What are you limits?

[Whatchaketchemon]

For the past 2-3 months I have been shooting a box of shells a week. I don't mean to be arrogant but I consider myself a good shot, due to the fact that I shoot...and shoot a ton. However, I dont think I would take a shot a game animal beyond 200 yards. I am shooting a 30-06 and I know the limits of myself and my gun. Under ideal conditions what is the longest shot you will with confidence in the field?

[bigwhite]

To even respond I would have to say first, I have never had the same shot twice.

But I would say under "perfect" conditions. (no wind, sunshine, BIG target (elk), Flat terrain, good rest, time to breathe, and last day of the hunt, etc) I would take my 338 and aim 21" over my target at 400 yds.. at 500 NO WAY its 50 some inches of drop! KNOW and consider your velocities and drops before you even think about how far to shoot..
My 30-06 (165 gain fail safe) has a drop of over 25" at 400 yds.. Too much for me to take a shot. At 300yds its 14" of drop so for me that is "managable" under ideal conditions.

[Washington Hunter]

With my 270 I don't have to worry about hold over out to 300 yards, so up to 300 I will take the shot without even thinking about it, as long as the animal is standing still and there is little or no wind. With a good rest, no wind, known range, and plenty of time to shoot, I think I would take a shot to 400 yards. But that would be my limit. The mule deer buck I killed last week was at 310 yards, confirmed with a rangefinder after the shot. I think if you're not comfortable shooting past 200 yards with a 30-06, you should practice more at longer ranges, because with that cartridge you should be good to at least 300 yards, as long as you have it sighted in correctly. I sight my 270 3 inches high at 100 yards, and that puts my bullet only a couple of inches low at 300. The same 3 inches high at 100 will work just as well for a 30-06.

[Whatchaketchemon]

I know my gun and the ballistics of my ammuniton religiously. I often take practice shots at 300-400 yards. I feel comfortable shooting at those distances, however in the field I dont have a padded bench or sandbags to shoot from. I would give myself the benefit of the doubt and say that I could swiftly and cleanly harvest an animal at that distance, however I like all the odds in my favor and would do everything possible to close the distance on any animal...like most ethical hunters would. In my opinion when people brag about 500 and 600 yard shots they are not hunting, they are simply shooting.

[weekender]

In my opinion when people brag about 500 and 600 yard shots they are not hunting, they are simply shooting.

Maybe so, but maybe thats what they truly enjoy. If they enjoy it and they truly are "accurate" at that distance then I say more power to them.

One thing to consider is to stop shooting off the bench and with the bags. I like to practice shooting prone and crisscross legged off the bipod at the range. Shots that I may very well encounter in the field.

[uhmw]

50 yards max with my bow : however when I hunted humans for the government(the only big game I would hunt with a gun) with a M-16A-1 it seems to me 300 yards was what a genral army grunt was expected to hit. My marine freind said they went out to 500 yards but Im not sure if he was braggin about jar heads or what.

[sunshinefisherman]

350 yards

[BlueWater]

In the 250 to 300 yard range....but only under ideal conditions.

[Ifishsum]

300 if wind was good and I had a reasonable rest, and only if conditions/terrain make it difficult to get closer.

[RoscoeP]

Depends on the conditions, but all else being equal, I would have to say 400 yards with my 270 or 300 Win Mag., using shooting sticks.

[Hunt'nFish]

I am shooting a 30-06 and I know the limits of myself and my gun. Under ideal conditions what is the longest shot you will with confidence in the field?

AMEN. Sounds like you've got your head screwed on straight. By practicing & practicing as your obiously doing, you learn the limits of you & your equipment.

For me it depends on three factors: the rifle, conditions and the game. What I would do on a elk w/ my 280rem and what I'd do w/ my .338Ultra are differant. Basically I hold myself to this rule... I must be able to put 3rds on a pie plate under feild conditions. I size the caliber & bullet construction to the game and I practice. If I can't make the shot in practice & can't take the shot in the feild.

My .280rem (a honest 1moa rifle) I consider a 300yd deer rifle. With a 200yd zero it's got a max point blank range of about 250yds and a slight 5" hold over at 300yds for deer and blk bear. I don't use it for elk otherwise I'd restrict myself to 200yds.

My .338Ultra is even more accurate and was built for one thing....elk at long ranges! The 215gr Gamekings I shoot in it are very accurate and have a high BC. It's zero'd at 300yds and good to 500yd under only the best conditions. The two longest shots so far w/ the .338 are a tad over 400 and a 460yd last year.

Both these rifles have 20x Leupolds and that helps. I don't consider myself a good shot at all. I rely on a Harris bi-pod and very good accurate handloads. Accuracy buys me a little wiggle room. And I must say my rangefinder takes all the guessing out. If you know your rifle, and you know the range, the rest is pretty much up to you. And that's where practicing comes in.
I really admire the fact that your out practicing.
Pat yourself on the back, you'll be just fine.
W.Tracker

[baltz526]

on deer with the rangefinder and my 7mm mag,light wind, broadside standing deer, 500yds. elk with my 300win mag, broadside, 400yds off the shooting sticks.

[SeanD]

Depends on some factors. Without a Rangefinder 300 yards MAX from bipod or good rest. Past 300 yards for most all rifles, an error in range estimation is a really, really big deal. I would shoot 400 in absolutly perfect conditions with a good rest and no wind, but only with a rangefinder. Im just not that good of a judge of distance. Mistaking 425 for 375 (or vice-versa)is a pretty big deal. The max limit for me doesnt really change if Im using a 35 whelen (2650fps) or 300 win mag (3100fps). Knowing the distance and accuracy is pretty key. Past 400 yards, wind becomes a much bigger factor...

[billc_sbio]

Hehe, most people are right in limiting the range of their shots to "reasonable" distances.

Really, all that mid-sized magnum cartridges do is to make up for the lack of familiarity with a "lesser" cartridge at greater ranges by shooting flatter.

There's really nothing a .300 Magnum will do that a .30-06 or .308 won't do IF the shooter knows the range and their ammunition and has the EXPERIENCE to shoot well!

Just imagine, in the 1870s Buffalo Hunters routinely shot out to 700 yards with .45 and .40 caliber rifles that had rainbow trajectories! They would have LOVED to have had an '06!

But they were able to do this because they shot 10s (some 100s) of animals a day at those long ranges. And they did this with fairly crude Iron Sights!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...78697366NADnrT

Hehe, sometimes I take friends out to shoot some of these old tyme BP Ctg. rifles

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...03973492WkzVnE

Anybody like to go along sometime to give it a try?

[HSF]

I think every one has or should have there own limits, I personally practice shooting a lot because I love to do it, others do not. I know that I am very confident up to 45 yds. with my bow and I hold to it, farther shots I feel are not an ethical choice. I am also comfortable out to 300 yds. with my rifles, though I am confident enough and know my balistics to go 400 with good conditions.

[kodiakfisher]

Anyone that has spent time in the USMC shooting M-16s with open sights should be comfortable, with modern scopes and cartridges, out to 500m. I am very comfortable shooting out to 400yds even with slight breezes but out to 500yds there would have to be zero wind there are just too many variables. At 400yds there is 25.9 inches of drop when zeroed at 200yds with a 30.06 165gr Remington this is really easy to estimate that distance on an elk the average size top to bottom of an elk chest is 32 inches so hold even with the back and squeeze it off. At 500yds there is 53 inches of drop and this is more difficult to figure but my Leupold scope allows me to figure approx. 46 inches this is the distance between the thick posts at 500yds this is still tough to estimate at 500yds. I know at 500yds I can get closer without even causing concern in an Elk. My first choice would be to get at least to 400yds and take a shot from there.

I'm impressed to see you practicing this means that you have the knowledge needed to make a good decision. If you are practicing 200yds but know how to estimate your drop you would have to decide if your comfortable longer. You and only you live with the decision to send one down range. You really don't need our input. It's just like bow hunting some people are comfortable 20yds because that is all they practice others are comfortable to 50yds because that is what they practice at.

Kodiakfisher

[newportfisher]

I have my 7mm sighted in for 500yds. I am a member of the COSSA in Bend so I can shoot a lot, at a long target.

[bullslayer]

Ditto!! KS. 7mm mag.160 ab.

[fishinpox]

200 is probably my max. The dall sheep I shot was at 234 yards, but honestly looking back I don't think I would take that far of a shot again. It's just more fun to see how close you can get in my opinion. My 30-06 hit dead on at that yardage though, so the gun is capable of long shots, I just don't feel too comfortable with the longer distances.

[Rank Amateur]

I shoot a .270. I have taken game out to 500 yards, antelope. It would really depend on the situation. Shooting offhand, 150 yards is about it. Off my knees, 200 yards. Knees and shooting sticks, 400 yards. Pack rest on top of a boulder, 500. Of coarse this would be on stationary animals and minimal wind. Also I might take a longer shot if the animal is straight up or down, but 500 is max.

What have most of my shoots been, less than 100 yards!

[baltz526]

longest shot, 420yds on a deer,30-06 with reloads.just because a person feels confident in taking a longer shot,dosn't mean it happens, closer is always better. closest shot 12yds 30-06 cow elk in her bed, i'm real sneeky

[dla]

I like to hunt, not shoot. So I'm not interested in shooting an animal 300yds away when I could be enjoying the stalk. With that said, I want you all to know that I shoot perfect one shot groups at any distance I choose with my 45-70 :smile:

[Bait O' Eggs]

I guess I am a shooter

[OdieWon]

I shoot a Browning BAR 7mm Rem Mag with the 'BOSS' system. I'm sighted in at 300 yds with both 150gr for deer and 165gr for elk. I make the necessary adjustments each year at the range for the two bullet sizes. I am very comfortable with a 300-400 yard shot in the field. I took a nice 4X4 muley and a 5X5 Rocky Mountain bull last year. Both were 265+ yards, uphill, with both animals at a trot through the timber. Each was taken with a single fatal shot. I feel I shoot best free hand, standing. No brag...just fact.

[in 'em]

I'd have to say that I would be comfortable with a 400 yard shot with my .270, HOWEVER, if you've got a 400 yard shot with perfect conditions...you could probably try to get closer. 200 yards is cake, 300 is comfortable and 400 is doable, but stalking within 100 yards is even better!!

Beyond 400 you should wait for a better shot or get closer!

[brshooter]

I gotta agree with BOE. I'm a shooter too.

It really depends on the shot. I have a good understanding of my capabilities as well as the rifle I carry. I would not want to risk losing an animal on a marginal shot.

[Snapset]

I don't carry a range finder, so I would guestimate that the longest shots I am comfortable with are around 250 yards. Any longer than that and it becomes too important to know the range accurately to be assured of a killing shot. If I wanted to carry more equipment, and invest a lot more time and ammo in practice, I would probably try longer shots when they became available. That doesn't happen often, because I am usually hunting timber, not clearcuts. I hunt mostly westside so I feel like I ought to trade the 7 mag for a 45-70 for elk. I have never shot a rosie that I couldn't have used the 45-70 for.

[Spooney]

I walked with the Infantry and the Rangers for 24 years in the Army..... I shoot only as far as I wanna walk to retrieve the animal.

I have taken targets down at 600 meters, but now, I like to walk/drag/pack an animal 100 yards or so.

[Got One!]

Out in western Or. I can't imagine finding a place on public land to make over 200yd shot.. some clear cuts but all in all thats about it for me so far. (last year I could have hit an Elk over the head with the butt of my rifle ...and if it got over 50yards I would have had no shot at all! )

Now when I lived in NV and UT there were not many places you could hunt that you could get within 200yds, and my ave shot over there was in the 4-500 range (but 700yds wasnt out of the question) I imagine eastern Or is probably the same. It was also a completely diff hunt style out there, mostly glassing a hillside in the desert. Growing up in Nebraska we shot the prarie dogs for the ranchers at tremndous distances... A lot of ppl dont like that type of shooting but the ranchers didnt like cattle with broken legs.

Its funny because I still find it very hard to get myself to setup my 7mm rem mag for a shot under 250...fortunately thats a very flat shooting rifle. Actually I should probably use my 30.06 anytime west of the Cascade range...I just like that 7mm too much!

I guess it all boils down to you learn to shoot with what your dealt, the places I hunt now are all close shots, in the past there was no such thing as a close shot...although the bow hunters would beg to differ

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Being a good shot means you practice a lot. I have not had the fortune to practice much this year, but in years past we would shoot every weekend.

Our Elk camp has some big guns in it and they can shoot to 500 yards without a problem. We have two 30-378 wthby mags and three 338-378 wthby mags ( I shoot the 338-378).
I have pure confidence (when I was shooting a lot) to make a 600-700 yard shot. Now that I am not practicing very much I will attempt a 500 yard and below.

By the way, These rifles are zeroed @ 100yards. They drop between 18-20 inches with moderate loads at a distance of 500 yards. I can get them to drop less with hot loads, but I am not as accurate.

Just get out and practice!

[Rank Amateur]

Totally agree, but those darn Pronghorns seem to have a different opinion. They just love to stand there 4-5 hundred yards out and taunt!! Kinda hard to stalk in sage brush ankle high. I guess I could pass, but I like using my other skill and that is hitting the dinner plate out yonder!

[Tilla]

After switching to the bow for a number of years I have been a little more "stalky". My last rifle hunt for Antelope in Wyo I crept and crawled within 85 yds for the shot. It just felt more comfortable at that range.
My last three rifle animals, Mt Elk, Wy Antelope, and AK Moose were all 100 yds and under. Two were stalks and one was an interception.
Can't say I wouldn't do it, I thumped a Nv mule deer at 275 yds running (looking down straight away) and I can only think of one other that was over 100 yds by any significant amount.

[SeanD]

I did a quick calc for a 180 gr boat tail , BC .53, 3500 fps, site 1.5 inches above bore, 100 yard zero, I get 31 inches drop at 500 yards and 13 inches of wind drift with a 10 mph cross wind. How hot are your loads?

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

[fishnhuntnfool]

Out in the field, I like to stay under 250 with my Savage .308 using 150's or 165's that I load, but have taken a doe on the run at 300 with a single kill shot. I seem to shoot worse when they're less than 50 yds (maybe I should get a good set of throwing knives ) I only go eastern for deer so I get the opportunity to shoot the distance often, but am wanting to learn how to stalk to make the hunt more interesting, but I always find myself shooting across a wide open prairie of ankle high grass at some buck weaving in and out of the tree line so stalking doesn't make sense. Maybe this Saturday I'll get my chance to stalk. Good luck to all going on rifle opening weekend. You might see me out in the Starkey unit somewhere, hopefully not being stalked by some crazy cougar.

[wife&3kids]

drunk cowgirl,

i had only read the first 2 sentences and I knew this was you... Thank you for saying what you really feel. I know your gun and you and know this is all accurate. The people who won't take the 300 yards shot are no better than those who will and they probably have not had the opportunity to think about it in the field with a branched buck at 312yards. I have my 270 zeroed at 200 yards. I am comfortable out to 400.. The energy is still there and more than many of the other guns. I am shooting 130 gr Factory ammo. My bigger guns are not that great to longer distances , especially my 350 rem mag (the only rifle I own that is not pre 64 mod 70.. Got it for coast bulls.. Probably wouldn't attempt a shot out to 500, but I had the chance to think about it last year..

Also Drunk cowgirl,, thank you for being a stud and helping me this year with calling...

[Whatchaketchemon]

Hopefully I am not the drunk cowgirl they are referring to as they might be in for a surprise...although the thought of a cowgirl isn't all that bad!

[Hunt'nFish]

I'll agree I think DrunkCowboy was hitting the bottle while he typed that one, but we'll let him share a little more info first.
I'm getting 3500fps out of my brother's .30-378wby w/ the 180gr Swift Sirrocco but it's sighted at 350yds w/ ~+4"@175 and ~-12to13"@500yds.
So it's possible that a differance in BC, sight height, temp, and altitude may explain things. I think his point was that they are big, fast and reach right out there and 'em on the head! That I agree!
I'm still looking for one to do a double back flip on impact. Hasn't happened yet.

Hey DrunkCowboy, bump your zero up to 300-350 and see what happens at 500. Also check out the SVL Limbsaver recoil pads... makes these big thundersticks a WHOLE lot less of a handful. Good luck this season.
W.Tracker

-------------------------
Mike Knifong Gunsmithing
Beaverton, OR
ultramag338@yahoo.com

[tag-a-long]

With my 7mm, shooting 175 gr. nosler with 54 gr. of 4350, I am really comfortable within 300 yds. Big animal at 400, I know how much I drop and can compensate. More than that, is a chance I don't want to take.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

SeanD,

For my 338-378 wthby mag. Load =116.8gr of Reloder 25. I will also use Retumbo for my large calibers. Moly coated 180 gr boattails with a aftermarket 28 inch barrel coated with Moly as well. I do need to clarify something, My definition of "zeroed" is 3/4 of an inch high @ 100 yds. I can see why someone may have questioned the drop.

As for your windage calculation; It depends on many other variables. Not limited to; direction of wind, temperature, elavation, and humidity.

I can get 3500 fps using IMR7828 without moly coated bullets or my moly barrel. The fps calc needs to go up about 250 to 275 total fps (with the proper conditions, go up by 300)

Is this enough information for the individuals who questioned my statements? I did like the comment about me tilting my head back and drinking a bit much
This is the flatest shooting rifle I have ever played with. I used to laugh at my friend when he told me how amazing this caliber was. Then I bought one, but have over $3,500 into it.

Is it worth it? Hell Yes!

Wife&3kids,

Next time I call Elk for you, tell your friend to not roll in bounty fabric softener to cover up his human oder :grin:

[elkhuntr28]

I have my 7mm sighted in for 500yds. I am a member of the COSSA in Bend so I can shoot a lot, at a long target.

Do know what your point of impact is at say 150yds or 250yds if you have your 7mm zeroed at 500yds? For most hunting application this is not the best set up. If you zero your 7mm at 200yds you are about 40" low (depending on load) at 500yds. i would be curious to see how high you are at closer, more realistic hunting distances.

Nate

[baltz526]

if a 7mm is sighted in for 500yds, at 300yds you would need to aim 20"low to hit the vitales

[Washington Hunter]

Yeah, I have to say, zeroing a rifle at 500 yards is ridiculous. Why make the closer shots more challenging than the longer shots???

[DRUNK COWBOY]

I have a feeling he is target practicing at 500 yards and above. Many long range competition shooters will do this same thing. It is easier to judge when shooting to 1000 yds and more.

Or, he could like to have a challenging shot at 150 yards.