MOOSE AT 550 yards

I bet 99% of hunters have never even tried shooting at a target at 550 yards, especially from field positions. Which means that even if they knew the exact distance they wouldn't know where the bullet will land. *hint* it won't be where the ammo catalogue says.

What about wind drift? How much will the bullet drift at that distance with a 5mph crosswind?

There is a lot more to it than having a rifle/cartridge that is capable...
 
i have a friend that reguarly shoots moose with a 338 win mag and the furthest that he said he ever shot one at was 500 yds. but he also said it was pure luck.
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If I feel that I am going to need luck to make a shot,I don't shoot.
 
goring said:
Hi just wondering if anyone could tell me the best rifle, load, scope for knocking down a large bull moose at 550 to 600 yards. Have a 30-06 pump and did not want to take the shot being afraid it wouldn't have enough when it got there and did not want to wound it and turn it into wolf bait. Thanks
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At that range your are sniping. You can do it with a 308 but you really need to know your gun, your optic, your bullets and the wind/conditions. You made the right choice in not pulling the trigger. Too many city folk around here are tyring to pull those shots off and leaving the animals wounded.
 
moose are typically not scared of humans. i've been out hunting and been able to get within fifty yards of a few so dont be afraid to move closer its not going to run off on you.
 
blargon said:
T and also requires a sub-moa load that will consistently hit the point of aim. ...
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moose kill zone is the size of an oven door, 16 inches at 600yds isn't sub moa

a 7mm stw will require no compensation out to 450 if sighted in for a 15-16in kill zone.

but wil render it usless on deer
 
GSoD said:
And it's not a gong. Likely by the time you've figured all that out, it's moved and you have to recalculate.

Plus, every extra foot you shoot is an extra foot you have to pack it out. Call it to where you want it.
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Yup, and by the time a shooter gets to be proficient at 600 yds, he'll know enough not to take it so lightly.
 
jordyt said:
moose are typically not scared of humans. i've been out hunting and been able to get within fifty yards of a few so dont be afraid to move closer its not going to run off on you.
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Depends on hunting pressure. I've seen moose get as sneaky as any whitetail when they are exposed to humans for a while.
 
if I had to pick a factory rifle, it'd be a Weatherby Accumark in 340 Wby Mag, shooting 225 gr or 250gr Nosler Accubonds. Scope would be a 4.5-14x40 Leupold vx3 with CDS dial
 
I think you made a wise decision no matter what gun you were holding. Under field conditions there are too many variables in a shot like that. We all have a responsibility to the game we pursue, don't fire unless you have a good chance a making a killing shot.
It's all about respect for your quarry.
 
12many said:
moose kill zone is the size of an oven door, 16 inches at 600yds isn't sub moa
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True, but you also have to take into account wind drift, heart rate, how solid the rest is, and your "guess-timation" of the hold-over. Even though you can laser the distance, are you actually holding 4' over, or is it 4.5'...Lots of guessing there. I would prefer a marked turret for dialing the distance...

I certainly would not be trying that shot with a rifle that is only capable of 2moa...
 
Best way to mke that shot? Find an accurate rifle that fits you well. Mount a scope w/ an elevation turret. Shoot the rifle at distance- lots. And keep notes. Learn your bullet's trajectory, and how to adjust your elevation once you've got an accurate range to the target figured out. Think quality range finder here. Forget about trying to figure out how far off the animal you need to aim to compensate for trajectory at longer distance. Once you have the data and the know how, ranging a target, adjusting your elevation, holding on a target and breaking the shot works well. Once you've practiced enough, you'll understand folks' reservations for recommending long range hunting.
 
blargon said:
T and your "guess-timation" of the hold-over. Even though you can laser the distance, are you actually holding 4' over, or is it 4.5'...Lots of guessing there. I would prefer a marked turret for dialing the distance...
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ive shot out to 450 with my 7mag , no hold over. it shoots under an inch at 250

and if i hold centered on a moose its dead from 1-450 yds. why complicate things with rangefinders and turrets. get a rifle that can point blank!!!

shots within 500 are doable while 600 yds adds another 20 inches of drop which is out of my weight class
 
12many said:
ive shot out to 450 with my 7mag , no hold over. it shoots under an inch at 250

and if i hold centered on a moose its dead from 1-450 yds. why complicate things with rangefinders and turrets. get a rifle that can point blank!!!

shots within 500 are doable while 600 yds adds another 20 inches of drop which is out of my weight class
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HMMMMMM.........:rolleyes:

7mm-Ballistics.jpg
 
A lot of BS will surely be flowing through this thread,...and it looks as though it may have started...

If you are holding over a killzone, such that you are aiming at air,..you shouldn't be shooting that distance IMO..

Also, for another .02 cents... Those who are practiced and ompetent at 500 yrds, usually aren't guys that doing hold over...

Even with my CZ that I had scoped quite well. at 500 yrds, the smallest error can results in huge downrange difference...and I was using target turrets,.. now that's just me..

some people ride motorcycles in the snow...but I wouldn't call the driver the brightest person in the world, or his vehicle adequate for conditions...
 
12many said:
and if i hold centered on a moose its dead from 1-450 yds. why complicate things with rangefinders and turrets. get a rifle that can point blank!!!
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A rifle that's zeroed at 600yds would be pretty much useless at 100...
 
12many said:
hmm is right

150 scirocco @ 3220 fps
-4.25 high at 100 yds
- 7.5 high at 200 yds
- 7 low at 450 yds

and 5 clicks on elevation and shes back to a deer rifle
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That's nice, but the OP is talking 550-600, not 450.

Using your numbers, that load will still have a 40" drop at 600 and wind drift of 22" with a 10mph breeze...
 
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