Scratch shot:
Back in the late '70s or early '80s I acquired my first 45-70, a new Marlin 1895. A friend and I went to the range together because he had just picked up a used Rem 700 in 30-06 with a Redfield 3X9 scope. The range was crowded so we had to share a bench. The target was up at 100 yards and I told him to go first.
He had a box of his favorite reloads, IMR 4350 behind someone's 180g spitzer. The previous owner of that rifle had never sighted it in or more likely just stuck the scope on it, hoping to get more selling it. My friend had fired half a box or more and still wasn't on the middle of the target, just scattered shots around the edges as he tried to get closer to his POA. After his last shot, which I was spotting for him, he said he was tire and going to give his shoulder a rest. It was my turn.
I took his place at the bench and loaded the first round ever in my new 45-70. It was a cast 420g bullet over a charge of 3031 I got out of an old Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. I had no idea where the sight were set from the factory so I just held on the center. Understand, the gold bead front sight on that Marlin completely covered the black of the standard rifle target. I held as steady as I could and slowly pressed the trigger. The sear tripped and there was a satisfying "boom" and a serious but not painful shove on my shoulder. When I recovered from the recoil I looked at my friend who'd been watching through the spotting scope.
He gave me a funny look and got up from the bench, walked off into the parking lot and lit a cigarette. I walked around the bench to the side the scope was on and took a look. There was a nearly half inch hole in the exact middle of the target. All you could see of the "X" that had been there was 4 little legs, barely visible at the 4 corners of that 45 caliber hole.
I lit my own cigarette (I was a smoker back then) and went and found him. I said I was sighted in and it was his turn again. He looked at me with disgust and told me to shut up.
We remembered and laughed about that "scratch shot" for years to come.
Dave