Hunting. What's a "long" shot to you?

[cloverleaf]

450yds. or more.

350yds. is a snap after hunting in Wyoming a few times. :lol:

George

True true! :lol:

There is somthing to that.....the guys who shoot long range a lot get better at it. Seems like, to me anyway.... They also usually know their limits. The guys who "spray and pray" or dont worry about "Hamming" an antelope arent the ones to hang out with anyway. CL

 

[russ808]

Anything over 300 is long for me.
Russ

 

[Oldtrader3]

I used to kill a few larger animals at 300+ but recently, since I retired, I have not been shooting over 200 yards at local range and 300 yards would be my limit

 

[Guest]

I've killed several Mule Deer Buck at 200 yards off hand, a few of the same prone with a bi-pod at 300 yards, longest shot on the same was 353 yards. One Bull Elk at 330 yards and longest was 409 yards on the same.

For me 400 yards is a long shot. 300-400 yard shots I will take anytime, depending on conditions and if I can get the gun rested solid, otherwise I will attempt to close the distance or pass on the opportunity, as I have on many occasions. I beats wounding the game and going on the 10-mile chase.

Don

 

[FOTIS]

My longest is 778 on my first bull elk with my 378 Bee. :twisted:

 

[big rifle man]

My longest shot was on a nice Bull Elk at 326 yards./ Normally I don't put myself in a position where I might chance a long shot. I've shot my .338RUM out to 400 and know what bullet drop to expect but that's my self imposed limit and I much prefer inside 200 yards. The further the shot the more the variables and wounding come into play and to be honest I'd much rather let an animal go than take a chance shot.

 

[nosler06]

Well I guess I would say anything over 300yds is a long shot. I have dropped a bull moose at 510yds, bull elk 450yds mulies out to 400yds and this year 2 weeks ago a whitetail at 383yds. All have been with my 30-06 with 180gr NP. I have shot deer to 300 yds with the old Browning BLR .308 and 165gr NP. I would have to say I like to try to get most shots in at 200yds or less. If I don't feel comfortable or confident about the shot I will not take it.

 

[super-7]

Anything over 500.

I concurr 500+ I consider long. Have taken quite a few successful 1 shot kills over the years from 350 - 450 yrds .

 

[nvbroncrider]

Here in Nevada if your under 300 your doing great. I consider 500 a long shot. I wouldn't take unless conditions are perfect. I know my 280AI very well and I've taken coyotes out to 350 yards in a 20mph full value wind. So I do feel comfortable doing things with that rifle I don't with others.

 

[Vince]

300 Yards is considered "close" in the circles I frequent.
600 Yards, under optimal conditions, is my self imposed maximum given a good rest, ability to control my breathing, and favorable wind conditions where I know, not just think, I can make the shot.

 

[mcseal2]

It depends totally on conditions. Anything over 350yds I consider long and want good conditions for. I practice out to 830yds (longest range I have) with my 264 and it is very capable at that range when conditions are right. I have never shot anything that far and wouldn't take a shot that long at unwounded game. 614yds is my longest shot to date under darn good conditions. I prefer to get inside 300yds whenever possible, but where I hunt that isn't always practical so I prepare for longer shots also.

 

[baltz526]

Several internet users did a free hand 9" paper plate test. 100yrds was a long shot for most. 60-80yds most where on the plate. Off a good rest with shooting sticks I'll shoot at coyote at 500yds or cougar if I ever saw one. I have passed on several shot opportunity's over 500yds on bull elk. Regret not eating the elk, but do not regret passing on the shots. Whenever I see game at long distance, First I get closer, then when I can go no farther I range. Then decide if it is still too far.. I'll give everyone a test to do in the field. Print out the Nosler target. Place it on a stable stand. Cardboard works. Set it up out in the sagebrush alongside a road. Then drive . Range it at several spots and look at it through your scope. Report back at what yardage it felt like an ok range to hit the target. 8.5"x11" is not much to look at.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Marines, professional level hunters and long range, association rated target-shooters not withstanding, I go to the club/range probably at least 25 times a year. The club has 1800 members, yet is never crowded except for a couple of weeks in the fall right before elk and deer general hunting seasons. Many shooter's bring pie plates for a target, especially those who bring AR's to the range. I have been a member of this club for almost 11 years. During this time, I can count on my fingers and toes the total number of shooters who can shoot MOA out to 200 yards.

Observations:
AR shooters always shot behind the bench instead of beside the bench in the cutouts provided. This is to assure that if they rest the tip on their barrel on a sandbag on the rearward most portion of the bench, all of their ejected hot brass will hit the person next to them, to their right. When they sit next to me, I move!

Having mentioned that out of 1800 members, that very few can shoot anywhere near MOA to 100, let alone 200 yards. I have only seen one AR shooter who could and he competes nationally.

Four or five of the regulars shoot M1-A's and they shoot MOA or better with their complicated match sights. Of my children, all three of the boys, can not regularly shoot MOA because of caliber, equipment, training and temperament, lack of practice or all of the above.

As Baltz said, put up a 2 inch fluorescent orange stick-em target on a white sheet of paper and see how many shots out of five are in the 2 inch circle at 100 yards? If they can't nail that circle, they can not cleanly kill a deer at 400 yards!

 

[Fire Hawk]

I would say that anything over 400 is long for me. Depends on which rifle I suppose. That said, I prefer shorter, but where I hunt, from one ridge to the next is the norm. Son shot his deer at 477 after practicing all summer to 500 yards. He was really proud of himself in making such a long shot. Have to admit, I was one proud daddy too.

My longest on game shot to date is a cow elk at 569 yards. 7mm Rem Mag, Burris Signature 3-10x40 with ballistic plex, and a stiff load of H1000 and a 160 Nosler AccuBond. She went down hard. Was happy about that shot, particularly because she was only 100 yards or so off the main trail and made getting her out the next day much easier. Black Jet Sled Jr. and 6" snow made the job slick.

FH

 

[Elkman]

I would say 500. I have killed many near that, and very few beyond that. I am doing more practice at longer ranges, so my skills are improving. As mentioned already I am a sub MOA shooter out to 400 plus.

 

[SJB358]

I would say 500. I have killed many near that, and very few beyond that. I am doing more practice at longer ranges, so my skills are improving. As mentioned already I am a sub MOA shooter out to 400 plus.

I am with Bill here on this statement. I practice pretty much all year round and feel very comfortable shooting out to longer ranges, but it seems like conditions dictate "long" more so than range do somedays.

That same shot that would have been a chip shot at 400 under easy conditions, turns into a fairly tough shot when the temps drop, snow's flying sideways, sweat is rolling off your face, and animals are moving.. Sometimes it's hard to say what "easy" is... Or maybe long in this case.

 

[DrMike]

I have hesitated to wade into this thread, not because I'm unable to take longer shots, but because I consider myself to be a hunter and not a shooter. The longest shot I've taken on game was a lazered 320 yards. In that instance, I have a solid rest and was aiming at an animal that was not alarmed. I'm prepared to shoot out to 450 yards from field positions; but if I can get closer, I will. I do have scopes and rifles that will allow me to shoot out to 1000+ yards should the need arise; however, my average shot on game is around 120 yards, with many shots being well under fifty yards.

My major concern with the current interest in long-range shooting is the lack of preparation by those who advocate for such shots. I'm not speaking of advocates who spend the time at the bench and from field positions in practise; I'm speaking of people whom I've encountered in my own AO who have equipped themselves with rifles chambered in cartridges designed for long-range shots and topped them with scopes that are similarly designed for such shots. I do not doubt that the rifles and scopes are capable of delivering killing shots at 1000+ yards; I question whether someone who spends one or perhaps even two brief sessions at the range each year is capable of taking advantage of the benefits rifle/cartridge/scope affords. Unfortunately, my antipathy toward longer shots is fueled by the discovery of a growing number of game animals wounded and left for dead in my AO. Admittedly, my aversion is based on anecdotal evidence; but it does express a problem that appears to be ignored in the hurried gravitation to newer technologies. If I might wax prophetic for a moment, I hear rumblings from conservation officers and game managers of discontent and advocacy of new laws outlawing some accoutrements associated with long-range shooting. I am equally appalled at the thought of government imposition of bans. However, if we, the shooting public, don't seize the initiative to regulate ourselves, the normal course is for the government to impose its will on the people. That's my $0.05 (inflation, you know).

 

[IdahoCTD]

Your right Mike. The number of game animals wounded by newly pronounced long range hunters is pretty high. At long range many animals won't show a hit like they would with higher energy at closer range and the shooter might not even go to the location to look for evidence of a hit. The sad thing is most rifles today are capable of easily taking game at 500yds or beyond with the right scope and enough trigger time but sadly no one practices until the week before season opens. I've shown numerous people that with practice and a little help 4-500yds isn't that hard. The hardest part is trying to manage it because people attempting shots beyond their capabilities has gone on forever. Taking away rangefinders won't solve it and there are laws against wasting game already. You cant limit cartridge selection and we already have a 16lb weight limit for hunting rifles here. If anything about all you can do is make the fines stiffer for wanton waste.

 

[DrMike]

It is a problem that will not be easily resolved. New laws will not stop the incidence of wounded game, but passing laws is the reason for the existence of modern legislators. Therefore, they will pass new laws, and the honourable, conscientious hunters will pay the price.

 

[gerry]

Great points, unfortunately you can't legislate stupid out of existence. I once passed up a moose at around 300 yards where I would have had to shoot offhand, unbeknownst to me there were some guys much further back from me that ended up taking 17 shots at it and then never went down to check out if they had hit it. Guys like that should never be allowed to own a gun much less shoot it.