Long Shots

[KwackWacker]

There has been an awful lot of talk lately about long shots. I hunt on some power lines, gas lines and open fields. I have killed lots of deer over 300 yards. But here's my question, how far is too far? How long of a shot does it have to be for you to think it is too far? I'm interested in opinions, I have some thoughts on this but I want to know what you all as hunters have to say. I know the cookie cutter answer to this question is "whatever the hunter is confident and comfortable shooting". I'm not looking for that. I'm looking for numbers.

[deerhunter10pointer]

When I shot my mule deer this year at 465 yards I felt completly confindent that I could make that shot. One shot is all it took. The gun I had though was a custom 6.5x284. This gun was made to shoot at those distances. I say if your gun and yourself is completly capable I would say 550-600 yards.


I thought this site would fit in on this post. www.thebestofthewest.net/

[progers]

With my set up, I am comfortable up to 400 yards. That is only because of the scope I have on my Rem 7mag. If I had something better than a 3X9, I could move up to the 600 yard range. It has taken alot of shooting to have the faith in my rifle to put the confidence in me to take a shot like that.

I have a highline on the lease that has a 1000 yard shot. I've been wanting to set up a 55 gal drum and see what I can do at that range, just out of curosity.

How far is too far? Well, my comfort range is 400 max as of now but, that bullet is still moving on along pretty dang good at that range!

I still like them 60 yard neck shots!

[cynic]

It depends on several things. Are you trophy hunting or meat hunting, because you definitly can't get a good look at it 400-500-600 yds. Are you hunting or shooting? In my opinion you don't have to hunt to shoot an animal that far just sit on a prairie, powerline, gasline whatever and let them roam somewhere and shoot. To me that ain't hunting that's just killin' testing your skills as a shooter not a hunter. Heck any decent shooter can kill at those ranges. Hunt'em down get a good look at 'em and then make a shot. I don't think that any animal should be used as a target to see "I wonder if I can hit him from here?". Ranges that far increase you chance of a bad shot and wounding the animal making it suffer until dying or getting eatin by predators. I guess if you hunt with a bench rifle you would be better equiped than those hunting w/ ordinary out of the box rifles but for a 1" group at 100yds makes 2-2 1/2" 200
and so on do the math at 400 -600 yds. Makes for more luck than skill for a 1 shot kill

[deerhunter10pointer]

Cynic you make a good point, but If I want to get close to the animal than I bow hunt. If Im rifle hunting than I will take what mother nature throws at me. You got to remember some of us dont live in the south. Here in Oregon you can have a deer at 30 yrds or you can see little spots of them at a mile. With a good scope you can tell if he is a trophy or not. Sorry Kwack for getting a little off the subject you posted.

[KwackWacker]

Don't be sorry, it's exactly what I wanted to happen. I want to know why some people take the long shot and why others won't.

[Lower]

If you are the one that sighted in your rifle and you know the drop of the ammo at predefined ranges you should be able to make the long shots.
The longest kill shot ive made was a little over 600 yards but i didnt feel really comfortable making the shot. I would say that i am very comfortable up to 400 yards and will take one at any time at that range.


p.s. As for coyotes and bobcats.....no shot is too far for them

[progers]

Don't be sorry, it's exactly what I wanted to happen. I want to know why some people take the long shot and why others won't.

For the RUSH! There is no rush in taking a deer with a rifle at close range, unless you havn't put any meat in the freezer or unless it is a large buck or something!

Well, at least for me there isn't. It's too easy! If I wanted to take deer at close range, I would go back to bow hunting! Now, that is a rush!

[Allan]

I think we all like to make a clean kill. I do know this, for trophy deer or meat deer no matter the distance, The decision is ours. But if you dont shoot at it, you aint gonna get it.

[KwackWacker]

Just one more question and I'll finish my littlle informal survey. How often do y'all go to the range to practice shooting? What distances do you practice? How many shots do you take?

[progers]

I have several ranges at my place. We have a shooting house with targets at 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards. We have another range for 200 - 300 yards and can go up to 500 yards.

Of course, we shoot more around deer season. Off season, we gather at least once a month for some shooting. Deer season, we shoot at least once a week.

I always shoot 3 round groups each time before scope adjustments or checking my shots. Everything is always based on the 3 round grouping system. I'm 1 1/2 in. hi at 100 yards- 1" groups, dead on at 200 yards- 2" groups, 8" low at 300 yards- 4" groups and 18" low at 400 yards- 8" groups. This is with the Savage 243. Cut off is 400 yards with it for me. The 7mag anly drops about 12" at 400 yards with 6" groups.

I shoot at least 4 boxes of shells per season alone in each gun I hunt with, refering to high powered rifles. Several boxes during the off season per gun. Not to mention sighting in all my buddies rifles. I sight all my deer rifles in at 200 yards.

[cynic]

I shoot something just about every day. Today was my 7mag and 22-250. 8 shots for the mag and 30 thru the 250 at 100yds. I was playing with new bullets in the 250 70gr just could not get them to stop tumbling. Tried different powders lighter charges but still got long tears. Tomarrow will be 7-08 day going to try some 120gr. It is great to be able to go out to the shop reload some cartridges and shoot. I try 3 shots for consistancy on paper and never adjust my scope until I get just the right combination.

[quigleysharps4570]

It depends on several things. Are you trophy hunting or meat hunting, because you definitly can't get a good look at it 400-500-600 yds. Are you hunting or shooting? In my opinion you don't have to hunt to shoot an animal that far just sit on a prairie, powerline, gasline whatever and let them roam somewhere and shoot. To me that ain't hunting that's just killin' testing your skills as a shooter not a hunter.

Yep...I'd have to agree on all counts cynic.
I do alot of long range playing but that is about all it amounts to cause when it comes to hunting deer I'd just soon have my shots under 50 yards with cartridge gun or muzzleloader.

[Lower]

It depends on several things. Are you trophy hunting or meat hunting, because you definitly can't get a good look at it 400-500-600 yds. Are you hunting or shooting? In my opinion you don't have to hunt to shoot an animal that far just sit on a prairie, powerline, gasline whatever and let them roam somewhere and shoot. To me that ain't hunting that's just killin' testing your skills as a shooter not a hunter.

Yep...I'd have to agree on all counts cynic.
I do alot of long range playing but that is about all it amounts to cause when it comes to hunting deer I'd just soon have my shots under 50 yards with cartridge gun or muzzleloader.

Might as well buy a bow and get rid of the guns if you want them all that close

[Allan]

Instead of steer wrestling we can jump off our stands and do some deer wrestling. Just need a helmet and a pair of gloves. Oh Yeah and a nut cup.

[Lower]

Instead of steer wrestling we can jump off our stands and do some deer wrestling. Just need a helmet and a pair of gloves. Oh Yeah and a nut cup.

lol i know of people around here crazy enuf to try it

[quigleysharps4570]

Might as well buy a bow and get rid of the guns if you want them all that close

I'll pass on the bows. Besides...couple years ago I had to take a long shot...80yds. Couldn't do that with one of those bows.

[DocHolladay]

I just got this from the inventor the other day to test. I will be giving it a go after Jan. 8(deer season ends), to see what I can do. Looks like a pretty good system. Would make for some good fun with bets also. http://www.huntprep.com/

[quigleysharps4570]

Let us know how it goes Doc.

[DocHolladay]

Shall do. I'm looking at the 200 or 300yd range. I may just stick with 200yds. Thats about the longest shot I have in Tenn.

[Lower]

Might as well buy a bow and get rid of the guns if you want them all that close

I'll pass on the bows. Besides...couple years ago I had to take a long shot...80yds. Couldn't do that with one of those bows.

I watched a doe get nailed at 80 yds this year with a bow. perfect shot thru the lungs. It can be done just not the shot most people will attempt.

[deerhunter10pointer]

I try to shoot at least once a week depending on if its raining.

[HYPOGLOSSAL CANAL]

When I see a topic like this, I know that it is going to get very interesting, VERY QUICKLY. With so many different rifles to shoot, a wide variety of answers and opinions is to be expected.

How far is too far? Well even though its a cookie cutter answer, it really does all depend. It depends on what rifle you are using and what animal you are shooting at. In other words, Im not going to attempt the same kind of shot with my 30-30 as I would with my 7mm ultra mag. Im not going to try to take a deer at 600 yards with a 300 weatherby and then try to do it with a 243.
Alot of things factor in. The main thing are the factors that can actually throw your shot off at long distances and could actually hinder your chances of making a clean and ethical kill.

Wind is definately a driving force when it concerns long range shooting.

Take this for instance, a wind blowing 5mph @1000 yards will drive a 45 caliber bullet 74.4 inches.
And for every increase of 1 mph, it will drive the bullet off coarse an additional 15 more inches.
So it looks like this:
1000 yards with 5 mph wind = 74.4" off course
1000 yards with 5 mph wind = 148.89" off course

This info can be found at
http://www.longrangebpcr.com/Accuracy.htm

Doing some simple math equations, you can figure how much a 45 caliber bullet could be thrown off at 500 yards. Even at 500 yards the bullet would still be thrown off a great deal.

Another factor is bullet drop. For some reason, alot of guys think that their rifle is basically limitless to the distances it can shoot. Some guys claim that they wouldn't hesitate to shoot deer at over a mile and a half away. I think this is pure folly.
Most magnums will drop between 18 and 34 inches at 400 yards due to gravitational pull itself. How will they shoot at something 1000 yards away unless they are aiming about 18 feet above the animal. This too is pure folly in my opinion.
Even the ultra mags will drop between 7 and 13 inches, still making you take the sights or crosshairs off the animal at 1000 yards.

Another thing is, most guns will not even have enough energy in footpounds to kill a large game animal at over 700 yards.
Some magnums would barely have enough energy to kill an elk at 600 yards.
The idea of taking shots that could injure a deer or even a human because of many factors that occur over great distances is something I dont agree with. If you have to aim 18 feet over the top of a live animal to hit it, then maybe you shouldn't be shooting at it. Especially if you take into consideration that another hunter could be out there behind or infront of that animal. 18 feet is alot of room for mishaps. And so is 74 inches of wind drift too. Or 30 inches of drop and also not having enough energy left to effectively kill an animal would be unwise too.
Going to the range and cutting paper is alot different than harvesting live game and doing it humainly.
To me there is too much room for error. Especially when it comes to hunting game at these long distances.
I am not against long range shooters (at targets) But I wouldn't condone long range shooting at big game either.

I can shoot a deer at probally 700 yards+++ with my 7mm ultra mag, but I personally wouldn't go over 350-360yds.

A personal rule for me is, if I have to take my sights or crosshairs off the animal, then I won't shoot it. I can't tell what 10, 20 or 30 inches looks like at 700 yards...so Im not going to try to judge it by aiming over the animal, squeezing the trigger and hoping that I was right. This is just my opinion.

[KwackWacker]

Great answer, that's what I was looking for. Specifically.......

"I can shoot a deer at probally 700 yards+++ with my 7mm ultra mag, but I personally wouldn't go over 350-360yds.

A personal rule for me is, if I have to take my sights or crosshairs off the animal, then I won't shoot it. I can't tell what 10, 20 or 30 inches looks like at 700 yards...so Im not going to try to judge it by aiming over the animal, squeezing the trigger and hoping that I was right."

Thanks for the answer Canal.

[carnivore #1]

Where you fellas seeing deer for a distance of 700 yds. Heck these woods in my part of the country don't offer much close to 500yds and I ain't sure I'd be able to recognize a deer at 700 yds. with what I normally have on my person while hunting anyway.

[quigleysharps4570]

Heck these woods in my part of the country don't offer much close to 500yds

I been there...you must've meant 50yds...not 500.

[carnivore #1]

There are a few spots I have access to that a fella could get a 500 yd shot. But ya better be darned sure it's a deer when ya squeeze the trigger. If I ever thought i'd have a 700yd shot, it would only be at a record book buck anyway and I'd have to buy a 50 cal BMG before I even set up a hunt that would require that of me anyway.

[josh]

hi was up i say aim a little high and let 1 fly

[Sombeech]

I'd say go as long as you want, you just have to spend more time dragging it out.

[RedNeckRulz]

Personally 250-350 yards is what I consider my "sweet" zone and I don't hesitate to send the 30-06 out to get the buck. Anything over 350 I tend to lean more towards trying to put a sneak on the animal and close the distance.

I got my mule last weekend at 255 yards and it was sweet music. One shot and he was down. But like I said 250-350 I am 100% confident and I let the muscle memory take over when making the shot. I know where it is going to hit.

But then again I have spent a tremdous amount of time shooting at those distances to gain the confidence to know where it is going to hit.

It's all about the amount of practice. If you practice your 400+ yard shots and you gain 100% confidence I feel the only limitation should be the effective range of your rifle.