I've used ground blinds quite a bit but not extensively for a number of years. Been looking at ads for a new one. For a while now they always advertise the windows covered with shoot through mesh. I have always assumed they are speaking of archery. I could see someone shooting an arrow through the mesh window at a game animal that is close. I cannot see firing a high-powered rifle inside a ground behind. I've asked a few others and they seem to feel because of advertising and so on that you can shoot your high-powered rifle through the window of a ground find. Who in the world is that stupid. Or am I wrong is it really intended for you to shoot your rifle through the mesh window. I can't see anyone shooting hey three and a half inch turkey load through the window, the devastation to the blind would be enough to convince you not to do that again. When firing from a shooting house I have always had the muzzle outside the window. Intentionally. So am I wrong in my thinking that you shouldn't discharge a firearm inside a blind.
"Shoot Thru Mesh"
- Thread starter rifle02
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CliffordN
Well-Known Member
I shot a rifle through mine and it just disappeared...
I can see the possibility of the mesh being damaged by muzzle flash in some way if the rifle muzzle was too close to the mesh at discharge.
It would be interesting to see how discharging a muzzleloader inside one of those blinds would work out. :D
It would be interesting to see how discharging a muzzleloader inside one of those blinds would work out. :D
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
Personally wouldn't shoot anything through mesh.
Surely somebody on YouTube has tried this.
What devastation would occur, that's what it's meant for and most blind windows are "replaceable"
Even a turkey load fire 2"-3" from the screen probably leaves a golf ball size hole
The blind windows are replaceable but you're hearing is not.
My concern was never for the windows themselves but for your personal safety especially your hearing. I once unintentionally discharged a 300 Ultra Mag in a little steel storage building, wow.
I get what you're saying but a thin fabric tent with mesh window may only raise the sound a db or two probably
My ears would still be bleeding
This is true, I know cause I've done it.
I couldnt do it
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
In reality, shooting thru mesh may make less difference in POI than shooting a rifle with the muzzle taped to keep out humidity. So long as the muzzle is close to the mesh, the difference in POI under 100 yds is negligible.
I would not shoot a mechanical broadhead thru mesh.
With rifles, muzzleloaders, & shotguns, the muzzle blast blows a hole thru the mesh before the projectile arrives.
Fixed blade broadheads are also negligibly effected by mesh.
I would not shoot a mechanical broadhead thru mesh.
With rifles, muzzleloaders, & shotguns, the muzzle blast blows a hole thru the mesh before the projectile arrives.
Fixed blade broadheads are also negligibly effected by mesh.
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I have shot a 30-30 threw a mesh window before. The deer came from a side I was not expecting. There was no noticeable change in point of impact. The muzzle blast did a number to the mesh but it was easily replaced. I did not notice it being any louder than normal.
Smells Like Sulfur
Well-Known Member
I can tell you from personal experience that "shoot through mesh" with a muzzleloader means the entire mesh will disappear.
The new meshes are surprisingly hard to find an expensive also...
The new meshes are surprisingly hard to find an expensive also...
CliffordN
Well-Known Member
I told him that... Maybe hearing it twice will help!
In Iowa hunting late ML once and buddy of mine shot thru the mesh. Killed the deer but also set the blind on 
. 
LMAO. I could hear him screaming & cussing, figured he'd missed a good deer.
. LMAO. I could hear him screaming & cussing, figured he'd missed a good deer.
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Apostolic Outdoors
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TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
You don't necessarily need to replace shoot-thru mesh just because there's a hole or two in it.
I've seen fist-sized holes from muzzle blasts, but often the hole is as small as the bullet's diameter, or more like a little cut in the case of broadheads.
I've seen fist-sized holes from muzzle blasts, but often the hole is as small as the bullet's diameter, or more like a little cut in the case of broadheads.
Okay, so the consensus seems to be it's okay to fire a rifle or shotgun inside your blind. As for me I believe I will still have the mesh open and the muzzle on the outside. Another thing is I use shooting sticks. A pair of 3/4 in dowels lashed near the top to form an X.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
When game is up close, you're often better off shooting thru the mesh than taking the risk of being seen via poking your barrel out the window.
The use of pop-up blinds with shoot-thru mesh has only been a small percentage of my personal hunting, but I usually hunt from them a little annually. I mostly just help other people set them up.
Usually, the mesh is simply removed from the single window most likely to provide the best shooting opportunity. The main purpose of "see-thru" mesh is to help conceal you, and it is a huge advantage in camouflaging you, while still allowing you to see out. It's just a really nice thing you can shoot thru it, with typically negligible issues with POI.
With many these pop-up blinds, you can exchange the mesh from one window to a different one. So if you shoot several holes in the main one you're using, replace it with one of the others (which will often be mostly behind a solid blind wall anyway, i.e. not really being used).
Longevity of these pop-up blinds is commonly only 3 to 5 years.
So when you're throwing an old one away, save any intact mesh windows,
as you may be able to use them on a future blind.
The use of pop-up blinds with shoot-thru mesh has only been a small percentage of my personal hunting, but I usually hunt from them a little annually. I mostly just help other people set them up.
Usually, the mesh is simply removed from the single window most likely to provide the best shooting opportunity. The main purpose of "see-thru" mesh is to help conceal you, and it is a huge advantage in camouflaging you, while still allowing you to see out. It's just a really nice thing you can shoot thru it, with typically negligible issues with POI.
With many these pop-up blinds, you can exchange the mesh from one window to a different one. So if you shoot several holes in the main one you're using, replace it with one of the others (which will often be mostly behind a solid blind wall anyway, i.e. not really being used).
Longevity of these pop-up blinds is commonly only 3 to 5 years.
So when you're throwing an old one away, save any intact mesh windows,
as you may be able to use them on a future blind.
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Popcorn
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It's actually a little bigger than that….
Once you get the fire pit out!!
Once you get the fire pit out!!
Weegee
Well-Known Member
Those of y'all who shoot muzzle loaders and rifles without ear protection are wild.
I always use ear protection when shooting at a range sighting in etc. I never wear hearing protection while hunting. That's the reason I hesitate to fire a rifle from inside a blind. Also the first time I fired a Muzzleloader from inside a ground blind it was a Flintlock with a 42-in barrel. There was no way I could not have the muzzle sticking out a window!
I started keeping one ear plug in. Years ago I needed a second shot to put a deer down. I'm left handed and my right ear rang for at least 20 minutes. Left ear doesn't seem to be as bothered by it
