What is your effective range

[katfish ken]

Do we practice enough with our rifles to be proficient at their maximum range. Or do we limit our shots to the range which we are capable of making an effective 1 shot kill????

I have hunted squirrels and rabbits with a rifle sense I have been old enough to hunt, I have been known to shoot wasp in the yard with it as well.. I have always enjoyed practicing with my deer rifle at long range 200 to 500 yds. My sons and I shoot and practice regularly But when I'm hunting deer I limit my shots to the range I feel is my maximum effective range, even though I know for certain that I can hit a spot on target much farther out proficiently.

[poisonpits]

im not a fantastic shot but i do all right.i shoot a 30 30 and with this new ammo im told its good out to and pass 200 yards but i still limit myself to 100 yards or less.

[kat in the hat]

Good question. I like to think I'm a pretty good shot...but haven't tested myself long range. A) Ammo is getting expensive. B) I hate to shoot my rifle from a bench. I get injured every time. C) There are no public shooting ranges with a target over 100 yards, I have no rangefinder, and I'm a town dweller. I know...excuses. I'm just sayin' that, admittedly, I don't practice with my deer rifle as much as I need to.

I have yet to kill a deer at over 100 yards, but feel very confident that I could kill one at 300...if it were a clear broadside shot. There is maybe 6 inches of drop at 300 yards if you are set 1.5" high at 100 yards with a 150 grain .300 mag Super-X. Anything more would be inhumane with me behind the trigger. That's when the high figuring comes in, and I ain't prepared for that...without lots of practice.

I think that freehand, with nothing to rest the gun on, 200 yards would be a cinch.

[Snagged2]

Yea, I agree with finding your personal range capability,,, If you want to shoot game at long ranges, practice a lot at longer ranges,, get away from benches, and paper. Learn your ballistics, In the field sometimes there's something around to take a rest with, If not, the best platform I've used in the Marine Corps Sitting position,,, Usually, not enough clearance for a prone shot.. I like to set some kind of reactive target out in the range area, Like water filled jugs, fruit, etc. and hike around and pick-off my targets, and try and shoot the targets from where I see them, If there's a natural rest, I use it, otherwise, I have to become the shooting platform,, it's served me pretty well....Don't forget about wind!!!! :wink:

[Slime of the South]

I've got a few spots where I have 250 yard shots and I've killed quite a few deer at that range.

I very rarely take shots past that though. 300 yards max. I shoot a .25-06 and love it. Great caliber.

[Kip Brandel]

I've got a few spots where I have 250 yard shots and I've killed quite a few deer at that range.

I very rarely take shots past that though. 300 yards max. I shoot a .25-06 and love it. Great caliber.
I have been lucky enough to shoot at 1000yds and did pretty well. I have killed a 40lb female coyote at 426 measured yds with my 25-06 Sendero. For deer with my 25/06, 30/06 I do not take many shots over 200-250 yds. With my 30-30 I try to keep them 100-150 yds. I was not really worried about the coyote stopping after I shot (it did drop where it stood and was the ONLY time I have shot one that did not move, I thought I missed it) but I like to put a deer down quickly and a follow up shot is easier at a moving deer that is 150 yds from you than one that is 300yds from you.

[katfish ken]

I like what I'm hearing. As I said I limit my shot range on deer. Now coyotes and varmints is a totally different story. I am lucky in the fact that I can be set up for 300 to 600 yds. practice in a matter of minutes. I reload for22-250, 30-30, 270,25.06, 308,243win.,243wssm. and 30.06. I have been fortunate enough to live in an area that I could get out and target practice at will as long as budget would allow. As a young man I was employed by The Division of Forestry taking care of a fire watch tower. That was when I found my first need for a rifle larger than a rim fire. The 22-250 seamed to fit the bill for the varmint shooting I had intintion of. This is where my love of rifles really caught fire.
At the time I worked for The Division of Forestry in the 70's there was no huntable deer populatin in this area so varmint hunting was where it was for me. Foxes,ground hogs and bobcats were varmints that was available at that time. That was when I first started developing the home practice range and reloading as well.
Living in a very rural area gave me th opertunity to develop shooting skills and I am thankful for that. I have at times walked a half -a-mile to collect a fox that I had dispatched with the 22-250. No I didn't shoot it that fare away, but it was that fare around the thicket that was between it and myself.

[kat in the hat]

So, I have a buddy that has a family farm a couple of counties over. Among other things, they have a neat little shooting range. Last time I was there, they had several targets at different distances that they had marked off with a tape. One day, his brother in-law brought a laser rangefinder out there, and none of the measurements were really very close at all because there are some subtle rolling hills. When I was in college, and doing some surveying, I found out that what you see is not usually the way things are. The ground contour can change a few yards over a distance, and you can't really see it with your eyes. Or, you can see it, but not comprehend the change in elevation.

Anyways, that is where practicing with your gun becomes paramount...unless you can afford the cutting edge of optical gadgetry...which I can't. You may very well have a gun that has an effective range of 1000 yards, but past a certain point, math, and other certainties become a serious factor if you want to make an ethical or safe decision in the field.

Just sayin'. Don't know what I'm sayin', but I sayin' it anyways. :big_smile: It's easy to mis-judge distances with the naked eye. Only tons of practice, or high gadgetry can make you effective to as far out as your firearm will take you. I like to have more gun than I will ever need, rather than not enough gun to do what I want. That way, I can grow into it...hopefully. I know I'm finally getting used to that whack without flinching, and without losing my target in the scope when I pull the trigger.

[Snagged2]

Yup,
Field practice is good practice, whether it's archery, or some type of firearm. I've used range finders available to me for the past few years, and it's amazing what you think something is, compared to what it actually is..range wise..

[katfish ken]

Matt
I could not agree more. The terrain plays a big part in miss judging distance. There is nothing subtle about the terrain around here our hills are steep as a mules face. I see a lot of people that can't judge yardage for beans in this mountainous terrain. Just because they take 200 steps up the hill to where they shot the deer does not mean they shot it at 200 yds. Few people take a 3' step on flat ground let alone stepping up hill. I had a man instruct me on how to use the post and x hairs in a scope to judge yardage and it has served me well over the years.
And yes I would much rather have more gun than I need, than need more gun than I have when in the field. With the terrain and timber in the area here a good 100 yd. gun will take a very high percentage of the deer that are killed. But I pack a Model 1 International Ruger 270 win. caliber. Can I shoot what the gun is capable of?? No. I'm sure there are people that can shoot closer to what it is capable of than I can. But I like the way it performs on the range and it's light to carry as well as light on recoil.

[Txbluecatman]

If Im using my 30-06 or 308 I will limit my shots to 300 yards. I do alot of long range varmit shooting during the off season, Usually 250 to 600 yards.

[Kip Brandel]

So, I have a buddy that has a family farm a couple of counties over. Among other things, they have a neat little shooting range. Last time I was there, they had several targets at different distances that they had marked off with a tape. One day, his brother in-law brought a laser rangefinder out there, and none of the measurements were really very close at all because there are some subtle rolling hills. When I was in college, and doing some surveying, I found out that what you see is not usually the way things are. The ground contour can change a few yards over a distance, and you can't really see it with your eyes. Or, you can see it, but not comprehend the change in elevation.

Anyways, that is where practicing with your gun becomes paramount...unless you can afford the cutting edge of optical gadgetry...which I can't. You may very well have a gun that has an effective range of 1000 yards, but past a certain point, math, and other certainties become a serious factor if you want to make an ethical or safe decision in the field.

Just sayin'. Don't know what I'm sayin', but I sayin' it anyways. :big_smile: It's easy to mis-judge distances with the naked eye. Only tons of practice, or high gadgetry can make you effective to as far out as your firearm will take you. I like to have more gun than I will ever need, rather than not enough gun to do what I want. That way, I can grow into it...hopefully. I know I'm finally getting used to that whack without flinching, and without losing my target in the scope when I pull the trigger.
I agree. The range I was it is a certified 1000yd range from bench face to target. As for the gun, it is a Barrett Model 99 with the 32 inch bull barrel in 50BMG with a Leupold Mark IV 8.5-25x50mm ER/T M1 scope. It could easily kill a full grown elk at 1000yds but there would not be a lot of good left. On the other hand cleaning would be easy and it would be tender!!!!
A friend did the 1 mile hunt for prong horn a few years back with his Model 82A1 and said it was pretty cool but it was NOTHING like a nice buck 50-75 yards from you and a 30-30 or pistol in your hands. He also said about ANY contact on the animal was enough to drop it on the spot with several taken with grazing shots. The information in military information says a shot in any part of the body will cause enough of a shock to the system to stop the heart and he said that is about exactly what he saw taking place.

[Kip Brandel]

I will add one more thing, a 4ft X 3ft target at 500yds was shockingly small and at 1000yds it is almost not visible without the scope.
A cheap way to judge distance is a golf measure. A golf flag is about 6 ft tall so if your deer are close to 5 you can use a golf distance scope and roughly judge the distance to the animal. I found that a 4 power cross bow scope with the cross hairs and circle is also a good indicator. If a deers body fills the circle from belly to backbone it is within 100yds.

[katfish ken]

I will add one more thing, a 4ft X 3ft target at 500yds was shockingly small and at 1000yds it is almost not visible without the scope.
A cheap way to judge distance is a golf measure. A golf flag is about 6 ft tall so if your deer are close to 5 you can use a golf distance scope and roughly judge the distance to the animal. I found that a 4 power cross bow scope with the cross hairs and circle is also a good indicator. If a deers body fills the circle from belly to backbone it is within 100yds.

That is what I was referring to in The post about using the post and x hair as an aid in yardage estimation. I shoot variable power scopes. I use an 8" board at 100 yds. and set the scope power so the x hair is at the top and the post at the bottom. With some of the low power scopes like the 1.5 to5X scopes you might have to use a 16" board but it works on the same principal. Then I make a not of this on the scope. When I'm target practicing I use 1/2 sheet plywood to staple the target to. So from any distance out to 600 yds. I just do the math.
Thank you Kip for explaining it so well. Reps you way

John
Off season varmint hunting is great practice for deer season. I enjoy it myself.

[Poppa]

The average hunter using .270 or 30/06 and such can sight in 1 to 2 inches
high at 100 yds. and shoot dead on from 0 to about 300 yds. You should
never set your scope so high that you have to aim low on close shots. I
say dead on I mean deer size game.

[Mark J]

You spend enough time on the range, range estimation isn't that big of a deal.
My effective range is the distances I shoot most often and am comfortable with.
Shooting position plays a factor also.
500 yards and under on the brown goats without hesitation in the prone position, bipod extended and hovering around 16-18 power.:wink:

[spoonfish]

If Im shooting my bow at lady bugs 50 yards is about as far as Im comfortable with.

Now If I have the 280 out????? :0a5:

[catfisherman69]

i shot a deer with muzzleloader at 100 yards

[katfish ken]

Knowing the average size of the game you are hunting can also help in estimating range through your scope.
I usually set a scope to shoot 2" high at 100yds. and out to 300 you have a set point of aim with most long range rifles. You don't have to worry about hold over till beyond 300 yds..

[kat in the hat]

You spend enough time on the range, range estimation isn't that big of a deal.
My effective range is the distances I shoot most often and am comfortable with.
Shooting position plays a factor also.
500 yards and under on the brown goats without hesitation in the prone position, bipod extended and hovering around 16-18 power.:wink:

What are you shooting?

[katfish ken]

What are you shooting?

A 270 Win with Hornady ammo is packing almost 3/4 of a ton of energy at 500yds. That should kill a brown goat with about 24 to 30 " hold over. and dang near any thing else short of a grizzly that's in front of it .

[Mark J]

A 270 Win with Hornady ammo is packing almost 3/4 of a ton of energy at 500yds. That should kill a brown goat with about 24 to 30 " hold over. and dang near any thing else short of a grizzly that's in front of it .

Ah yep. I'd take that shot. If windage carried me into a gutshot, well, like that has never happened before at 40 yards.

Throw the published drop table away. They lie like a dog. Make your own. They dont account for field conditions.

[katfish ken]

Ah yep. I'd take that shot. If windage carried me into a gutshot, well, like that has never happened before at 40 yards.

Throw the published drop table away. They lie like a dog. Make your own. They dont account for field conditions.

When you reload your own ammo. The first thing ya do is forget what the ammo factories publish they never match up. There are so many different ammos and so many variables with reloading there is no way they could chart all of them. Most times they don't even match the factory ammo.

[kat in the hat]

One of these days, when I sell a kidney, I'm gonna get me one of those scopes like y'all use. :smile2:

Actually, I really would like to practice some long shots. Haven't found a place to do that yet, and I won't try it on a deer until I know I can hit it. According to my hunting buddy, the deer like to walk up and lick me in the face anyways. I've only seen a deer over 300 yards away 1 time while hunting, and he was standing next to a highway. One of these days, I'll get my chance. Maybe in a week or two. I still have a tag to burn, and room in the freezer.

[223reload]

I have my own thoughts on the matter, I can and have shot prarie dogs and coyotes at 300 yds with regularity. On deer and pronghorns,I know I could at 250+ but I limit my shots to less than 200. Why? because I like the challenge of stalking ,I've stalked to within touching distance of deer and elk many times,the rush is something else. That being said,I regularly practice at 200 yds with both my .223 and my .243.

[katfish ken]

I have my own thoughts on the matter, I can and have shot prarie dogs and coyotes at 300 yds with regularity. On deer and pronghorns,I know I could at 250+ but I limit my shots to less than 200. Why? because I like the challenge of stalking ,I've stalked to within touching distance of deer and elk many times,the rush is something else. That being said,I regularly practice at 200 yds with both my .223 and my .243.

Richard
I like your thoughts on the matter real well. Due to the ethics I do not shoot deer at more than 200yds. not that I can't. But the ethical thing is to dispatch the animal as humanly as possible. When varmint hunting it is a bit of a different situation. I will expand my range then by quite a bit where possible. In the area where I hunt I often have shots from one hill to the other. Our hills are close together in Ky..
Here is a link to a topo mar of my hunting area you be the judge..
http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=11&Z=17&X=830&Y=10457&W=3
the area in the bottom left quarter of the map is my hunting area

[lance]

I can shoot the eye out of a squirell at 30yds........with a shotgun lol:smile2:rabbits too !:smile2: I haven,tshot a deer more than 50yds. away in quite a few years even tho my 30-30 is sighted tight at a 100 . I like to wait till they ain't getting any closer . I guess I am lucky enough to find and have good places to hunt patience paid off this season and as long as I can be PATIENT I should be succesful shooting at closer ranges . Might try further shots if I owned a different rifle .

[Mark J]

One of these days, when I sell a kidney, I'm gonna get me one of those scopes like y'all use. :smile2:

Actually, I really would like to practice some long shots. Haven't found a place to do that yet, and I won't try it on a deer until I know I can hit it. According to my hunting buddy, the deer like to walk up and lick me in the face anyways. I've only seen a deer over 300 yards away 1 time while hunting, and he was standing next to a highway. One of these days, I'll get my chance. Maybe in a week or two. I still have a tag to burn, and room in the freezer.

Spend the money on the rifle. When it comes to optics you are buying clarity.
I think I have 400 and some change in a cheap 6-24x44 high turrent scope and about a 100 of that was in a one piece base and rings. That is unless you are shooting some crosshair dropping behemoth they call a rifle.
It gets the job done without question, however it's not crystal clear when you get past 18 or so on power. For the money I wont complain other then I wish I had looked through it before I bought. Crosshair is the correct term. They are as fine as a baby hair. Low light conditions they disappear. One thing I am pleased with is the point of impact deviating so little through the power range. Totally not worth mentioning for hunting in this case.

At any rate I have a good platform to build on in sinking the money in the rifle.
I want a new scope but what holds me back is having this one so dialed in.
It's perfect in setup from the eye relief to being dialed in.

About the only good thing these type of scopes are good for is paper punching or I imagine exploding prairie dogs OR bean field hunting for deer.
Close in woods work is doable but I'd leave it at home.
You get a high power scope I would plant it on a fun gun, not a hunter.

When you got these things cranked way up the target picture dont fall right in because your field of view is not as wide. You get the barrel weave going to trying to locate the target:smile2:

A better fit for me would be a 4-16 power. The majority of my distance shooting is done on 16 power and rarely beyond.
If I'm shooting on my 150 yard range in the backyard I generally set up golfballs and paint balls at a 100 yards to practice. With a 3x9 I would be a lousy shot:smile2:

The heartbreaker is I was shopping ammuniton while ago. I usually buy a 1000 rounds at the time same lot numbers and I'm starting to get low.

The cheapest I found my bullets is 35 bucks a box! Most places were 40-43!
Last lot I bought I paid 19.50 a box. I'll have to sell the rifle to buy ammunition for it.

[katfish ken]

One of these days, when I sell a kidney, I'm gonna get me one of those scopes like y'all use. :smile2:

Actually, I really would like to practice some long shots. Haven't found a place to do that yet, and I won't try it on a deer until I know I can hit it. According to my hunting buddy, the deer like to walk up and lick me in the face anyways. I've only seen a deer over 300 yards away 1 time while hunting, and he was standing next to a highway. One of these days, I'll get my chance. Maybe in a week or two. I still have a tag to burn, and room in the freezer.

Matt
It does not take a kidney to Buy Bushnell, Pine Ridge, Simmons, or Tasco.
I think there is a lot of misunderstanding here. The scopes that i shoot are all of the brands that I mentioned. The most I've paid for any of them was $150 for a Simmons Atec 2.8X to 10x 44mm objective. The biggest gun I own is a 30.06 Savage That I got in a trade last summer.
A few years ago I was discussing a hunt in Alaska with a guide up there. At that time the biggest gun I had was a 308 Win. and 270 Win....
I ask him what caliber gun that he would suggest I bring. He said a 30 caliber or better would be sufficient. I ask for a specific cartridge that would do the job on a grizzly. He ask how well I could shot the 308 Win with a 200 grain. bullet and I explained. He told me that he would much rather guide a client with a gun that he was effective with, as a client that was over gunned and had bad shooting habits from it. He informed me he had guided plenty of successful hunts for grizzly with the hunters using 308's and 30.06's I ended up not going on the hunt. But it was due to being laid off at work not for the lack off having a gun to take on the trip.

[wigginsdano59]

Spend your money on good optics. If you have to buy used or on ebay. I did work for a wholesale company and had a lot of complaints on bsa tasco. If you invest the time to hunt i do not want to make a bad shot because of optics. The rifle will pretty much shoot 11/2" groups out of the box with any ammo. My stats 14 shots at deer, harvested 15.:wink::wink::wink:. all one shot kills , killed 2 with one shot, and yes legal in alabama. the shots averaged 175 to 200 yards. I shoot browning 300wnmag with a leupold vx3 scope. Oh and this took about ten years to complete.

[kat in the hat]

I have a Bushnell 3-9X40. I like it for what I do. It's clear. Works good in low light. Doesn't get out of whack from recoil. I just wouldn't take a shot on live game over 300 yards with it. Probably won't ever have to anyways. Just sayin' , the gun has more potential than the glass that's on it.

[katfish ken]

I have a Bushnell 3-9X40. I like it for what I do. It's clear. Works good in low light. Doesn't get out of whack from recoil. I just wouldn't take a shot on live game over 300 yards with it. Probably won't ever have to anyways. Just sayin' , the gun has more potential than the glass that's on it.

Matt
I have been shooting with Bushnell for many years. I have books and information that I have accumulated that dates back into the early 70's... I always double check information like this that I read because of many variables. Back then scope makers put a lot more info in their adds than they do today. If the scope you have has the duplex cross hairs, at 9X it should be 8" from the post at the bottom to the finer X hairs in the middle @100yds.If I remember correctly. Check it some time and see. If this is the case @200yds. with the scope on 9X an average deers body, belly to back line should fill that space between the post at the bottom and the X hairs.

I had a Browning BAR in 308 Win. cal. with a Bushnell 3x to 9x on it. Knowing what I just wrote in the previous paragraph, and the trajectory of my load. I was able to put a bullet in a 2" circle @ 325 to 350 yds. That was the only auto loading rifle I have ever owned that would shoot a group that I could be satisfied with out of the box.

[Snagged2]

Good Stuff,,,,
Remember the name of the thread? Sounds like a lot of you guys are nailing it..

Richard,,.223
I couldn't agree more,, That's why I went from compound bows to Longbows for hunting.. And, A lot of times, I carry an iron sighted Double Rifle for my hunting. which has about the same effective range as a muzzle loader.
I still use the Reach out and Touch'ms... though!! Depends on the hunt and timeframe.

[Mark J]

Spend your money on good optics. If you have to buy used or on ebay. I did work for a wholesale company and had a lot of complaints on bsa tasco. If you invest the time to hunt i do not want to make a bad shot because of optics. The rifle will pretty much shoot 11/2" groups out of the box with any ammo. My stats 14 shots at deer, harvested 15.:wink::wink::wink:. all one shot kills , killed 2 with one shot, and yes legal in alabama. the shots averaged 175 to 200 yards. I shoot browning 300wnmag with a leupold vx3 scope. Oh and this took about ten years to complete.

The Loopys, Nikons Swavorskis and all that is nice but they aren't necessary for good shooting and even competition shooting.
You put the money in the weapon.
You can change out a scope anytime.
You can put an 800 dollar scope on a lousy rifle and you still got a lousy rifle with a 800 dollar scope on it. You dont need crystal clear clarity in a scope to see that you missed with a lousy rifle.

Easier and cheaper to change the intake and carb on an engine to make it faster then it is to jerk the engine and tranny and start over where you should have began.

[billNpam]

I have read all your post and they are very intersting. I have seen post with a range from 50 yards to 1000 yards But I think there are many things to consider in finding the range you are comfortable with.
1. How much have you praticed at long range shooting (do you really know where your bullet will hit the target at....I mean without a shadow of a doubt)
1. Terrian
2. Wind
3. Type of Gun
4. Type of ammo
5. Type of game
6. Your physical condition did you just run to a position to shoot and are all out of breath or was you sitting in a blind waiting on Mr. Big
7. In my opinion at long range the animal will run off. Can you mark the excact spot where the animal stood. I hate losing game no matter what it
is.
8. Do you have a good rest
These are just my thoughts on long range shooting. I am a stong believer that closer is better and I very rarely shoot over 100 yds and have killed many deer less then 20 yds. I believe that I can shoot pretty well I was in the Army for over 20 yrs and always shot expert with both pistol and rifle.

[Kip Brandel]

The Loopys, Nikons Swavorskis and all that is nice but they aren't necessary for good shooting and even competition shooting.
You put the money in the weapon.
You can change out a scope anytime.
You can put an 800 dollar scope on a lousy rifle and you still got a lousy rifle with a 800 dollar scope on it. You dont need crystal clear clarity in a scope to see that you missed with a lousy rifle.

Easier and cheaper to change the intake and carb on an engine to make it faster then it is to jerk the engine and tranny and start over where you should have began.
I agree 150%!! I Have 2 Remington Senderos one in 25-06 and one in 300 Winchester. On the 300 I have a Leupold Vx-3 6.5-20X50. On the 25-06, my wife bought me a scope for fathers day when I got the rifle, I was going to get another Leupold but Her and my Daughter bought a Bushnell Banner Dusk Till Dawn in 3-9X50. I LOVE that scope!!! Not just because who bought it but it is a GREAT scope and just under $150, A FAR cry from the $725 in the Leupold. If it is going ti be a little nasty or rough Which scope do you think I would rather take a chance banging around?

[Snagged2]

Interesting stuff,,,
Since we're sitting around the campfire,,,,,,:wink:
I agree with one of the previous posts on long range shooting, and practicing at it. There are a lot of things to consider for sure at longer ranges. One thing is ,,,,What is Long Range??? For some and their gear, it might be 100 yds, others, 300, for some maybe 1000, What will your gear(rifle, optics, yourself) be capable of in the field?? I use Winchester Model 70 rifles when I want a long range hunting rifle. Haven't done anything fancy to them except, glass bed, and adjust the triggers.. I use Leupold scopes, usually 3x9, or 4 pwr.. These guns shoot sub MOA, one is a 7mm Rem Mag, the other a .375 H&H mag. I reload my ammo, my 7mm is loaded w/ 160 gr, Nosler partition, or Barnes X bullets, In my 26" bbl I'm getting with the powder I use, 3150 fps.. I practice out to 750 known/measured yds, using the duplex reticle to assist in ranging and hold over. I don't intend on shooting game at those ranges, but, I've shot antelope out to 450+,(Tough shot for ME!) and Mule deer at 300. Elk out to 300+. Most of my shots are much closer than that. That's about my max effective ranges.. I feel game deserves to be shot proficiently...Everyones proficiency is going to be different. I know some folks that regularly and cleanly kill game waaayyy out there!! 750+
The .375 is similar, but, I don't have a 3x9 on that one(4 pwr), so, in reality the shots with that rifle have been at closer ranges.. 200 and under, I use a 300 gr Sierra pointed boattail, at book load of 2550 fps. or Hornady 300 gn Round nose softpoint,., Flying Sledgehammers!! at the same velocity. both shoot sub MOA.
The use of a rangefinder is very valuable to me if I have access to one, But, I don't always carry one with me. So, field shooting, is a real eye opener. I'm fairly confident in the trajectory of the 7mm, and occassionally I take it out and just do some field shooting, trying to simulate shots that may be presented during an actual hunt. I'll shoot rocks, etc, at unknown ranges to see how I'm doing, It is a real confidence builder..
Whether a shot at an animal is close or far, they can be DEAD and run off, that's part of the deal. Every shot and every animal with ANY weapon is Unique, Pinpoint accuracy is difficult at extreme ranges, killing accuracy is fairly easy. So, in the areas I hunt, I'm prepared to hunt the animal again after the shot, to find where it piled up. I use a GPS, compass,and Flagging tape, to mark where I shot from, Where the animal was, and the direction it went, if I need to. Have always found them, If I needed to look for them.
I don't feel I'm using anything fancy,,,,I don't want to pay for fancy,,, but, I do think that I'm using State of the Art equipment/tackle. Of course there's all kinds of gear out there, and I've a lot of it, regarding firearms and optics. I lean towards putting the BEST optics (affordably for Myself),on a rifle to maximize the rifles potential, if the rifle is worth owning in the first place.The gear I use is the result of lots of field time/hunts, And, I take a lot of pleasure in using it. If I was going to upgrade anything, it would be my optics..Optical clarity, impervious to elements, ranging capability, etc.
The great nemesis for me is the wind, it's very hard to judge and will throw a shot off a lot more than most people think. To me that's the most challenging long range factor in accurate long range killing shots on game,after, Accuracy considerations with the weapon or shooter.

Someone else's turn to stoke the fire,,,:big_smile:

[john catfish young]

I have taken my 30-06 with factory ammo to the gun range. I know that 150 gr will hit approx. 6-8" low at 300yards if set 2" high at 100 yards. I can hit the target at 300 yards. However, I limit my hunting shots too 200 yards and it is my very effective shot! Most of the deer I have harvested with my rifle have been under 100 yards though!:big_smile:

[katfish ken]

Hunting in the mountains Terrain of Eastern Ky. there is not much long range shooting Other than practice. When hunting season comes in. Is just after acorns start falling and when that happens you know where the deer are for the most part. The underbrush is thick enough a 150yd. shot is a long shot. I have never shot a deer over 100yds. Shooting from hill to hill is out of the question for the same reason. I don't like the thought of sitting, watching an open field just to try a 200yd shot at a deer that may not show up till after shooting light is gone.
I have shot foxes, ground hogs, coyotes, and occasional bobcat at longer distance. No one in this area traps for furs and the varmints are getting thick. I've had countless chickens and dogs killed by coyotes. I am thinking of starting to skin them furs out and see what they are worth. Might give me some money for a big boy toy sometime.

[Jacksmooth]

We have a shooting range at Sleepy Creek WMA. I can shoot out to 200yrds there. I can and have practiced at that range but most of my shots are less than 60 to 80 yrds where I hunt so I practice at 50 to 100yrds most and thats where Im comfortable with my shots.

[777]

Short distance or long, an old man told me ounce " If they ain't no lead a flying they ain't no meat a dying":smile2:.

[Mark J]

I have read all your post and they are very intersting. I have seen post with a range from 50 yards to 1000 yards But I think there are many things to consider in finding the range you are comfortable with.
1. How much have you praticed at long range shooting (do you really know where your bullet will hit the target at....I mean without a shadow of a doubt)
1. Terrian
2. Wind
3. Type of Gun
4. Type of ammo
5. Type of game
6. Your physical condition did you just run to a position to shoot and are all out of breath or was you sitting in a blind waiting on Mr. Big
7. In my opinion at long range the animal will run off. Can you mark the excact spot where the animal stood. I hate losing game no matter what it
is.
8. Do you have a good rest
These are just my thoughts on long range shooting. I am a stong believer that closer is better and I very rarely shoot over 100 yds and have killed many deer less then 20 yds. I believe that I can shoot pretty well I was in the Army for over 20 yrs and always shot expert with both pistol and rifle.



Would I pull the trigger on a 400 yard deer? You bet I would but it wouldn't be every 400 yard deer. If my surrounding conditions are within my comfort zone I'll take the shot. I might miss or I might gut shoot it but I've done both inside 30 yards.
Will I push my comfort zone within reason? I'd be lying if I said no. I used to have a 100 yard comfort zone, then a 200, then a 300...

If I know my probability is high distance wise I'm going to revisit windage on target and at my location as I know a bullet travelling through opposing winds over the distance is highly possible.
It wouldnt be a snap shot and the shot might not even occur.

The worst thing that could possibly happen is that if I took the shot that I didnt learn anything from the shot whether it was a hit or miss.

Basicly there is no right or wrong as far as a question of ethics.
People drop large and small game over great distances all of the time.
Not long ago I watched a video of an antelope dropped by a woman at a distance of 500 yards with a .22-250. The lope wasn't standing still either.
Sure she could have missed but she didnt. Obviously she was operating within her comfort zone or playing over the edge of it.
It was a great shot.

I watched another video of the 800 yard deer. Deer as in plural.
Dropped like a rock on the spot.
Slow motion video showed the bullet trajectory by seeing a small pine limb fall out of a tree where the bullet hit it about 50 yards before it hit its target.
Not the average shooter and not the average weapon either.
I just thought it pretty wild that the bullet's path was DOWN through a pine tree at a pretty steep angle.
I sure didnt think it an unethical shot. It was a damn good shot and he followed it up with a couple more.
He's spent alot time on the butt end of a rifle.

[Mark J]

I agree 150%!! I Have 2 Remington Senderos one in 25-06 and one in 300 Winchester. On the 300 I have a Leupold Vx-3 6.5-20X50. On the 25-06, my wife bought me a scope for fathers day when I got the rifle, I was going to get another Leupold but Her and my Daughter bought a Bushnell Banner Dusk Till Dawn in 3-9X50. I LOVE that scope!!! Not just because who bought it but it is a GREAT scope and just under $150, A FAR cry from the $725 in the Leupold. If it is going ti be a little nasty or rough Which scope do you think I would rather take a chance banging around?

I wanted Sendero but it seems like at the time when the VS SF came out they took the .308 off the Sendero and stuck it on the VS SF lineup as a varmint caliber.
Wound up going through the custom shop for the VS SF in .308.
Alot of zeros in that serial number :smile2:

I love the rifle. Fun to shoot.
Enjoyable to shoot. Only thing I did to it after I got it was send it somewhere else to have the trigger dropped to 3 and a quarter pound pull.
Scoped it up and started shooting sub MOA with premium factory ammo.
Who needs a Weatherby?:smile2:

[flathead willie]

We have a shooting range at Sleepy Creek WMA. I can shoot out to 200yrds there. I can and have practiced at that range but most of my shots are less than 60 to 80 yrds where I hunt so I practice at 50 to 100yrds most and thats where Im comfortable with my shots.

I read that the average deer, in the eastern U.S., is killed at 65 yards or less. I'm comfortable at 250-300, but the majority of my shots on deer are 100 yards or less.

[Jacksmooth]

I read that the average deer, in the eastern U.S., is killed at 65 yards or less. I'm comfortable at 250-300, but the majority of my shots on deer are 100 yards or less.

I can believe that with the populations and the mountains and hills. the farthest I have shot anything is about 150 yrds and that was a groundhog! Their fun little critters to shoot!

[WylieCat]

"....Do we practice enough with our rifles to be proficient at their maximum range. Or do we limit our shots to the range which we are capable of making an effective 1 shot kill????...."

No, most do not, but as an instructor in sniper school said, "some people are born with a gift to shoot well".

I do not shoot as much as I once did; fishing has replaced that passion. Each season though I take deer at 200-300 yards without ever thinking twice.

Long distance shooting is about knowing your weapons capabilities and putting yourself in a position to make a good, stable, and solid shot. :wink:

As for my "deadly range" whitetail deer hunting; out to 400 yards.

[Snagged2]

Yes, Dieter, You said a lot in a short post, Thanks..

[katfish ken]

Yes, Dieter, You said a lot in a short post, Thanks..

I will agree Greg. He did.

[John(Bullhead)Hagen]

My comfort zone is at 0 to 85 yards with my slug gun and a Red Dot Scope.i can place every time i shoot in a 3 inch circle using Bernecke Slugs.Could i shoot farther probally but in Illinois you wont need to our aversage shot is 60 yards.On my 30-30 i can and do shoot 2 inch groups at 200 yards no more.but my comfort zone is about 0 to 170 yards for deer.A coyote i will play a little more and try out to 225 yards or so as it dont matter if i miss.

[katfish ken]

:0a34:When I started this post I neglected to consider that there was state that do not allow Rifles for deer hunting.:embarassed: Not really neglected just never thought about it, being used to hunting with a rifle most of the time.
For that please forgive me!!
Feel free to jump in with shotguns and slugs as well. Would love to learn more about this part of the sport. I have never hunted in an area that was restricted to shotgun and slug .:wink:

[lance]

I am glad to see that people know there effective range and know there guns . I never owned a gun I felt comfortable shooting long distances and have relied on stand placement to get me within my comfort zone . I don't hunt big fields but if I did I would practice as much as possible to get the most out of my rifle . Rifles are to expensive for me to replace my 30-30 and it has done well for me ever since my dad handed it down to me . I may not have killed any wall hangers YET. But there is meat in the freezer for that I am thankful !

[katfish ken]

I am glad to see that people know there effective range and know there guns . I never owned a gun I felt comfortable shooting long distances and have relied on stand placement to get me within my comfort zone . I don't hunt big fields but if I did I would practice as much as possible to get the most out of my rifle . Rifles are to expensive for me to replace my 30-30 and it has done well for me ever since my dad handed it down to me . I may not have killed any wall hangers YET. But there is meat in the freezer for that I am thankful !

I have not shot a deer that I could not have taken with my 30/30. There has probably been more game killed with a 30/30 than any other caliber gun in the field. Think about it. The lever action was the gun that won the west. If I had to pick one gun to hunt with, it could very possibly be a 30/30. I love my 30/30 lever gun and there is never a season passes that I don't have it in the woods, even though I have 223,25/06 308, and 270's, a lot of the time they take the back seat to the 30/30.

[Snagged2]

I agree with Ken,,
I've never considered not being able to hunt without my "Reach out and Touch'ms"

Where I hunt ranges can be way out there sometimes, so, generally folks are using the ctg's and rifles that lend themselves to long shots..

However, I've shot animals at slug gun ranges,With rifles and handguns, and, I think it would be a lot of fun to use something like that on a hunt...
I have an older SXS 12 ga. that might be kinda fun to see how it throws slugs and buckshot, and use it on a hunt!!

I used a Double Rifle this year in Wyoming on an Antelope, and the ydg was about 150 yds. give or take, I remember thinking that was a bit far for that gun, but, it got the job done..

[katfish ken]

I think that the 30/30 is a long neglected caliber that is getting ready to make a big come back in the hunting field. Hornady has come out with a pointed bullet they call the Leverevolutin that increases the range and energy in the 30/30 Win...I'm predicting that the other ammo and bullets companies will jump on the band wagon. There is a lot of shooters of the 30/30 Win and they will not let Hornady get all the sales and profit of the new type of ammo. Just my opinion.

[Kip Brandel]

I think that the 30/30 is a long neglected caliber that is getting ready to make a big come back in the hunting field. Hornady has come out with a pointed bullet they call the Leverevolutin that increases the range and energy in the 30/30 Win...I'm predicting that the other ammo and bullets companies will jump on the band wagon. There is a lot of shooters of the 30/30 Win and they will not let Hornady get all the sales and profit of the new type of ammo. Just my opinion.
I have heard and seen VERY mixed results with the Hornaday ammo. Not sure on all of them but it seemed newer guns seem to shoot it better.
On the shot gun side I have a Mossberg 500 and a rifled slug barrel with open sights. I can keep the in a 3-4 inch group at 100yds easily with about any slug. In the field I try to keep to shots under 75yds, it is easier to miss judge distance in the field without any references. I generally use the slug gun in areas where A. a rifle is not allowed or B. there are no long shots and a longer gun is not feasible. If I was required to use buck shot I would go to a smooth barrel with a choke and keep them in under 40yds. I do not like buck shot and have avoided ever having to use it in the field. It wastes to much and I have seen WAY WAY TO MANY deer that were taken with injuries from someone shooting them and them getting away alive.
If I am going to hunt any animal I am going to give them the respect to put them down quickly with a well placed shot.

[Mark J]

I think that the 30/30 is a long neglected caliber that is getting ready to make a big come back in the hunting field. Hornady has come out with a pointed bullet they call the Leverevolutin that increases the range and energy in the 30/30 Win...I'm predicting that the other ammo and bullets companies will jump on the band wagon. There is a lot of shooters of the 30/30 Win and they will not let Hornady get all the sales and profit of the new type of ammo. Just my opinion.

The old "dirty 30". A was looking at some Henry rifles the other night. Picked up a nice Henry dirty 30. Now I thought I might like to have one of these beautiful rifles until I flipped the price tag over. I carefully wiped my finger smudges from the receiver and put it back down. I'll keep the one I got.:wink:

[kat in the hat]

The old "dirty 30". A was looking at some Henry rifles the other night. Picked up a nice Henry dirty 30. Now I thought I might like to have one of these beautiful rifles until I flipped the price tag over. I carefully wiped my finger smudges from the receiver and put it back down. I'll keep the one I got.:wink:

I think the 30/30 is for nostalgia purposes anymore. You can get a much better gun for the same money, or less. To each his own, and that is just my opinion,,,which doesn't count for much. :smile2:

[Netmanjack]

With a good SBD maybe 20 feet.:ooooh:

[Mark J]

I think the 30/30 is for nostalgia purposes anymore. You can get a much better gun for the same money, or less. To each his own, and that is just my opinion,,,which doesn't count for much. :smile2:

I agree pretty much.
If you whitetail hunt in the woods a 30/30 is all anyone would need with iron sights. Great gun in the woods being short and compact. Easy to swing, climb with etc.

The 30/30 aint a plinker gun, piss poor bed for a fun gun. It's a utility gun.
BUT if I still devoted time to hunting like I used I bet I'd come off 750 bucks for a Henry 30/30.:smile2:

[firechief4201]

Do we practice enough with our rifles to be proficient at their maximum range. Or do we limit our shots to the range which we are capable of making an effective 1 shot kill????

I have hunted squirrels and rabbits with a rifle sense I have been old enough to hunt, I have been known to shoot wasp in the yard with it as well.. I have always enjoyed practicing with my deer rifle at long range 200 to 500 yds. My sons and I shoot and practice regularly But when I'm hunting deer I limit my shots to the range I feel is my maximum effective range, even though I know for certain that I can hit a spot on target much farther out proficiently.

Ken, Mine is about 1 to 2 feet.

[katfish ken]

Ken, Mine is about 1 to 2 feet.


I know the story behind that Dan. Hurry up and get that knee back in shape to fish.

[katfish ken]

I agree pretty much.
If you whitetail hunt in the woods a 30/30 is all anyone would need with iron sights. Great gun in the woods being short and compact. Easy to swing, climb with etc.

The 30/30 aint a plinker gun, piss poor bed for a fun gun. It's a utility gun.
BUT if I still devoted time to hunting like I used I bet I'd come off 750 bucks for a Henry 30/30.:smile2:
It is very much a utility gun. Where I hunt is brushy mountain terrain most shots under 100yds. . Mine has a 1.5x to 5x scope on it wearing glasses it is easier to line up 2 objects than 3 with the iron sights, but it stays on 1.5X 98 % of the time.
I have always liked Marlin lever guns and with that kind of price on a Henry I remember why. When I started hunting there was to major brands Marlin and Winchester. At that time I chose Marlin and have stuck with their line sense.

[plainsman]

When I shot often I probably would limit my self to 300 yds with iron sights. Now about 50 due to my shooting eye is a little blurry. I did shoot a small deer about 80 yds but that is a definate limit now. I ordered a new peep sight but it never came in so I will probably put the scope on it.

With my scoped rifle I figure I could shoot out to 200 yds but probably will never have a shot over 100 yds where I hunt. Whether open sights or a scope there are too many trees to see anything past that. Even a person in full blaze orange disappears pretty easy in thick trees and brush.

So I figure lately with my eyes and the cover I'm gonna be comfortable with 100 yds max and sight my rifle for 100 yds and be content to shoot accurately at that range. A deer can be hard to find after its shot in that kind of stuff anyway.

I would like to have the opportunity to shoot a deer at long range in the open sometime, like 300 yds, but with my eyes I doubt I will ever try even if I have the opportunity someday.

[223reload]

The old "dirty 30". A was looking at some Henry rifles the other night. Picked up a nice Henry dirty 30. Now I thought I might like to have one of these beautiful rifles until I flipped the price tag over. I carefully wiped my finger smudges from the receiver and put it back down. I'll keep the one I got.:wink:


Mark,I gave 439.00 for my golden boy back in 2001 They have a "legacy model now,all blued,octogon bbl,I'm thinkin I gotta git me one.