Safe Shooting Distance

Big Game Hunting > Elk Hunting

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Coasthunterjay:

--- Quote from: actionshooter on September 29, 2007, 08:36:53 AM ---
To a point I do agree that this is more shooting than hunting. I do not go specifically go looking for long shots but if the shot presents itself on a good animal and there is no way to close the distance, I am prepared.

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Thumbs up. Thats all i ment.Thank you actionshooter !!! :)

Intruder:
Modern high powered rifles (270 and up) are fully capable of humanely killing game out to 300 yards when combined with a good bullet and a hunter with average to above average ability. Out to 300 the actual caliber/cartridge is kinda a wash when you're talking the stuff based on long action and mag cases (and the short mags now). Sighted in at 2" high at 100 yards all these guns have a point blank range (+/- 3") of at least 250 yards. That being said the vast majority of game is take at under 125 yards. Unless a hunter is really into shooting a lot, understanding ballistics, and doing a lot of reloading the best thing they can do is get a good quality bolt action rifle in something like a 30-06, put a decent quality 3x9 scope on it, and shoot factory ammo with a good quality bullet.

I personally feel confident shooting out to 500+ yards under perfect conditions (little/no wind and shooting prone). My max range drops very dramatically if less than perfect conditions exist. Also, range finders are a must for over 300 shooting, at least for me... I can't judge distances over 200 worth a darn. I shot a custom made 300 win mag (A-Bolt action/Shilen barrel), Harris bipod, with handloaded ammo worked up for my rifle (168grn Barnes TSX). I also shoot several hundred rounds a year, combined in all my rifles. I've killed elk and antelope both out to over 450.

At the extreme end of the scale I do have a very very good friend who is an exceptional marksman. Before I even write this I know it will invoke a lot of disbelief. However, I have personally witnessed him kill 2 elk at around 900 yards. He's tallied something like 14 kills at over 750 yards on deer, elk and bear. Let me emphasize a couple things. He shoots a lot and he has the rifle and the know how to do it! He shoots thousands of rounds a year. His current rifle is a wildcat 338 Lapua... necked down to 30 cal. All of his really long kills were with a 30-378 Weth Mag, shooting a 220 grn bullet at over 3400 fps. His rifles are truly custom made.... actions are milled and barrels are Lilja. Each of these guns w/ scope and custom made reloading dies is worth over 3000$. He is far and away the exception, not the rule.

Having said all this: I would never advocate anyone attempt shots at over 300 yards unless they are truly prepared: gun, optics, ammo, practice, practice, practice, and more practice!

jackelope:

--- Quote ---Unless a hunter is really into shooting a lot, understanding ballistics, and doing a lot of reloading the best thing they can do is get a good quality bolt action rifle in something like a 30-06, put a decent quality 3x9 scope on it, and shoot factory ammo with a good quality bullet.

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i'm that guy...
andi shoot an a-bolt in 30-06 with a leupold vari-xIII 3x9 and i'm shooting federal vital shock 165 grain barnes triple shock bullets.
it was never a matter of having the rifle for me...my question was the glass. i'm still not sure how a guy can put a scope on a deer at 700 yards and plan on hitting where you aim, or even knowing where you aim for at those kind of distances. i mean no disrepect or doubt...i just think about it every year...i'll put the glasson a deer at 400 or 500 yards and go jeez louise, i don't know how they do it.

ICEMAN:

--- Quote from: edmondshunter on September 28, 2007, 09:31:51 PM ---I shoot a base model, 700 rem. .270 win iron sights. I hunt on the "WestSide" never had to take a shot over 85-90 yards. I was breaking target clays @300 yrds, but would never think of taking a shot that long on a big game animal. Lets not forget our sense of adventure and close the gap a little, make an ethical shot everytime. The worst loss for a hunter is an animal not recovered.

--- End quote ---

You break clay targets at 300 with iron sights?

Wea300mag:
Wow, I'm either a real poor shot or there is a lot of BS on this forum.

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