Actually pard I think the difference was between the skills of the rifleman involved. The difference of a master rifleman with a real good lever & a gunner that thought that the latest technological terror would make a big difference. It has happened to all of us at one time or another...to our great satisfaction.
Good 'Ol Sam Fadala wrote in his 30WCF book that levers are the tool of the master rifleman/hunter. I'm sneaky enough to let the dummies live in their dreamworld...I never show my hand until it is too late for them.
To make a little side money, challenge some of these hotshots to an off- hand match. Yardage doesn't matter (out to 200)...has to be off-hand. See how many will take up the challenge when some samollies are at stake and they have to shoot off their hind legs.
Just for this moneymaker I set up my No.4Mk1* for 500 yds. The target is a 12" gong setup. I can go 10 for 10 from my elbows at the bench under real good conditions & 8 for 10 offhand in a sling (my Enfield is the REAL reason I can do this). Most of the younger ones can't stay on a NRA target at 100 yds. much less 500. The shot isn't hard at all. A lever set up for 200 yrds. can make some real dough, especially when they see a 30WCF in your hands-Heh!
I'd say your ready to find some marks...just make sure you can do the shots, set them up & practice, practice, practice!
(In the back of your mind you'll hear the theme song of Jaws).
No brag...just fact. A properly trained rifleman should be able to hit his/her mark off hand about as well as on the bench.
Correction: called by Buddy Arlen Detke who built our dinger & he says it is 18"s & is 496 yrds. away.
LB
