So you think you need to own a Stopping Rifle...

[mgstucson]

What one needs to do is make an accurate first shot more than anything else in my opinion.

I couldn't agree more. If you cannot hit standing game with a kill shot every time at whatever distance you choose to shoot, with whatever load and rifle you brought for the task, you have no business hunting at all, especially not DG. That is the hunting ethos I grew up with. Maybe take up ping pong instead of hunting.

A 375 H&H in the vitals is preferable to a gut shot with a 500 Jeffery.

Again, I could not agree more. That is a false dichotomy though. There are many cartridges between 375 H&H and 500 Jeff. There are differing degrees of vital kill shots as well. Some kill under 5 minutes, some kill in 5 hours, some in 5 days. Again if you cannot make a quick, reliable, kill shot on standing game with whatever you brought for the job, there is always ping pong.

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you use. You can only hunt with cartridges and rifle types you have tested with. No pass/ No hunt. In addition, for ALL who hunt in DG TERRITORY, whether hunting DG or not, that test should include timed hits off hand at 50 yard targets. No Pass/ No hunt. This should have to be verified by independent authority, not the paid PH or paid concessionaire. This would go a long way toward limiting the foolishness of unprepared hunters endangering themselves and others. This of course would not guarantee they could do the same under field conditions, but it should be the minimum required to legally make the attempt.

 

[Tex .416]

….

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you brought. You can only hunt with cartridges you have tested with. No pass/ No hunt. In addition, for ALL who hunt in DG territory, whether hunting DG or not, that test should include timed hits off hand at 50 yard targets. No Pass/ No hunt. This should have to be verified by independent authority, not the paid PH or paid concessionaire. This would go a long way toward limiting the foolishness of unprepared hunters endangering themselves and others. This of course would not guarantee they could do the same under field conditions, but it should be the minimum required to make the attempt.

Exactly what we do NOT need, the government having the power to restrict a citizens’ rights. Ask someone in Australia, the EU, especially GB, or even New York how things are working out for them.

 

[hoytcanon]

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you brought. You can only hunt with cartridges you have tested with. No pass/ No hunt.

How did a Biden voter sneak on here???

 

[Red Leg]

I couldn't agree more. If you cannot hit standing game with a kill shot every time at whatever distance you choose to shoot, with whatever load and rifle you brought for the task, you have no business hunting at all, especially not DG. That is the hunting ethos I grew up with. Maybe take up ping pong instead of hunting.


Again, I could not agree more. That is a false dichotomy though. There are many cartridges between 375 H&H and 500 Jeff. There are differing degrees of vital kill shots as well. Some kill under 5 minutes, some kill in 5 hours, some in 5 days. Again if you cannot make a quick, reliable, kill shot on standing game with whatever you brought for the job, there is always ping pong.

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you use. You can only hunt with cartridges and rifle types you have tested with. No pass/ No hunt. In addition, for ALL who hunt in DG TERRITORY, whether hunting DG or not, that test should include timed hits off hand at 50 yard targets. No Pass/ No hunt. This should have to be verified by independent authority, not the paid PH or paid concessionaire. This would go a long way toward limiting the foolishness of unprepared hunters endangering themselves and others. This of course would not guarantee they could do the same under field conditions, but it should be the minimum required to legally make the attempt.

Uh no.

 

[mark-hunter]

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you use.

In some countries this is the rule.
But still, this is unrealistic to expect "globally".

When you have a hunt valued 50k - 100k, or more, I am yet to see the outfitter to decline a client who is a poor shot.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I couldn't agree more. If you cannot hit standing game with a kill shot every time at whatever distance you choose to shoot, with whatever load and rifle you brought for the task, you have no business hunting at all, especially not DG. That is the hunting ethos I grew up with. Maybe take up ping pong instead of hunting.


Again, I could not agree more. That is a false dichotomy though. There are many cartridges between 375 H&H and 500 Jeff. There are differing degrees of vital kill shots as well. Some kill under 5 minutes, some kill in 5 hours, some in 5 days. Again if you cannot make a quick, reliable, kill shot on standing game with whatever you brought for the job, there is always ping pong.

Personally, I believe it should be law in every country, including the US, that EVERY hunter, EVERY year, should have to pass an accuracy test at distance off sticks and/or off hand, with whatever rifle you use. You can only hunt with cartridges and rifle types you have tested with. No pass/ No hunt. In addition, for ALL who hunt in DG TERRITORY, whether hunting DG or not, that test should include timed hits off hand at 50 yard targets. No Pass/ No hunt. This should have to be verified by independent authority, not the paid PH or paid concessionaire. This would go a long way toward limiting the foolishness of unprepared hunters endangering themselves and others. This of course would not guarantee they could do the same under field conditions, but it should be the minimum required to legally make the attempt.

Oh Sir. I must lsynmy.rifle on the ground brgore.you! For surely you are the only.hunter I have ever heard of that has.such great experience in the game field and has never !missed or made a hit that required follow up! Yay, I and the rest of the mere mortals here must surely recognize such flawless ability and surrender our guns!

I've said it before. Anyone who has much experience hunting and claims to have never missed or made a less than perfect shot is a liar.

 

[mark-hunter]

Yay, I and the rest of the mere mortals here must surely recognize such flawless ability and surrender our guns!

Even professional snipers (also common mortals, and human beings) have a shot/hit ratio 6-5.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Even professional snipers (also common mortals, and human beings) have a shot/hit ratio 6-5.

Yep.