Many of us use rifles capable of shooting further than we trust ourselves to shoot accurately but, we like them anyway.

Question:
Is your self imposed limit.....
( remember, lying about your eyes is like lying about your age )

Choices:
more than 350 yards?
300 yards or less ?
250 or less?

 

I don't like to think about shooting at more than 300 yards.

I might hedge a bit, say, to 350 or so, if everything were perfect, but to date I haven't been tempted.

My longest shot so far on any game animal was just at 300 yards. With the wind not a factor, a boulder with a flat table top for a rest, a very accurate .338 Win. Mag. rifle, and all the time in the world to squeeze off the shot, the bullet hit right where I wanted it to hit, and the animal, a big Namibian kudu, died right there.

I'm not so foolish as to believe that I could pull that off except under perfect conditions - and even then only when the stars are properly aligned. Hence my limit. It's nearly always better to get closer if you can.

Weather, light, rifle and caliber, familiarity with the rifle, self-confidence level...it all factors in. Most day's 350 is about my limit, but with the right rifle and all things in harmony, I would occasionally go longer.

On the first shot with my 270 I draw the line with deer at 400, Elk 300. If one is hit and an the move I don't have a limit.
Muzzleloader, 150 on the first shot. If I have a animal hit I can shoot out to 300 with my sights. I have never had to shoot past 160 with my Renegade but I can. Ron

What jetdrvr said ...... plus what day of the hunt is it? Will I have another chance?

I zero all of my rifles ( except lever actions) for 3.5 inches high at 100 yds..

even with an MV of 2250 fps, this is dead on at 200 yds, and is 3.5 inches low at about 240 yds...

so as long as I aim on fur, and can hold steady I can hit it...

I also limit my shots on sage rats to 250 yds also so that I am use to that distance....

( well I might take the occasional poke at one a might further if no other targets present themselves... but then again, don't we all!)

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Weather, light, rifle and caliber, familiarity with the rifle, self-confidence level...it all factors in. Most day's 350 is about my limit, but with the right rifle and all things in harmony, I would occasionally go longer.

I agree jetdrvr. Being comfortable and familiar with the rifle and ballistic characteristics of the caliber and bullet. I have taken a few shots out there, but I new my rifle (Sako m75SS 300WM) with 180gr Accubonds. I took a moose at about 450metres about 4 years back with a 180gr Partiton Gold (dropped within 30 yrds. in the cut block with no lungs or heart left) and a 8x7 whitetaill buck @ 554metres on the last day of the season with one shot double lung complete pass-thru with a 180gr Accubond in 2004.

I prefer to call or sneak up to my game close-hey thats have the fun in my books. Average would be 100-150 metres, with the closest being a cow elk @ 14 paces. I am comfortable to shoot to 300metres, but if I had a good rest, and not a rushed shot, I'll push it b/c I KNOW MY RIFLE!

My wife is a good shot also as she spent time at the range with me each season to get familiar with her 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds. This past season was a double lung pass thru on a smaller bull moose @ 325metres. Her longest was in 2004 @ her first mulie buck (160BC) @ about 400m. I was guiding at the time, and my client tagged out on a whitetail the same day, and we did not know she got her deer till we got home. He went out with my wife and fatherinlaw the next day and laser ranged it @ 440 yrds.

Her cow elk was about 200metres in 2004 and closer in 2005 or 2006.

You have to be fair the the animal in which you intend to harvest. Nothing worse than tracking forever and lose the recovery. If you cant make the shot, let it go b/c you may have another crack at it later.

jetdrvr about said it all...I am fine out to 300 but past that I am going to have to have a real solid rest and the wind is not going to be a factor.

Back in 1987 I was antelope hunting in Wyoming with a Styer SSG in .308. A trophy size buck came into view at 400 yards. I had been practicing on pararie dogs for three days with that rifle out to 500 yards but the wind was now crossways at 20-30 mph...I passed the shot and settled for a lesser back the next day.

Bob

Given the time to assess the shot and distance and think thru the drop I'll take and have successfully done so 400 yard shots......unless there's a good chance to stalk another 150 yards closer!

In fact 300 yards is a really long distance. I bet in RL if hunters were asked estimate the distance to a marker set at exactly 300 yards distant, many would overestimate the distance by as much as 50%. Beyond 300 yards there are just too many factors that start to become significant, even with a reasonably flat shooting cartridge (bullet drop, wind drift, elevation, estimating the range accurately in the first place, bullet performance at much reduced velocity, ...), for me to feel entirely comfortable with the shot. That, plus I'd want to be shooting that distance from a bench, but I rarely have one (or sand bags for that matter) with me on the hunt. Now, I suppose it's possible that there might be a nearby tree with a branch at the perfect height and angle etc. for me to support the rifle in the crotch ...

i practice alot at distance past 450 and shoot a caliber capable of delievering a killing shot at same distance.(7stw)the opertunity to shoot the same shot under hunting conditions come rarely,no wind,open country for a followup,good solid broadside,solid rest,ranged distance and the time it takes to get settled in for the same shot.I HAVE TO STRESS....PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE

I have and will shoot at distances over 350. Only if the conditions are perfect and there is no option to get closer. But I would prefer to stay under 300. I will practice usually out to around 100 yds past what I think is my limit for a given rifle. So I know what the load will do as to drop.

I could easily choose either of the extremes near or far which you offer depending upon conditions and the quarry. It is my absolute preference to get closer if possible, and then closer still, the essence of the hunt itself. However, there are times when that isn't going to happen so every instance has it's own merit.

My deer hunting days started in 1969 in Michigan, and I have never had a shot over 135 yards. Now I do hunt in Wyoming for Antelope, And since 1974 I have not had a shot over 300 yards, That seems to be my personal limit. The best Antelope stalk that I had was 75 yards, I like to get close. As they say move in for the kill.

300 for me would be only during perfect conditions for a first shot.... My normal practice is out to 200 and my groups are just fine for going to 300... Don't like the concept of the wind starting to play as a factor so I would prefer to stay under 250 but 300 would be the limit....

Ken....

My limit on a deer is 300 yards.
Thats not writen in stone, with perfect conditions I might go farther .
I would go a little farther on elk. An elk,s kill zone is a lot bigger than that of a deer.
My Stw has the power to kill alot farther than i can shoot,
But wind makes really long shots at game a very bad Idea.
I don't like the new scopes with the hold over marks , they make the uninformed think they are somehow suddenly great shots...tj3006

Interesting question.
Boet, you probably have game animals in mind when you asked the question. I don't know what they are. But, I have done a lot of groundhog hunting in my life where shots are taken at very long distances. My longest shot, kill, was 465 yards.
However, that was long ago when my eyes were good. Today, Deer hunting here in Michigan's swamps, shots are never more than 110 yards, with most coming well inside that distance, like 60 yards. So, I can't say exactly what my self imposed distance is today. Theoretically, my rifles are good enogh to shoot a Deer size animal, with a high probability of a kill, at around 300 yards. I think that with the scopes on my rifles, I could kill a Deer at 300. But I'll never have the opportunity to shoot at that distance. I don't hunt out west where long shots frequently happen, but stalking is the name of the hunting game, for me, so who knows how far I would shoot. Certainly not farther than 300 yards.
Not sure I answered the question.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
300 for me would be only during perfect conditions for a first shot.... My normal practice is out to 200 and my groups are just fine for going to 300... Don't like the concept of the wind starting to play as a factor so I would prefer to stay under 250 but 300 would be the limit....Ken....

Me too!

I did , however, once take a deer at about 400 yds. It was a snowed over bean field, no wind and overcast. I was resting perfectly solid on some abandoned farm equipment. roger

I regularly shoot at our local 300yd range (NRA certified)occasonaly going to 600yds(also NRA certified). I am very confident in a 300-400yd shot after that conditions will be the determining factor.

Phil

My normal limit is between 250 and 300. I have shot one deer at 305 and one right at 500 according to the laser. One was taken with my 6.5-06AI and the other with the 264WM. The first was a huge buck quartering away and the other was a doe on the last day of the season. I practice with both rifles regularly.

I will have to say that the average shot distance taken is about 75 yards.

Several years ago I shot a medium doe at 340 yards with a 250 Savage, thought it was around 200 yds, so my range judgement is worthless. On the farm where I hunt the big deer are killed at 50 yds & the does are culled at 250 yds.

Most of my really bad shots have been close-up hurry-up shots.

Depends on the game animal at hand and the rifle in hand.

With an Accurate Magnum and a good prop, I'll take a 400 yard shot on Deer sized animals and 450 yards on an Elk. That's also considering calm conditions, wind dramatically lowers that distance.

Good Luck

Reloader

Reloader I'm with you on this.
If an animal is still and the wind is still too and I have a great rest I will take a 400 yard + or - shot on deer and antelope and about the same on elk. I am very careful about these shots and have passed on many that weren't quite right.
The longest shots I've ever taken are 425 yards on a bull elk ( 2 shots both hits and a quick kill 30/06 180 grain bullet) 400 yards on an antelope (22/250 barnes X, dead) and a 350 yard one shot kill on a buck mule deer with my 30/06 and 180 grain bullets.
I've never missed a long shot like those but I only take those shots if everything is right and I have the time to make it happen.
I have missed and screwed up plenty of quick close range shots just like someone else said.

Personally I feel that something is lost from the hunting experience if I have to shoot over 150m ... but the terrain I hunt usually means shots under 75m. Only exception is varmints like rabbits, hares and foxes.
Cheers...
Con

About 300 yards is my self imposed limit, but really I like to get closer. I like to hunt, I like the stalk.

300 and 400 hundred yard shots are for shooters 100 and less are for hunters

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
Personally I feel that something is lost from the hunting experience if I have to shoot over 150m ... but the terrain I hunt usually means shots under 75m. Only exception is varmints like rabbits, hares and foxes.
Cheers...Con

Personally I like your thinking ,Con. roger

I can appreciate what you guys are trying to say but you obviously hunt different terrain than I do.
I shoot plenty of game at 20 to 180 yards as a matter of fact most of my game is shot at those distances but you are being very close minded if you can't envision situations that dictate longer shots. I live in Colorado and hunt all over the west and can think of many situations where it would take you hours to close on the animals current location and they will drift out of there in just a few minutes leaving zero opportunity for you to show off your superior stalking skills. Mule Deer, Elk and Antelope live in much larger country than eastern whitetails and can be miles away in short order without ever being spooked.
Getting closer sounds very noble, in reality it may not be possible.

I have never shot at an animal 300 yds away. Yesterday out on my back deck I saw movement by my BIL's fenceline, 450 yds. I quick grabbed the .243 which was lying there to be cleaned to check it out thru the scope, a 3X9X40. It turned out to be a large doe foraging. When she turned broadside I had no doubt that I could put a kill shot in her at that distance, with an adequate way to prop up the gun. I also have no doubt that that shot will never be taken. I refuse all shots that have a reasonable chance of wounding. I like a pretty sure shot, more like 200 or less.

i was fooled by flat ground and a few very large doe last year and eneded up shooting one that was well over 300 yards. i was lucky that i was shooting a 257 weatherby. had i known the actual distance i probably would have not taken the shot.

Snellstom.
I am a western hunter, mule deer in eastern oregon can present shots from point blank to infinity.
As I said I might under perfect condidions take a longer shot but, I think of 300 yards as my limit.
I have passed up long shots a decent buck even when packing my 7mm Stw.
Do what you want but passing up a few bucks makes the one you shoot a greater thrill.
...tj3006

Although I have successfully made clean shots out to 400 yds. I prefer to keep them under 300; however, most of my shots are well under 100. Lou

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
Personally I feel that something is lost from the hunting experience if I have to shoot over 150m ... but the terrain I hunt usually means shots under 75m. Only exception is varmints like rabbits, hares and foxes.
Cheers...
Con

Have to agree on this one... We tend to get within 75 to 100 yds for elk hunting by the Grand Canyon.... I much prefer up close and personal...

Ken....

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
but you are being very close minded if you can't envision situations that dictate longer shots. I live in Colorado

I also lived and hunted in Colorado.

I was sitting my horse over looking a high meadow. It was a clear, bright, cold, windless morning. Three bull elk started to cross the snowy meadow 400 to 500 yds out. Two for sure were royals. One was the color of swiss cheese and near sway backed. When he layed back his head to enter the timber his rack extended beyond his rump.
\
There would have been plenty of time to dismount and lean against a tree but as good a shot as I THOUGHT I was at the time I wasn't sure that I could place the bullet . It was a once in a life time chance but I let it go. Later that day I took a lesser animal. That was 41 years ago and I never regreted not taking that shot. I think perhaps that royal monarch died of old age not long after. roger

I live in Colorado and it seems to be really cool lately to talk about shooting elk at 500+ yards. It should be pretty obvious to anyone that shooting an animal across a canyon at that distance is a really good way to lose an elk, even if its hit solidly. I will personally not shoot past 300 yards. The last two elk I've killed have been at 30 and 45 yards. I shot the bear in the picture at left at around 300 yards, my longest shot ever. There was just no way to get closer without losing him and I had a great rest with no wind. I hit him about 4 inches higher than I intended and finished him 2 hours later at 25 feet and could have been dinner if not lucky. He squared 7'4" and would have done me in if he had chosen to.
I may think twice about 300 next time.

I rarely shoot beyond 350. I've kept records on most of the whitetail I've killed, missed or wounded. I'd have to scan my records, but my guess is that no more than 6 of about 100 shots were taken at ranges over 350 yrds. I've only taken two shots at 400, one was a clean kill and the other I lung shot but lost in a sea of soybeans. Under perfect conditions I might go to 450 with my 7mm Mag but I've never had perfect conditions.

Bartsche
I too have passed on many shots on Deer, Elk and Antelope where everything was not right and some of those shots were very close. I don't think distance should be the only limiting factor in the equation!
I practice up to 400 yards with the rifle I carry during Deer and Elk season and no matter what you guys say or think I will continue to shoot Deer, Antelope and Elk from 20 yards to 425 yards IF EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER FOR A HUMANE KILL.
If all things do not add up I don't shoot.
If I have a dead rest and the animal is still and I don't have the luxury of stalking closer and he is in a place that I can pack him out of I will continue to cleanly kill animals out to a distance I am confident, practiced and comfortable shooting.
I have seen many people incapable of of carrying out the same task at 100 yards yet they feel compelled to shoot at anything within sight regardless of the distance and it sickens me. In practicle field shooting the difference between shooting 300 yards and shooting 400 yards is far greater than the simple math that tells us 100 yards, I personnaly feel that things start to unravel pretty quick past 300 and past 400 is getting beyond my skill even though I practice it a lot.
However if someone told me that they routinely shoot their rifle at 600 yards and that they can always contain those shots in an acceptable group for hunting purposes and they pick and choose their shots then more power to them if they choose to kill game at that range, the ones that I feel have no business shooting game further than they can throw their hat are the ones that don't practice but once a year and think "yep thats good enough for deer".
Very interesting topic guys and I'm enjoying it but the condescending attitude is enough to stifle the varying opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Bartsche
I too have passed on many shots on Deer, Elk and Antelope where everything was not right and some of those shots were very close. Very interesting topic guys and I'm enjoying it but the condescending attitude is enough to stifle the varying opinions.

Sorry if I come accross as condescending Not really my intent.Every week I spend time on the range shooting from 50 to 600 yds Plus. From the results I get even off the bench I could net trust myself to make excellent bullet placement all the time beyond 300 yds. If you can pull it off more power to you. I've hunted with groups of Cowboys that would sink a hill before they'd hit a deer.If you can do it Snellstorm have at it and enjoy. roger

I hunt deer in the deep woods of east Texas. The longest shot I have ever taken at one is about 75 yards. Most of my practice is at 100 yards. The times I have shot at a 200 yard range I had no trouble putting the bullets where I wanted them.

I did shoot a coyote at a paced distance of 216 yards this winter from a sitting position with a tight sling. I placed the shot exactly where I was aiming and with that experience and knowing the balistics of my 30-06 rifle I wouldn't hesitate to go out to 300 yards if presented with a broadside shot from a rested position.