Missed shots

Handloader · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject: Missed shots

Rather than day trips I prefer taking several days to call coyotes and other predators. Its nice to get out of the Phoenix metroplex, get back in tune with the country and sharpen the senses. But, not all trips have perfect stories to tell.

Monday and Tuesday a coworker and I decided to head out and challenge the wiley ones of Northern Arizona. And we had a few successes, too. The one thing that I remember most was the one that got away.

This is was a mature coyote coming in on a trot from across a basin. We first sighted him at about 1/4 mile. He was responding to a woodpecker call and just kept coming in. At 100yds I could tell he was a big one. A seventy yards the safety came off the 220 Swift and by 50yds this coyote looked fairly large in my Leupold VXIII set at 6 power. Breathing slowed, aim was steady and the shot was taken.

It was a clean miss as were the subsequent three shots before he disappeared around a juniper. My partner couldn't believe I missed it! But, then, neither could I and I initially thought the scope had been knocked off zero by some of the rough roads traveled that day. Later I got a chance to sight in the scope.

It was right on.

Grrrrrrrrrr

popgun · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Missed shots

Yep! That happens every once in a while. I killed a sapling this year myself. It keeps hunting interesting and proves that we are human after all.

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Missed shots

Gidday Handloader, bad luck with your shot. But then again, the bugger will be there another day, just waiting for you to fix the problem.

As Popgun said, we all go through days like that. I know there are days when I couldn't hit the ground with my hat in three throws....damn frustrating.

Vince

Handloader · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: Missed shots

Howdy Vince:

Today was a good day and the Swift barked accurate leading to the demise of four coyotes, one at 312 paces. So, I am relieved and pleased.

What part of Down Under do you call home? Do you engage in any varmint calling? In fact, do they call for dingos in your area?

A friend of mine lives in East Ipswich and she brings Australian gun magazines on her periodic visits for me to read. We share much in common on that subject, America and Australia. My few visits to Queensland have been revealing, too, although I still haven't figured out the rules of cricket. OTOH Australian Rules makes American football seem like a sissy's game.

You may find it interesting that Americans view Australia in mostly very positive terms, Olivia Newton aside. We question how gun confiscation could occur as it has in your country specific to handguns, but, then it has happened here as well in some of our more socialistic cities. As yet, there has been no fervent outcry, no massive rebellion.

When you get a chance, tell us a bit about hunting and varmint calling Down Under.

Tusero · Rookie Member Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 19

I remember a particular miss once that was kind of funny. I had picked up a new rifle I hade built in .221 and could not wait to shoot it. I got to the ranch where I shoot prairie dogs and took aim on a fat one. I was not used to the Kiplinger single set trigger on the rifle and the trigger broke way before I was ready for the shot. I think I shot about a 1/2 inch over the prairie dogs head, and man was he looking all around to see hwat buzzed him. Looked funny through the scope.

Coyote_Hunter_ · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Missed shots

It happens.

Which Leupold are you using? I picked up my first VX-III a couple years ago, used at a gun show. Its a 4.5-14x and rides my .257 Roberts.

LittleMagnum · Member Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 105 Location: Vermont

My worse miss, or the one that haunts me the most, was on a good 140 class whitetail at 140 yards, broadside standing..didn't have a clue I was there, looking like it belonged on the cover of Outdoor Life. I put the cross hairs on the center of his shoulder, said good night, gun re-coiled, deer's shoulder still in the scope, as the gun gared out of view ( perfect shot, wrong deer still standing there....I went oh #@&*, I shot over it, I had sighted it at across my dads field, that I thought was 250yard and I lasered the field when I got home @ 340yrds, A 7mm mag zeroed a 340yards, is over 6inch high at 140yards on slight up hill shot.....there was a little bit of grass covering the heart, so I aimed for the center of the shoulder. If I aimed for the heart I would of spined him. The reason for using my dads field instead of going to the range, it was one of those last minute deals, were at last hr, I said count me in, I going.
So yes, it happen's....