Would you?

[deltaops]

Would you take a 450 yard shot in order to fill your tag?

I know a spot that the BTs bead down. The spot is on a old dead end logging road and you can only walk to it. In order to get a good shot you would have to be right on top of the deer, maybe 25 yards at the min. I know wind direction is critical so they do not smell you and so far every time I have waited close to the area, I have not seen any deer. When I move and go to a different spot that is around 450 yds away, I will see them near the beds feeding.  Other than the little open area, the rest is steep except the road and the road doesn't flatten out until you get into the open area. I am comfortable with shooting that distance. I own a Ruger American Rifle chambered in .308. I have three different rounds to choose from.

1. 308 Win 150 gr InterLock® BTSP
2. Federal Power-Shok .308 Winchester 150 Grain Soft Point
3. Remington Express 308 Winchester 180 Grain Core-Lokt Soft Point

What would you do?

[h20hunter]

Me...no. I've not practiced at that range and don't think I could pull it off because of it.

You? I don't know. You of course can shoot that far...so could I. Have you practiced? Do you know your dope for the load mentioned? You got plenty of firepower.....now it is up to the shooter.

[jrebel]

 

You know your limitations....my guess is;  If your asking the question then no you shouldn't.

[10thmountainarcher]

Shot a buck in the back of the neck at around 425 with my old 300 wsm... with the right rest and an understanding of your ballistics at that range and practice why not? Ive shot iron maidens at 1096 yards with an m-14. Which is a 308

[Boss .300 winmag]

what are you using for a scope? wind? beded? standing?

Not really that hard of a shot with the right conditions.

 

[vandeman17]

Me...no. I've not practiced at that range and don't think I could pull it off because of it.

You? I don't know. You of course can shoot that far...so could I. Have you practiced? Do you know your dope for the load mentioned? You got plenty of firepower.....now it is up to the shooter.

 

I think the question is if you feel confident in the shot and if you have practiced enough with it to make the clean kill. If so then by all means but if there is any doubt then I wouldn't do it. Not worth wounding an animal IMO.

[h20hunter]

So far I'm with all the replies so far....all "yeah that"....

If YOU can hit it clean and make an ethical kill go get 'em!

[huntandjeep]

Yes I would , but I practice at those ranges and farther. Have shot coyotes at the range .

[Bill W]

I used to shoot a lot of NMC Highpower rifle so I had no problems with longer shots.  Longest on a deer was 525 yards and the longest on a prairie dog was 550 by the rangefinder.

[deltaops]

I know I can make a clean shot. The rifle will be supported, my main concern would be the wind coming off the mountain down the valley. So far the wind has been light and I hope it stays that way.

I have been shooting my .308 for two years now. Shooting rifles since joining the Military. I am comfortable with making the shot and I am 95% sure I can get a clean kill.

The scope I am using is a Bushnell 600 DOA 3x9x40

I own a different scope for long distance, but I have not used it yet. Hunting in WA State, I have no need to put it on my rifle. I think I will put it on next spring to at least get it zeroed in.

I just wanted some opinions. Thank you for your thoughts!

[jackelope]

Have you ever shot that far?

Do you know where your rifle hits at that range?

Do you know how consistent it is at that range?

[deltaops]

Have you ever shot that far?

Do you know where your rifle hits at that range?

Do you know how consistent it is at that range?

Yes, yes and yes. But it is one thing to shoot at a paper target than a live target. Another concern I have is right as I am pulling the trigger he moves. This could really put a damper on things if it should happen.

We will see what happens this weekend.

[10thmountainarcher]

Your bullet will take approximately 1/2 second to reach the animal after it leaves your barrel..  You can almost tell by an animals body language if it will be moving or not.  If it goes to take a step, your round will impact in the general vicinity of point of aim.  It would be different if the animal were running.  The wind won't be a HUGE factor if it's light, just make sure to look around the animal not where you're sitting.  When I was shooting at over 1000 yards in Afghanistan, the wind had very little effect on the round at that distance when it was light, a strong gust can cause issues though.  A lot to think about, but really 450 yards isn't a super long poke if you're used to shooting at longer distances and have a good amount of training.  Hell we shoot the M-4's at 300 meters using open sights, M-68s and Acog's..  Another 150 with a score that magnifies and has crossairs almost seems easy now:)

[10thmountainarcher]

The federal ammo has a drop of almost 4 feet at 450 yards, and a wind drift of 25 inches with a 10 mph crosswind according to the charts on their web page... Make sure the wind isn't blowing hard or prepare to compensate haha

[buckfvr]

I wouldnt put ANY faith in a generic DOA scope of any kind............I would hope you have shot and adjusted back and forth, that scope many times to know it will give you repeatable performance shot after shot, at the indicated range.