Author Topic: Top Shot on History Channel (Read 1382 times)

teamnelson · « **on:** June 08, 2010, 11:27:45 AM »

Anybody watching it? My RP just told me about it, so I looked it up on the internet and now I can't wait to get home and watch it. 20 top marksmen competing for a $100K prize, using a variety of firearms and other projectile weapons. That sounds like TV worth watching.

spikehorn · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2010, 11:40:02 AM »

I watched the first episode. there are 2 teams red and blue, all the people are acomplished marksman from different discaplines. which ever team looses the challange has to pick 2 people from thier team to go to an elimination round who ever looses that goes home

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2010, 11:55:52 AM »

I found it almost unwatchable. It was a good idea that came off amateurish to me. For instance, the team challenge had them negotiate an "obstacle" that was roughly 30 seconds worth of work, then had them make 1 hit at both 50 and 100 yards with a few centerfire rifles (good thing they had their "spotters"!). There was no penalty for missing so there was no special premium put on accuracy.

I would like to see them incur a time penalty per miss or have a limited number of shots. I'd also like to see something more interesting than 50 and 100 yards "on target". As it is now, watching some of those shooting shows on cable is more interesting. Watching a cowboy action shoot is WAY more interesting. The world is full of fun things and ways to shoot, don't give me short range single hit rifle shots with some of the most produced weapons of all time.

I won't ruin the elimination for those who will still watch it, but it was another good idea with poor execution by the producers...

okieshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2010, 11:59:11 AM »

Amazed me the amount of misses by what was supposed to be a great marksman. I thought it was a good idea also but challenges could be improved.

Old Syko · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2010, 01:41:47 PM »

ABSOLUTE JOKE! The show is MC'd by a survivor loser and is nothing but a survivor episode with guns. They've already stated (in a round about way) that shooting skills have little to do with winning. It's more about people management skills. Shooting ability is secondary. Pitiful display of skills. The one and only female can't even find a target in a spotting scope. Again, it's an ABSOLUTE JOKE!

Hooker · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2010, 01:56:49 PM »

I thought is was a bit stupid. They had the shooters using rifles that the sites had obviously not been zeroed at all.
One guy fired upwards of 30 rounds and still can't get on the board much less hit the target. His spotter who had already hit his target never gave him any coaching as to where the rifle was hitting. It never did occur to the shooter to check the zero by firing at a closer target.
I thought that the obstacle course was un necessary and goofy.
Aside from that the young man in the elimination round did a great job and some fast shooting, I hope he earned some respect from his team mates.

Pat

LabRat2k3 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2010, 09:08:15 PM »

I was very dissapointed with the show, and will not watch it again. It is in no way a shooting competition, but just another lame reality show following the same tired foremat, goofy challenge then everybody votes on who leaves. The Outdoor Channel had a show a while back that was a pretty good competition IMHO. It was called "Shooters", I think.

Merle · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2010, 12:29:09 PM »

The only good thing I could say about it is that we got a look at some classic rifles.....

victorcharlie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2010, 02:38:48 PM »

I watched it. All I can say is for $100,000, sign me up......

Actually, I enjoyed it.....can't wait for sunday night.

teamnelson · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2010, 03:50:16 PM »

I guess it looks like a lot of fun to me. Take people who are used to scoring really high in formal competition, and throwing them into unique scenarios. Can you imagine low crawling to a gun you've never seen before and having to use it to stop a target at 50 or 100 yds? I'd feel like that was pretty good shooting to be able to do that. But I like to shoot sillywets with a single action revolver standing up so I'm wierd like that.

Merle · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2010, 04:02:57 PM »

Quote from: TeamNelson on June 09, 2010, 03:50:16 PM

I guess it looks like a lot of fun to me. Take people who are used to scoring really high in formal competition, and throwing them into unique scenarios. Can you imagine low crawling to a gun you've never seen before and having to use it to stop a target at 50 or 100 yds? I'd feel like that was pretty good shooting to be able to do that. But I like to shoot sillywets with a single action revolver standing up so I'm wierd like that.

I used to shoot IHMSA years ago (my member number was 6741) & consider myself an old-timer now. I hope this doesn't sound too critical, but I'd be embaressed to show my face after missing a 100 yard target THAT many times. Using a rested rifle is just too easy as compared to the rams at 200 M, standing or creedmore.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2010, 01:16:45 PM »

I have never watched a Survivor episode - that is until I watched Top Shot this week. Now I remember why I don't watch Survivor shows and I will not watch any more "Top Shot" shows - what a waste of time. It should be called "Survivor - with guns".

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2010, 02:08:06 PM »

I watched it and was excited to see what I thought was going to be something different.
In the club I belonged to in So Cal I used to boast that I was the best shot the club had.
Other guys would all pipe up. I can beat you at Hi power rifle, or another would say that I always beat you at trap, and target handgun and so on and on.
I would then say that my combined scores of the rifle matches, shotgun shoots, black powder front stuffer, the handgun, and the tactical shoots would exceed everyones and was trying to get a shoot King of the range shoot started where you had to attend all the club shoots for 3 months, Lowest score tossed, and all scores would be averaged and a winner would be named. ME.

What I was hoping was this was going to be similar and you would see team Vs Team shoot outs in the Rifle, shotgun, and handgun disiplines and the loosing team disqualified and then the remaining team continue to shoot events for individual points and a winner named. At the same time exposing the general public to those events that they may want to get involved.
All this does is show different people and different guns but not the skills that brought them to the event.
If I had a month to kill I would compete. I am an A- to B+ shooter in most events so I think I could do well.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2010, 03:15:40 PM »

When the two members of the Team Challenge were being decided I thought the Marine that missed 30 shots at 100 yards was going to turn around and use that 1911 against his Team Mates - just for an instant. The show is a bunch of crap. The young kid is arrogant, but still a good rifle shot. We'll see how he fairs this Sunday. The show is lame.

+1 to LaOtto222's "Survivor - with guns", but the blow up targets and Slo-mo film is nice.

----------------------------------------
Anybody remember a shotgun show, video'ed at night with yellow florescent skeet and a yellow florescent "spider web" type "Scoreboard" that celebrities/contestants would shoot toward as skeet were tossed at various locations, angles, speeds, and numbers. The higher, sooner, closer, etc. that a skeet was busted increased the score. Florescent skeet seemed to explode when hit against the black background of night. It was different, but wasn't a particularly interesting show - for TV.

Merle · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2010, 05:43:34 PM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on June 11, 2010, 03:15:40 PM

----------------------------------------
Anybody remember a shotgun show, video'ed at night with yellow florescent skeet and a yellow florescent "spider web" type "Scoreboard" that celebrities/contestants would shoot toward as skeet were tossed at various locations, angles, speeds, and numbers. The higher, sooner, closer, etc. that a skeet was busted increased the score. Florescent skeet seemed to explode when hit against the black background of night. It was different, but wasn't a particularly interesting show - for TV.

I remember this show. I believe it was called "celebrity skeet". It was pretty photogenic.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2010, 06:45:53 PM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on June 11, 2010, 03:15:40 PM

When the two members of the Team Challenge were being decided I thought the Marine that missed 30 shots at 100 yards was going to turn around and use that 1911 against his Team Mates - just for an instant. The show is a bunch of crap. The young kid is arrogant, but still a good rifle shot. We'll see how he fairs this Sunday. The show is lame.

+1 to LaOtto222's "Survivor - with guns", but the blow up targets and Slo-mo film is nice.

----------------------------------------
Anybody remember a shotgun show, video'ed at night with yellow florescent skeet and a yellow florescent "spider web" type "Scoreboard" that celebrities/contestants would shoot toward as skeet were tossed at various locations, angles, speeds, and numbers. The higher, sooner, closer, etc. that a skeet was busted increased the score. Florescent skeet seemed to explode when hit against the black background of night. It was different, but wasn't a particularly interesting show - for TV.

Star shot.
It was like they married Skeet and Darts. You had a grid and you had to break a bird in the box for it to count and you needed to break a bird in every box to win. they would pair up celebrities with pro shooters. With all the sporting clay games I think it would make a great side match.
I think they would fill the skeet with chalk line chalk. Guys at the Temecula Trap range do. They line up the skeet and fill with a colored mix of flour and chalk put contact paper over and seal the rims and then exacto knife the paper away. Put them on the thrower and crank up the speed.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2010, 06:49:49 PM »

That many misses, with a rested rifle, I dont git it.

Cheese

blind ear · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2010, 06:22:56 AM »

Cheesehead, +1. eddoegjr

Land_Owner · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2010, 06:36:50 AM »

If the gun had been sighted in, the first shot should have been sufficient on a 4" diameter exploding target with what appeared to be 12" of outline surrounding the inside bullseye - and he didn't hit that. I think I would have tried to THROW the rifle that far to make a "hit". If the gun's sights were that far "off" the show sponsors should consider spending their dollars somewhere else.

blind ear · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2010, 06:56:04 AM »

I wondered if it it had a crown or loads bad enough to be throwing keyholes. eddiegjr

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2010, 07:43:29 AM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on June 12, 2010, 06:36:50 AM

If the gun had been sighted in, the first shot should have been sufficient on a 4" diameter exploding target with what appeared to be 12" of outline surrounding the inside bullseye - and he didn't hit that. I think I would have tried to THROW the rifle that far to make a "hit". If the gun's sights were that far "off" the show sponsors should consider spending their dollars somewhere else.

The spotter talked about trying to adjust his aim when he was in the white. Sounds like he made a few hits close to the exploding part.
I think it shows that even a professional with an unfamiliar design and pressure of compitition can have a bad day.
I saw it as a lesson. Practice, Practice, Practice and in all displines at all ranges.

-Shaggy- · « **Reply #21 on:** June 12, 2010, 08:41:48 AM »

Watched his exit interview on the History Channel website and he says he wished he had been better informed on what type of guns he would be shooting. Yeah, right, blame the rifle for missing the target. Looked to me he just can't shoot iron sights worth a damn.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** June 12, 2010, 08:51:46 AM »

When i was in Jr. high we played football against a NY team (Buckley) and we lost. One of the teachers asked the next day how the game turned out. One of my buddies started off that we lost but it was raining and comming up with excuse after excuse.
The teacher simply asked, wasn't it raining and muddy on thier side of the field too?
It is not like the other team was shooting a bench rested scoped varmint model. they too had an open sighted bolt action.
It was only 100 yards away. basic fundamentals should have had a hit in less than 30 rounds. Actually we will never know how many as he stopped shooting when the other team hit the target.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #23 on:** June 12, 2010, 09:05:41 AM »

Mr. Mcwoodduck you beat me by that much (fingers 1/4" apart). The shooters had the same gun, shooting the same targets. They are all excellent shooters or would not make the grade, no doubt better shooters exist but all are up to the task. The man forgot fundamentals, he assumed the sights would be close enough to get on paper, they weren't.

If shooting competitions were all that entertaining to the masses Camp Perry would be the Super Bowl. The show has to sell advertising it ain't on PBS folks. People want a story, otherwise why watch a ball game, just check the box scores every morning in the newspaper.

blind ear · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2010, 01:13:34 PM »

If the gun doesn't keyhole or the action isn't loose in the stock, after just a few shots sights are sights and triggers are triggers. I thought he was a pro military shooter, at least "lots of experience" by his statement in reference to the yong guy. eddiegjr

teamnelson · « **Reply #25 on:** June 12, 2010, 06:03:37 PM »

So I'm still entertained ... it's a test of gun handling, not just punching paper from a rested position. Remember when pulling the trigger and watching a milk jug explode was fun enough? I spent a few hours one day trying to hit a playing card sideways standing up iron sights .38 single action. I say if this gets a few more folks out shooting, great!

blind ear · « **Reply #26 on:** June 13, 2010, 05:08:55 AM »

Shooters want to know, how does it group and does it move from cold to hot?

The young guy said it to start with "make three shots and don't move anything, same sight picture don't move anything". By the time he made his clicks he knew what he wanted to know.

He had been schooled through worrying what the rifle would do and just shot it for what it was. I think that is what got to the older guy, what he didn't know distracted him.

eddiegjr

Merle · « **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2010, 10:19:18 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on June 11, 2010, 06:45:53 PM

Quote from: Land_Owner on June 11, 2010, 03:15:40 PM
When the two members of the Team Challenge were being decided I thought the Marine that missed 30 shots at 100 yards was going to turn around and use that 1911 against his Team Mates - just for an instant. The show is a bunch of crap. The young kid is arrogant, but still a good rifle shot. We'll see how he fairs this Sunday. The show is lame.

+1 to LaOtto222's "Survivor - with guns", but the blow up targets and Slo-mo film is nice.

----------------------------------------
Anybody remember a shotgun show, video'ed at night with yellow florescent skeet and a yellow florescent "spider web" type "Scoreboard" that celebrities/contestants would shoot toward as skeet were tossed at various locations, angles, speeds, and numbers. The higher, sooner, closer, etc. that a skeet was busted increased the score. Florescent skeet seemed to explode when hit against the black background of night. It was different, but wasn't a particularly interesting show - for TV.

Star shot.
It was like they married Skeet and Darts. You had a grid and you had to break a bird in the box for it to count and you needed to break a bird in every box to win. they would pair up celebrities with pro shooters. With all the sporting clay games I think it would make a great side match.
I think they would fill the skeet with chalk line chalk. Guys at the Temecula Trap range do. They line up the skeet and fill with a colored mix of flour and chalk put contact paper over and seal the rims and then exacto knife the paper away. Put them on the thrower and crank up the speed.

Yeah, star shot, I remember NOW!!!

Merle · « **Reply #28 on:** June 13, 2010, 10:25:17 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on June 12, 2010, 07:43:29 AM

Quote from: Land_Owner on June 12, 2010, 06:36:50 AM
If the gun had been sighted in, the first shot should have been sufficient on a 4" diameter exploding target with what appeared to be 12" of outline surrounding the inside bullseye - and he didn't hit that. I think I would have tried to THROW the rifle that far to make a "hit". If the gun's sights were that far "off" the show sponsors should consider spending their dollars somewhere else.
The spotter talked about trying to adjust his aim when he was in the white. Sounds like he made a few hits close to the exploding part.
I think it shows that even a professional with an unfamiliar design and pressure of compitition can have a bad day.
I saw it as a lesson. Practice, Practice, Practice and in all displines at all ranges.

Also, try to get ahold of an unfamiliar rifle (or handgun) & see how you do with something totally unfamiliar. You might be surprised at the results. I shoot a variety of vintage rifles & handguns in competition, and it sure keeps you on your toes. But still, to miss that badly, that many times, with a spotter .......

Merle · « **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2010, 10:30:42 AM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on June 12, 2010, 09:05:41 AM

Mr. Mcwoodduck you beat me by that much (fingers 1/4" apart). The shooters had the same gun, shooting the same targets. They are all excellent shooters or would not make the grade, no doubt better shooters exist but all are up to the task. The man forgot fundamentals, he assumed the sights would be close enough to get on paper, they weren't.

If shooting competitions were all that entertaining to the masses Camp Perry would be the Super Bowl. The show has to sell advertising it ain't on PBS folks. People want a story, otherwise why watch a ball game, just check the box scores every morning in the newspaper.

Kind of makes me wonder if he was a "plant" to get people interested & talking - kind of like the "villian" you are supposed to hate in a sitcom???