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Long range hunting scope

4K views 38 replies 17 participants last post by  xphunter 
#1 ·
Hi this is my first time using a forum . I live in Idaho i do a lot of elk & whitetail hunting, I shoot a Beretta Mato 7mm win. Mag. And I would like to get a long range scope to increase my range. I'm thinking to 1000 yards or so I don't want to spend alot but will if I have to. If you can help me maybe give me a idea on a cheaper one and an expensive one. Appreciate it thanks Rick
 
#3 ·
Welcome to Shooters Forum, Rick and Melba Kid. :)

With some things in life, whatchya see is whatchya get, but when it comes to optics, whatchya see is generally whatchya paid for!

Go to a shop with a good number of quality rifle scopes and look through them. Since you're talking about shooting out to 1,000 yards, be prepared to buy a scope of 20x magnification or more.

While we're on the topic, understand that shooting accurately at 1,000 yards has as much to do with the capability of the shooter, rifle and ammunition as it does the scope. Consider shooting at extended ranges for the fun and challenge of it, but when you're out hunting...hunt.
 
#20 ·
Well in 1952 my father took a 30 day (hunt) in the Yukon.
He and the 2 others who took the trip with him were (told) not advised, to each bring a good set of binnoculars and a good spotting scope with them.
(All) the (hunting) they did was by glassing for animals often at great distance. Then determine which approach was better for getting them. So, at least in my opinion the actual hunting part was done by glassing and not by sneaking about skillfully looking for game. Nor was it done by way of (hunting) from a tree stand while hoping an animal comes close enough for your shooting skills to permitt you to hit it. So again in my opinion, i think the term (hunting) should be what ever way our own often closed minds think it is.
If on the other hand my own level of satisfaction and probably ability is floating around on some farm pond in an inner tube while fishing for panfish. Should that qualify me to judje someone else capable of spending his time and furtune 100 miles from shore fishing for Marlin? Do i have the right to be saying to him (well ok now but first you need to remember
what real fishing is all about). The room is full of adults here or at least we need to think it is. None of us need lecturing about the things we enjoy or even think we might enjoy so
long as we abide by the laws pertaining to it.
 
#4 ·
Nightforce is assembled in Orofino, parts are made over seas like everyone else.

I assume you want to extend the rifles range with optics, in terms of paper and not attempt to hunt at that range? A 175gr partition would be boasting numbers around 1300fps & 700ft-lbs at that distance.

You don't need a 20X scope for 1,000 yards, I use a 14 or 15X well past that. The questions that will help get you settled on what is important, is: what are you really wanting to do?

Just by post count and nature of your question, I agree with Broom in that I would doubt your ability to make accurate shot placement at that distance. So will this be a scope to get you ABLE to double as a 1k paper puncher & hunter? Or do you want this to be the last scope you will ever buy?

Personally, now that I've found FFP, mil/mil matching scopes; I can't believe I didn't switch sooner. Becomes almost boring simple to dial and hit any distance.
I like Primary Arms, and a Weaver tactical for the money.

Here are a few links with photos and a video.
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rifle-cartridges/88314-meanwhile-valley-sun.html
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifle-...24-primary-arms-ffp-mil-mil-4-14x-review.html
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rifle-cartridges/92781-308s-mile-almost-equipment-notes.html
 
#9 · (Edited)
Just by post count and nature of your question, I agree with Broom in that I would doubt your ability to make accurate shot placement at that distance.
Hey, news flash - someone's 'post count' on this forum has no relationship with their level of expertise with firearms. In fact, if you've got time to sit and type thousands of posts, I'd question how much time you put in 'doing it' as opposed to opinionating.
 
#6 ·
I thank you for your info but I live in Riggins Id. And I'm a very serious hunter I've been shooting elk at 500 yards for years and I have many friends that hunt long range. I shot long range in the military also I basically wanted to see what was out thier.
 
#7 ·
I thank you for your info but I live in Riggins Id. And I'm a very serious hunter I've been shooting elk at 500 yards for years and I have many friends that hunt long range. I shot long range in the military also I basically wanted to see what was out there.
If that's true, I assume you know then that with any wind at all, 1000 yard shooting is a crap shoot and you're really asking for a wounded animal when hunting at that kind of distance. Being in the military myself, I've seen the best snipers in the world in competition struggle to walk rounds on target in the wind. As a elk hunter I also assume you know fully that the wind nearly always blows out west, and how it's blowing at you position and how it is at 1000 is seldom the same. No scope is going to change these facts. Unless conditions are perfect, a 600 yd max is a lot more ethical IMO.
 
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#8 ·
I am very familiar with Riggins, spent a lot of time killing in that country years back; Kamiah, Kooskia, Riggins.

Not like here, where 1mi flat ranges are the norm. I suppose fins & feathers is still denying there are dish faces up there? :)
 
#14 · (Edited)
You did say hunting! Or a wish and a prayer?

So that means expect the unexpected & be prepared for it as able. Also what you gain at max magnification & long range, you lose at close range should an animal appear (you jump one from it's bed) at close range, plus higher magnification is a smaller field of view/ less light gathering at dawn & dusk, and harder to hold steady. I'm with the get as close as possible side, forget about an offhand shot, increase your hunting/stalking skills to get you closer. So IMO for Idaho I'd say a 2x10x50, 4 1/2 x 14 x 50 scope in as heavy a rifle & long thick barrel as you are comfortable with, max 6x18 (MAYBE?). Shooting from one ridge to another in fading light means a LOOONG uphill drag,IN THE DARK, if you actually kill the animal and can find it. When you get to the bottom of that valley/wash/whatever, things are going to look much different than from your lofty perch 1/4 mile away. I agree that probly over 80+/- % of the people asking about taking animals at 1,000 or further have never done it at 1/2 that range. If you have shot elk at 500 yards for years and "long range" in the military, I would think you'd be able to answer your own ? If you come back with "Ive been busy in the sandbox for years" I'm gonna close my laptop, LOL. Don't take it personell.
 
#17 ·
Rat0213,

DO you need "a long range scope to increase my range", or do you need to improve your hunting skills and stop using animals as live Long Range Targets? I shot at Camp Perry several times and know long range shooting techniques. I wonder why you desire to GO to 1,000 yards with a 7MM. Have you ever shot 1,000 yards? How many animals have you ALREADY Wounded and LOST at your lesser range?

Webley
 
#18 ·
Just knowing how little energy is left in the bullet at 1000 yards would keep me from taking a shot at a game animal at that range. That's not hunting. It's shooting and praying you made a good kill. But what if the kill never obtains, and the animal suffers? No hunter wants to wound an animal, as opposed to killing outright. A hunter who does desire to wound is not a hunter, and shouldn't be out in the woods with a rifle under any circumstances...
 
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#19 ·
Just knowing how little energy is left in the bullet at 1000 yards would keep me from taking a shot at a game animal at that range.
And the time from muzzle to target, all game would have to do is switch weight on their legs to cause a bad shot, just about guarantee a 10 for 10 wounded game at that distance. That distance is for targets and humans.
 
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#21 ·
1,000 yd shooting scope? Chuckle, I like to check the optics section of a fair number of gun forums and often seen such a question posed.

Personally, the greatest distance I've shot is the day the private range I'm a member had their grand opening of its 400 and 600 yd ranges. Showed up with my most accurate rifle, a Ruger tang safety rebarreled to 7x57 mauser, with a 5-20x50 Weaver Super Slam scope and quickly began busting the 8" or so diameter balloons on the backboards at 400 and 600 yds. Of course, took me a few shots to figure out the bullet drop and windage adjustment for my Weaver scope due to the cross wind that day. But once done, began to pop the balloons with every shot. Did just as well with my rifle and scope as anyone else and believe me, I was out gunned and out-scoped by a lot of gents shooting in the grand opening.

My Weaver probably does not have enough clicks in elevation for 1,000 yd shooting and nor will I invest in a scope mount that provides extra elevation for 1,000 yd shooting.
 
#25 · (Edited)
(way too much) magnification going on, imo

Considering the "average" distance game is shot, why give up the close range ability which will be much more often the shot that is offered, than the 1,000 + yard hail Mary. A whisp of wind or a movement made by the animal during time of flight, is a total miss or a cripple/lost animal waiting to happen. It's hard enough to find the EXACT spot an animal was standing at 100 yards when shot, imagine it at 1,000. Do some even bother to look?
HOW OFTEN do we hear "SHOOTING ACROSS A WINDY CANYON/VALLEY"? How long does it take to get from point A-B, canyon to canyon, then to attempt to find the exact spot the animal was standing, which by then could very well be in total darkness? That's when we hear the old "coyotes gotta eat too" as if that makes it OK. YES I have a fixed 24x Leupold scope, but it's only fired from a bench, try and freehand hold it, GOOD LUCK.
 
#26 ·
I was watching a recent episode of Alaska the Last Frontier where they riding on a 4wheeler and see a bear on the side of the ridge. Now, they were hunting for food, not just out for the fun of it. The bear looked several hundred yards away and you didn't see him jump off and try to get within a few yards for that easy, sure, kill shot, he shot it from right there. Now the magic of TV made it look like he just brassed off the seat and made a great shot. However for a split second after that, the camera man showed about seven shell casings on the ground.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I think that some hunters get the idea of shooting big game at extended ranges from TV, youtube, and gun magazines. The reality is conditions would have to be perfect for me to shoot 400 yards.

I had a trophy bull within 60 yards. I couldn't get a shot at him because we were in thick stuff with too many tree branches between us. So he chased off a satellite bull, rounded up his cows, and left.

I know competition shooters can turn in impressive 1000 yard scores. But that's a horse of a very different color than killing big game a distance at altitude.

I will shoot off hand if I have to (I'd rather have a rest) and game is close enough and conditions are in my favor. But when game is beyond a 100 yards, I will be looking for rests.

I'll have shooting sticks before the start of the 2015 season.
 
#29 ·
I NEVER watch those hunting shows on TV. I'm not a fan of canned hunts, and like you said, the TV can make it look any way the want it. We let a producer of a Outdoor TV show do an episode of young boy shooting doves in one of our fields. He said he had heard we had a reputation for having great fields. Well the kid finally got his 12 bird limit, but went sounded like he went through a case of sheels doing it. They sent us a VHS tape of the edit. What a joke. They made it look like he killed a bird almost every shot, by showing the kid shot but somebody else's bird getting hit. They didn't have him missing more that a few times.
 
#30 ·
Theres an old cliche weve all heard about being most afraid and if i might add bothered by the things we know the least about. Nothing personal intended here but most of the post indicate a lack of knowledge about the subject. Some to the point of total ignorance. That will never completly change because some will never concede to anything but their way of
doing everything. Stop around sometime fellas and i'll show you just how easy it is and what
your missing out on.
 
#31 ·
longshot378,

What exactly do we know least about? On what are we missing out?

I took two rifles with me on a trophy elk hunt. One was a Featherweight in .308 Win. That's the rifle I had intended to hunt with. My back-up was my 10 pound Sako Classic in 7MM Rem Mag. My guide made my choice for he. He told me that I'd be hunting with my Sako. After two days of carrying that Sako at altitude and over more ridges than I can remember, hunting to the brink of exhaustion and approaching my maximum pain threshold, I was hoping he'd change his mind. Thankfully, on the second day of my hunt just as sundown was coming on, I killed what might be the biggest bull I'll ever kill. Oh yeah, a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram would've had issues keeping up with my studly guide, which is why I called him Bighorn.

It might just be that most of us have been there & done that & know how hard it is to hit anything at 400 yards and beyond. Most rifles can shoot that far & much better. But most hunters, me included, can't. When air gets thin as a dime and all we have on our minds is a warm sleeping bag, long range might just be 200 yards.
 
#32 ·
Hi BKieth,

I watched a National Geographic show about costal griz with a friend. A huge griz spotted the actors in the show as they were wading in a river's shoreline. The huge bear began meandering their way. One of the actors put on a good performance. He made it appear as though they were in serious danger. Why, he was so scared that he took the safety off his can of bear spray. My goodness, how harrowing. My friend was glued in anxiety because she thought that the bear's spotting them had actually put them in danger. I told her that the bear would of had to have been half-blind to have missed the two actors and the National Geographic camera crew that were assuredly protected by a guide who was assuredly armed with an 870 with slugs or similar weapon. It never dawned on her that the alleged scientific show was actually entertainment.

Those Texas ranch deer hunts are just plain wasteful of otherwise productive time. I'd rather watch reruns of Sanford and Son.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Sorry, got off the subject, but back on now.

In my opinion, the scope you pick needs to match your style of shooting. There are a lot of "good" scope in the $200-$500 price range, "IF" you zero it and leave it. Also not to sure how sharp the image would be at extendeded ranges, Then you don't have to worry about tracking errors. When I have time, I dial in my scope for the range and widage. You strartdoing much of that with the average good scope, and you might become disappointed. I bought my first Sightron SIII 8-32x a few years ago and have developed a great liking for them. That first one has had the turrets turned so much, you see noticeable wear on them, but not once have I ever had it not return to the exact zero for the setting I wanted.
 
#37 ·
Break out the live minnows, it looks like we have a troller. Pretty quick to throw insults, with not much constructive to say. Another AMERICAN SNIPER, in his own mind.
Well if your referring to me, i'll have some of your minnows as ive never needed to resort to trolling to catch things. lol
As for the Sniper, i read the book early on and wont be watching the hollywood version.
I have my opinion on that which might just surprise you. But at 80 years i have no illusions
as to who/what i am or care to be.
 
#38 ·
WOW! Ok, me being the non shooter I am, I will be nice and keep out of this, but man, someone must have really pi***d in your canteen. The OP would probably even prefer you and I both keep out so as not to get his thread locked, because MikeG has already thrown up the warning flag.
 
#39 ·
I personally use my DeltaPoint for all my LR hunting;):D
There is definitely a difference between field shooting and bench shooting.
LR field shooting and hunting are both a systems approach that will vary in its max distance based on a number of factors, including the shooter of course.
Skills from one person to the other will vary and I am of the opinion that you you will find slob hunters and highly skilled hunters (plus, everything in between) in every discipline.
 
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