The Most Powerful Air Rifle in My Collection: .72 Caliber Zeus

[@americanairgunhunter]

To everyone that wrote in, thanks for the comments. There are too many to try to answer all, but I did read them all, and appreciate your support (for the most part) and that you took the time to write them. A few comments that I can follow up on, 1) I should have taken a heads shot: I actually felt comfortable taking a body shot with this gun/caliber….. I just pulled it. If you watched my previous videos you’ve probably seen me take several hog with smaller caliber rifles using a headshot. This wasn’t the gun, ammo, pr intended shot placement, I just missed. 2) there were a couple people that accused me of simply making an excuse for a bad shot placement. This one is hard to answer any cleared than I did in the video, the video title, or the video description, there is no excuse, I simply missed what was an easy shot. 3) and finally, going into the grass wasn’t my brightest move….. what makes it even dumber was that my 9mm carry gun was in my pack, but in the heat of the moment I didn’t think to grab it. I’m back off hunting this morning, will catch up again later.

[@JIBREAL1967]

The thrill of the Hunt will have us all looking a little crazy (for forgetting basic things we would normally do...but when caught in the moment....ah...the joy of the pursuit) it happens it seens to even the best of us....Its Real!!

[@grandpa7278]

Ironically, because watching this wasn't planned, yesterday butcher can to the farm, killed our Pig. Gotta say, it hurt, I liked that Pig! So, guess wild pigs are dangerous? Never seen one

[@merlesouth621]

Honestly, it's good to see. Not every hunt goes perfectly, and no matter what your experience level, there's always the chance of a less than perfect shot. Even with a cannon like the Zeus. Thanks for the "real" perfect experience!

[@johnbeltron8787]

Thank you for showing the real story,we appreciate your content.

[@j.verfaillie5742]

You have to have balls to share a sad incident with an audience like that. You have to be brave and cool-headed to follow your prey into difficult unknown territory and undeniably get the job done right. My hat off to you.

[@donpeer4477]

When all we see is perfection, our expectations are incorrectly set and we're not ready for anything less. Thank you for keeping it real, Jim! Great shot on the charge, BTW. Especially, under stress!

[@stevengoodman3498]

Thanks for showing this Jim! It happens to all of us in our hunting lifetime. People only show the great kill shots on KZbin. Thanks for being bold enough to show this video and please keep em coming!

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thasnks, appreciate the support!

[@juntatang759]

That's a real hunt , Jim . You're really a legend !

[@almirria6753]

glad to see some times may not always go your way. Nothing is perfect. I'm just glad you're ok., maybe the next hunt will be better.

[@abbaby555]

Sometimes a hunt goes sideways, just take it as another experience in the field. It's happening to me and I learned from it. I know I felt horrible as well. Thanks for sharing

[@GunsOfTheWest]

This is a fantastic, honest video! I already respected you a lot, but I respect you even more now. Misplaced shots can happen to anyone, but not everyone dares to show it. I love your work and hope you keep it up for a long time!

[@jaredcattouse7174]

Thanks for sharing. This is real. As a fan of yours I appreciate this more than you know. Your channel is very intimate and hunters understand. It’s part of it and it shows that you are who u are. People who know will know.

[@jtbork1221]

It happens sometimes Jim...you're an honest hunter...I have followed you for years. No matter how good you are, sometimes a shot does not land where we want...we have all been there. Brush it off and keep moving forward. I look forward to your future hunts.

[@ColoradoAirgunner]

Great video Jim! I admire and commend your honesty for publishing this video. No shooter or hunter is perfect. Any hunter who has taken a lot of shots on big game animals has made a bad 1 or 2. I know I have. All we can do is be good ethical hunters and strive to have done the work and practice to make good shots. As well as the discipline and patience to make good decisions. However, even when you do all of that to the best of your abilities, we are human, it isn't always perfect. At least you were able to track him down and finish the job! Can't wait for the next one!

[@tandtoutdoors5154]

Jim we all have those moments and for you to own it speaks volumes to your character. I have had a deer hunt where I flubbed the shot at just under 300 yards and had to track the wounded animal for a quarter mile to get in the final shot. Its an unfortunate item that happens when we hunt. Thank you for sharing.

[@janrobertbos]

..............being honest about things far outweighs just showing the success stories..........................Greetz from the Netherlands!!!

[@garethh6962]

Happens to best of us Jim and those that say its never happened to them are liars or have never hunted, I know it was dangerous but you did the right thing. Love that 72 cal monster..

[@airgunoutdoorscolorado]

Thanks for sharing Jim, it happens to all of us but great recovery!

[@hurricaneaquatics]

Glad you posted this Jim. Things happen and we just have to shake it off and continue hunting. That was a good, quick follow up. I have to say, that was a great video to keep the viewer on edge! I liked it and it's good to see all angles of hunting.

[@HobbiesHobo]

You did the right thing Jim. Glad you showed us this. Now, about that missing "Bayonet Mount"..... Mike.

[@andrebrown7871]

Hey Jim don't feel bad it happens to the best, you just have to shoot for the head all the time to kill shot so they won't make all that noise and wine and suffering, The headshot is the best.

[@medwynvermin8772]

Firstly, thankfully you are okay. Secondly, I salute your openness and honesty on putting this up. We all have the shot that doesn't hit where it should. You move, the animal moves whatever it is unfortunately it happens sometimes. How we deal with it afterwards makes the difference. You went in to stop the animal suffering. Despite the risk to yourself. Hindsight, was it the safest/smartest thing to do? I don't know how long it would be before help came to assist you in finding it, 20 minutes or more, all the time the animal would be suffering. I haven't hunted pigs but I would probably have done the same as you, dive on in to stop the suffering. Don't beat yourself up about this. Anyone who says it never happened to them is not being honest to themselves or others. Enjoy the rest of your trip, stay safe.

[@its_AlphaSloth]

Jim, you are one of the most ethical hunters I know. We all do our best to make that perfect shot. Unfortunately, bad shots happen. Excellent video, and glad to see that you're just human like the rest of us. Thank you for all that you do, and every video you put out.

[@jfakoggl]

Thanx for sharing. One gets desensitized when watching only perfect hunts with perfect shots. This is reality kicking in. Same with watching high-end sports events like Formula1, and then being astonished if an accident happens. Humans make mistakes, even the best ones in their field. Carry on and be safe!

[@JIBREAL1967]

When hunting...real stuff happens. Not every shot is perfect...but the lessons learned from the experience will make us better. Having watched this some of us have gotten better already....we see...we learn. Great video Mr C. We appreciate the honesty ...

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks for the comment, it's appreciated....

[@Hunttip]

Thanks for being a real person. Waiting on the next hunt, sir!

[@michaelstorm8578]

You kept after him and finished the job, that's the main thing. It's not a perfect world. Thanks for your honesty.

[@nzajflynn]

I can respect the honesty. Everyone makes mistakes. Goes to show the importance of target plinking. Your obviously an ethical hunter, thanks for posting.

[@russelrogers2540]

Things don't always go well. We have all been there at least once. You did the ethical follow up and finished the job.

[@bnight.7996]

You prepared, you checked and verified your equipment, you followed your plan for the hunt. After the shot you had already thought through and decided what you would do in the worst cases possible. You followed the ethical choice even with the emotions and adrenaline pumping. The only criticism was going alone and staying close so you don’t lose the animal or getting help. Not a criticism, just a hard choice. Looks like you made some good ones. Thanks for sharing the hard videos too.

[@heathhalfhill6401]

Stuff happens🤷‍♂️ alway a good idea to carry back up when hunting hogs. I prefer 10MM Glock but hey that’s me. Might not be a bad idea in the future. They can really tare you up real bad and in this case you may have been able to put it down a lot sooner had you known it was a bad first shot. Like I said…stuff happens brother. God bless glad you didn’t get attacked.

[@stoecklinr]

Just being willing to be honest with us is such a relief, really thanks Jim!

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks Rich, hopefully not too many of that type of video :)

[@AgapeWarrior]

hey bro anyone who says they dont make misttakes must get tired of doin nothing !! Hats off 2 ya for being honest ! takes a man (person) to hang it out like that. Good on ya , luv the show !!

[@n2shooter]

Jim, you are a hunter's hunter. A man of the highest ethical and moral regard. I feel so bad for you, as your emotional pain and turmoil comes through the video so clearly. Let this be the perfect example of why we as hunters need to make certain are shots are on the money. I appreciate you sharing a very low moment with us, so we can have this as a reminder of the responsibilities required when hunting. Godspeed

[@kevine9986]

Great vid this happens to us all.The recovery is very ethical Many Hunters dont go the extra mile

[@martinfrenandez7350]

I am so happy you retrived your animal. I made a pencil shot on a Elk (no bone) which ran over 800 yards through both lungs. She bedded down for about 1 hr until I spooked her and I didn't turn the power down on the scope so I never made the follow up shot after which she ran off with no more blood trail or tracks to follow. Searched for 2.5 days with no results. It's been two years now and I've studied every bonded bullet performance, bone or no bone, balistic gel,water jugs and recreated the same shot with the same ammo originally used which helped me come to the penciling conclusion. How an animal can run with no blood or just on adrenilen I just can't understand.

[@gordonpelto1069]

Love the honesty. I think every hunter has had some bad hunts. Great video, it does show we're all imperfect humans.

[@johnlantz3771]

Wow, nice job braving it through the tall grass to find the hog and finish the job! We’ve all been there before, and I appreciate your showing how things go sometimes, how to make the best of it, and to learn from the experience. 👍

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, it was a hunt to remember on many levels.!

[@butcherknife59knife46]

Story’s be told WE all have had a bad shot here and there. It makes us better hunter for the game. Because we will alway take better shots after that to take game cleaner. You’re a good man . Around Bend Oregon out!

[@kylestacey3641]

I don't know about anyone else but I have nothing but respect for you and your ethics. Everyone who's watched you knows your skillset and what you're capable of. No hunt goes perfect. We've all had unsuccessful shots. If you haven't well than you haven't shot enough yet. Respect you more for the transparency.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Hey Kyle, I appreciate that! Thanks for your view and comment!

[@Inkunzemnyama]

Thanks for sharing/showing this. Every hunter is most likely going to experience this at one point in his life if he/she is out there enough. We are hunting wild animals after all

[@2marauderman329]

Your first shot,while not perfect, still was quite effective.”The paralyzer”. Lol. Anyhow,no one is perfect.The worst is when you do what you did,and cant find the quarry.Glad it worked out in the end.Thanks,bud!

[@hunteryaughn6934]

Awesome video and definitely speaks volumes about you as a hunter and a person to be completely open and honest about the situation, all of us have made marginal shots due to situations going wrong for whatever reason, awesome job on the recovery and putting the pig out of his misery, always been a fan and I'm definitely more of a fan now

[@americanairgunhunter]

I appreciate that and your continued support!

[@airgunfun4248]

It speaks to your character that you tell it kike it is Jim. As much as you would like to get a clean shot every time I have to say this one was very entertaining. It had an element of adventure and suspense. Really glad you decided to share it. In the end you got it done and took care of business. Good instincts, great reaction and it made for a fascinating watch edge of the seat stuff

[@huntergameson9665]

Another great video Jim, I appreciate your honesty. There is an opportunity to learn from everything Thanks for showing it. You are still the best airgun hunter In the world! My hats off to you and wishing you the best always!

[@americanairgunhunter]

I appreciate that, and appreciate your support!

[@MrSniper2007]

Good thing is you finished the hog as quickly as you could it happens when hunting some are good and some go bad as you said much respect to you sir good video as well

[@markbostic4706]

Thank you for sharing the real story, not everything is perfect, what is important is what we do next.

[@edwardhopf2654]

I’m glad you were honest. Things happen.

[@robertf4540]

Thanks for sharing! Nobody is perfect. We all miss.

[@drummerdavemax]

I'm glad you got him in the end of the video! That would give me closure on the situation. And boy was that a good head shot, especially since it was on the fly while being charged! If the last thing you saw was him dragging his ass across the road, then disappearing into the grass & not seen him again, that would be a bad shot that would haunt me! But when you can finish the job & know it's finished, it's a lot better. Hopefully you've made some great shots since then, so those are on your mind now! Just like you, & every hunter I've ever talked to, I care a lot about animals, even the ones I'm trying to get rid of! Take care & thanks for sharing! 👍

[@jeremyblackwater439]

Oh man…Jim this happens sometimes. Much respect to you as always. You saw it through…and killing isn’t always clean.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, appreciate the support

[@jeremyblackwater439]

@@americanairgunhunter absolutely 💪🏾 you’re one of the reasons I even hunt with an airgun. Take care good sir.

[@margaretmacmurray658]

You finished the hog that's the mane thing , you didn't leave it like some people have done , well done

[@outbackwithtrevor9156]

That`s real life here that happens it sucks but it does happen. You tracked it and got it that`s what counts. Keep up the great job!

[@allaboutpcpairguns7069]

Jim if anyone says they haven't had a bad shot they are lying or have never shot an animal 😉

[@somewhereinsd362]

If u hunt u have had this experience... fortunately u recovered this hog... I like this "truth" video Jim, thank u

[@randaltfrazier]

Appreciate you showing the video

[@motorgearhead]

For me, a novice hunter, this was a very helpful video. It shows even when you check & even double check your gear, it comes down to the person behind the trigger & the conditions of the moment. I guess it's all part of the challenge of the hunt. Would the addition of a sidearm given you some comfort in the tall grass?

[@frankbollotino2270]

Jim anyone who says they haven’t made a bad shot is either lying or hasn’t hunt enough yet .

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

There's no shame in that. Stuff like that can happen to anyone. Nobody wants to make a shot like that on purpose. You did the right thing.

[@Kurtdog63]

Everybody has had hunts that went south quickly. Hunters understand sometimes animal requires a follow up shot, and sometimes, they get away and aren't recoverable. No matter how famous the hunter thru history, they all have hunts they wish turned out differently. Nobody is immune no matter how good a shot they are.

[@chrisgardner9270]

No one is perfect 👌 good job man....keep up the good work 💪 👏🏼

[@wascalywabbit]

It happens... We've All had bad shots... Especially with airguns.. But.. you tracked it, found it and finished it humanly..

[@Grace_N_Gardens]

Great recovery no worries lol

[@ZaayOutDoors]

Let’s see another hunt with the 72 cal

[@greghoag1990]

It is what it is.at least you found the animal and did the right thing nice 2nd shot.

[@LowkeyAirgunner]

This long grass is weird 😁🇨🇦 Looking for him in there was sketchy!

[@romanmadrid4550]

Don't take this wrong old man that was about as good as shots I've seen anybody take like we like you said we all like to get the perfect shot but doesn't always work out that way and under the circumstances I say you did outstanding!!! Nice animal congratulations.

[@easternblocairguns2728]

Yea, this happens. I feel it is a combination of low moving bullet and the gun resting on your knee. The gun moved before the slug left the barrel.

[@nealtressler1661]

Hey Jim… it happens… anyone who says that he never misplaced a shot either doesn’t hunt much, or is a liar. Not sure what happened…you may have just hit a stick/ brush( no.. I don’t care how big the gun is)…. Bottom line is , you went in and cleaned up the mess… the animal didn’t needlessly suffer…. Kudos for your honesty, brother

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks Neal, appreciate that

[@russellfleet7636]

I appreciate the honesty. If you hunt enough it will eventually happen .I have been there myself. Also we have no control over the animals movement.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, this will happen, but it's never a good experience!

[@davidvazquez7862]

Nice Hunt sometimes things happened but you got him that rifle dropped him even getting a back shot thank god you had a zeus

[@nzajflynn]

Not sure if this has been answered, did he taste any different? An ex girlfriends father of mine shot a stag in the spine, similar shot to yours, had to finish with a knife. The meat wasn't good. Always wondered if he was just an old boy or if the adrenaline tainted the meat?

[@reviewofinterestingitemsma8003]

your very brave to show us all this, (the keyboard worriers must be tearing you to pieces) there is not one of us who has not taken what in hindsight turned out to be a regrettable shot. your compassion for your wounded pray shows you are a good fellow. the decision to follow it into the long grass was stupid. sorry it was the only thing more dangerous than a wild pig, is a wounded wild pig that could of so easily cost you your life. all in all thank you for sharing this with us.

[@bb-bj8eu]

Can you please invest in a mic with a wind sock?

[@malc1730]

Not every shot can be perfect Jim but at least you followed up and finished it off .

[@ralstonraz]

I think the South Africans can take a cue from this video. They project themselves as ace Air snipers. It would be good at times to see them miss - miss due to their own error instead of blaming the wind etc etc.... The list goes on... Kudos to you Jim. 😊👍

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, appreciate that.

[@craigcook1571]

It happens, even with powder burners. As ethical hunters we all feel remorse for the animal. We are not perfect, our equipment is not perfect, and conditions aren’t always perfect so we just have to except the fact that occasionally these things will happen, or quit hunting. The only critique I would say is that there is no way I would ever shoot a dangerous animal with a bow, or an Airgun without having a handgun for backup. Actually a sawed off 12guage with 00buck would be ideal for the situation you were in. If you had missed on that last shot, you would/could have been in trouble. I always enjoy your vids. Try not to let any arm chair hunters that might comment get under your skin

[@davidberkley839]

Great Job Jim sometimes it takes 2 shots ! At least you went after it !! Hey I been hearing a new term lately ?? Momma Boar Hog ! Guess hunters are now Woke lol !!

[@darrenbrown9096]

thanks for being honest

[@robertkeller447]

at least ya kept on him , it's a wild pig , good hunt !

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks Robert, appreciate your view and comment!

[@Matt-yi2ir]

I’m not a hog hunter are hogs dangerous will they charge you? Are both the male and female dangerous do they have to have tusks to be dangerous. Just wondering we have hogs where I live I might try hog hunting.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Mostly no, but they can be if you get too close, surprise them, wound them, or find one in a bad mood. I've shot close to 200 hogs and have been seriously charged a half dozen times, all but once a wounded hog. Both male and female can do you harm, and tusk will make it worse, but they have other teeth that can do a number on you.

[@mikecarter4412]

It happens brother at least he wasn’t left out there to suffer.

[@drake1011]

I'm looking to buy the .16 or the .24 inch barrel Zeus. Which do you prefer? Which shot flatter? I know you like the shorter rifles but you ended up with the .24 inch barrel? any reason for that?

[@americanairgunhunter]

I've got both the 16" and 24" versions of the .72, and the 32" .58 caliber gun. That 16" is a cool size for use in heavy brush.... and you can add a DonnyFL suppressor without making it unwieldy. However, my preference is the 24" because it's a good balance of size, shot count, and shootability. So if picking one, ifor me it would be the 24".

[@drake1011]

@@americanairgunhunter I was leaning toward the 24”. Thnx!

[@collectibles4u]

I have the utmost respect and you can hear the disappointment your voice trust me all of us has been through this.

[@catherineharris4746]

Oh well it is what it is💥👍

[@Tofazfou]

Wasn't that bad at all to me. Pulled shot or incorrect wind reading, it happens! Those are the experiences we learn from. I'm sure it taught you something and thats whats important also. And you did track and dispatch the animal as quickly and SAFELY as you could. So kudos man! We need more videos from other like this. Its the TRUTH! That's why I posted a "GREATEST MISSES" videos because i wanted to show everyone that NONE of us are perfect shots or hunters

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks Cedric, one thing I did learn was next time I'll remember to slip my 9mm out of my pack before I go into the high grass.......

[@Tofazfou]

@@americanairgunhunter LOL, yes siiiiir, thats important too😁

[@ronaldcogar8672]

Things happen Jim, I love airguns

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Need bayonet lug on there, imagine if you missed?

[@jjssnb3790]

Hey Jim no bad intended we all humans we all make mistakes but don’t feel bad you got em and you were safe that’s all that matters here in Hawaii we got them Big Boys with Big Shanks and they come for you lol good job ma man I enjoy all ur videos 🤙 Happy Hunting & thanks for all you do

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, appreciate that. I want to set up a hunt in Hawaii this year, but dont know where to start. Any suggestions?

[@jjssnb3790]

Well Jim we jus opened a shop 808 Airguns and hopefully soon we’ll get situated soon I’ll keep you informed we are aiming for the summer to hunt Pigs I’ll keep in touched as we get situated ok🤙

[@MrTacklebury]

Don't be so hard on yourself. They were milling and the wind will push those big slugs a bit. You did well to get after him and drop him at the charge. ;)

[@americanairgunhunter]

Going back to the same property next week, will redeem myself.... or at least try to do better!

[@unlimitedj06]

Hogs are bad ass, they are survivors. Hey at least you got to find it and it did not feed the coyotes.

[@wannabemgtow2540]

For a second there I thought the pig got away which would have been bad, but you did the ethical thing and went after the Beast and put it out of his misery. Most ethical Hunters would have done the same, nobody wants to leave an animal wounded in the wild and suffering.

[@martyn6792]

That slug made one big hole in its head, sometimes things don't always go to plan

[@brandybrooks2123]

Thanks for being real

[@bigks1619]

Well stuff happens, thing with big bore rifles hunters get to confident that that 12 gauge slug will kill, when I've seen you take about the same size hog with .25 cal you where more careful with your aim taking it with a head shot, I do give you Kudos that you manned up and went to look for the hog to dispatch it correctly, unlike a guy named Keith that was too scared to go out in south Texas brush to look for wounded hogs, giving the excuse there is rattle snakes in the grass and the coyotes would find them and eat them.

[@robertwamboldt9437]

No reason to feel bad not all shots are perfect for anyone you followed it up and finished it, to be respected!!!!!

[@MissionaryInMexico]

The YubTub lie is.. It's like watching 100 hunting channels where every video ends in a kill. Then, you go out 5 times yourself, and 3 times you see nothing to get a shot at, once you gutshot and it gets away, and once you get a kill. KZbin versus reality. I've hit squirrels with my airguns and .22 powder burner rifle and one out of 10 gets away. I went archery hunting for whitetail with my brother, and he gutshot a buck. Waited half an hour until after dark. We trailed it, started raining, lost it. My brother stopped hunting archery for 5 years because of it. First year back, he heart shoots a 600 pound elk. Reality.

[@zato6226]

That pigs scream is one of the reasons I don't understand why people hunt.

[@galebonenkwana3980]

If this rated as air rifle why were don't have them in south Africa ,and why air rifle laws are not the same under air rifle conditions ,in country's

[@lukes-uf4bc]

I loose a 300pound male pig🐗 last week with a 12 shot gun i fired at 40 yards 4 times and she run away for evee😓😭

[@americanairgunhunter]

That is a big pig, and at least it ran away instead of at you! They can carry a lot of lead.

[@paulineroyadair3505]

IT happens Just pick up and learn from this experience .If truth be known we all have had something like this happen .Roy