What "tools" are you guys using to get out to 1000 yards?

[Slaysesh]

I see some products being used and i have things to get me that far just not all of them and was wonder what you guys use and why.

Things i missing:
Good ballistics program (shooter, exbal, ect others??)
Wind meter (kestrel, anyothers?)
Rangfinder (Leica 1600-b?)
What else?

I have a custom .243ai that should get me pretty far and have a 7mm stw being put together and planning on a .300 win mag soon (broz has convinced me 100%). So i want the tools that can get me wayy out there.
Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Broz]

Shooter or Applied Ballistics app on your phone.

Leica 1600 CRF or 1600 b or even a 1200 CRF-Y

Kestrell 2500 or 3500

A scope with good repeatable turrets and 30 + moa of dial up.

A good solid bipod like a Harris 9~13" swivel

good solid rear bag (Red Tack from DE)

Scope level set up correctly and I like it on the rail mount.

A load with a heavy high BC bullet

Jeff

 

[Slaysesh]

Looks like I was close on track, Thanks for the response! You think those are good options for the ballistic programs? What one do you use?

 

[dig]

Pretty much the same.

Shooter or Applied Balistics
Leica 1600
Kestral or old Minox
Mostly luepys with Horus Reticules

Once I got used to hold over rarely dial anymore.

 

[Broz]

Looks like I was close on track, Thanks for the response! You think those are good options for the ballistic programs? What one do you use?

I use both AB and Shooter. But primarily Applied Ballistics. The custom Drag in AB separates it from all the other when going to a mile plus.

Jeff

 

[Bravo 4]

I'm gonna play Devil's Advocate and say that you don't "need" any of that.
But boy does it help!

 

[Broz]

If you haven't bought a laser RF yet I know where there is a very nice Leica 1200 CRF-Y with box and papers for $450 shipped.

I have used the RF and know it well. It does all that it is advertised to do and more. It is a proven unit.

Jeff

 

[Slaysesh]

I have committed to a 1600-b thank you very much from trying for me Jeff it is much appreciated!

 

[machiavelli]

A 10" steel gong would be handy .

 

[Barrelnut]

Do you have a chronograph?

 

[Greyfox]

+1 for all the tools mentioned. For out to 1000 yard shooting, I found that the Gunwerks G7 Rangefinder proved to be the ultimate tool for my hunting, replacing the individual need for a ballistics calculator, cosine indicator, RF, and weather station(Kestral). With the G7, I bought myself time to get an accurate wind read, and a solid, well placed shot. Those big whitetails don't hang around too long. IMO.

 

[Dale700]

It has been my experience that ALL of the tools above are good but like building a house you have to start with a solid foundation . There are lots of gremlins that live between 500 and 1k and the best way I have learned to tame them is trigger time , start at 100 yds to get trigger pull and breathing , then 200 yds for recoil and windage then 300 yds and so on . You will learn what you need as you go ! gun)

 

[lightflight]

I go shooting out where it is flatter than a pancake. A rangefinder for me is often times useless. Since I've gotta set my target up I mark in on a GPS use that as a measuring tool. You can also use your reticle to gauge distance if you know the dimensions of your target.

Another tool I use is an infrared thermometer to measure ammo and barrel temp.

Like others said:
- Kestrel 2500 for BP Temp and wind at the shooter.
- Chronograph because you gotta know your load.
- I like heavy and High BC bullets
- Trigger time
- all the Gun stuff.
- A good spotter friend that shares the passion is helpful.

- Leave the caffeine alone...it makes me shaky

And Most important ---A Notebook and Pen--- Good record keeping goes a long way in terms of learning more about your load, conditions, Scope Adjustments, Things that work and things that don't etc. It will also give you a chance to review when you get home and identify any errors that you may have made.

 

[matemike]

A good spotter to me is #1.

The first time I shot at 1,000 I had nothing; no spotting scope, no wind meter, and no range finder. I was shooting at a range with targets at known distances though. All I had was a bone stock Browning 7mm Rem Mag with a Zeiss 3-9x36 scope. I had a Sunday morning news paper rolled up in a towel as my rest, and some hand loaded bullets which I had zeroed my gun for the day before. When I tested them I got 1.51"-1.75" groups at 300 yards.

The next day a spotter/coach met me at the range free of charge and we shot at 300 to get things established. Then we drove back to the 1,000 range. I said I wanted to start at 600 having never ever in my life shot past 300 yards. He shrugged and asked why I wanted to waste my bullets. So 1,000 it will be. He gave me a MOA value to come up, which didn't agree with an online ballistic calculator I used and I told him this. We agreed to split the difference. First shot at 1,000 hit the bottom edge of the black circle, 7 inches to the left of center. Second shot hit the bottom again, 4 inches to the right of center. He said my elevation is consistent, the rest is the mild wind effects of the day. He said come up one more half MOA. I did and the third and fourth shots hit 4 inches left of the target center and on the X mark elevation. He said good shootin', you're on your own buddy. Gave me the gate code and I can go there whenever I want now.

I still need to bring a pit pig at minimal, but I think a good spotter is more valuable than any piece of equipment you could purchase. That goes for real world hunting scenarios and range shooting both.