Am I the only one who is having a difficult time believing that guy could effectively pull off a kill shot from 200 yards?
Not that hard with a 30-06 with a scope
Iron sights would be a challenge but I’ve shot deer with a scoped 30-06 and I have no formal training outside of practicing before season open.
No. There's much more to this story, I wager.
You might be. That's not a hard shot.
Plus, he was a gun guy.
Silly comment. I take it you’ve never been to a gun range.
All kinds of people are learning to shoot.
A friends daughter, 5’2” 90 pounds hits targets at 100 yards with a 308.
Less than 150 yards. I have no difficulty believing he could pull that off.
Anything under 200 yds with the rifle described is easy. A 12 yr old could do it.
Red
200 yards is not far with a scope.
Yes, yes you are the only one
Apparently I am wrong. I stand corrected.
I'm sure you're not the only one who thinks that, but it is a very makeable shot for someone with decent shooting experience. With a dad who is a sheriff, I imagine that kid has been shooting for a long time.
No, you’re not the only one.
The gun had a scope.
With a good scope it is not difficult.
I've shot a 6" grouping with an AK at 100 yards and open sights from a bench (old Norinco solid steel machined receiver).
He had a blt action with a scope, probably firing from a prone position with the rifle braced on something. He was probably aiming for the center of the head and still hit 6" low, striking the neck.
6" to the side and Kirk would probably still be alive.
No, it's not that difficult with a modicum of training and a decent rifle.
The only complication of this shot was the fairly steep downward angle. That affects the point of impact versus what sights set up for “flat” terrain produce for the same “sight picture”. Those brought up hunting in Utah would likely know how to guestimate for this. Since the killer knew the height and distance in advance, perhaps he even did the math.
Not a problem. I could do that at 16
Easy-peasy.
of course not. However, you and any others who have that difficulty probably do not know firearms well.
At 100 yards using an AK with open sights on a full silhouette target I sent 30 rounds from the standing position while holding on the belt buckle (std 100 meter set up, I believe). I was not rapid firing (not allowed) but was at about 1 round per second. Only 3 did not hit black. 3 others were outside of the 6 ring, but hit black. 19 were inside of the 8 ring with tighter grouping at the center. Believe me when I confess I am noting special as a marksman.
Point being, 200 yards from a prone position with a scope is an easy shot if the weapon is sighted properly.
You may very well be. It’s not unusual for a decent rifle with a properly zeroed scope. He may even have experience hunting, where such shots are not uncommon.