Last year I passed on an oppurtunity on a nice bull at 862 yards, conditions were absolutly ideal with a rock solid rest (literally), calmest weather the whole week I was there. Broadside for about ten minutes. I hadn't had enough practice at the time to feel comfortable with the shot, and had a previously self imposed 600 yard limit. I have been thinking about that all year and am getting ready to go back to Colorado and have been seriously thinking about that shot if it is presented again, as I plan to hunt the same exact spot.
My knowledge and marksmenship have increased greatly and I know my load is not ideal for that shot, but was wondering what you guys thought. I know I need an "elk rifle" but it is not going to happen in the next 30 days, although it will before 2012.
On google earth I think I have found a spot that will get me to around 600 yards of that same spot, and will attempt to do that, but in case it doesn't work out I want to hear your guys' thoughts.
load- plain ole 7 mag, 180 berger hvld, 2835 fps, regularly hold half moa out to 800 yards, and seem to drop into .5 to .85 moa at 1000 yards, 3 shot group, cold bore included. Cold bore shot in good conditions within .5 moa of point of aim. drops dead on, and field verified.
I can't count how many milk jugs I have 1st shot punched at 850 yards in the last year, probably 30 or so. I didn't keep track of hit miss ratio, but I can only remember two misses, that were definately m.o.e. Remember I am asking only if conditions are ideal, as they were last year.
This is a serious question, and I wouldn't asking be you guys if I were unethical. And no matter what the responses are, I will ultimatley make the decision. I have plans to shoot exactly 862 yards the day before season, at relativly same conditions and altitude as potential spot, for some final pondering. I am very confident in hitting the target, and hitting it well, just am worried about energy.
My knowledge and marksmenship have increased greatly and I know my load is not ideal for that shot, but was wondering what you guys thought. I know I need an "elk rifle" but it is not going to happen in the next 30 days, although it will before 2012.
On google earth I think I have found a spot that will get me to around 600 yards of that same spot, and will attempt to do that, but in case it doesn't work out I want to hear your guys' thoughts.
load- plain ole 7 mag, 180 berger hvld, 2835 fps, regularly hold half moa out to 800 yards, and seem to drop into .5 to .85 moa at 1000 yards, 3 shot group, cold bore included. Cold bore shot in good conditions within .5 moa of point of aim. drops dead on, and field verified.
I can't count how many milk jugs I have 1st shot punched at 850 yards in the last year, probably 30 or so. I didn't keep track of hit miss ratio, but I can only remember two misses, that were definately m.o.e. Remember I am asking only if conditions are ideal, as they were last year.
This is a serious question, and I wouldn't asking be you guys if I were unethical. And no matter what the responses are, I will ultimatley make the decision. I have plans to shoot exactly 862 yards the day before season, at relativly same conditions and altitude as potential spot, for some final pondering. I am very confident in hitting the target, and hitting it well, just am worried about energy.
