if i had access to deer or animals at further than 50 yards and allowed to hunt with more than a shotgun id likely be comfortable out to 600 yards with my 6.5 would depend on the group i could keep with it using hunting ammo. half inch at 200 yards with target is damn good. but hunting ammo isnt the same.
Any Long Distance hunters here?
- Thread starter Otokiak
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Most of the negative issues regarding long range hunting have been addressed through the new technology, and until whitetail deer stop being wounded by once a year hunters shooting from 50 yards with 15 year old ammo, there's little reason to criticize the dedicated long range hunter. Provided the long range hunter is willing to make the investment in the technology, and shoots enough at long range to master the art, and learns what the technology's won't/can't do, he's on the right track.
I think your greatest challenges will be similar to what I face here, wind and late winter or springtime mirage. If you purchase a scope with a Horus style reticle, and there's a book full of them to choose from, hold offs for wind and elevation can be made faster and more accurately than by adjusting the scope turrets. Each time you adjust the turret of your scope, there's a chance of a mechanical error, especially out near the limits of those adjustments, but holding off with a grid style reticle solves the problem. Get a good quality scope level, preferably one that folds to the side that you can easily see with your non-shooting eye, and get in the habit of using it. Canting is the most common reason for dumping a shot left or right. Placing a heavy pack against the front of the bi-pod legs will allow you to put greater load on them, without having them move on you just prior to the shot. At extreme ranges everything matters, so don't neglect punching in all the pertinent data when shooting beyond 1000, that can be ignored when shooting within a 1000.
Your .50 will work fine of course, and it sounds like you're excited about getting it. While I enjoy smacking steel way out there, my long range rig isn't suitable for big game, and I've made the decision that long range big game hunting isn't something I'll pursue. This isn't a criticism of those who do, but from my perspective, its an expensive endeavor to participate in, and I'm not so passionate in my desire to make long range hits on live targets that the expenditure is appropriate. Mind you, this winter I want to try hitting a 45 gallon drum at a mile. Its no longer an earth shattering accomplishment, but it should test the limits of my .308. Enjoy that rifle when it arrives.
I think your greatest challenges will be similar to what I face here, wind and late winter or springtime mirage. If you purchase a scope with a Horus style reticle, and there's a book full of them to choose from, hold offs for wind and elevation can be made faster and more accurately than by adjusting the scope turrets. Each time you adjust the turret of your scope, there's a chance of a mechanical error, especially out near the limits of those adjustments, but holding off with a grid style reticle solves the problem. Get a good quality scope level, preferably one that folds to the side that you can easily see with your non-shooting eye, and get in the habit of using it. Canting is the most common reason for dumping a shot left or right. Placing a heavy pack against the front of the bi-pod legs will allow you to put greater load on them, without having them move on you just prior to the shot. At extreme ranges everything matters, so don't neglect punching in all the pertinent data when shooting beyond 1000, that can be ignored when shooting within a 1000.
Your .50 will work fine of course, and it sounds like you're excited about getting it. While I enjoy smacking steel way out there, my long range rig isn't suitable for big game, and I've made the decision that long range big game hunting isn't something I'll pursue. This isn't a criticism of those who do, but from my perspective, its an expensive endeavor to participate in, and I'm not so passionate in my desire to make long range hits on live targets that the expenditure is appropriate. Mind you, this winter I want to try hitting a 45 gallon drum at a mile. Its no longer an earth shattering accomplishment, but it should test the limits of my .308. Enjoy that rifle when it arrives.
should could & would love to travel 8 hrs to Sk to my old stomping grounds, but sadly the out-of-towner deer lic is out of sight, just as the fishing lic in SK is for aliens such as us from neighboring MB where there is little or no fish! Moose meat is in abundance I hear in SK, but the legality of it is more than a trip to Hawaii for the entire family for the SK single Lic to hunt!
I shot a medium sized rock (about a foot and a half in size) at 1175 yards (ranged) with my 308 win last week...I had the scope cranked up 45MOA and then used the 3rd hash mark on the HHR reticle. I think that works out to around 50 feet of bullet drop. 
Not hunting but still fun!
Not hunting but still fun!
Long range here 6.5 x 55 / 26 inch ported Kreiger bedded onto a carbon macmillion sport
timins trigger 8x32x56 sightron and many many rounds down the 1000 yard range
checking validating trying all weather cold hot rain snow
different elevations and coping the elevation and direction we are hunting in
timins trigger 8x32x56 sightron and many many rounds down the 1000 yard range
checking validating trying all weather cold hot rain snow
different elevations and coping the elevation and direction we are hunting in
they said the new "longest yardage max" for ethical hunting is now going to be limited and enforced to 300 yards. It's going to be in the 2015 hunting regs. Who here can master that and with what cartridge can you do it with? I'll be going with the 7mm-08 to a max of 200 yards. Eye sight and steadyability is weakening with my old age! What are you younger guys capable of?
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Should I throw my 7-08 into the ring on this one also?
hey Kelly, I'm doing well with your recipes for my 7mm-08, I'm sure the steady hands of a Saskatchewan combine pilot can do much better than me (an old fart), you'll be just fine with the new and strictly to be enforced max yardage for ethical deer hunting coming up for the new season next year. I think it's gonna be a total across the country thing from coast to coast (Federal Regulations) from what I hear. How's the Sasksquawch tracking and observing coming along? Have you got enough data for your up and coming Novel on the subject? Hopefully you can swing a TV series for this Fall. I'm really looking forward to that. If you need donations, just say the word, my friend! I'm sure a lot of fello Gunutz on site here will help out with the cause, as well.
Last edited:
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
As soon as WT tail season ends I will be collecting my data and compiling some works.
This morning will be in the stand so not sure if the ML or BLR will get the nod , however these will be close up encounters so the little 7-08 will have to stay home.
Furthest distance I expect see to game today, 30-40 yards maybe.
This morning will be in the stand so not sure if the ML or BLR will get the nod , however these will be close up encounters so the little 7-08 will have to stay home.
Furthest distance I expect see to game today, 30-40 yards maybe.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
But you've certainly made some long shots and successfully bagged game, so I think you qualify
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
....
Last edited:
Good one!!!
I hear ya Pal!
Try to ask a serious type questions and all the dip####s come out of the woodwork..the same guys that are shooting their "tac drivers" at 50 yards!
In the past 2 weeks I have shot a coyote at 340 yards and a small doe at 350 with my Remington 700P 6.8 SPC. Both dropped in their tracks, surprisingly a great little hunting round.
Happy Hunting
Last edited:
Hmmm.... guess you fall into the preferred (in your mind) middle group. Wondering if you managed to bypass the newbie category and don't expect to ever be an oldfart?
Signed
An Oldfart
