What distance are you comfortable iin shooting deer

No problem off hand to 200yrds from sitting to 300yrds out to 500 with a bi pod rangefinder and cheat sheet taped to but stock on my Sendero .I shoot alot of off hand in BP competitions and it helps immensely I try to shoot as much off hand as from the bench .And this year I was glad I do shot my WT buck at 296yrds off hand I tried to kneel but when I did the ground raised up and I could not see the buck so had to shoot off hand I was using my 300win after using my range finder on the deer I just held on the first line under the cross hair which for my gun is on at 300.
 
Cross hair, thats a scope then?
I find that I was more confident in my late teens especially whilst still serving as the SLR was zeroed to produce dead on hits at 300 yards with 100 yards being 125mm above the poa.
As I get older the closer the better although out on the hill in scotland I take my lead from the Ghillie.
 
For me accuracy with peeps or irons is largely dependant on the type of sight, light conditions and how rushed the shot is.
I am getting back into using them more and more, and with practice I am improving.

With a peep sight and a square post front, about 200 yds, give or take.
With a bead, less. :)
With irons, 100 yds is about it, depending on the sight. Some are alot easier for me to use than others, I really prefer a notch and post set-up.
 
When I was younger, and shot it regularly at 400 yards, I shot a deer at 300 yards with a 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser, issue sights. Two witnesses.
Today, no way I'd attempt anything past maybe 200, and more likely 150. The front sight on that long barrel is too damned far away to tell just where it is in relation to the fine groove in the back sight. For that matter, even it is more blurred than it used to be.
And I no longer have a close spot to practice that range.
 
I try to keep shots max 200 also since i hunt in rocky mountains for elk every year, usually have max 100 yards visual. scope is actually set to 1000yards with 30-378 WM MG barrel but max distance id be comfortable to pull the trig is @ 400 yards.
 
Using iron sights only?
I ask as it seems a fair few folk still hunt using milsurps sportered and in original form. If original then iron sights on a large deer but how far away? 100, 200 or further?

When practicing at the range, I have been able to consistently hit a 12 inch gong at 200yards with my Brno Mauser 8x57 with peep sights. Ideal conditions and sun over my left shoulder in the morning. If a deer had been standing where the gong was, I would have been confident of a clean hit/kill.

As we all know, in the world of hunting, the light, wind, vegetation, topography, animal movement and many other factors come in to play.

I am confident I can shoot to 200 yards. Given the circumstances at the time an opportunity is presented, I have to use best judgement in the field as to whether or not I will take a shot, regardless of the distance to target.
 
While I am willing to take a long shot when I have optics on a flat-shooting rifle, I am much more conservative with irons.
I only use aperture sights on two rifles, and neither is considered a long range wonder.
The 30-30 will stay inside 5" at 200 yards, so that is my practical limit under ideal conditions.
The 38-55, is quite similar, and slightly more accurate, but has a bit more drop at 200. still will not take shots out farther than 200 with it.
Offhand, that range is somewhat shorter. [c.125 yds]
Regards, Eagleye.
 
Other important factors need to be addressed before distance is the issue.

- Aside from the rifle of choice - - time of day, off-hand shot or do you have a good rest, daybreak or dusk, shooting towards the sun, clear day, foggy or misty, snowing or raining, is it windy and can you accurately adjust, flat shot or uphill or downhill, are you shooting across a large ravine or coulee - - - - but most of all . . how good a shot are you . . do you flinch and jerk the trigger, your eyesight, - - is your gun recently sighted in for the area and evelation you're hunting and are you well versed with iron sights . . . . You'd be surprised how many shooters do not know how to properly use iron sights. .

This is just a few factors to consider before making a judgement call whether to shoot, attempt to get closer or pass . . . Time spent at the range with your hunting rifle is not a waste of ammunition but respect for the game you plan to hunt . . Know your limitations as a clean, quick kill can be a good day filled with good memories.

:)
 
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