turns shooting ONE round, and adjusting the scope... shooting another.... adjusting the scope....
Of course, they were trying to use the rifle scope to see where the bullet hit as well. I offered them the use of my spotting scope (which in 15 minutes, they would take 100% control of it, totally moving it to their side!!! But that's OK, I was having a REAL good time watching them.)

Well, after about 20 shots, they were unable to hit paper @ 100 yards, and they were done with that box of ammo. Then, they pull out an entirely different brand box of ammo!
I suggested that maybe they should move the target to 50 yards, and shoot at least 3 shots (per shooter) before attempting to adjust the scope. They agreed to the 50 yard range, but felt REAL STRONG about not wanting to 'waste' 3 shots between adjustments !!!!

Well, the next cease-fire came, and they moved their target to 50 yards.... By golly! They were now hitting paper at least some of the time!!!!
But for the life of me, I could not see a pattern of ANY kind !! Some were clear misses, some were hitting the cardboard target backing (not the paper), and some were hitting the paper at the corners (some high, shome low!).

Finally, ONE bullet actually hit the black (probably by luck?).... And guess what? They thanked me for the use of my spotting scope, and started packing up. I asked "ARE YOU GUYS DONE?" . Answer: "YEP! That's good enough for hogs"...
I was puzzled, disappointed, and humored at the same time....

That was one slick setup they had.... the 'super accurate, flattest shooting' 7mm mag.....

 

[Bill in SD]

Jungleboy the way they talked about their rifle I am surprised they sighted it in at all. I would have guessed that they figured the 7mm Mag is so good that it does not need to be sighted in.

Not that I have anything against a 7mm Mag or a 300 Weatherby. My hats off to you, though, shooting a 300 Weatherby that is one big cannon. I wince a bit when I shoot 180 grain loads in my 30-06, I like the 150 loads better.

I remember a funny incident at the rifle range myself. I was about 17 or 18 and I was sighting in my 30-06 and although I was shooting at 50 yards my grouping was all over the place. A helpful rangemaster tried to help me out and explain how to sight in my rifle. I could not explain what was going on, until I put my hand on the scope and the whole thing moved!!!!

My scope was loose and after tightening it down I was able to sight it in.....

Usually when I go to the range I am in a hurry, which is not good. I usually have to drive a considerable distance to get to the range and it is usually crowded. I have learned, though that I can sight in faster if I slow down and take my time and make each shot count.

I remember taking a PSE archery class and the instructor saying that most American men are more interested in the results than the process. And I remember how I would want to see where the arrow hit the target before it had left the rest.

Funny stories about myself I thought I would share. Maturity is a good thing and I am glad I am maturing, I think or I think I am maturing.

Bill

 

[DaMatRat]

Don't know what's up with those guys not being able to hit an 8" paper target @ 100 yards?

I love my Remington 7 MAG fitted with the Nikon Monarch scope.

I try to get out to Angeles Shooting Range at least once a month.
My Father and I can both consistently hit those metal silhouettes at 200 & 300 yards.

The small ones at 300 yards are dangling from chains so when you hit them it’s pretty cool to see them swing about.

I use the inexpensive PMC ammo they sell at the range ($16 a box) and use the Winchester Fail Safes when in the field.

Anyways, the 7MM is an awesome rifle and a very, very flat shooter!

-DaMatRat

 

[tnctcb]

thats a great story.it never ceases to amaze me how people naturally expect things to happen. my own father was one of those guys, he bought a 742 woodmaster 30-06, then bought a tasco 4x scope, had it mounted and bore sighted and 3 years later when he finally saw a deer couldnt understand why he missed.i dont have as much time to spend at the range as i used to but when im there i sure try to do my best to keep my skills sharp.

 

[Hawghunter]

WOW,
I used to be amazed. Now I'm amazed when I'm amazed. I'm not even going to get into all the wrong (?) things I see people do at the ranges when I'm shooting. It seems fewer and fewer shooters are learning the "how to's" correctly anymore.
You should have told those guys that they could save a lot more money by reloading their own ammo. They could save money 'cause you dont really need to buy a powder scale. Just fill up the empty case and you get a compressed load that should shoot great out of their gun.
I have a 7mm that I take with me on all my big game hunts. I own other rifles but have yet to find something that does what it will do that I can shoot better.
Good Hunting,
Mark

PS- I'm kidding about the not needing a powder scale. Dont blow up your gun!!!! (And face)

 

[oljim]

Thanks for the story,,,sure did enjoy readin',,

 

[JungleBoy]

Regarding those guys that I was talking about:

Part of the reason that they were consistently missing (aside from the scope not being sighted in) was they were shooting off-hand (no rest) while trying to sight-in, and adjusting the scope after EVERY shot. It's good to get a lot of off-hand shooting practice for hunting.... but for pete's sake, AFTER the scope is sighted in!!!

Essentially their 'flat-shooting 7mm mag' was a < 50 yard gun in their hands....

I too went through a 'magnum-flat-shooting-canon' stage a few years ago, however, now I strongly believe that a 30.06 (or similar) is all the power one would need to take any North American game at reasonable ranges.
My personal range limit for hunting is 200-ish yards. I can confidently place the bullet at that range, from a field position, 100% of the time. This will leave a generous amount of leeway in misjudging the distance... I can be off by 50 or 60 yards, and it will still be OK. At those ranges, a 30.06 will be more than adequate (with good shot placement) on any game I am likely to see, and the trajectory differences between a 30.06 and other 'flat-shooting' cartridges become very insignificant.




Bill in SD: Most of my 'hunting' loads for the 300 Wetherby are loaded down to 'hot 30.06' levels.... It shoots MUCH more accurately that way (OK... I'll fess up. I should say that "I" shoot more accurately that way... not being afraid o the recoil!!!). I only occasionaly use it for hunting, as I prefer to take my 308 Savage Striker (handgun, if you can call it that...) for hunting, since it is a lot easier to carry for those tough back-country public land hunts.

However, I've recently found a load for the 300 Weatherby, using cast bullets, and mild loads, that will print less than 0.5 inch 100 yards groups consistently.

 

[Freedivr2]

Now THAT'S funny reading...kinda. Unfortunately, the part "that's good enough for pigs" makes my stomach churn a little. It's hard to hear it, but I know those kind of hunters (the ones who don't do their best to get the best group they can and the guys who don't practice offhand, etc.) are out there AND in the field. Sad deal, sure hate to see wounded animals that go off and die. And you know that's gunna happen.

Fellas, feel free to pass on the importance of a good clean kill whenever you hear comments like that from ANYBODY, OK? We owe it to the animals we harvest to take them as cleanly and as humanely as we possibly can. Putting lead on paper once a year doesn't get it with me.

Only one question...........were those dudes just drinking beer or were they on the hard stuff?

 

[JungleBoy]

Although they appeared sober and dry, they did have a "know it already" attitude (thus comments such as "don't want to waste 3 rounds between scope adjustments...".

A couple of years ago, while talking to a pig guide(Frank), I asked him about his success rates, and about anyone whom had to pay, but did not get a pig.... He said almost 100%. He remembered one occasion where he took a party of 3 out (Saturday and Sunday). 2 of the 3 had their pigs before noon the first day.... The 3rd guy never got a pig, but had to pay. According to Frank, he presented no fewer than 5 reasonable shot opportunities, ranging from 40 to 200 yards. The guy MISSED EVERY SINGLE TIME !!!

That is when he told the guy that he has gone beyond a reasonable 'opportunity' guarrantee to harvest a pig, thus full fees apply.

 

[Shot]

WOW, I can't believe some people would actually do that! If the rifles they had was only accurate to < 50 yards, I would just tell them to tape their hunting knives on the tip of the rifle and just use it as a spear. Wouldn't that be more accurate?

 

[bighorn67]

I agree with jungleboy,

Dead is dead whether you shoot em with a 30-06, 7mm or a howitzer. I personally prefer the 30-06 and am accurate with it out to about 250 yds. I always check zero before every hunting trip.

Dave

 

[JungleBoy]

Shot,
You are right. A knife taped to the rifle would have probably been more effective....

What good is a SUPER-DUPER-FRAGALISTIC-MAGNUM if they can't hit anything with it? Who care how 'flat-shooting' it is if they miss at close range?

I wonder how many 'bullet failures' are blamed on missed or marginal shots....