11 replies to this topic

[kgp912]

Good Day boys and gals,

I had a heck of a time yesterday. Getting my fishing poles ready to go out and saw one on the back hill grabbed the gun to watch him go further up and out of range. Saw another to the left and down the hill as well. They were diffently out so I left the rifle with me incase I saw one while fishing the pond.

Fishing went great some small trout and bluegill. Nothing to get excited over.

Now on the way home on the back trail and there he was the same from earlier in the day. I could tell by the bit of mange on him and color. He could not have been more than 50 yards away. I parked, got behind a tree and waited for the shot. OPPS just high... The darn thing turned and bolted right for me!!! loaded another round in the SAVAGE .223 he was closer to 25-30yards now and OPPS!!! again it was just under him. I would have done better with out using the scope. I had never knowingly been this close to a coyote. After the 2nd shot he make a hard left and went in a ditch and out into the woods out of sight. I was SOOO disappointed and felt like a discrace to myself and the shooting community. I really was down on myself and my wife knew it when I got home. OH SHE JUST LAUGHED when I told her the story. I sat and went for a brew and pondered what if's. Well my only solution is that I should have focused on the first shot much longer as he was not in any hurry but I sure was. If I would have waited I would have one in the bag.

This is my first post and I had to share it with you guys. I SURE hope they get better. I plan on going out next week in hopes of finding one or 2. Again I have to be patient I will never have another coyote come running at me like that again!!!

[GSH]

You're not alone in missing those close ones, sit down at one spot, started the old Fox Pro Scorpion, looked up and here came a hard charger, came within 10 or 15 yds, stopped, looked at me and after I missed away it ran with 223 bullets chasing all the way to a ravine. One of the quickest response to a call that I've had.

[Frank]

It is often times the easy shots that we miss... as I also did about 1 1/2 weeks ago. And it is down right embarrassing (besides irritating) for sure. Usually absent minded stuff for me. LOL

Anyway, they'll be in trouble next time I am sure. Oh, and is your rifle still zeroed in? Just a thought!

And welcome to the forum

[kgp912]

Frank,

I had just sighted in the scope for the reloads I produced. I was 6in at 200 yards and 2in at 100yds. I have recently hit yotes at 145yds 60yds and 100yds. Just the moment had me and I was not used to being at that spot and have to jump out of the vechile post up and the such.

Hearing the stories you guys posted helps my depression. Not sure if I will tell my father in law. The depression would start all over!!!.

[Loopdog]

Wait till you miss with a Shotgun... with people watching....

[Frank]

Yep, it happens!

Btw, for coyotes & bobcats etc, I have always used a 1" high at 100 yards zero. With most "predator" loads, that will pretty much give a point blank range out to approx 250 yds (+ / -). Can hold dead on the critter from 0 - 250 yards in other words.

Another reason I mention that is, over the years, on both deer and coyotes, I would have to guess the majority of my misses were due to shooting over a "standing" animal. Runners is another story! And my deer rifles are zeroed different (higher) of course.

Just a thought, and keep us posted & good luck

[FUR CHASER]

Shotgun, rifle, boomerang, rocks...heck, i've missed them with just about everything you can imagine. Don't let it get you down. At least you saw some, got to pull the trigger and learned a lesson we're all sure to mess up again down the road! LOL

[Thumper Dunker]

Boy Im glad that I never have miss. . I miss a deer at 20 yards once with my 270. If you n ever miss your not shooting enough

[Shoot-it]

Is 2 inch groups at 100 yards good enough for you?For me I would keep reloading and shrink it a little also check you zero on your scope it might be off that has happened to many a few times.good luck next time out.

[Stan]

Shure beat the hell out of the day the rest of us had! That must have been one hell of an adrenaline Rush!!
On the 2 in groups how heavy is your trigger?

[Frank]

Is 2 inch groups at 100 yards good enough for you? For me I would keep reloading and shrink it a little

Good point Shoot-it... I misread his post! 2" at 100 yards is semi poor to fair at best for predators. 6" groups at 200 yards is terrible, even for game 5 times the size of a coyote. Hate sugar coating these things, but hey?

While it may, or may not, be the ammo itself (for the less than good accuracy), there is also the possibility of shooting technique, or lack of, involved here. Again, just a possibility, as I have not seen you shoot obviously.

However, you did very good to check for accuracy at 200 yards, as many, if not most shooters do not do that. A BIG mistake!

Good Luck

[kgp912]

Here where the wind is constant I am pleased with these groups. I should have added that we are in very windy conditions. And that 6in at 200 yards is the worst I have done. I should not have gave the worst of groups.

The Savage 110E older style (80's) Has a heavy trigger and would like to have it a bit lighter as far as specs I can not give exact weight. I do appreciate the input.