To which distances do you hunt most big game?

[mistahmojoryan]

I've done most of my Whitetail hunting with a 300WM. My hunting time is split pretty evenly b/t the bush and cutlines/fields. The 300 has extra power that I don't really need and extra distance which I don't need either. I just really like my rifle that's chambered for it.

And it's not that 300yd+ shots don't present themselves; they're common here and I have some great memories of bucks I've passed on. I just don't practice shooting much beyond 300yds. I've also noticed that things get exponentially more complicated as distance increases. Shooting at 300yds has taught me that I don't want to shoot beyond 300yds.

 

[tracker]

Using a centre fire depending on the type of game and landscape, each would have a different average. Now with bow for deer and moose I could estimate an accurate average.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I once shot a deer at an honest 175 yards in Northern Alberta. Every other deer or bear I shot was 70 yards or less, most under 50 yards. Though my go-to gun is a .280 Rem, I could have handily used a .30-30 for everything I've taken.

 

[Eagleye]

I've had the privilege of hunting this great land for more years than many. If I were to average the distance of all the shots taken at big game, it would probably be just over 100 yards. But, there has been the odd occasion when a long shot has been called for, and I usually make sure I am prepared in case just a shot presents itself. That being said, the number of big game animals I have shot on the long side of 400 yards is 15, and on the far side of 500, 5. Most of the long shots have been taken with 7mm or 30 cal magnums, but a couple were with the 264 Win Mag, and one with a 270 Winchester. On the other side of the coin, I have shot deer inside of 10 yards, and one moose inside of 6 yards. Many moose have been shot at under 60 yards, and several elk have been taken at under 80 yards. I hunted mulies in open country for many years, and shots tended to be on the longer side, [250-350 yards]. This probably tends to skew the results a bit. Interestingly, most of that open country hunting was done with the 7x57 and the 140 grain bullet. Spent 3 years on Vancouver Island. Shot all the blacktails I was allowed there with the 6mm Remington and 100 grainers. Most shots at 75-150 yards. The only thing one must do if they plan to take a long shot is to Know their rifle and load well, and then Practice, Practice, Practice at all ranges that they might be using that rifle and load. Depending on Ballistic charts is not good enough. You need to shoot your rifle and load to verify drop at all distances. Then devote those figures to memory. Carry a rangefinder if hunting in areas you are not thoroughly familiar with. Use a rest that will help you maintain a good sight picture and enjoy your steaks, etc!!!! Regards, Eagleye.

 

[bronco_mudder]

The only thing one must do if they plan to take a long shot is to Know their rifle and load well, and then Practice, Practice, Practice at all ranges that they might be using that rifle and load. Depending on Ballistic charts is not good enough. You need to shoot your rifle and load to verify drop at all distances. Then devote those figures to memory. Carry a rangefinder if hunting in areas you are not thoroughly familiar with. Use a rest that will help you maintain a good sight picture and enjoy your steaks, etc!!!! Regards, Eagleye.

EE, your statement hits the nail right on the head. Especially knowing where your rifle shoots at all ranges, I couldn't have said it better

 

[BIGREDD]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGREDD
You also left out slugguns Kombi... I would guess that more deer are killed in North America with slugguns than centerfire rifles.

i would have to vote no on that one

Then you would be voting wrong jiff... the highest deer populations and deer kill numbers are in eastern States and Provinces with shotgun only restrictions.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Most of my big game is well under 100 yards, frequently under fifty, and now and then, under ten.
Usually, it's a moving target.
I do have rare chances out to two hundred.
The old 30-30 is all I really need. But, being a gunnut, I've played with most of the others from time to time.