Best hunting cartridge for 800 yards and in?
- Thread starter Resistol
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Okay let me rephrase the question what cartridge had enough power to make an ethical kill at that range? Do I plan on trying to shoot an animal at that range? NO, not if I can help it, I've never shot an animal further then 400 yards. Besides a coyote out at 650 which I did kill in one shot, that was just to see if I could. I hope I never have to try and shoot more then 400. But if there is a giant ram on the side of the mountain and that is pretty well my only chance, I'm probably going to try. God hates a coward.
Can I shoot, yes I believe I can do it very well. Do I know my ballistics? Not as good as I should, I learn my bullet drop and judge the wind. I don't know ft/lbs or "knockdown power" at different ranges. I probably should.
Can I shoot, yes I believe I can do it very well. Do I know my ballistics? Not as good as I should, I learn my bullet drop and judge the wind. I don't know ft/lbs or "knockdown power" at different ranges. I probably should.
pisces-guy
CGN frequent flyer
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- West Kelowna, B.C.
A 7mm magnum...a solid rest, minimal wind, very accurate rifle and excellent scope, and practice/training in long distance shooting.
I disagree... there is specific info here on shooting game at 800 yards... specifically, the general consensus is; "don't do it."
The OP conceded that 800 yards is "a bit far for a real humane kill shot..." as oppose to what? A partially humane kill shot?
Agreed! If you don't kill it outright, are you going to be able to find it?
That said the long range hunters I've met used the .300 Weatherby Magnum and lots of range time. Expensive way to hunt.
Prairie Hunter
Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
There are lots of great calibers that are capable to shoot past 800 yards. It depends on the shooter's skill though if he can confidently kill the animal in a single shot or not. For instance, .338 Lapua is great to shoot way pass 1000 yards, but the cost of $6 or more a round is just way too rich for my pocket. .300 WSM is pretty good for 800 yards shots at half of the cost.
This. IMO tracking and reading wind and habitat, learning the animal's lifestyle and thoughts will be very rewarding.
If you have to ask, you shouldn't be making the shot.
I have zero problem with long range hunting, so long as the hunter has the equipment and skill necessary to do it humanly. 800 yards shots are certainly possible to be done humanly, I've seen a friend shoot an Antelope at 740 yards, but in order to do this the shooter had practiced extensively with the rifle to 1000 yards and was able to set up in a good position to be steady enough to make the shot.
A mountain rifle and the conditions common to field shooting in the mountains (wind, poor rests, high angles) I don't think anyone should be making the shot. God may hate a coward, but a true sportsman will not take a shot he is not sure of. I would rather let the ram walk than try and take a 800 yard shot in field conditions commonly encountered in the mountains. I routinely practice my shooting up to and including 1000 yards with hunting rifles too.
I have zero problem with long range hunting, so long as the hunter has the equipment and skill necessary to do it humanly. 800 yards shots are certainly possible to be done humanly, I've seen a friend shoot an Antelope at 740 yards, but in order to do this the shooter had practiced extensively with the rifle to 1000 yards and was able to set up in a good position to be steady enough to make the shot.
A mountain rifle and the conditions common to field shooting in the mountains (wind, poor rests, high angles) I don't think anyone should be making the shot. God may hate a coward, but a true sportsman will not take a shot he is not sure of. I would rather let the ram walk than try and take a 800 yard shot in field conditions commonly encountered in the mountains. I routinely practice my shooting up to and including 1000 yards with hunting rifles too.
not sure about you, but I have hunted enough years to know there are animals that will never give you a chance to get up close. Terrain, weather and a short season are other factors we hunters have to contend with on top of that. Telling somone they are not a hunter because you do things differently but with the same end results is a little low brow IMO
Don't just say if you have to ask you shouldn't be doing it. Point me in the right direction so I can go out and get the right set up and go shoot and practice the crap out of it. I don't want to shoot that far at an animal but if there is a world record sitting in my crosshairs I may as well try. To be able to shoot that far takes practice practice and more practice and that's what I plan to do. Like I said before I don't ever plan to shoot anything that far but it's good to know that I would have the practice, cartridge, and knowledge to be able to do it just in case. God hates a coward
There's a lot of space between "up close" and 800 yards. If you can't get within half a km of your prey, you may want to work on technique.
You probably don't realize how revealing the above quoted statement is about your character...
Thankfully, most hunters have the character and conviction to pass on a shot that is, at best, marginal... ESPECIALLY on a world record animal.
I'm done with this thread...
There is nothing cowardly about passing on long shots at an animal, whether you have the skills/ability or not. Obviously (and you know this...), you need lots of range time to get there. If you're just "trying" and not 100% sure, then that's not good enough. I tie my shoes in morning, I don't try to tie my shoes in the morning. Years of practice. Once you know you can do it after your years of practice with one of the sensible calibers that other CGN members mentioned, then you're ready to "do", not "try". Once you're ready to take such a shot I commend you on the practice and range time you put in to get that point.
as I already mentioned, terrain can make getting closer without spooking the animal impossible along with the other factors I posted. Even the short amount of daylight plays another factor but you clearly only hunt within the limits you set for yourself and frown upon others who have set their limits higher through practice, equipment and experience
If you're not sure, no, you shouldn't just try. You should only try if you are truly confident of the shot. What if you hit it in the guts and never recover it as a result? Surely it's better to let the record animal walk than it is to try and end up with it wounded.
If you really want to do it I would say find a cartridge that will give you 1500 ft-lbs at the distance you plan to shoot. A .300 Win Mag with a 200 grain AB can do this. You also need to know how to read the wind (mirage) and how it affects your shot. You need to be able to hit a 10 inch circle at 1000 yards every single time. Then there are factors you can't control like heavy winds or bad rest locations that may make the shot impossible.
The biggest thing is if you are not 100% sure of the shot. Don't take it. You're "God hates a coward" comments disturb me. It is most certainly better to let the animal walk, or try to stalk closer, instead of taking a shot you are not 100% on.
It happens to every hunter, a big buck is just standing there, but just out of range. An ethical hunter will stalk closer or let it walk. A coward will "try" the shot he knows is a maybe. Wounding animals because of poor decision making is not acceptable.
No ethical issues with long range hunting if done properly, but let me stress a final time. If you are not 100% it is unethical to try.
Certainly it is ethical if your equipment, experience and conditions make you 100% confident in the shot. The OP is insinuating that you should go ahead and try even if you are not 100%. This is what has myself and others bothered.
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