I tried out my new (old) Peterson .22.  What a blast, have I got a long way to go and that made me wonder just what is possible--because the quest to be a crack shot is 90% of the fun whether its rifle, pistol or shotgun.  So, what rifle shooting feat out there amazes you above all others.  My late friend Dick Baldwin was a Remington pro as was his father and we would visit at the Grand.  He used to tell this story:

1920s trapshoot at a makeshift Kansas trapfield with the trap hidden behind bales of hay.  After it was done a young farmer commented that he didn't know "they used shotguns".   
The Remington asked him "what did you think they used"?
The farmer said "well I shoot Prairie chickens with a .22"
The pro said "son if you'd like to try I'll buy the targets."
Baldwin always swore the next part was gospel and that the young farmer broke 3 out of his first 5 trap targets with an old .22 and 15 or 16 out of 25.  His shooting so stumped everyone that they forgot to catch his name and he drove away onto the prairie in his model T.  He always claimed he was the best shot he ever saw.

It sounds a bit like vignette straight out of Buckingham, Steinbeck or the Saturday Evening Post but Dick always swore it was true--pure Americana.

My grandfather used to tell me stories like that.  He and his brother shot pigeons on the wing with .22 as they came out of the barn.  Might be true.  Might not.  But I do love the stories.   

As for documented feats.  Doc Hudson's 100-shot, 200-yd offhand mark is my litmus test.  It is enough that I put down $500 for anyone that can beat it.

Brent

One of the touring Winchester professionals (Ad Topperwein, maybe) shot, in front of witnesses, I believe several hundred wooden blocks (maybe 3" X 3") tossed into the air, using a .22 rifle.  I seem to remember seeing a picture of him in the old American Rifleman sittlng on the pile of blocks after they had been shot and then gathered up.   

Anyway, don't ever sell short the man who shoots one gun and shoots it a lot.  He may just surprise you! 

Froggie

Quote:


Still stands as a matter of fact.  The match he shot it at was an "any sights" and powder match so if one wants to go for the prize (about $1800 I think), you can use a scope and smokeless - and even a .22.   

I would think the ASSRA members would love to take $500 of my money.  But so far...

Brent

When I was growing up (we lived out in the desert), my father had a copy of "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" by Ed McGivern. In his book, McGivern devotes an whole chapter to hitting thrown targets with a pistol; so of course I had to try my hand at it. Although I'm far from a trick shot, I found that if the bottle, etc., is thrown away from you in a gentle arc, it's surprisingly easy to hit with either a 22 pistol or a pump 22, I had a friend who became very good at it, to the point that he rarely missed. It was very satisfying to throw a bottle, pull up my 22 pistol and smash it in midair, and it definitely impressed my friends!

Bob

Joe, did your buddy shoot like this guy?
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Jim_Borton wrote on Nov 1^st, 2007 at 12:05pm:


You be an easterner, it's a good question. But that looks like Nebraska to me - Western Nebraska or near equivalent.   

Some of Ed McGivern's pistol handy-work;

Mr. McGivern was capable of many amazing shooting feats, most of them well documented in his book.[1] To name just a few:

He could break six simultaneously hand thrown clay pigeons (standard trap targets) in the air before they hit the ground. 
He could hit a tin can hand thrown 20 ft. in the air 6 (six) times before it hit the ground. 
He could shoot-drive a tack or nail into wood. 
He could shoot the spots out of playing cards, or even split a playing card edge on. 
He could shoot a dime on the fly. 
All of these executed with either hand using a factory Smith & Wesson M&P double action revolver (puportedly his favorite handgun).

Bob