Better to "miss" (but still hit) high, or low?
10-24-2016, 09:28 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 14
Better to "miss" (but still hit) high, or low?
I'm a newish hunter and use a 1960's rifled slug gun with an aperture sight (which limits my shots to about 60 yards). I'm deadeye for windage but have trouble estimating distance for elevation.
Assuming the shot could be as much as 4 inches low from the aiming point (an extreme case that hasn't happened often in practice), which of the following would seem better?
1.) Aim high (but still "on" the deer) and perhaps hit a bit higher than expected if the drop is less than expected, or,
2.) Aim right where I'd prefer to hit, and risk hitting low if the drop is more than expected.
I'd be interested in any thoughts on that, as well as any other ways to compensate for unknown distance/drop.
Thanks in advance!
Matthew
Assuming the shot could be as much as 4 inches low from the aiming point (an extreme case that hasn't happened often in practice), which of the following would seem better?
1.) Aim high (but still "on" the deer) and perhaps hit a bit higher than expected if the drop is less than expected, or,
2.) Aim right where I'd prefer to hit, and risk hitting low if the drop is more than expected.
I'd be interested in any thoughts on that, as well as any other ways to compensate for unknown distance/drop.
Thanks in advance!
Matthew
10-24-2016, 12:56 PM
#5
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 14
10-24-2016, 02:55 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,926
How long does a hunter last,
if he misses his shot completely or doesn't down a deer with a hitting shot. With groups of young hunters the pressure is on to make good shots. The countdown to a hunters future is closely watched by fellow hunters. How long one lasts with fellow hunters, may mean how long one last with his hunting buddies and how long one lasts in hunting, entirely.
10-24-2016, 06:36 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 1,089
At 60 yards your rifled slug gun should be right on, mine can hit a target fairly accurately out to 200 yards, i have a newer one with a scope. Maybe get a range finder, like was mentioned, or a new gun as yours might be worn out? Good luck & welcome to the board Midwestmatthew.
10-24-2016, 06:37 PM
#10
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 14
I hunt alone, so there's no pressure to deal with other than my own need to fill the freezer. I also don't have funds for any more equipment, so what I've got will have to do. It was good enough last year, as the only deer I ever shot at went down in his tracks. Obviously I wouldn't take a shot at all if I didn't think it was a humane one no matter what, but knowing how to handle the margin for error is important in any discipline and that's what I was hoping to get advice for here.