Scared of long range shots... Am I hunting wrong lol :(
- Thread starter Megaclocker
- Start date
X-Bolt Medallion I think the twist rate is 1-10.
I have some heavy IVI rounds I'll go try. Rifle was shooting cloverleaf at 100yard with cheap PMC stuff.
It seems like the SF on the scope is accurate. I'll look more into it next range trip.
I have a crap ton of once-fired Remington brass in 30-06 and a lee press and dies.
I need powder, primers and bullets before getting into reloading.
Any combo thats not a complete pain in the ass/wallet anyone would recommend ?
Something I could use for the Garand would be good as well.
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This is the answer.
I have a lot of shooting experience, with a number of competitions as far as 1200 yards. So I am familiar with long range shooting.
Hunting is a lot of sitting, watching and contemplating. "If he comes out there - how far is that? Where do I hold?"
I find the biggest weakness is knowing the distance. If I knew the distance, a shot would be easy.
I have only shot twice at over 100 yards. A deer at 125 yards (nailed it) and a moose at 425 yards (missed with my 358Win - but my buddy got it with a 308 -with iron sights!)
I know that my rifles shoot flat enough to 300 yards that range estimation is not a big issue. Beyond that, range estimation is everything - plus all the other variables like wind and aiming errors.
I would say that for the average hunter, 300 yards is a long shot, to be taken with care.
Over 300 yard hunting belongs to the guys that work at it and develop their skills. Skills I don't have. I have the shooting skills, but not the hunting skills.
Hunting is a lot of sitting, watching and contemplating. "If he comes out there - how far is that? Where do I hold?"
I find the biggest weakness is knowing the distance. If I knew the distance, a shot would be easy.
I have only shot twice at over 100 yards. A deer at 125 yards (nailed it) and a moose at 425 yards (missed with my 358Win - but my buddy got it with a 308 -with iron sights!)
I know that my rifles shoot flat enough to 300 yards that range estimation is not a big issue. Beyond that, range estimation is everything - plus all the other variables like wind and aiming errors.
I would say that for the average hunter, 300 yards is a long shot, to be taken with care.
Over 300 yard hunting belongs to the guys that work at it and develop their skills. Skills I don't have. I have the shooting skills, but not the hunting skills.
In this day and age range “estimation” shouldn’t even be a consideration. No one should ever rely on an estimation of long range given the low cost range finders on the market.
Wind however, is a serious consideration. If you have any question about the wind, then the shot is beyond your capabilities.
Wind however, is a serious consideration. If you have any question about the wind, then the shot is beyond your capabilities.
OP you sound like me. I am confident in my accuracy to 200 yards, beyond that I just pass. Like you I've shot most of my game between 50-75 yards. It is gratifying to get this close to my quarry, I'm not interested in shooting at longer ranges – I'd rather hone my skills to get closer.
So, my answer is that there is nothing wrong with you. If want want to shoot longer ranges just practice like others have said. Bummer to have to buy and practice with new new kit just for that rare shot IMO...then again I'm ok coming home empty handed.
So, my answer is that there is nothing wrong with you. If want want to shoot longer ranges just practice like others have said. Bummer to have to buy and practice with new new kit just for that rare shot IMO...then again I'm ok coming home empty handed.
such a good post. ^^
I just like to know that if I "have to" shoot out to 400 or 500 , I can. I wouldn't be necessarily hunting at that range but we have had to put far out shots on running wounded game a small number of times. I won't hesitate to shoot coyotes and wolves at 400 or 500 yards though that oportunity hasn't materialized yet.
I saw a young fella from out of chetwynd a few years back , stop his truck, jump out with binos, range finder and "huskemaw" rifle from corlanes...... and proceed to lay down prone on the roadside berm and rather quickly , put the tools to use ..... putting a cow elk down on a cold calm february morning at just over 700 yards, slightly down hill shot. We on the other hand, had been standing there glassing drinking coffee and did not even see those elk
Kinda left feeling that "i wish I could do that" feeling LOL
I haven't read through all the replies, but I imagine this has already been mentioned. But your choice in ammo is definitely a big part of your problem. I have used both Core Lokt and the cheaper Winchester ammo in a variety of weights in different calibers and rifles and I have not once seen this ammo to be accurate enough to be considered for shots beyond 75 -100 yards. The Core Lokt having always been the worst in every caliber, weight and rifle. The Winchester stuff wasn't much better but it was good enough to take to 100 yards and be confident that the bullet would hit the vitals on a broad side of a standing deer at that distance. The last time I tried getting a 30-06 sighted in with Core Lokt, the best group was 6 inches, at 50 yards. I couldn't even get that crap ammo to group well enough or consistent enough to even bother trying to move out to 100 yards. But that kind of #### quality is to be expected from Remington....
Shooting at long range...> 600 meters, is a skill that is acquired only through a lot of actual practice.
No one can shoot at 100 and 200 and determine exactly what will happen at 600. Actual ranges need
to be used to see, not only your equipment's capability, but also YOUR ability to shoot consistently at
the extended distance.
I have shot several head of game past 500, but am not comfortable with these long shots any more, as
I believe my skills have diminished a bit over the past 4-5 years.
I have set a personal limit of 450 now, and will pass on a shot outside of that. I have no axe to grind with
those who feel confident in taking longer shots as long as they do their homework diligently. Dave.
No one can shoot at 100 and 200 and determine exactly what will happen at 600. Actual ranges need
to be used to see, not only your equipment's capability, but also YOUR ability to shoot consistently at
the extended distance.
I have shot several head of game past 500, but am not comfortable with these long shots any more, as
I believe my skills have diminished a bit over the past 4-5 years.
I have set a personal limit of 450 now, and will pass on a shot outside of that. I have no axe to grind with
those who feel confident in taking longer shots as long as they do their homework diligently. Dave.
First went moose hunting in 1970. Longest shot I have ever taken was 400 yds, across water at a moose, hit it twice, down it went, far more good luck than good management. A M-70 with hand loaded 165 gr Nosler partition's. Over the years the next longest shot was just a couple years back when I took a buck in the front field here at 176 yds. again M-70 with 165gr accubond. Every other big game type critter has taken from 25ft to 100 yds. the majority under 50yds. But this is Ontario. May be a different ball game out west. My best suggestion as already stated is to shoot more at specified distances with your rifle and a specific ammo. Good quality ammo at long distance would be a asset. Once you have chosen a certain brand and load of ammo don't change it as it all shoots slightly different especially notable at distance. If you suspect the scope maybe an issue trash it and buy the best scope you can afford. Rule of thumb, if you almost or do pay as much for the scope as you did for the rifle your about right. Shoot within your limitations and what you personally comfortable with. Personally 200 yds is what I feel comfortable with. My equipment may be capable of a lot more but my skill level is not. I was young and eager when I shot that moose at 400 yds. I was lucky I easily could have wounded it. I guess I am older and hopefully a tad bit wiser now so I would rather pass an animal than take a shot and wound it. My experiences anyways.
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Dave, I am sure you got a podium at last years 1000 yard shoot. Your skills have not diminished
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Much effort has been wasted over the years by attempting to associate the range at which game is shot with ethics. In truth, there is no ethical dilemma associated with the competent shooting of game at long range. There is however a strong ethical dilemma associated with wounding game through incompetent shooting, regardless of range. Therefore there is no association between ethics and range, but ethics are closely related to competence.
At the range, you should be able to demonstrate, preferably on demand, what you intend to do in the field, under similar conditions, but you should not attempt in the field, what you have not been able to prove at the range. An accomplished long range shooter restricts the range of his shooting based on the immediate conditions he faces. The less experienced rifleman/hunter is less likely he is to understand his own limitations under any given circumstances.
Often we hear that a hunter need only hit a pie plate size target to take game, but a clay bird is a better sized target to establish a hunter's maximum range to engage game, and this gets us away from the shooting groups "trap," which has little to do with shooting game.
At the range, you should be able to demonstrate, preferably on demand, what you intend to do in the field, under similar conditions, but you should not attempt in the field, what you have not been able to prove at the range. An accomplished long range shooter restricts the range of his shooting based on the immediate conditions he faces. The less experienced rifleman/hunter is less likely he is to understand his own limitations under any given circumstances.
Often we hear that a hunter need only hit a pie plate size target to take game, but a clay bird is a better sized target to establish a hunter's maximum range to engage game, and this gets us away from the shooting groups "trap," which has little to do with shooting game.
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Never before have I read anything that so succinctly answers the long range debate. Well written.
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
Well put. Bravo.
We should have a heading...Lets ask Boomer!
Could do worse.
