How far out?

[wingtipsdown]

Since the guns had been ask, I thought I'd ask:
Won't apply for everyone because of hunting spots.

How far out have you guys smacked some Deer?
I'm out really far - but have wide open fields with valleys.
Laid out perfect for very long shots.


Furthest for me is 395 & 405 yrds. Shot 2 Does last year.
I never thought I would shoot anything that far away.
But, I have open fields and I had to adapt to shooting further.
2 seasons ago - after all my homework of looking. I purchased 300 Ultra mag.
After all kinds of work, I have done myself, it is my ole Trusty now.
It's really cool - a 300 yrd shot honestly feels like a 150 yrd shot now. I am confident out to 400 yrds. I shoot 3 times per year while going through 1 Box each time I practice. When I practice I do not put gun in shooting vise. I shoot on wooden bench with the gun on a small sand bag. I try to keep it just like I would be shooting from up in my stand.

[keith meador]

the gun you refer to is very capable of long range shooting, the 30 caliber in general is very capable of the accuracy at well beyond 1000 yards. the problem is the bullets ability to kill when it gets there. make sure if you are planning to shoot farther than you stated you do not go below 1000ftlb KE. anything below that and the bullet will not expand and perform as it needs too.

on a lighter note, i have taken several deer with the 300 ultra, field dressing not required......

[wingtipsdown]

Keith,

600 yrds would be my all time long distance.
It will take me another year or so of shooting though.
I want to get another scope for that though.

I have 6.5 X 24 and would like to get an 8 X 32.

I would like the scope Manufacturer to put dot at 600 yrds per my data that I send them.

Right now I am sited in 4.5 inches high at 100 yrds.
@ 400 yrds I am 5 inches low - I shoot 180 Scirroco.

I don't move or dial my scope at all.

[Multidigits]

Try a Sheperd Scope. They have what you want. Long range shooting takes a lot of practice.

[wingtipsdown]

I'll check em out.

You got the practice part right.
I have 2X8's around my stand. I can brace both elbows, my back and prop one leg up while I'm getting ready to shoot. With the animals around 100 yrds and out they have no idea what is up. My trigger is so light, I only let my brother shoot the gun other than myself. I would not hand this gun to just anyone.
IT'S MY $1,700 BABY.

http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL683/2961168/5987357/87623373.jpg

I feel so good with the set-up that I was able to drop this nice buck @ 225 yrds free handed. The Scope, Trigger and practice made it happen

I hunt Bucks, but I really have fun with the does. I pick on them pretty badly with the long range stuff. With the fields being open and me not wanting to miss an opportunity - that is what got me into the long range stuff. I figure if I'm hunting and can see 400 yrds - and can shoot 400 yrds, then I'll be ready.
Thanks,

[Gobblergetter2.1]

My farthest was at 217 yards (with a .243). The dang buck was dead with the first shot, but he stood there like a rock through 10 shots (yes, i reloaded). When we went to get him, it looked like someone had taken a 5 gallon bucket of blood, and poured it in a line on the ground. But when i got in the woods, the buck ran at me, and i shot him from the hip and luckiy hit him in the kneww cap. He hobbled over and fell. I then finished him off. After a grand total of 12 shots, the buck was mine!

[kycowboy]

Mine was 230 yards

[Basswipe]

It's not my furthest shot, but the shot that I'm most proud of was picking off a coyote on the run, at 180 yards, with a clean head shot.

[Multidigits]

It's not my furthest shot, but the shot that I'm most proud of was picking off a coyote on the run, at 180 yards, with a clean head shot.

Right where you was aiming I guess? :D

[Basswipe]

Right where you was aiming I guess? :D

Of Course!! My lead was perfect. :D

[wingtipsdown]

My younger brother shot a Doe running one time. He was talkin smack about how his scope was dead on her @ 150 yrds while she was running. He said he double lunged her and how good a shot it was. We got up there and she had a hole through her eye socket. :D

That was some funny chit......

[wingtipsdown]

Hey I forgot to ask.

Multidigits,
The scope you suggested only goes to 6X18.
Are the optics that much better?
Because I was thinking of going to 8X32.
I have 6.5 X 24 now.
Was thinking I would need better power for 500-600 yrds.

WHat's your opinion?

[keith meador]

hey there wingtips, what type of scope are you currently using? getting additional magnification will not do any good in low light situations. you may find that you will need to turn the scope magnification down as light fades. i use a 6.5x20x50. the 50mm lense gathers enough light to allow hunting until legal hours are over....

now for your trigger...you say its very light, and you deer hunt with it? what county are you hunting in, and what direction does your stand face....LOL

[Multidigits]

Hunting rifles don't generally need super high power optics. As Keith said, several factors work against them. One is holding it steady. With the higher powers, you'd be forced to use sandbags most all the time.

[Buk Bust'r]

Most recently.....hmmmmm.....oh yeah! Two seasons ago, took a doe at a confirmed (range finder) 327 yards. Rifle, Rem. 700 BDL Custom Deluxe in .300 Ultra Mag. With handloaded 165 Nosler Ballistic Tips, it would shoot sub half inch groups at 100 yards and was lethal to boot. Screwed up and priced it and have gagged ever since the guy bought it. Daddy always said, "If you don't wanna sell it, don't price it.". To this day, I don't think the ol' man was as crazy as I thought!

[lymanl3]

I probably wouldnt shoot much past 100yds, because of the terrain I hunt. Course in IN we cannot use rifles as well, but I would have no problem past 100yds with my ML if feasible,i.e, if positioned at the edge of a field. I would not shoot at one running that far away as well to reduce the risk of injuring the deer..ex. see wingtipsdowns post. Just my opinion. Typically if I have done my homework, I can get close enough or lure them in via rattling, calling etc..

Lyman

[wingtipsdown]

keith meadornow for your trigger...you say its very light, and you deer hunt with it? what county are you hunting in, and what direction does your stand face....LOL



I use 6.5X20X50.
I shot 2 1/4 Diameter groups @ 300 yrds.
I have been told that that is damn good. That's fine I don't really care, but when I set my mind to pull the trigger - then it will be in my favor.
I am not worried about gathering light - if it's beyond legal shooting - then it's over. I don't know how far out you shoot, but if it's far - then you know how criticle a trigger is. I shoot into hillsides and I shoot at an animal to do one thing - kill it. My safety does not get turned off until the scope is on the game - so your safe.

My brother just got his Burris 8X32 (he beat me to it) it is bad ass. It's the scope I'll be purchasing soon. We just shot our guns yesterday. I have about $1,900 in my gun - before this next scope. After the next scope, I'll have about $2,300 - Not for Sale though....... I do all my own custom work on my guns. I grew up in a Toolshop.

Oh yea - and for my brother shooting a Doe running - he was the only one on the farm that would shoot the does. He would have a blast all by himself. He would shoot that rifle in a safe direction like a shotgun. He would flat burn em up.

[keith meador]

easy there wingtips, just funnin ya a little....dont get excited.....i have no doubt your a safe hunter.......

i think the comment about fading light doesnt neccessarily apply to the absolute end of shooting light. on some of my smaller objective scopes i start backing off the magnification with about 20 minutes of shooting light left. with the 6.5x20x40 i usually end up on 10 to 12x.....could have saved a bunch of money, but if ya dont have it ya cant use it....

i agree that a good trigger will help in grouping, i shot on the military service rifle team for several years, and have shot more bullets at 600 yards than most deer hunters will shoot in a lifetime...the long range thing is pretty cool. we were always limited to a 3.5 lb trigger. that was actually very compfortable to shoot, and with a little practice became the norm for me....shoot the soft triggers if you like, nothing wrong with it if you can handle it.

[GSP]

Kieth, what set-up were you shooting? You shoot the Camp Perry match?

[wingtipsdown]

Keith,

No problem.
Whatever scope you use in early morning or last evening of light - it should be set on lowest setting. If your hunting thick woods - turn the power down. If your walking for any reason (to the woods - to your truck - to another spot to sit) turn the power down. Always be looking for where your shot will need to be if you happen to get a chance to shoot. I always carry shooting sticks also. I hunt from daylight til dark - but may get down to help someone on the farm with a downed deer. If I think it's to good to come down - sorry you'll have to get it yourself.

I don't really agree that a more powerfull scope is harder to hold steady. You will find that it helps you hold more steady - your group will be closer together. It will zoom you in for a more focused shot. We pick on the does really bad in my neck of the woods. Nothing illegal but we flat whackem. I get more than my fair of what happens "when" every year. As a matter of fact I get more excited about shooting the does. Cause I'm completely relaxed and having fun. Practice behind the gun makes all the difference in the world.

I use to bow hunt, even during gun season. I love my rifle for long range now. Our farm is nothing but long range, so I have adapted. If I would have served time in the service - I'm sure I would have shot a whole lot. My 5 yr old just shot a rifle for the first time Monday. Only 1 time into the side of a hill but he really got fired up over it. He will definetly kill his first deer at 6 yrs old next year. My 12 yr old has shot a doe and (2) 6 pointers - nothing special, but he has 3 kills under his belt.

sorry about the long wind......

[keith meador]

gsp, old school, m1a and m14.......never had the opportunity to use the m16 in any matches. i quit shooting in 1993, but enjoyed every free round uncle sam gave me to shoot into a dirt burm.

never had the opportunity to shoot any rounds out into the lake, but shot the wilson matches, and frequented atturbury, fort knox, fort campbell, and oak ridge. i really enjoyed the 600 yard matches, and was very humbled by my first 1000 yard match....that really took time, more than i had, but very enjoyable.