Missed my first song dog yesterday!!

[YoteSlayer61]

 Trying to shake the rust before competition. Ordered a Primos AlphaDogg for Christmas and sold the old Foxpro. Called in 2 dogs in 5 stands. First dog came in almost directly downwind. Spotted it at around 400 yds. or so only stopped once for about 2 seconds, just long enough to zoom the scope in and see how pretty and red the hide was and kept going.  I Realized I never took the wind into account when I set up my stand. Man I felt dumb. Next dog came out after seconds of first howl and started our way. Lost it in thick sage a min later. Appeared out the other side after a few min and went over a rock outcropping to get a better view. I estimated it to be around 350 or 400 yds...maybe more. Call sequence was at a long pause and the dog turned and started the other way. I grew impatient thinking it was leaving and decided to take the shot. The dog paused and I squeezed slow. I'll admit I've become cocky with my kill percentage. I didn't think much about my holdover and missed almost positive I was about 10 inches low....I did some reading recently on ballistics and feel good with this info....the author stated a good rule of thumb is using square roots to determine bullet drop. My round is about 3800 fps and zeroed at 200 yds. Author states at 250 yds. you should be 1" low or 1x1... At 300 yds. 4" low or 2x2... At 350 yds. 9" low or 3 x3...at 400 yds. 16" low or 4x4 and so on....he also said that different velocities would change the distances but not enough to account for a missed target....maybe an inch or so at most for each distance...I decided I need a range finder, I hate missing

[Timberstalker]

Good job calling them in! 
You should take some time and go shoot those longer distances on paper. You would be amazed at what comes of a couple boxes at longer distances(300+).
It will help you immensely. I guarantee it.  You can create a cheat sheet on your stock once you get your drop figured out.

[CAMPMEAT]

What caliber and what scope you using ?

[YoteSlayer61]

I like the cheat sheet idea! .223 customized AR Leupold Vari-x III 4.5 x 14

[Timberstalker]

I like the cheat sheet idea! .223 customized AR Leupold Vari-x III 4.5 x 14

Does your scope have CDS?  Custom Dial System.

[YoteSlayer61]

Not sure is it the adjustment on the end of scope with 25 100 200 400 and infinity? It's my bros gun. I'm lucky enough to have 3 older brothers and a father that hunt. They built 3 AR-15s between them for prairie dogs and I also have access to a 25-06 22-250 couple of .300 win mag a .338 .220 swift .30-06 and several others I'm not sure of. They've also put together a nice reload room....AND IM REAPING THE BENEFITS. My dad also has saddle broke mules and all the gear you could want to pack in/out elk or deer camp.

[CAMPMEAT]

Not sure is it the adjustment on the end of scope with 25 100 200 400 and infinity? It's my bros gun. I'm lucky enough to have 3 older brothers and a father that hunt. They built 3 AR-15s between them for prairie dogs and I also have access to a 25-06 22-250 couple of .300 win mag a .338 .220 swift .30-06 and several others I'm not sure of. They've also put together a nice reload room....AND IM REAPING THE BENEFITS. My dad also has saddle broke mules and all the gear you could want to pack in/out elk or deer camp.

I would go double check the zero first.
2nd, since it's not your gun, maybe, just maybe you're not used to shooting it, maybe.
3rd: is the scope tight on the rail ?
4th: my 17 WSM scope got whacked and was way off and I didn't even know it when I shot at a Bobcat.
5th: Was the scope set back to zero from using it before, if it has the elevation/windage knobs. Which it looks like it does.


That's a nice AR right there.........

[YoteSlayer61]

I just flat out missed..that's all. Without a range finder you're screwed unless your depth perception is good to 500 yds. I guessed, then did not hold high enough. All other dogs I've shot have been around 200 yds so no prob there. I've killed my share and never missed till the other day. Just got cocky I guess

[Timberstalker]

Figure out where you are hitting at 100 yards; then go online and figure out how much your round is dropping at 300 yards, then look at 400 yards. You may be shocked.

[Bofire]

  and you will miss more aint it fun!!!!!! calling coyotes is a gas.
Carl

[YoteSlayer61]

Yes I believe coyote hunting is my new passion! I've killed a few off and on since I was a kid but last year was my first time getting serious and calling myself a predator hunter. I'm definitely hooked!!

[Bofire]

  It wasn't me,  ;)really   :chuckle:BUT somebody I know has called in coyotes and been so amazed and surprised that I just sat there, with my mouth open, and watched them disappear.
Carl

[rynokron]

Geez, just let em' come in closer! 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good job getting out there .. This is the only animal I do not get to peeeesed at myself if I miss ... I have missed enough ..

[Motorjosh]

Don't get to worked up about it. I had 1 coming in New Year's Day and didn't take the shot because it was working its way in. Had the crosshairs on it a couple times then it winded us. There is always tomorrow or next weekend.