Do you actually think you're a good shooter?

[lware671]

If we put you on a timer right now… would you prove it or get exposed?

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[1775usmc]

Always room for improvement.

And "good" is a very subjective term.

 

[Oxygen Mask]

I don't actually shoot. I just hang out here and talk about shooting...

 

[Tlock]

I dont think....I know i am!



To be honest I consider myself on par with shotgun and rifle....I am a sub par handgun shooter.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Yes , I think that I am good shooter.
I have some trophies , ribbons...even earned the President's One Hundred tab when in the Army.
The game I have taken...would say that I am good hunter...and shooter.

That said....much like post #2
Shooting is a skill...a skill that needs to be practiced in order to keep up on / with.

I also don't need to prove any damn thing...I know what kind of shooter I am ...
And stay within those boundaries when shooting at things like game animals..
I will , however , push my skill and luck when shooting at paper or other targets.

Below are some sample targets of mine....
Not the best of shooting...but those shots / groupings happen often enough that I am happy with 'em.....

That said...there are days when I couldn't hit the ground , if I were foolish enough to drop my Hawken Rifle....
Andy

100 Yards..Off Hand w/ my Hawken Rifle

• Andy54Hawken
• Jan 17, 2026

100 yard target , 5 shots off hand

• Andy54Hawken
• Nov 8, 2025

3 shots fired off hand at 50 yards from my Hawken Rifle

• Andy54Hawken
• Oct 5, 2024

Offhand target , 50 yards CCI Blazer .22LR , shot with Savage 19-33 NRA Match Rifle.

• Andy54Hawken
• Jul 30, 2024

 

[GI JEW 555]

If we put you on a timer right now… would you prove it or get exposed?

That's what she said"

So this one time in Amsterdam.. O you probably meant a different sort of shot and timer.

 

[Stomper]

That's what she said"

So this one time in Amsterdam.. O you probably meant a different sort of shot and timer.

"That's the shot that missed the spot" said, Barnacle Bill the Sailor!

 

[Knobgoblin]

No.

I still have a good right hook tho.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

No.

I still have a good right hook tho.

Like this...?

Or like this...

 

[Knobgoblin]

View attachment 2264576
Like this...?

Or like this...
View attachment 2264577

Lol.

I do have a meat hook at the house. It's not that scary.

 

[dplev4]

Well rifle and shotgun yes. Handgun, competent.

Best friend, a retired SWAT Sergeant and firearms instructor ran me through SWAT tests, one which is your timer question. Three shots, two into chest, one in head at 15 yards in 2.5 seconds from draw. Well, I didn't pass. Shot at only 10 yards, and took 3.5 seconds. Of course I'm 72, and my hands are a little arthritic.

Bottom left - Standing. 150 yds. Top 2-left 6.5CM. Bottom 2- .556. Still sighted in. Mild West wind 5-8mph. Right 12 yards. Sig Sauer P226 Legion 9mm.

 

[MTpockets]

My Father told me... "Don't let them know how well you can shoot."

To me, his words meant that it is best not to advertise the full extent of your abilities or any lack thereof.

Amazing man who I miss dearly. I can't recall him ever missing a target or an animal.

Edit to add: Just sharing a memory...not meant to judge others on their decision to share their abilities.

 

[Ballardguy]

A timer is but a small segment of proving whose a "good shooter". It may test your ability to shoot a certain target within a certain time frame, but that's a small part of identifying someone as a "good shooter". With all the various types of shooting competitions available to people who want to see how well they do, many are not based on slow-timed- or rapid fire segments. And even some of those like bullseye match pistol are not based on combat shooting. They are single hand offhand events that are fun, but don't relate to real combat scenarios where you're likely under stress, and shooting with both hands on the gun.
When I first began competing I thought I was a pretty decent shot, but when I saw the size of various staged Bullseye targets and how accurate you had to be to score well I quickly reconsidered whether I was even average compared to those I shot with.
And when I entered my first Defensive Pistol Match I realized it was more about speed, and not at the distances Bullseye matches took place. So shooting and reloading fast, and hitting much larger targets at much closer range was the norm.
And later on I stopped shooting handguns competitively, and switched to Long Range BPCR rifles. Time is almost not even considered, but accuracy at 1000 yds. with iron sights and bullets exiting the muzzle at under 1400 fps it's all about accuracy and steadiness, plus good eye sight!

 

[Colt Carbine]

If we put you on a timer right now… would you prove it or get exposed?

I'd get exposed as being "good enough for government work"

I don't have the hands for surgical precision work, being a bull in a China shop.

But I can get the job done, just not as accurately as others.

 

[66PonyCar]

I don't speak from experience, but shooting paper or steel is one thing. Shooting when someone is actively shooting at you is a completely different experience. Stress and fear will probably affect how well you perform,

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I don't speak from experience, but shooting paper or steel is one thing. Shooting when someone is actively shooting at you is a completely different experience. Stress and fear will probably affect how well you perform,

It does indeed.

Also worthy of consideration when shooting "for real"....
You are rarely presented with the "classic threat silhouette " target.
Often you are shooting at a part of human...and that part may not be center mass...
A foot , hand , face...limbs....
Said parts are also moving...or doing their best to not be seen clearly.

Not to forget to mention...
The willingness to shoot effectively at another human.
Many people , even soldiers can't do this....or a the least have trouble doing this.

Andy

 

[Tlock]

I'd get exposed as being "good enough for government work"

I don't have the hands for surgical precision work, being a bull in a China shop.

But I can get the job done, just not as accurately as others.

Easy with the "good enough for goverment work"......some of the guys I worked with where excellent marksman in high stress situations

 

[Colt Carbine]

Easy with the "good enough for goverment work"......some of the guys I worked with where excellent marksman in high stress situations

I thought my last sentence would've made it clear that I'm not perfect but it'll suffice. Stressful situations don't bother me, I actually thrive on it but I've never been shot at.

 

[Tlock]

I thought my last sentence would've made it clear that I'm not perfect but it'll suffice. Stressful situations don't bother me, I actually thrive on it but I've never been shot at.

I was joking(i was a guberment employee and love saying good enough for goverment work)......I delt with 4 legged critters that dont shoot back, thank God!

 

[spookshack]

If we put you on a timer right now… would you prove it or get exposed?

Timer you say? If we are talking about shooting a speed steel match with my .22 race gun (rifle), I would not be getting exposed….lol