[magnumitis]

Just interested to see what everyone considers "far" when it comes to a shot at big game. Not particularly how far you've ever shot a big game animal. But what you consider to be a "long shot" at a standing, broadside whitetail-sized animal using a modern, scoped rifle. I'm posting a poll. You may also post your yardage.

 

[broom_jm]

I voted more than 300 yards. I used to think that wasn't all that far, but that was back before I'd done much practicing at 400 yards...and before my eyes starting thinking FORTY yards, was far.

 

[Crusty Ol'Coot]

AS we all know, "far" is a relative term, largely depending on the person, their condition on any given day, the cartridge and firearm and the conditions under which the shot is being made.

Back in the 70s, I made what is the longest shot at a game animal I have ever taken, or will probably ever again attempt.

In the Snake River breaks of Washington state, I took a mule deer buck at 500yds or a touch over.

Using a RUGER #1, 7mm mag. with 160gr Nosler Partition. Scoped with a 4X12 Redfield with the internal range finder.

Much younger and probably not so wise, I took the across canyon shot while laying down, securely rested over my pack frame/bag.

Using the info from the range finder and "book" knowledge I estimated the need for a hold over of about 14", pulled the trigger and watched the buck fall over.

One shot, bang/flop!

These days, with a chronograph in my kit, and therefore a good bit better information to work from then the book figures of those days, I would still consider this a very long shot!!!!

However, given ideal conditions with my current RUGER Hawkeye 300 Win. Mag. Throwing a 165gr Nosler Partition at a touch over 3300fps, and again with everything "right," a 300yd shot should be a "give me."

But as stated only if everything is "right" -- me, the wind, the rest, everything!

Now, with my RUGER #1 - 45/70, well that is a totally different thing!

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

 

[zoar]

I hunt almost exclUsively forests, rugged terrain. Every now and then on the hill on the other side of a creek bed or gully there might be a shot of 200-300 PLUS yards where I hunt and how I hunt that's a long shot. People hunt in different conditions and have different things that excite them asnd it changes over time. 6 - 8 years ago I got into longer range shooting----200 - 500 yards, but that laster for a while and was replaced by heavy cover woods hunting where most shots are well under 100 yards. A long shot here would be anything over 50 yards in many conditions.

 

[Guidedfishing]

I practice out to 400 yards, and have taken several goats either side of this range. Using a laser range finder, knowing the precise aim points on my scope reticle and hold on an animal with a 14in deep chest, I usually have a pretty high probability of making a killing shot out to that range. I have the range, hold and adjustment for wind fixed to my stock and on my range finder for easy reference.

In my opinion there is really no easy shot beyond 300 yards, and I don't take a shot out to 400 yards unless it is my only opportunity. I would struggle without a range finder. beyond 400 yards it becomes difficult for me to judge the wind.

I know there are guys that shoot beyond that but its the max range I practice at and there are enough variables in the field when hunting that prevent me from being confident much beyond 400yards with my hunting rifles.

That being said there is a certain level of accomplishment felt when putting a bullet cleanly on target beyond 300 yards for me.

good luck
shoot straight and shoot often.

 

[RaySendero]

I voted over 200 is a long shot for me. Not that I haven't shot longer - I have - Its just the way I have to do it.

I'm good sitting at 100 yards but 100 is about my max if I'm standing w/o any rest. At 200 I'm about maxed out sitting but OK if I have a front rest. Longer than 200, I need a front and rear rest. So this limits my long range hunting shots to a stand with both rests.

 

[hogcowboy]

The coyotes around here stay at 300 plus yards away so I'm rather forced to shoot them at that range.

 

[MontyF]

400 is my upper limit if things are right. I've gotten to the point in my life I'd rather pass up shots than take a chance. Most times I can close the distance under 100 yards if willing to work on it.

 

[BKeith]

The answer totally depends on the shooter, their equipment and the conditions. I think for the average deer hunter, 200yds would be considered hail-mary shots. Many seldom practice, and when they do, they may just shoot a few shot at 50 yards and almost never more than 100. Even for many people that do make a few pratice shots at 200 yards, they do it from an steady bench rest. Things change big time when you start trying to brace from a tree or tree stand. I think most should never try a shot beyound 100 yards.

Excuse me, I forgot, everybody shoots 500 yards and never has an animal walk away from them. Besides, I didn't say average hunter.

 

[RaySendero]

The answer totally depends on the shooter, their equipment and the conditions. I think for the average deer hunter, 200yds would be considered hail-mary shots. Many seldom practice, and when they do, they may just shoot a few shot at 50 yards and almost never more than 100. Even for many people that do make a few pratice shots at 200 yards, they do it from an steady bench rest. Things change big time when you start trying to brace from a tree or tree stand. I think most should never try a shot beyound 100 yards.

Seems there's always one that thinks he knows the "average hunter"!!!

 

[Shawn Crea]

I've never taken shots over 400 yds at big game that I can recall. Those over 300 yds have not all been pretty. No lost game, but not TV-show quality in some cases.

Varmints; 400 yds plus. Over 400 yds +, hits are few (rockchucks, mainly), but they do provide good practice and a frame of reference for big game hunting.

IMO, those that aren't equipped with solid rest or bipod-type rest, and rangefinder, shouldn't be shooting at big game at 400+ yds. And it doesn't matter what rifle/cartridge you're shooting.

 

[Tang]

I voted 500....

 

[the lone gunman]

I voted 200. In my area its rare to be able to shot even that if your talking deer/bear. I think my longest shot ever was about 300yds and that was on a groundhog.

 

[jsr76]

I voted anything over 350. Probably should have said 300. My reasoning is that this is where most common cartridges start their steeper drop. Reach wise elevation is pretty simple out to this point but changes quickly.

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

I voted 400. I never shoot that far for deer. My guns are 12 gauge, 30-30, and 30-40. But I have shot at crows and woodchucks that far. Actually around 500 was about the furthest I've shot at a varmint. No hits. I really need to figure out the elevation and windage, so I'm not surprised I haven't hit anything that far. But, getting back to deer, if I had a more appropriate deer rifle and the time I think I wouldn't have too much problems with 350 and under. If I can hit a soda bottle at 300 plus yards with a 22-250 without much problem, I don't see why I wouldn't have success with a deer with a 308 or better (trajectory-wise I mean, not caliber) rifle.

But, the furthest I've ever actually shot (at) a deer was about 80 yards, since I usually hunt in the woods away from the roads anyway.

 

[arkypete]

I would not consider shooting at big game much beyond 200 yards. Ground hogs and such are a different kettle of fish.

Jim

 

[landroverking]

400 to 450 for Elk size game. White Tail Deer would be 300 yds. Thats just my thinking.

 

[Rugerfan0374]

I voted 450 Yards. The farthest that I shot game at was around 430 Yards, and that was with a dead rest, and the deer went down with one shot. That was 15 years ago, since then I have not had a shot over 300 yards. Have had some at less than 100, some at more than 100, a few at 200. And one magnificent 300 plus shot ( where the deer almost did a double back flip when it was hit)
I really think it depends on the shooter.

I have personally witnessed members of my family shoot and successfully kill deer at 300 plus many many times. Growing up we practiced that. We practiced at 100 , 200 and 300 , and in a few cases 400.

So in the end it just depends on the shooter. I would not advise a gentlemen that shoots at 100 yards or less , and never practices at ranges more than that to even attempt a shot of 300 or more. There are people out there that can and will pull off the hail mary.

 

[Jack]

I didn't vote, because, my answer is: it depends.
Like several others have pointed out, conditions are a big factor. Offhand, when you're winded, 100 yards is a very long shot.
From a solid rest, known range, and little wind, 400 is feasible.

 

[oloutlaw]

I voted 300, mainly because that would be "Long" for ME . whats long for someone else, is a matter of their skill, experience, and equipment. I have shot many blacktail deer at ranges from 50 yds on up and made one shot on a nice forked horn at close to 450. this was with an 0-6, & my handloads with the Hornaday 165 gr. SP. we used to drive, or "sweep" the ridges around the mountains, and had a lot of shots in the 150-300 range, and it worked out fairly well. the rifle I used for many of those years was capable of putting 5 shots offa bench in a circle you could COVER with a nickel @ 100......now, a standing shot at 150 would probably be long for me