BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[91xlt]

Was wondering which long range hunting cal., make and model rifle you are using?

[Don Fischer]

I don't do this thing called long range hunting. My hunting rifle's are zero'd in for max point blank range and I shoot within that range, usually far less.

I'm enjoying long range shooting but I leave it as a sport of it's own. Long range shooting is shooting at target's at long range. Should something go other than as I expect, I prefer that target to not bleed.

[WeatherbyScott]

Getting close is what its all about to intentionally go out with the plan of shooting an animal at long range is rediculous but for the times when you cant get any closer to an animal 300yrds or beyond dont shoot it. when we talk long range i'm thinking 600yrds to 1,000yrds which is reserved for my bench rifles only never at game. now having said that if you paid to go on a hunt of a life time, i would go with the 300wby and bigger like the 30-378wby. and i still wouldnt shoot over 400 yrds unless it was absolutly the only choice i had. and i'm sure i shoot more long range then most... but you got to burn alot of powder to be able to hit anything farther then 200yrds no matter what anyone tells you.... :thumbsup1: my everyday hunting rifle is the WEATHERBY ACCUMARK IN 30-378WBY, AND THE SAME IN 338-378WBY. :thumbsup1:

[h_talbot]

Dude, you might not want to say the words long range hunting for fear of getting nailed to the wall. So to be politically correct we'll refer to ti as non-minimal range edible animal harvest. Anyways I like my 30-06 out to 450 yards. I can consistanty put in in a milk jug at that range and that's my criteria. Past that I'm not confident in the knock down power. If you're the type that must hunt past those ranges. You'll need a magnum. If you're only going to hunt within the acceptable range of point blank try the 30-30 or better yet get a bow. by the way, welcome to the forum
Hank

[91xlt]

OK...let me clear a few things up.
Everyone has there own ideas/thoughts about long range hunting, and I understand it can be a touchy subject. I will elaborate on my thoughts...
First, What range or distance?
I consider a 400 YD MAX, long range hunting. Not speaking of long range target shooting, but an actual shot at a living animal. Under no circumstances would I personally squeeze a round off at a distance further than that. And the conditions have to be near perfect.(no wind, broadside shot, laying prone, etc.)
Second, I believe that if you are going to hunt with circumstances that are going to require an EXPECTED shot of more than 200 YDS you should have a specific rig just for that. I say expected because my opinion is general hunting does not USUALLY dictate taking a shot more than 200-250 MAX...with most being half of that or less. Now saying that, I use a Remington 700 Sendero, with heavy 26" barrell and Harris bipod chambered in 7mmSTW for my long range hunting.
Just my $.02 on the subject, most def not trying to "tick anyone off". But I was just wondering what you may use for this type of hunting?

[wonksy]

i use a 300wsm with a 4-12x40mm 3200 rainguard and a harris bipod. we shoot 8" paper plates here at the range at 500 yards so thats good enough for me i guess . but as for hunting and shooting at animal 400 yards is plenty far....even 300 is a dam long shot...happy hunting :thumbsup1:

[Don Fischer]

91xlt wrote:
I consider a 400 YD MAX, long range hunting. Not speaking of long range target shooting, but an actual shot at a living animal. Under no circumstances would I personally squeeze a round off at a distance further than that. And the conditions have to be near perfect.(no wind, broadside shot, laying prone, etc.)


Well you have just fallen into the trap. Ah, under no circumstances would you concider a shot farther than that?? Is that right? You mean to tell me that if you saw by far the largest buck of your life at 425 yds, you wouldn't shoot? If it was the last 5 min of the last day and you finally saw your first animal at 425 yds you wouldn't shoot? Are you telling me that after spending 4 hour's crawling on your hand's and knee's you could only get within 425 yds so you'd walk away? So what you mean is for you personally but you have nothing to say about those that shoot farther?

Here's the thing I find about longe range shooter's. 1)They never have a reason why they shouldn't shoot if their comfortable with the shot and 2) they do not like being called long range shooter's, they MUST be called long range hunter's. They are incapabile of seperating the sport's of shooting and hunting. They absolutely cringe if you suggest that this long range stuff is any more that shooting but the fact is, that when the shooting start's, the hunting has already ended.

I don't think it take's much skill to place all your shot's into 8" at 400 yds but, it does take somewhat more skill to get closer than that. The closer you get, the easier the shooting get's and the harder the hunting get's. I would suggest that some people shoot at game farther because they lack the skill's to get closer and despise the thought of walking away. They suggest that shooting close is no challenge. Obviously getting closer is no challenge either? Myself, I seldom shoot much over 200 to 250 yds. I shoot at that range because it's an easy shot. Much easier than getting closer. And I would be willing to bet that I can hit more milk jug's in a row at 200 yds than anybody else will hit at 400+ yds.

[91xlt]

Not sure what "trap" I fell into, the personal limit I have set on myself is 400 YDS. This is as long as I feel comfortable making, others may feel shorter/longer whatever. My longest shot I have taken is 350 YDS.

[WeatherbyScott]

your 7STW is one of the best setups for what you are describing, my dad use's a custom 7STW for everything from deer here inP.A. to elk and bears.

[Captain_Obvious]

I will take any shot out to 400 yards provided I feel comfortable with the hold. My 7mm Remington Magnum has printed groups under an inch at 200 yards with 150 grain Sierra boat tails, which generates a great deal of confidence as far as long range capability goes.

[Don Fischer]

Hey Captian,

I'm courious. You said your usint the 150 gr Sierra BT. I'm guessing at about 3100 fps? How do you have it zero'd and how far below line of sight are you at 400 yds?

[Don Fischer]

91xlt wrote: Was wondering which long range hunting cal., make and model rifle you are using?

As much as we're talking long range shooting at animal's here, I think better information than the rifle your using would be the cartridge, bullet and at what velocity you sighted in and the drop below line of sight at the distence you shoot. How do you adjust for the bullet drop? How do you determine range?

[Captain_Obvious]

Using 65.1 grains of IMR-4831, they chronograph about 3200 to 3265 fps, depending on the BC of the bullet, these particular ones clocked about 3218.

Sighted 3 inches high at 100 yards, I was holding just over an inch low at 200, the rifle is zeroed to be dead-on at 300 yards, and the bullets hit about 8 inches low at 400.

[Don Fischer]

::-k

[JTapia]

Don Fischer wrote: Well you have just fallen into the trap. Ah, under no circumstances would you concider a shot farther than that?? Is that right? You mean to tell me that if you saw by far the largest buck of your life at 425 yds, you wouldn't shoot? If it was the last 5 min of the last day and you finally saw your first animal at 425 yds you wouldn't shoot? Are you telling me that after spending 4 hour's crawling on your hand's and knee's you could only get within 425 yds so you'd walk away? So what you mean is for you personally but you have nothing to say about those that shoot farther?



Pretty quick to jump in and judge another's ethics at their self imposed maximum shoot/no shoot range there Don. :[-X
Given the same situations you mentioned above, would you take the shot out past your comfort zone?
91xlt clearly stated they would NOT shoot past 400 yards, we will have to accept their word that, no matter what the circumstance, their self imposed max range rule will not be violated until we are proven wrong. What the heck does 425 yards have to do with which calibre, make and model long range HUNTING rifle you shoot.

I agree with Weatherbyscott, getting close is the true challenge. For those who will take that long range shot, however far that may be for each individual, I hope they have the skill in shooting that they lack in hunting.
I certainly don't advocate shooting at an animal at those distances{400-425 yards} as that is a pretty darned good ways off.