BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

hatchcock · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: louisiana

i am intrested in taking long shots is there a specific or a recommended caliber for the maximum distance I have recently purchased a 7mm ultra mag and it does fairly well but im looking to reach further help

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1624 Location: Nova Scotia

What are you taking the long shots at? The caliber will depend on the type of game or if you are target shooting.

hatchcock · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: louisiana

i am really interested in big game shots but i also like to do target shooting i am new at the target shooting aspect any info would be helpful

Hammer1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 1586

Here's a link to gun ranges in your State. Some have both 100 & 200 yard setups.

http://www.packing.org/range/louisiana/

There is also considerable discussion taking place here in the Firearm Section "shooting skills" that you shoud read

cam69conv · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 651 Location: Summit, IL

that 7mm UM will reach further than you can and very efficiantly....As far as taking game....Since you are obviously new to the long range please get that out of your head. Too many variables to taking long shots and I do get tired of tracking wounded animals to finish them off

hatchcock · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: louisiana

as far as taking game with long shots thats not a problem i have been shooting a 375 um for 2 years. i am looking for a gun with less recoil but with long range ability

cam69conv · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 651 Location: Summit, IL

hatchcock wrote: i am really interested in big game shots but i also like to do target shooting i am new at the target shooting aspect any info would be helpful

If you are new to Target then you CAN NOT BE PRACTICED.....You should NOT be taking long range shots at game animals.. A common missconception is that "Oh I have a big Magnum that means I can take 500 yard shots" WRONG dead wrong. Only well practiced shootists should even think about attempting this and even then, if they are good hunters, they wont. A good hunter owes it to the game to make a clean and efficiant kill shot..Ill say it again...Just cuzz you have a gun that will reach out there does NOT mean YOU can...Many of todays rifles have the capability to get out to 700 to 900 yards with plenty of punch to drop an elk....The problem is...What that elk does in the split second after you pull that trigger or a gust of wind that you didnt see in the middle of the shot path....Or a small sapling that you couldnt see at 500 yards....TO MANY VARIABLES....And sorry but you aint ready...You said it yourself that you are new to target....Anything above 250 yards (and thats a generous figure) should be practiced diligently and in all varying conditions. Again...Just cuzz you have a Weapon thats capable does NOT mean YOU are. Please understand that. Im not trying to be mean or arrogant or chastizing...Just trying to get it through to you as plainly as possible. Ive spent a lifetime shooting and practicing both in Military and hunting...Can get 10 outta 10 in the ringer at 1000 meters but will I take a shot over 400 yards...No...Why?? Because of the variables....I normally wont even shoot over 200 yards unless its the last day of the hunt, I can get no closer, I need the meat, and the conditions, such as Mellow relaxed Elk, No winds, No significant difference in elevations, I know the round and its capabilities, Open area in case it runs for a bit so I can spot it from my position and mark it. And those are just to name a few. There are MANY others to think about in a long range shot.

Hammer1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 1586

The worst thing I found with long distant shooting is Winddrift. In a 10 mph crosswind a 180 grainer out of your rifle will drift 18 inches.at a 500 yard target. No big deal some might say,but that crosswind seldom stays the same for the 500 yards or at least not where I live.
Now if you can consistantly shoot nice tight groups at 200-250 yards, then try some longer range shooting at a range.

Doghouse · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Wyoming

Wanna shoot at maximum range? Try this trick on your radio:

"Bravo-Two-Six this is Sierra-Five-Seven, Adjust fire, over...."

1000 meters? Bah. This trick works out to 18,500 meters, depending on your shooter. You might have to watch out for someone shooting back at you, but hey, that's half the sport, right?

Here's the website that'll get you started: www.goarmy.com

Please don't associate "Target Shooting" with "Hunting". They're not the same thing.

RMulhern · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 120 Location: North Louisiana

Well....here's another 'genius' whose in 'kindergarden' attempting to work calculus problems! :](*,) :](*,) Seems like 'Hathcock'.....feels as if he's ready to 'break eggs' wif his 'shooter' from 1000 yds. and probably at present time he'd do good to hit a 55 gal. drum from 300 yds.!! :](*,) :[-X Frankly 'Hathcock'...I don't give a rip if I offend you or not concerning this issue because you should have enough sense to know that LR shooting isn't something that's learned in 15 minutes and that rifle you've got is probably no more capable of doing it's work than your are of holding on a target at LR sufficient enough to break a decent shot! :cry: :cry:

Oh...that forum name you're using was a friend of mine whose deceased and if he were alive today he'd relate to you what I've just written!! It took him several years to attain the proficiency he developed after having the best instructors in the world teach him!!

My suggestion to you is "finish kindergarden first and work yourself up through the ranks"! You won't learn LR shooting reading a 15 minute dissertation on the subject! :[-X :[-X

cam69conv · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 651 Location: Summit, IL

RMulhern wrote: Well....here's another 'genius' whose in 'kindergarden' attempting to work calculus problems! :](*,) :](*,) Seems like 'Hathcock'.....feels as if he's ready to 'break eggs' wif his 'shooter' from 1000 yds. and probably at present time he'd do good to hit a 55 gal. drum from 300 yds.!! :](*,) :[-X Frankly 'Hathcock'...I don't give a rip if I offend you or not concerning this issue because you should have enough sense to know that LR shooting isn't something that's learned in 15 minutes and that rifle you've got is probably no more capable of doing it's work than your are of holding on a target at LR sufficient enough to break a decent shot! :cry: :cry:

Oh...that forum name you're using was a friend of mine whose deceased and if he were alive today he'd relate to you what I've just written!! It took him several years to attain the proficiency he developed after having the best instructors in the world teach him!!
My suggestion to you is "finish kindergarden first and work yourself up through the ranks"! You won't learn LR shooting reading a 15 minute dissertation on the subject! :[-X :[-X

Im really starting to like this guy :thumbsup1:

Hammer1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 1586

RMulhern:
There are more effective ways of displaying your displeasure with particular topics other than your last post.
In case you didn't realize, respect is something you earn on BGH, it isn't automaticaly bestowed upon you after THREE DAYS of membership.

RMulhern · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 120 Location: North Louisiana

Hammer1 wrote: RMulhern:
There are more effective ways of displaying your displeasure with particular topics other than your last post.
In case you didn't realize, respect is something you earn on BGH, it isn't automaticaly bestowed upon you after THREE DAYS of membership.

Hammer1

"Be that as it may....I don't suffer fools lightly!"

denverd0n · Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 166 Location: Colorado

There's a difference between suffering fools and being deliberately offensive.

Nonetheless, I think the advice for hatchcock to check out the "shooting skills" thread is a good one. Anyone who has to ask what rifle they should buy for long distance shooting is very obviously not ready for long distance shooting! If you have not practiced enough to be absolutely CERTAIN that you can keep your shots within an animal's vital zone at whatever range you are considering, then you should NOT be considering taking the shot!

To specifically answer the question, a 7mm UM is capable of making shots farther than any person has any business taking shots at a game animal. Take it to the range and see if you can keep all of your shots (not most, but ALL!) within the diameter of a paper plate at 300 yards. I'd be willing to bet that you can't (very few riflemen can--far fewer than the number who IMAGINE that they can!). And if you can't then you have no business at all taking shots at that range.

Please be a responsible hunter. Good luck.

RMulhern · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 120 Location: North Louisiana

denverd0n wrote: There's a difference between suffering fools and being deliberately offensive.

Nonetheless, I think the advice for hatchcock to check out the "shooting skills" thread is a good one. Anyone who has to ask what rifle they should buy for long distance shooting is very obviously not ready for long distance shooting! If you have not practiced enough to be absolutely CERTAIN that you can keep your shots within an animal's vital zone at whatever range you are considering, then you should NOT be considering taking the shot!

To specifically answer the question, a 7mm UM is capable of making shots farther than any person has any business taking shots at a game animal. Take it to the range and see if you can keep all of your shots (not most, but ALL!) within the diameter of a paper plate at 300 yards. I'd be willing to bet that you can't (very few riflemen can--far fewer than the number who IMAGINE that they can!). And if you can't then you have no business at all taking shots at that range.

Please be a responsible hunter. Good luck.

denverDOn

My statement wasn't 'deliberately' offensive! It was absolute fact.....and I'll stand by my statement!

Hammer1

It makes no difference whether I"ve been here 3 days or 30 years! The mere fact that ANYONE whom thinks that just because they have purchased a rifle that's (possibly) capable of shooting effectively at long range and that this alone gives them the capability to be skilled enough to use it effectively......needs to be 'shocked' back into delving into real world 'reality'! And in the final analysis....I"m not so certain that "Hathcocks' post was anything but a 'gig' to draw statements regarding what I consider a 'nutty post' to begin with!!