2025 Cold Bore Challenge Q&A Thread

[NSI]

Nice!

The Gunwerks bipod that @NSI had me try out (not sure if there are different versions) was too short for seated for me, being 6’2” or so.

I was able to get, I think it was a second or third shot hit on a 550 yard gong with it seated though, using my pack on my feet with bipod legs on pack to get more height and then use my elbows in quads for rear support. I might have ended up grabbing a rear bag or bino harness or something to help with rear support after the first miss, I can’t remember; shooting an unsuppressed 260 Rem in a Rokstok

Stephen @hereinaz please don't kill me for posting these



I hammered one of the adapters @T_Widdy made us into this rokstok to get pic lug engagement, and subjected Johnny and Stephen to it. It looks like 6'1" might be the cutoff for using the Gunwerks seated level. Even half a foot shorter than that (me), back rounding is required. Shooting downhill is fairly comfortable. With the advent of the Tricer, which is substantially bulkier but not much heavier, I'm not sure how much applicability the gunwerks now has. As many of you know, I'm of the opinion that prone shots are off the pack not the bipod, so I only put non seated bipods (Harris) on guns (like my "mk 12") that are frequently carried without a backpack.

-J

 

[waspocrew]

As previously mentioned, wasn’t sure if my Day 1 shot from my truck bed was technically within the rules or not, so I went back out and took another shot.

Brought my bike out to speed up the time it takes to lug the steel back and forth. Didn’t feel any faster though haha.



Went with my tripod standing at 430 yards (thought for sure I was farther out when I placed it) to try another position. Swing and a miss!

Always a fun challenge to try!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I think if folks were truly “pushing themselves” the yardage doesn’t necessarily “matter” to an extent. Obviously the further back you go the more the wind/bullet/shooter variables have potential to change outcomes, but in general “long range” is not necessarily what makes us “miss”.

You take the average or even “skilled rifleman” type of hunter out and get them off their “range” or flat prairie/farm field, and put up targets at various yardages that blend into terrain like an animal; and give them time, say 2 minutes “before the animal moves off” to simulate some adrenaline…

It is truly shocking (to the point where nearly all folks call BS until they see it/shoot it) how much someone’s actual kill shot “MER” and first round impact rates drop off dramatically. Or the amount of folks who simply do not get a shot off in the allotted time at all. It’s not to say that “all hunting shots” are rushed or should be, but it’s a great way to simulate “let’s get this animal killed” and put some pressure on the shooter to simulate felt conditions when killing. THEN you bring in factors like distance/wind/guns that aren’t zeroed/forgot to dial, the list goes on, all compounding to work against the shooter being effective.

If I had to put an honest “yardage number” for the average “avid” shooter/hunter going into unknown terrain with elevation change/wind conditions; in seeing what I have with hundreds of shooters between guiding, instructing, etc. for the last couple decades, 200 yards and in is a “realistic” first round kill shot distance.

In saying that, in the dozens of Rokslide members I’ve met in person and shot with, this is a group of folks that is generally well above average. There is zero replacement for getting in shooting reps in hunting type terrain and it’s clear that this site has a high concentration of what I would consider “very good to elite” hunting shot shooters. Not that it really even matters “what I consider” anyway just a personal observation.

I get what you're saying but one thing I want to point out.

Most of the time, when shooting more than a few hundred yards, there is no time constraint. We tend to shoot animals that don't have a clue we are there.

I know there has been a lot of talk around here about needing to be able to throw your pack down on the ground and shoot in a few seconds, or all the animals will get away. Maybe if we don't stumble through the mountains and spook everything, we will get better shots?

In general, I do agree with you, though, that most people don't have a clue what their actual ability is to hit something in unknown conditions.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Understood, it would just suck to have both shots posted for a month before the challenge ends and find out one was disqualified afterwards.

In my case, I assume shooting out of the truck bed for shot #2 due to limitations at my shooting location is acceptable but I could see that being interpreted different ways re: rule #9.

9) The gear rules will be as simple as possible. You must shoot your big game hunting rifle with the gear you hunt with. That means no benches or Lead Sleds. Tripods, bipods, rear bags, and the like are allowed if that's how you hunt.

Do you hunt by shooting out of the truck bed? If you do, it's a qualifying shot. If not, you will need to start over.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Hey all, as @robby denning mentioned earlier in this thread, we will continue to allow people to post until the deadline and then take the first 100 qualified shooters so don't count yourself out yet.

I'll be out of the country on July 13th, so @realunlucky or @robby denning will lock the thread at the deadline.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Even if it doesn’t count, I am planning on doing this challenge on Monday afternoon. “A man’s got to know his limitations.”


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I get what you're saying but one thing I want to point out.

Most of the time, when shooting more than a few hundred yards, there is no time constraint. We tend to shoot animals that don't have a clue we are there.

This is true for how most hunt the west on backpacking hunts for sure. Or even whitetails coming into farm fields, which represent something like 80% of all US big game kills each year.

I know there has been a lot of talk around here about needing to be able to throw your pack down on the ground and shoot in a few seconds, or all the animals will get away. Maybe if we don't stumble through the mountains and spook everything, we will get better shots?

This isn’t exactly what it’s about which I’m sure you know. Folks read and interpret it that way annd feel “challenged” that they are doing something “wrong” because explaining things on the internet sucks.

Last year I killed, I think it was 22 big game animals, and if I remember the data correctly it was only something like 20% of the shots needed to happen “in a few seconds” (more like 1-2 minutes which goes by very quickly when unprepared and untrained) or those would be a missed opportunity. I also remember it being something like only 4 or 5 of those kills allowed for “throwing the pack on the ground” as prone was simply no option at all due to steep angle terrain and vegetation.

In general, I do agree with you, though, that most people don't have a clue what their actual ability is to hit something in unknown conditions.

I think this is what it’s all about. Everyone has their own style of hunting, shooting, and what works for them every year to try and get kills. I think more folks need to be open for learning opportunities and how they can practice to be more efficient. I also think some folks could benefit from “slowing down” and working on fundamentals once timed drills allow them to see where their “flaws” might be.

My mantra is, and always has been, come out and shoot and let’s see what we can learn from each other

 

[Juan_ID]

Understood, it would just suck to have both shots posted for a month before the challenge ends and find out one was disqualified afterwards.

In my case, I assume shooting out of the truck bed for shot #2 due to limitations at my shooting location is acceptable but I could see that being interpreted different ways re: rule #9.

9) The gear rules will be as simple as possible. You must shoot your big game hunting rifle with the gear you hunt with. That means no benches or Lead Sleds. Tripods, bipods, rear bags, and the like are allowed if that's how you hunt.

I had the same question - had to shoot out the back of my truck on my first shot since the vegetation was so high. Didn’t feel like wasting the 30 min drive to the area so went with it.

Happy to do another shot if needed though

I read the rules a couple times and didn’t even think about it in that regard either. I shot from the bed of my truck because the brush in the area I shoot is real tall and the terrain is pretty hilly but also flat. Don’t see it as an advantage in this but it would appear since I don’t “hunt like that” it is not a qualifying shot. I just got back home and looked at this Q&A and kind of wished I hadn’t! I will go back out tomorrow or this evening and start over I suppose.

 

[northernalpine]

…I just go off what I feel in my mustache…

This right here is Rokslide gold

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’m in! @robby denning , @Justin Crossley is there an age limit? I had to pry this 2 year old off the rifle.

Having 3 older siblings makes him think he’s 10.

 

[robby denning]

I’m in! @robby denning , @Justin Crossley is there an age limit? I had to pry this 2 year old off the rifle.

Having 3 older siblings makes him think he’s 10. View attachment 899517

Love it!!!!! Good parenting

 

[BRTreedogs]

Well I’m calling this a qualifying shot at 599

But just barely.

I’m post 104

I tried to insert media the way it says earlier in this thread.

But ended up just slapping a link in text box

Can anyone please confirm I have a video posted?

 

[lak2004]

Well I’m calling this a qualifying shot at 599

But just barely.

I’m post 104

I tried to insert media the way it says earlier in this thread.

But ended up just slapping a link in text box

Can anyone please confirm I have a video posted?

You're good

 

[BRTreedogs]

You're good

Thanks

First video ever lol

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Well I’m calling this a qualifying shot at 599

But just barely.

I’m post 104

I tried to insert media the way it says earlier in this thread.

But ended up just slapping a link in text box

Can anyone please confirm I have a video posted?

I also did the link in the text box and seems to be working fine

 

[BRTreedogs]

I also did the link in the text box and seems to be working fine

Thank you

 

[BRTreedogs]

Not sure what all I miss when setting up my data/cold bore.

I had this thing dialed in yesterday at 782 center hits.

599 felt like a chip shot cold bore

And a barely snuck in.

I need to be more vigilant.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Not sure what all I miss when setting up my data/cold bore.

I had this thing dialed in yesterday at 782 center hits.

599 felt like a chip shot cold bore

And a barely snuck in.

I need to be more vigilant.
View attachment 899659

First round hit at 599 yards cold shooter and cold gun is def not a chip shot haha. That’s a good shot and a dead animal.

 

[BRTreedogs]

First round hit at 599 yards cold shooter and cold gun is def not a chip shot haha. That’s a good shot and a dead animal.

Thanks
When im shooting sub moa at 782 ish the day before and “trued up” my data

I just feel lost when my data is .2 high at 599

But I was real happy with my wind.

 

[BjornF16]

Just posted my 2nd shot. Looks like I get to progress to the next two shots at 675 yds