Experiences shooting long range (1000m and more)

3of30

3of30

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I was wanting to start a thread based on guys who have experiences with this sort of distance and longer. Hoping we all can share tips tricks and data.

Just recently got started shooting long range, after a couple of months of load development and collecting d.o.p.e, I finally had the chance to stretch out to 1000m (1093 yards). I did not have a spotter so it took a few shots to walk it out there as my ballistic program gave me data that was way off for my conditions. Once I got my elevation right, I was able to play with the changing winds and make some nice hits. It was nothing amazing, I was shooting on a 20" plate, but very satisfying none the less.

I am shooting an AIAT 24" barrel chambered in 308.
For 1000m I am set at roughly 11 Mil of elevation shooting 175gr TMK's.

I don't have any weather meters or fancy equipment like that yet, so judging the wind is something I am slowly learning the old school way.

What do you guys use?

Tips, tricks?

Matt.
 
A couple buddies and myself pushed some 260's 260ai , 7wsm and a LRT3 out to 1600m. We were shooting a 2/3 IPSC plate and were able to score >50% hits. Wind was not the most friendly. I'll be honest, the kestrel is mainly used for atmospheric conditions, not for calling wind. Over those distances you are better off reading terrain features and mirage if possible. First shots were within 1m of the plate, which is nothing special, but once you begin to put the change in wind speeds into context, you feel pretty good.

The difference between a 10mphr 3 o'clock wind and an 11 mphr wind is 0.3 mils of horizontal displacement (140gr Berger) which is equal to 0.5m. I am a pretty good shot, but not that great of a wind caller!
So after that long winded tangent, I guess my tips are:
  1. set your expectations for success accordingly
  2. understand what your bullets are doing at those distances
  3. understand there is a huge difference in getting lucky, and making consistent impacts.
  4. read Litz's WEZ analysis for added context.
 
arcticcathonda said:
A couple buddies and myself pushed some 260's 260ai , 7wsm and a LRT3 out to 1600m. We were shooting a 2/3 IPSC plate and were able to score >50% hits. Wind was not the most friendly. I'll be honest, the kestrel is mainly used for atmospheric conditions, not for calling wind. Over those distances you are better off reading terrain features and mirage if possible. First shots were within 1m of the plate, which is nothing special, but once you begin to put the change in wind speeds into context, you feel pretty good.

The difference between a 10mphr 3 o'clock wind and an 11 mphr wind is 0.3 mils of horizontal displacement (140gr Berger) which is equal to 0.5m. I am a pretty good shot, but not that great of a wind caller!
So after that long winded tangent, I guess my tips are:
  1. set your expectations for success accordingly
  2. understand what your bullets are doing at those distances
  3. understand there is a huge difference in getting lucky, and making consistent impacts.
  4. read Litz's WEZ analysis for added context.
Click to expand...

The reason I want to get a weather meter is so I can make wind calls off of the natural features and mirage and then verify them with actual wind speed from the meter for training purposes. I'm hoping it will help me to become much more accurate with judging natural features while actually shooting.
 
bsand said:
Tagged, I really wish I had a spot for 1k.
Click to expand...

If you want to make a trip west to the Edson area for a weekend the range goes to 1600M with steel every 100M. I can take you as a guest.
shoot me a Pm if anyone's interested. Better to shoot with a spotter anyways.

Matt
 
I'm also slowly putting together gear for some distance shooting, nothing real fancy, range finder, basic weather meter, ballistics app and a steel plate, I'm only looking to to work my way out to 1000yards right now with a .308 and factory match ammo. My range is only a dismal 200yards so thats as far as I've shot so far but ready on the next decent day to stretch it out some as my steel will be here today.
 
I use my rifles, hand loaded ammo, weather data from my smart phone and a ballistics app. No fancy equipment here. I do know what the distances are to the target (give or take a few yards) but I would like a range finder as I'm not good (read terrible) at judging unknown distance.
 
3of30 said:
If you want to make a trip west to the Edson area for a weekend the range goes to 1600M with steel every 100M. I can take you as a guest.
shoot me a Pm if anyone's interested. Better to shoot with a spotter anyways.

Matt
Click to expand...

It would be all east from here, but may have to take you up on that. Been planning on hitting up golden on way to Calgary soon may have to add Edson to that trip.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
I use my rifles, hand loaded ammo, weather data from my smart phone and a ballistics app. No fancy equipment here. I do know what the distances are to the target (give or take a few yards) but I would like a range finder as I'm not good (read terrible) at judging unknown distance.
Click to expand...

I picked up the new Sig 2000 range finder and very happy with it so far, has some very good reviews on the net also.
 
bsand said:
How much landed and from where?
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I watched ebay A to Z optics until the price was down, ended up being $638.54 CAD in my hand.

At that time was $439.97 USD plus shipping duty and taxes, now they are at $499.99 USD plus plus, prices seem to go up and down on them often so if in no rush just keep checking.
 
I shoot a dicipline that is a bit different than you guys. Black powder target rifle out to 1000 yards. My findings might be different, but a Kestrel is mostly useless for long range shooting to me. I use it before a match to kind of get an idea of prevailing conditions. There is usually so much going on between you and the target that knowing what is going on where you are is important, but there are a lot of wind changes between you and the target. Almost never have I seen consistent conditions all the way down range.

Mirage is super useful, often more than flags, but in our discipline you really need them both. Our bullets probably are 5x more wind sensitive than yours though so maybe it's less important for you guys.

You said that you are learning to read wind the old school way. I don't think there is any another way :)

Chris.
 
gunlaker said:
I shoot a dicipline that is a bit different than you guys. Black powder target rifle out to 1000 yards. My findings might be different, but a Kestrel is mostly useless for long range shooting to me. I use it before a match to kind of get an idea of prevailing conditions. There is usually so much going on between you and the target that knowing what is going on where you are is important, but there are a lot of wind changes between you and the target. Almost never have I seen consistent conditions all the way down range.

Mirage is super useful, often more than flags, but in our discipline you really need them both. Our bullets probably are 5x more wind sensitive than yours though so maybe it's less important for you guys.

You said that you are learning to read wind the old school way. I don't think there is any another way :)

Chris.
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Thanks for the insight! What kestrel do you use?
 
Gunlaker has it right. The Kestrel is good for getting initial info at the shooting position but it is rarely if ever consistent over a long range shot. Reading the environment and mirage at various locations between the firing position and target is critical to try and get first round hits.
This is also where calibre choice can help. If you have a heavy for calibre bullet with a good BC, ideally over .6 (G1), moving at close to 3000 fps or more, you can have a slightly higher margin of error opposed to a slower bullet with a lower BC.
Really most of it comes down to paying attention to the conditions and practice. There are no magic formulas .
 
I should have added, a good spotter and spotting scope would also help out in a big way. Set up behind the shooter will allow him to follow the trace all the way in to the target. The spotter should also help out with wind calls and changing conditions.
 
One little trick I found can help. Do this at a medium range, say 5-600m, with no wind if possible. Get into a really solid shooting position and take a couple of shots to get a good point of impact Then deliberately alter your position in one parameter. More check pressure, less bipod loading, shift your body to a greater angle to the target, more finger on the trigger shoe etc. Pick one and then take the shot. Make a note of what you changed and the change in PoI.
Build up a list of screw-ups and how they shift your PoI, and you have a handy resource for when you throw a flyer.
 
Alpheus said:
One little trick I found can help. Do this at a medium range, say 5-600m, with no wind if possible. Get into a really solid shooting position and take a couple of shots to get a good point of impact Then deliberately alter your position in one parameter. More check pressure, less bipod loading, shift your body to a greater angle to the target, more finger on the trigger shoe etc. Pick one and then take the shot. Make a note of what you changed and the change in PoI.
Build up a list of screw-ups and how they shift your PoI, and you have a handy resource for when you throw a flyer.
Click to expand...

This is a very interesting idea, I never thought of building a database on my mistakes!
 
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