ARs are legit hunting rifles

Five hours later we spotted a big herd of antelope and I was dropped off on a road nearly 700 yards in front of its advance. There was little for me to hide in, so part of my getting into position was literally crawling on my belly to a slight rise, using sage for cover (and sage doesn't grow very big around here).

I'm pretty practiced at that crawl with a bolt-action rifle, but after 30 yards with the AR I'd figured out how to do it with the "black rifle," even with the bipod prematurely deployed, just as effectively.

Once I was in position, part of the herd saw something moving and turned away. Several bucks didn't notice the switch at first, but I knew it wouldn't be long.

I found the one I wanted, sent the bolt into battery and took careful aim at 255 yards. Just as I passed the first stage of the awesome double-stage trigger, the wind died for the first time all day. I adjusted slightly as the second stage delivered the firing pin and sailed the first shot--a clean miss.

I'd make excuses like Sturgis, jet lag, wind, snow, rain, ice and laying on a beer belly I've been gestating since college, but the truth of the matter is adjusting your point of impact in response to a sudden lack of wind, while executing a proper trigger squeeze, is a maneuver for an expert marksman who goes through many more rounds a week than I do. Don't get me wrong. I'm good with a rifle and have dropped much bigger game at distances that dwarf this particular shot. However, I didn't do it with a rifle and scope I've only known for two days, with 80-grain bullets.

In the wind the antelope had no idea they were even being shot at so they walked to a distance that was slightly more than 150 yards. The results are seen in the photo.

My experience was a humbling reminder that it's important we all get to know our rifles well, particularly when hunting, where conditions could unexpectedly turn tough.

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