How much of this FORUM do you believe is bullshit?

I’ve been posting a number of months on this forum, and I’ve noticed that many opinions are essentially FIXED, although most will likely admit to occasionally learning something new – maybe even changing their minds.

Hence, my question (asked mostly out of curiosity) is:

What percent of the contents of the posts would you consider totally or near totally bullshit?

I also bring up this topic, because I recommend this forum to friends, who (more-often-than-not) say…â€it’s just a bunch bullshit posted there.†Admittedly, internet forums have a poor reputation in many different subject areas, not just guns, reloading, etc.

Any thoughts?

Know what you mean. Most of the posts turn into "I do that -so it is the best" type thing or you never get the real answer. Sometimes you do but bullshit runs deep enough to keep a pair of hip boots handy so you can wade through it.
I was called a lier several times when explaining a thing tha thappened and all I can say is they can kiss my ass!

I think there are a variety of issues that come into play. First of all is how the original post is written. Poorly written vaque questions, or inflamatory ones have a tendancy to take on a life of their own. Then there are the folks that feel that they have to add their 2 cents even if they have zero experience in the question at hand.

I'd say that well written clear concise questions tend to get good answers here. I'd also say that, whatch think about this questions get a quality of repsonse commensurate with the effort put into posing the question.

as ronald reagan said..."trust but verify" outing liars is some of the fun

Whaaat?

You don't believe that people here routinely make one shot kills at 500 yards, offhand, with Match Kings? (well, admittedly, some do it with Ballistic tips..)

Oh, you poor ill informed unbeliever! Here, you walk among Giants!

Actually, I rarely come here to read the posts without my shovel near at hand. But it's fun, dammit! And you do, from time to time, find a very useful piece of wisdom.

I wouldn't have any idea what percentage is BS, but I'd say it's up there further than most think it is!

Some of the loading data really used to get to me when I first got into the forums! People trying to turn their 308's into 300 H&H magnums (performance-wise) is one good example!
Another one is when someone says they have X number of 243's, X number of 308's, etc, etc, etc!
The way I see those comments is that the one making the point MUST be the owner of a fairly good size gunshop!

Every thread has different value and some have even 0.0 value One just learns to ignore them if possible.

This forum has had extremely good threads on mauser actions, barrels, heat treating, and woods. I've learned a bunch and hope I've given a little back....but it's what you want it to be. There's folks posting here that are masters in the trade and some that are amateurs and others that ...well...are not.

Some are just plain humorous and not all of us see the humor the same....lighten up a bit I guess...

Of all the forums on the net this one is far and away the best in every respect one can measure it. It's not a bunch of kids posting...these for the most part are very experienced gunsmiths, hunters, reloaders, travelers, etc

There's about a thousand times more learning to be had here than any other forum I know of.

Is there bullshit here?...certainly....learn to wade a little...it's worth the trouble.

Any open internet forum requires a certain level of disernment to separate the wheat from the chaff.
I've seen some stuff that was pretty easy to dismiss, but I've also been able to post back and forth with people whose work I greatly admire: D'Arcy Echols, Steven Dodd Hughes, Roger Kerr etc. I appreciate the chance to learn from the best, and thank those responsible for sponsering this site.
It also seems to be a truism to me that people most readily accuse others of what they themselves are guilty of................DJ

you get alot of bs post but if you wade through the post you can learn something. i have learned alot from this forum and hope that some people have been helped when i post my experience. but you must understand that every weapon is unique and just because something works for my weapon does not mean that you will get the same results with yours. that said i do not see any reason to use any other powder than h4831 or any other bullet than sierra 130 grn prohunters in the .270 win.

For most of us, learning to recognize bullshit takes practice. Especially when we happen to be the source.

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
For most of us, learning to recognize bullshit takes practice. Especially when we happen to be the source.

Classic..... .......DJ

I dont know about bullshit percentage either, but I have learned a lot from some of the posts. Ever heard the saying "15 years on the job with one year of experience". I am sure that applies to a lot of this bullshit. Hell it even applied to me up until about 5 years ago and I got real serious about accuracy.

LOL just my $.02

Some parts of AR are way up there in the BS index, others not so much. I'll second Vapodog's comments in regard to having the chance to talk to some extremely talented folks. You also get to speak with some Gong Show contestants. You have to decide which are which. You have to have a fairly thick hide as well, for it you say something untrue there are many here that will bring it to your attention.

Funny thing about AR is that it survives while others fall by the wayside, even as some posters whine about all the ragin' assholes at AR on other sites. I spent a good deal of time on other web sites in my early days, now I'm donw to two. The other is 24Hour Campfire, a place also graced with some smart cookies, and quite a bit more reserved than this carnival. It's not that they will agree any quicker with BS, they just make you enjoy the trip when they tell you to go to hell.

One thing I'll pass on to any who care to listen. The point in all this discourse on the site is to trade knowledge. You can learn a LOT in some of these threads, and to a large extent it is the only place to do that. There is no Universtiy of Expert Shooters and Hunters. There are places to learn about the 3 different schools of ballistic science(not under one roof), there are places to learn gunsmithing. There are places to learn about hunting elk, unfortunately not in Florida. Failure to mingle will leave you with a narrow perspective and a lot on misplaced beliefs founded on a small sampling.

If you come here thinking you are the fastest gun in the west and the Know All of Shooting, you are wasting your time and ours. If you are willing to learn, AND teach those things of which you have certain supportable knowledge, then hang around. We could profit from that, and you can too.

My .02 worth.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chuck White:
I wouldn't have any idea what percentage is BS, but I'd say it's up there further than most think it is!.............................................................................................
Another one is when someone says they have X number of 243's, X number of 308's, etc, etc, etc!
[QUOTE]

Chuck, an open mind sometimes can be a good thing. Not being an owner of a gunshop but thinking that I owned a pretty decent collection (which includes 11 308's but only 1 243) I've seen a few that put mine to shame. Some people, myself included spend way too much on this stuff!...................DJ

In order to get the best use out of any source of information, you must learn to sort out the useful wheat from the worthless chaff. And to be sure, there will be more chaff than wheat. That's not to discredit anyone. On an online forum, everyone is entitled to their opinion and are welcome to chime in. To that end, I've read a few very good scholarly discussions between those to know their stuff.

Otherwise:

quote:

How much of this FORUM do you believe is bullshit?

Often times? Lots...

I like what Paul Holgrem said;I will add it is those who post the most on subjects they dont know about that that confused the others(b.s);Paul holgrem thanks you are a gentleman,Hotcore and Woods,I appreciate your posts,some others too,what will be this forum without the gentleman SAEED...

I am somewhat of a bullshitter myself but occasionally I like to listen to real professionals so I log onto several shooting Forums.

Ray

I've learned a lot on here in 3 years. I'm not afraid to ask plenty of questions even though I believe I already know the answer sometimes. I don't like to pretend I know everything and show respect for the different opinions, just as I'd expect for my own opinion.

With the number of members on AR, you might run into more jerks than you would on other forums. It reflects the massive membership that’s all. This is more of a global site compared to 24HCF for example. Opinions will very drastically between the US and Sweden(6.5x55 an elk cartridge?).

In all honesty, I meet people hunting and at the range who often have me scratching my head or chuckling after we part ways. It’s no different out in the real world. Maybe worse even. One on one people may think they can pull your leg with wild claims. On forums, you better be ready to back it up because there are 15,000 people lining up to call BS!

You want to see BS? Check out the Politics topic. Bring your waders!!

You usually get what you pay for...

- here you have to pay the small price of sorting out the bull in order to get some really useful, helpful or interesting advice. A bargain, as far as I'm concerned.

quote:

Originally posted by boilerroom:
You want to see BS? Check out the Politics topic. Bring your waders!!

Agreed! There you will find devils, desciples, and the disheveled along with the requisite b/s.

As for the rest of the forum, I subscribe to the 70/30 rule, with the former being good, and the latter, well, not so good.

Guys, as far as time on this forum goes, I am still sucking on a baby bottle...
But I will say this: generally, you men have educated me more in the last roughly five months than anything I learned in the previous five years. I have had a bit of fun picking at people, but expect to get picked at, too. That is part of the fun.
So: if you see an opening to wear me out, take it. And keep talking about the stuff I like to read about. I enjoy this site, even if there is some fertilizer to wade thru now and then...

I really don't mind the bullshit, the world is full of it . I've been involved in the shooting sports for over 40 years and know it when I see it. The know it all, arrogant, and condescending posts will always be there. I find it best to consider the source and either read or ignore them. After a while, one learns where they come from and what to expect. I find a lot of them quite entertaining.

I too have learned a lot here, I do question some of the numbers on accuracy and velocity. In general I think most of the technical info is good. I do feel that it seems like all the rifles that everyone else owns is a MOA gun, I only own one that will do that all the time.

Anything that you see above my signature line is guaranteed to be total bullshit.

I'm only lying when I am typing!

lawndart

I'd have to say that every thing I've ever posted came to me seconds before I typed it. Completely dreamt up in my wild imagination.

I don't even own a rifle.

Personally I believe every word I read here!

Actually, most of what we post here is the truth as the poster sees it. Take the grain of truth out (if there is one) and leave the rest. I have learned a lot from all of you guys and a little sense of humor helps.

There is no better place to question, analyze, discuss, and learn about reloading than right here. Where else you gonna get it, from the magazines? Possibly from books. I don't know about you but I don't even know another reloader to discuss this stuff with, and anyway he wouldn't know near as much as I do!

I have a tendency to believe that most of what is written is truth.... Unless

1. It is on the political forum, and then 99.9 % of that is BS because about 10 guys post 99.9 % of all of the posts on there...

2. It is from someone who reeks of not having much experience in the field.

3. Those that tout " what they read in a book" or everyone "Says" ( our resident Arm Chair Ballisticians or our Keyboard Hunters") .... I respect those that have gotten out and tried it for themselves and supply the details enough that someone else who wants to try and verify the same on their own can... I know out testing stuff, I have actually been surprised and found that what is treated as gospel ( such as you need a Magnum to kill any animal) just isnt' so...That some rifles have a lot more potential than is commonly "Accepted"... such as the 257 Roberts, or the 6.5 x 55, or the 6mm Rem..

I really believe that MOST HUNTERS and SHOOTERS have an honesty level (about their sport) that is much higher than society as a whole....

If a guy is just telling lies to make himself look like a hero, normally the only person he is really fooling is himself....

So I always give someone the benefit of the doubt until they prove to me that I should not extend that courtesy to them any more...

But I tend to be a guy who always asks " why not" long before I say " YOU Can't do that!"... I tend to think of the possibilites... or things that I am told "you can't do that"... I just look for a way to either verify that statement or find a way to make it untrue.. I just do so with an open mind and no expected results.... I am often surprised what I find out.... Like you can't kill deer with a 223... I never did, until I thought that that statement does not make sense and went out and took several with one shot kills....

I have learned low velocity often has more penetration capability than high velocity... with a standard bullet... High velocity needs a lot more velocity to overcome the resistant and elasticity of the media it is penetrating....

But we live in a society that is 99 % bullshit anymore.... Just look at the government... Just look at gas prices ( yeah we are suppose to believe all that BS why it is so high)... We have become a nation of sheep, with too much trust and too many things and entities that take advantage of that....

So who do you blame.. the liar who lies to you.... or the fool blind enough to believe the lies... because he is too lazy to test it or go out and get another point of reference????

The way I see it...
seafire

Don't use the internet without installing a BullShit Filter kit.

Does this mean that I should give up my dreams of the 45-70 guide gun that shoots 400 gr. bullets at 2600fps and can go through 12 cape buffalo end to end???? All those posts may have been BS!!!????

I think of this forum much the same way as when my dad first took me just outside of NAches, WA to elk camp in the mid seventies:

He warned me about "campfire talk" and proceeded to explain that what was said there---stays there. He said that much of what I heard would be "garbage" or "whiskey talkin" but he also said if I stayed quiet and listened closely I might learn something. "Sure," dad would say, "there are times to call these guys (at the campfire) on their stuff and there are times to play along even though you know they are lying."

Of course, I was completely confused by this point and asked my dad, "How do you know when not to believe their lies and when to play along?---and when they are telling the truth?"

"That," he said "Is what you get to spend 10 days a year in November, in the snow, for the next 60-70 years figuring out, and it will probably be the most fun you'll ever have."

With the advent of the internet, now I get to do it whenever I want.

IV

Many people havent done a lick of work their whole lives and make good money dealing in bullshit. Bullshit is their work! Hell they dont even wear rubber boots... I cant figure out how they do it!

Bullshit is a relative term. When I first came here I was greener than grass. Now I'm still green but I know how to bullshit.

In my opinion, my signature line says it all! I also feel that the BS level here is lower than most other similar forums.

Learned a lot here, and have been led astray a time or two also.

I will listen to anyone, but will make sure to check out any advice also. The major problem I have is that many on this site have more money and time to burn then I do. I don't have a machine shop in the basement yet!

There are two kinds of bullshit. The disengenouous personality and troll crap shouldn't even count in this discussion. I read the question to mean how much honestly given bad/wrong advice is on the forum.

In that case about 90% of us are students and 10% are the teachers. All students tend to bullshit a bunch when the teachers aren't around so I figure it's just the way of things.

Of course, if that wasn't really the question then I guess I just bullshitted everybody?

What I have learned from the AR forums click here.

quote:

Originally posted by Old Elk Hunter:
Don't use the internet without installing a BullShit Filter kit.

but when i do that, every URL i enter keeps giving me
"404 File Not found"


My old man gave me the 80/20 rule... seems to work!!
jeffe

In several of the categories there are some great truthful post especially, the technical categories like Reloading and Gun Smithing. There's often BS there as well but, alot of the info is great and truthful.

I'd say about 50% on here is BS. It's no different than being at the deer camp and listening to your buddies tell stories.

The fact is that most folks will rely on their own personal experiences and give their opinions based on those experiences.

What gets me, is the folks that BS about something they have no knowledge of and they base their statements on something they "heard" from some other Genius. When you start basing your opinions on something you just "heard" and you don't know to be true, you are going to run into quite a few surprises in this world.

You have to be opened minded when reading most of the post here. Too many folks have a short fuse and start calling others liars and such. I try and respect others opinions the way I'd want them to respect mine.

Like someone else said, most forums just fizzle out but, AR keeps going strong.

Lots of good folks on Here.

Reloader

I've been to Africa only once, so it would be reasonable to say that I could be B.S.'ed by anyone that had a bit more experience, maybe not easily because I've got a fair amount of hunting years behind me, but I don't pretend to really know more than my limited experience.

As far as elk, mule deer and antelope? PPPPLEASEEEE, I've killed more of these animals than some of these guys will ever see. When someone starts ponitficating on what works for antelpoe and they've killed exactly 3 in their career, I've averaged 2 to 3 a year for longer than I care to count, I find it kinda cute.

The B.S.er's need to be aware that there are some people out there with actual experience but no interest in confrontation. When I read prue B.S. I just think, Jackass, and move on.

On the other hand I've learned a lot here and really find the vast majority of posters to be very experienced and knowledgable individuals. I thank them for sharing their experience with me and the others who are interested in becomeing better hunters and putting up with the trolls and B.S.er's.

quote:

Originally posted by Old Elk Hunter:
Don't use the internet without installing a BullShit Filter kit.

Is that anything like a pop-up blocker??
Now there is a textbook example of B/S if I've ever seen it. Sorry boys, I couldn't resist.