What do you precision shooters hunt with?

Boomer said:
The long range big game hunter is the exception to the rule. He must use a very accurate system, and be able to work out his firing solution beginning with a very precise calculation of range. He has mastered the difficulties associated with shooting in wind and mirage at extended ranges. If he is familiar with the area, he may very well have prearranged those places where he is most likely to spot game. His rifle is probably a target rifle/hunting rifle hybrid chambered for a powerful cartridge that has enough residual velocity and bullet mass at a half mile or more to ensure a humane kill on a big game animal. Such a hunter has little in common with the typical big game hunter who almost always shoots within 300 yards, and most often shoots within half or even a quarter of that range.
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Says it all in my opinion.

Even though the inherent accuracy may be there the average hunting rifle setup is a poor platform for delivering a single bullet some 500 yards distant.

The average hunter setup is without ability to resolve mirage (wind), adjust for drop, shoots bullets that are all wrong a distance, and has a trigger way too heavy on a rifle way too light.

A guy determined to shoot game at long range needs a system completely dedicated to long range success...A standard hunting rifle this is not.


A conventional hunter setup is way better off inside 300 yards or so.
 
My long range rig is a Sendero 300rum With a 26" heavy barrel that launches 180gr accubonds that i have loaded myself. It has a 6.5-20x50 mk4 all held in place by nightforce rings and nightforce 20moa base. I also have a Harris bipod on it as well. This is not a light rifle by any means. I usually have it on my quad but, more often then not, I'm walking around the bush with it. If I am hiking up a mountain, it's on my pack. If I'm out for a short little walk, I throw it on my shoulder. After a dozen short little walks, I can feel my shoulder getting sore. When it comes down to long range hunting, I think you need to sacrafice one thing for another. If carrying around a 15lb gun doesn't float your boat, then buy good camo and scent protection and stalk closer.
 
Everyone hunts different. All I know is that the way I hunt a tactical/target rifle is more of a hindrance than anything. For me chances at big bucks or elk come quick, don't last long, and always happen when you are not ready. I do not always enjoy sitting and waiting, this can prove to be very unsuccessful if the game density is low as it is right now in my area. I leave most of my sitting for the years there is lots of game.


So how I hunt right now...My rifle needs to be as "fast" to use as possible and good for plus 20 to -20*C It needs to be short enough to take quick off hand shots in the bush. The gun needs to be light enough it is easy to carry and hold for off hand shots, even if you are out of breath. I need the trigger to break cleanly exactly the moment I want it to, meaning no light triggers in -20 with cold fingers is just as important as no creep. I have to be able to throw the gun to my shoulder in an instant and have a sight picture, this means a short LOP for bulky clothing and low scope rings. The scope needs to have enough magnification to see well at a distance but low enough mag to see all the sticks and branches in the bullets path. Adjustable objective can be a problem, needing to be fiddled with to get a sharp image. The bullet needs to be suitable for the game and impact velocity I am likely to have, extreme accuracy is one of the least important qualities, 2MOA is more than enough. And on accuracy, the gun needs to fire it's first shot to the same place every time, no matter if it is hot, dry, humid, freezing cold or the gun was dropped on a rock it needs to shoot that first shot reliably, 5 shot groups are meaningless if the first shot of the day is way off.
 
The rifle I use most is a #4 Lee Enfield barreled in 30/40 Krag. It's my "lucky" gun.
During Elk season, I usually carry my 35 Whelen on a mauser action or a 308 Norma on a pre-64 M70 action.
This year's whitetail was taken with a Turkish Mauser in 260 Remington. Regards, Bill.
 
Slice, you asked about Cooper rifles and long distance Hunting? I have a 25-06AI Excalibur that I bought to replace a 300WM as my primary deer rifle. If you have a chance to handle, and even better shoot a Cooper do so I think you will be quite impressed. The Excalibur is not a real heavy rifle even though I have a 26" fluted barrel it is around 7.5 pounds before adding a scope. I went with the synthetic stock because I didn't want to drag the great looking Cooper wood through the bush, and the fact that I like synthetic over wood.

I practice at 300+yrds a lot with this rifle, and with a good rest and weather conditions would feel able to take deer size game to 500yrds. With a 3-18 powered scope I feel I am set up to take deer or smaller sized game from in close to out far. Keep in mind that a good range finder is also a essential tool when it comes to long range hunting.

At the time I bought my Cooper I was shopping around for a higher-end rifle, and was pricing out having a rifle custom built. In the end I went with Cooper and couldn't be happier with it as far as a hunting rifle goes. Good luck in your search.
 
Most often its a Sako in 7mm08 but this year it was a win94 30-30 and a No4. It was wet so I took the beaters, good thing too. I unloaded to cross a stream and proceeded to stumble and stub my toe, surely cracking it but not a total break and then slamming the 303 hard into a 2' boulder to save my face. It was like I was trying to smash open a coconut it hit so hard. Scope dented in two places, stock dented and scratched but my nice Sako was safe at home. I swear as I was going down I was smiling, knowing the Sako was not in my hands. I've used Rachel, my M305 and whatever else I wanted to, my area is short range hunting so long range accuracy is not a concern. I have been thinking about going stainless synthetic.
 
fascinating thread, as I'm trying to learn the acceptable uses for various calibers big bores, but people! Post pictures with your gun descriptions!!
 
I see peoples' hunting weapons are as different as the people themselves.
STYLED, I have taken the plunge and ordered the new Cooper model 54 short action in 7mm-08. I am keen to see how I can shoot with it beyond 200 yds.
 
I have the sweetest ruger no1 international in 7x57 with a leupold 2x7x32 and I'm in love with it for deer moose and black bear. even bagged 2 coyotes with it. I also have a Parker-Hale built on SMLE action that shoots inside 3 in at 100 yard with open sights that I love and restored to keep it for my nephew when he is old enough to hunt
 
dylan63 said:
fascinating thread, as I'm trying to learn the acceptable uses for various calibers big bores, but people! Post pictures with your gun descriptions!!
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The top rifle is my 325wsm. HS Precision pro-hunter lite. 6.8 pounds with Leupold 3-9 compact, great little mountain rifle.
Bottom rifle is a M70 300wsm, bedded, trigger tuned, Leupold VXIII 4.5-14, good all around rifle. Both rifles have the drops worked out for 500 yards, found thats plenty long for me.
huntingrifles.jpg

The pics would be better but I like rifle's not camera's...
 
In Eastern Ontario bush country minute of dear is all the precision you need. Most shots will be under 100yds so any 30-30 lever will fill the freezer.
That being precision rifles are wasted here for hunting deer and moose unless it makes you feel good.
My go to rifle is the one I made up this year and tweaked out. One bubba'd Swede 96 with a worn out and shortened 6.5x55 barrel. It will still shoot 1 MOA. Good enough to outlive me.

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My Precision rig is my .223 Savage 110 Tactical with all trimmings - it is also my Coyote and gopher gun. My Big Game rifle is a Mod 70 .270 Win, I have spent hours at the range developing loads, and figuring out what ranges apply to the various multiplex recticles for the Burris scopes they both wear. I am fortunate enough to be a able to shoot on an Army base to distances of 900 meters and beyond. Both of these rifles will easily out shoot my abilities, but knowing your limits is kinda the point.
 
Usually, if you said "Gitcher gun" I'd come back with my Gaillard built M70 in 7STW with 4.5-14 LR with B&C reticle. It weighs 8.5 pounds altogether. This year a Remington LSS in .257 Weatherby did companion duty for the big guns. It is stock in every way except for replaceing the built in hell Mark X trigger with a Rifle Basixs.

Across the board, the longrange specialty rifles are a handicap for most of my hunting.
 
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