Max range you would shoot at game?

[AZ82New]

I'm very new.

So new, that the longest range I have shot at a target is 425 yards.

I dialed in the elevation based on load data I plugged into an iPhone app called SBC, and "pinged" an eight inch piece of steel every time I pulled the trigger.

Therefore, "long range" to me right now is 425 yards.

I'm co Gide t I could kill game, first shot on a cold bore, at 425 yards.

If I can do the same at 600, that will be my new standard.

Beyond 600 yards, the cartridge I shoot 280 ai, and the bullet/load combo, I would loose confidence in. It's a 139 Barnes LRX. It's going really fast and accurate with my hand load, but it falls below 2,300 fps. My understanding is that 2,300 fps is the cutoff for reliable expansion with that bullet.

From the limited hunting I have done, a perfect broadside shoot is not always possible. So I chose Barnes bullets because they can penetrate extremely well, negating the need for a perfect shot.

I do not believe that Berger or Hornady bullets perform optimally if they have to penetrate through the shoulder of a big elk.

Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

What day you,

 

[AZ82New]

*what say you

 

[JMW67]

I would still be confident in the LRX at 1800fps it was designed to expand at lower velocity hence LRX long range x bullet for elk I would still want 1500 ft lbs of energy though or darn close

 

[WildRose]

I'm very new.

So new, that the longest range I have shot at a target is 425 yards.

I dialed in the elevation based on load data I plugged into an iPhone app called SBC, and "pinged" an eight inch piece of steel every time I pulled the trigger.

Therefore, "long range" to me right now is 425 yards.

I'm co Gide t I could kill game, first shot on a cold bore, at 425 yards.

If I can do the same at 600, that will be my new standard.

Beyond 600 yards, the cartridge I shoot 280 ai, and the bullet/load combo, I would loose confidence in. It's a 139 Barnes LRX. It's going really fast and accurate with my hand load, but it falls below 2,300 fps. My understanding is that 2,300 fps is the cutoff for reliable expansion with that bullet.

From the limited hunting I have done, a perfect broadside shoot is not always possible. So I chose Barnes bullets because they can penetrate extremely well, negating the need for a perfect shot.

I do not believe that Berger or Hornady bullets perform optimally if they have to penetrate through the shoulder of a big elk.

Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

What day you,

I have three rifles all in 300RUM I'm confident with under good conditions on game to 1,200yds on game.

I've shot some hogs and predators a bit further out with five of them, 2, 7mmSTW's along with the Rum's.

Generally though if there's much wind at all 800 is my own personal limit with the STW's but I've been known stretch that to a thousand even if the wind was getting up a bit for the right animal under otherwise idea conditions if I can get a good read on the wind.

 

[Wyo37]

600yds. But I shoot a pea shooter...6 5 creed.

 

[Elkeater]

600 yards on game. Looking to push my comfort zone to 800 this year with lots of range time.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

Have taken a few bulls with the 280 AI using Nosler Partitions ( 150-169 & 175 gr ) & Silvertips ( 150 Gr ) Running a Ruger Action -shot out the original bbl ) custom 26 in bbl has taken 2 bulls out to some 350 yds on one and another 7x7 @ maybe 50 yds. Have had them in as close as maybe 1 yard sitting inside a sage brush and smelled there breath. I had a hard time to keep from laughing could not believe it - that's
when I got the 7x7 at maybe 50 yards. I heard more than the bullet hit with the heard all around me . I was using the 150's on one hunt and the 169-170 on another. Besides its bullet placement and I like to see just how close I can get want to do the Bow maybe some day !!! Have seen bulls fighting inside 100 yards from me along with the rest of the herd. My Indian friend taught me a lot when at Sands NM he was a range rider there .

 

[snox801]

Depends on what rifle I have.
My creedmore I keep to where my bullet hits min FPS to open. I just did a new load with the hammer 123gr that at 3100fps so should be a good bit more than my old load.
Then I step up to either my 300 win mag or 30 PRC. Feel hood with my win mag at 800 and 1k with my Sherman. I'll take a poke at hogs farther but not on other game. If beyond 1k and I'm setup in a hood spot I'll shoot my .338 lapua improved or more often my .375 AM. I feel very comfortable at 1300 with my 375 mainly cause it bucks the wind so we'll. But as always conditions matter also.
So in short I think you have the right thought.
Limit it to where you feel comfortable then check it with min FPS to open bullet whichever one is farther.

 

[Mark37082]

It depends on the critter I'm shooting at. A coyote or a pig I will take a less than high percentage shot. A deer or other fine game animal I would only shoot where I have a very high degree of confidence in a clean kill. I took out a coyote at 1100 yards with a 7RM many years ago. I had a very steady rest and basically no wind. I would not have taken that shot on fine game animal. Luck should not enter into a decision to pull the trigger unless it is nuisance critter.

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

600 for me. Beyond that, flt time the bullet takes, even from fast 30s or 33s, gives any fine game animal that deserves our respect (bad humans get none) more than enough time to turn a perfect shot into a poor shot.

 

[AZ82New]

When I run the numbers through a ballistics calculator, the only way the energy and retained velocity for the bullet to perform/have adequate remaining energy to kill, works, is if it's an extremely high bc bullet.

The Barnes LRX is good. It's not great in the bc area.

That leaves eld-x, Berger and the ABLR.

Is that what you guys are using?

Don't those bullets have issues if you need deep penetration etc?

 

[JMW67]

You might try the 168 LRX if your rifle will shoot them, at distance it should work better

 

[Recon$$]

Berger and hornady do just fine along with everything else when you put them where they belong. They are a tool. Know your tool.

 

[idcwby]

All depends on what gun is in my hand and what I'm after. Lots of variables with conditions can change the max range.