Okay, Go ahead and verbally pummel me...

[442jonez]

I'm a new guy to the site. I found the site looking for answers regarding scope mounting. I own two center fire rifles but have never taken any game with them. This I hope to amend soon. I live in Iowa, where there is only a special "late center fire season" in the southern counties of the state.
Here is where you can start kicking me.... I just read a post in another forum where a junior member wanted to shoot deer at 800 plus yards. Really???
Shooting at an animal at a half mile plus blows my mind. Are there really that many of you guys taking large game like deer and elk at those ranges?
I'm not trying to be a jerk, or say it is unethical or call anyone a liar. I just have never heard of such long range shots being taken on a regular basis.
Again, I'm only asking to become informed, not irritate anyone..... Feedback?

 

[kbaerg]

First off welcome to the site You will learn a lot on here. As far as scope mounting, use the search feature up in the menu bar and you will be given some info. Shooting game at Long range is definitely possible, don't expect to jump in and start shooting at extreme distances right away. It takes a lot of practice. Some of the more experienced will chime in as I'm only a 400yd shooter so far.

 

[HARPERC]

Welcome, "Junior Member" around here can mean different things. Most of us haven't been called "junior" for some time. Then of course Riley and others are out there.

There is a lot of shooting to be done out to there though, and I have not stretched that far, but the practice, and knowledge acquired here have helped me a bunch.

Feedback, yes there are guys here that can, and do take game at range. First step is casting off the shackles of what you've been told before regarding LRH. Second step if you can't do a thing doesn't mean some one else can't.

Have fun!

 

[supercrossbmx69]

There are many people out there, and many people on this site that have shot game animal at and well past 800 yards. I shot my deer this year at 771 yards. And if a shot presented itself, and I felt there was a very high probability of making the shot along with good atmospheric conditions, I'd take a game animal even farther. Because I've put in the practice all year long waiting for that oppourtunity to present itself. Now, do I need to be able to shoot 800,900,even1000 yards in order to fill my tags every year? No. I've killed elk and deer anywhere from 7-74 yards with a stick and string. Ive just developed a strong liking towards shooting at farther ranges. As many people on this site have. It's a liking I can't quite explain.

Anyway, welcome to the site.

 

[canderson]

Welcome to the site. Everyone has their preference of how they hunt. Some like to get really close and use a bow. I personally have gone the other way. The shot is my trophy and the challenge of making said shot. I have spent many many dollars and hours practicing, research, and reloading. Things are starting to work for me. I am just a novice at the LR game but, this year killed cow elk 722, whitetail does 650,730, and 1170. If you do your home work and practice with an accurate rifle, 800 yards is not that much of a stretch.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Why limit your chances of success only knowing how to shoot 100-300 yards? Not every part of the country is like it is back east. Many places have open spaces and canyons oplenty. The further you can accurately shoot, the better your odds of success. Besides, it's a lot of fun and very challenging. It's a great sport for thinking minds that get bored easily. Aside from a range worthy rifle, its purely mathematics and trigger control. Easy.

 

[BrentM]

I was in this boat too although I had experience with sniper training once in the military. I grew up with firearms and did a lot of varmint shooting. I choose a bow for big game but decided I wanted to hunt varmint, big ones, called a wolf. I have killed a few but they are amazing critters and present much more opportunity for LR shots then close. I have been as close as 12 steps so I sort of prefer them to be a bit further.
It is not unreasonable for a person to be able to achieve LR shots with incredible accuracy. As mentioned already, just because 1 person can not do it, does not mean that others cant. What I see on this forum is guys who actually look for and practice first round cold bore hits. That is 1st time strikes on the target of 1 MOA or less out the distance to which their weapon is no longer effective. This can be done with the proper education, skill, equipment, and practice. The biggest decision you have to make is do you shoot or walk away. That is a challenge with in the challenge. I walked from a 1220 yard shot this fall as I could not read the wind. I did shoot a rock at the same distance, same spot to confirm my choice. I was right, I didn't have a good read and my shot was not on the 1st round.
So yes sir, it can be done. It is not easy. And it should be taken seriously. Good questions. Hope you find what are looking for.

 

[MMERSS]

Sometimes it is beneficial to view hunting as bringing all your capabilities together all at once while simultaneously not exceeding realistic. Combine everything within this reasoning and consistently harvesting game at ranges exceeding 800+ yards is highly possible.

 

[WildRose]

I'm a new guy to the site. I found the site looking for answers regarding scope mounting. I own two center fire rifles but have never taken any game with them. This I hope to amend soon. I live in Iowa, where there is only a special "late center fire season" in the southern counties of the state.
Here is where you can start kicking me.... I just read a post in another forum where a junior member wanted to shoot deer at 800 plus yards. Really???
Shooting at an animal at a half mile plus blows my mind. Are there really that many of you guys taking large game like deer and elk at those ranges?
I'm not trying to be a jerk, or say it is unethical or call anyone a liar. I just have never heard of such long range shots being taken on a regular basis.
Again, I'm only asking to become informed, not irritate anyone..... Feedback?

Welcome to the "Long Range Hunting" website. Yes that is what we do.

Let me suggest you back out of this sub forum and go to this one. I promise it will blow your mind.

Best Of The West TV - Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

This one as well.

Extreme Outer Limits TV - Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

If those are not enough to blow your skirt up and really give you "the bug", go to youtube and enter "long range XXXX" Fill in those X's with the game or predator of your choice and enjoy the viewing.

No one here has to stretch the truth in any way. This IS what we do.

 

[WildRose]

I was in this boat too although I had experience with sniper training once in the military. I grew up with firearms and did a lot of varmint shooting. I choose a bow for big game but decided I wanted to hunt varmint, big ones, called a wolf. I have killed a few but they are amazing critters and present much more opportunity for LR shots then close. I have been as close as 12 steps so I sort of prefer them to be a bit further.
It is not unreasonable for a person to be able to achieve LR shots with incredible accuracy. As mentioned already, just because 1 person can not do it, does not mean that others cant. What I see on this forum is guys who actually look for and practice first round cold bore hits. That is 1st time strikes on the target of 1 MOA or less out the distance to which their weapon is no longer effective. This can be done with the proper education, skill, equipment, and practice. The biggest decision you have to make is do you shoot or walk away. That is a challenge with in the challenge. I walked from a 1220 yard shot this fall as I could not read the wind. I did shoot a rock at the same distance, same spot to confirm my choice. I was right, I didn't have a good read and my shot was not on the 1st round.
So yes sir, it can be done. It is not easy. And it should be taken seriously. Good questions. Hope you find what are looking for.

You lead into a good point here that I"m going to pick up on.

Part of this game is knowing your limitations and exceeding them. However, the place to exceed them is in practice. If you cannot in practice make a shot at a given range consistently cold bore, you have exceeded your limitations and should keep that in mind in the field.

You also make another great point which is that if you are unsure, there's absolutely nothing wrong with picking a rock or other target at the same range for a "test shot". Use that to fine tune your dope and dial set up and go back to the live target if you are confident, or walk away if you are not.

One reason I almost always try to plan my shots to be "into the wind" is because there's very little disturbance of the animals if you miss or need that "test shot" so a follow up becomes extremely doable under most circumstances without the animal(s) running completely off of the map.

 

[406precision]

Long range shooting and hunting is a learned skill...there are some who have a natural ability to shoot well period....but even for those people long range is a learned and praticed skill set.

The biggest change in the last 15 years has been the advent and or availability of new technology ie accurate laser range finders, advanced ballistics calculators, better optics systems, kestral wind and weather meters and the world wide web have done more to advance the interest and the distance that mere mortals can shoot.

The above items along with proper training make stretching the distances of the average shooter very possible...however no system offered will make the decision of wether to pull the trigger or not for you.. that comes down to knowing and understanding your effective range based on your equipment and skills with said equipment.

The only thing that can teach you your effective range is RDR (rounds down range)!!!

There is nothing quite like the look on a persons face when they hit a steel plate beyond 1000 yards for the first time!!! and realize that it can be done.

 

[BrentM]

Good info Wildrose. Animals don't always spook from LR shots and if they do, so what right? Better to be accurate and confident than create a problem that could have been avoided.

What gives LR Hunting a bad name is bad hunters. Bad hunters are the problem not LR hunting. My wife and I were at a spot we like to shoot and work up test loads. A guy pulled in and wanted to test his zero as he just missed a deer earlier that morning. Claiming he was several feet off because his scope had been bumped. This guy at 50 yards could not shoot better than 2". He was a spaz. His rifle was off, by a little bit, not enough for what he claimed happened. He was looking my gear over, scratching his head, and having a hard time understanding all the gadgets. You know range finder, spotting scope, chrono, big rifle with big scope, hand loaded ammo, reloading components, computer, video equipment, etc. He then says all that stuff is a crutch instead of being a good shooter. WOW, WTH right, so I ask at what distance he shot at his deer. 300 Yards he proudly spouts off. How far did you miss him, SEVERAL feet, he quickly responds. I shoot his rifle for 2 rounds and the holes are touching, OK, your scope is off LEFT .5 inches at 50 yards, That is less than 6"at 300 I quickly say. I had a target at 300 set up already, for shooting groups during load work up, and said shoot it. He wouldn't do it. I had him look through the spotting scope as I sent 1 round dead center of the bulls eye. I was not surprised as I had a really good load worked up. He got all huffy and packed his stuff up and left. Bad hunter, bad shooter, equals bad name.

 

[WildRose]

Good info Wildrose. Animals don't always spook from LR shots and if they do, so what right? Better to be accurate and confident than create a problem that could have been avoided.

What gives LR Hunting a bad name is bad hunters. Bad hunters are the problem not LR hunting. My wife and I were at a spot we like to shoot and work up test loads. A guy pulled in and wanted to test his zero as he just missed a deer earlier that morning. Claiming he was several feet off because his scope had been bumped. This guy at 50 yards could not shoot better than 2". He was a spaz. His rifle was off, by a little bit, not enough for what he claimed happened. He was looking my gear over, scratching his head, and having a hard time understanding all the gadgets. You know range finder, spotting scope, chrono, big rifle with big scope, hand loaded ammo, reloading components, computer, video equipment, etc. He then says all that stuff is a crutch instead of being a good shooter. WOW, WTH right, so I ask at what distance he shot at his deer. 300 Yards he proudly spouts off. How far did you miss him, SEVERAL feet, he quickly responds. I shoot his rifle for 2 rounds and the holes are touching, OK, your scope is off LEFT .5 inches at 50 yards, That is less than 6"at 300 I quickly say. I had a target at 300 set up already, for shooting groups during load work up, and said shoot it. He wouldn't do it. I had him look through the spotting scope as I sent 1 round dead center of the bulls eye. I was not surprised as I had a really good load worked up. He got all huffy and packed his stuff up and left. Bad hunter, bad shooter, equals bad name.

When I guide people, it's only after getting to know them. If I get the slightest vibe of BS and they want to shoot something with a rifle they are going to to prove to me they can at least hit a nice white paper plate on a hay bale at 300 yds.

I'm amazed at how man BSr's can't even do so at 100 who actually think they are Johnny Bravo and can hit a gnat at a quarter mile with grampa's .22lr.

The presence of copious amounts of testosterone is the greatest obstacle we have to deal with in teaching guys to shoot.

 

[406precision]

When I guide people, it's only after getting to know them. If I get the slightest vibe of BS and they want to shoot something with a rifle they are going to to prove to me they can at least hit a nice white paper plate on a hay bale at 300 yds.

I'm amazed at how man BSr's can't even do so at 100 who actually think they are Johnny Bravo and can hit a gnat at a quarter mile with grampa's .22lr.

The presence of copious amounts of testosterone is the greatest obstacle we have to deal with in teaching guys to shoot.

HA HA HA HA HA no s@#!
Heck everyone I meet on the internet can shoot 1/4 groups at 100 with thier keyboard!!!