"
He simply deflected, resorted to some ad hominems, and then said he didn't have time for me. I almost feel bad about how big a hole I tore in him...almost. "
GOOD FOR YOU!
I see folks post pictures of their targets from handgunning on other Forums,, and when I see groups of 3", 4", 5" or more,,, AND the distance of 5,7 or 10 yds,, I bite my tongue. They are proud of their "accuracy" yet,, I try & be tolerant of them. I do not know them, their abilities, their potential disabilities, etc,, so instead of giving them grief,, I keep quiet.
BUT,, when a person tries to claim something like you've mentioned when it comes to handgun accuracy OR the ability of a handgun on big or dangerous game,, all while spouting nonsense, I can't keep quiet.
I'm not the best shot in the world,, and I could easily enjoy improvements to my abilities. Yet,, when it comes to handgunning,, for decades,, my starting point for accuracy was at 25 yds. And I'd work out to 100 yds or more to truly see what the gun in MY hands could do. People scoffed at me when I'd make claims of "nickle sized groups in my Contender 7x30 waters, off the bench, scoped." Yet,, when I was challenged,, I'd prove it to them. And when I started handgun hunting in the early 1980's,, the local boys all ragged me pretty good,, at first. It would start; "You can't kill a deer with a handgun." Or other such comments. And when we used to have a "pool" of money on our season,, I never placed below 2nd place,, taking their money every year. Soon, it went from "you can't" to "Oh crap,, what have you killed with that d*** handgun now?"
And it got even more fun when some of them occasionally saw me shoot something with a handgun, at a distance or a smaller target etc.
My point is,, sadly,, when a person thinks they are "good" or "smart" or whatever,, and are presented with a challenge or a "put up or shut up" scenario, they slink away or make excuses or whatever. As David says; "Accuracy is proved on the target,," and I've added,,, "And when proved by witnesses."
Your internet troll DESERVES to be educated,, and pulled down a few notches. Hopefully,, he MAY eventually learn better. Remember,, we were all young & dumb once.
But I've also seen a few internet experts who are old enough to know better,, argue their point & defend their actions no matter what proof you place before them. One individual stands out to me. On a different forum, he complained about accuracy & hard recoil in a 44 mag. He was,, AND still is of the mind you MUST control the gun by forcing it to stay down under recoil. He felt he should be able to hold the gun down when it fired. He denied the laws of physic would apply, felt a grip design MUST allow you to keep the gun from rolling up or backward, and no matter what brand he tried,, none worked. I wasted a lot of time trying to be polite, and offer sound advice,,, backed up by many publications & other info etc. Yet,, he finally admitted that he was just too old to change & felt his way was right & eventually he'd find the "right grip" that would do as he wished.
So, do NOT feel bad about putting that troll in his place. Bad info, misinformation, or other crap should not be out there for other new folks to see, and gosh forbid, believe.
I gave up on him.