#1 best tip for new shooters trying to get into the long range game!

[jeffwhitcomb]

One thing that I find really important is practicing getting your rifle from your position of carry to position of battery with different types of rests in field positions. I like to carry my rifle and shooting tools on hikes and choose a random object to set up on, do so and if I'm not in an area where I can send a live round I'll dry fire at the object. I've missed a couple of opportunities by not getting set up as quickly and efficiently as possible and find this practice valuable. It also helps fine tune how you position your shooting gear in your kit.

 

[Mram10us]

You don't have to spend a lot. The "you get what you pay for" isn't always true. They might be nicer looking with big name parts, but can your skills outshoot a standard Rem 700 6.5cm or 308? Seen a lot of great shooting boxed rifles lately. I'm of the group that says "buy an inexpensive rifle setup to learn with" Then make money by betting the 1/2moa guys $5 that they can't hit the 5" plate at 500. You will also learn about windage and mirage based on their excuses while making money

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Custom is NOT the answer to a good shooter. one of the BEST rifles I ever had was a Savage 110 from the early 70's heavy barrel wood stock Factory 22-250 I had a Tasco 50 X scope and I would shoot all day long 500 - 1000+ yds and never miss, this was all free hand standing. once you become one with your gun you can't miss. I was shooting my own loads 52gr BTHP at 4300 fps. I couldn't miss my target if I wanted to. no matter what I pulled up on it was dead. Gophers to Elk and it didn't matter the range. I knew where the bullet was going and I didn't have lots of fancy wind speed indicators, range finders, bi-pods, or shooting sticks, just me and my gun. bottom line is LEARN to use your gun.

thanks for your feedback - I like the idea of one rifle for everything. I need a lot more work to shoot freehand out to 1000. I shoot a lot of rock chucks, coyotes, muley's and elk. I like the idea of a savage heavy barrel 22-250 - fast and flat, low recoil. Seems like it could be the perfect rifle for everything I do. I've seen some model 12's on gunbroker for a pretty good deal. I'll have to look into that.

 

[5gauss]

Practice and more practice as has been said here...no substitute. Uphill, downhill, wind..then get close as you can to game..do not attempt long range on game in windy conditions....

 

[RetiredSniper]

Good advice all the way around!

 

[nt7332]

Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate all the information. I am excited to get out there and try some distance.

 

[Sgt. grizz]

Practice the proper shooting fundamentals even at home, take your rifle out set it up and just practice dry firing breathing and squeezing. After hitting a big target hone in on the smaller target at the same yardages to get more accurate data and to hone your skills, Keep notes of everything at the range the temp, wind, humidity, what your clicks are at for each target every time you shoot, I would also Putin all your load data on the same page. You will start to notice how the weather plays a roll in your shoots and when you have similar weather you can go back to the page you for that range time and be pretty close. I would also start watching a lot of YouTube videos on how to read wind, and try to read wind all the time even when your driving down the road. once you get good at those thing shooting will become a lot easier.

 

[nt7332]

Got to drop some coin on a good rifle or two now I guess. Will have to look thru some threads on caliber selection and do some research. Thanks fellows.

 

[vwhugger]

I would suggest a class such as this one. I went to their basic long range class about 18-19 years ago. It was great. I'm sure there are other ones also.
https://badlandstactical.org/

 

[Sgt. grizz]

Practice and more practice as has been said here...no substitute. Uphill, downhill, wind..then get close as you can to game..do not attempt long range on game in windy conditions....

My hunting buddy and I watched a two guys from about 2000 yards away last hunting season try to hit a buck about 400-500 yards away from him in 36-40mph wind, he shoot about ten times across a canyon then went back to the truck for more ammo shoot about ten more times and maybe hit it ones then thought they did not get it at all and left !!! I though I saw the deer go down after he was done shooting, it was a nice buck and horrible to watch we could not do anything being so far away and it was just about dark. Don't be those guys it's not good.

 

[hunter67wa]

Patience, practice!

 

[nt7332]

Got 2 6.5 creedmoors and a 260 rem and a 308 also. I think a few of these will be up to the task of longer distances.

 

[Greyfox]

My #1 tip.
Make absolutely certain that you focus your eyes on the cross hair, not both, not the target/animal. In the heat if the moment, particularly at long range, it's natural to see your game and crosshairs, both in a single, two dimensional plane.
It's the recipe for a miss.

 

[BadDogPSD]

Start taking long-range shooting classes. Ideally at a location that will have variable winds. Milehigh shooting has a class just outside of Fort Morgan, CO that is a great wind class.
Don't get too caught up in the gear. It's the Indian, not the arrow that makes a great shooter. Yes, you want good gear, just be careful about needing the latest and greatest. It's can be a rabbit hole of epic porportions!