How many of you are planning to shoot a deer over 300 yards?

[brokentrail]

The more I talk to other hunters, read forum posts and articles, watch hunts on YouTube, etc, it seems like most everyone is into the long range shooting game and dialing to shoot game from some very long ranges.  I am still at 300 and under and I am curious how much of a minority I am being in that camp?  Are you set up for and planning to shoot over 300?  What went into your decision to go that route?  How many deer have you missed or wounded and not recovered at those ranges?

[furbearer365]

I'm with ya.  Never killed a thing much over 300. I think 310 is my personal longest. Im not at all against longrange, but I think most people aren't as equipped as they believe they are. I will say tho, if I lived somewhere different, I would put the time and effort into mastering it. Got a buddy that guides in Wyoming, and says that being proficient at it is the difference between killing a 200 inch muley, and eating a tag

[buglebuster]

Yes. I am setup for those ranges over the last couple years. We haven’t missed one yet because with the right gear a 500 yard shot is a cake walk. We’ve taken them at 500, 512, 465, and 350 in the last few years. All have dropped where they stand except one, who was dead in 10 feet.

[jrebel]

Most hunters have no business shooting over 300 yards. 

That said....I think it is becoming more accepted and possible for the guys that spend time practicing   It also takes money, to invest in capable equipment (primarily optics).  Most factory rifles are very capable of 500 yard shots now days.....not to mention ammo has come a long ways in the last decade.  But the cost of ammo has increased and I go back to my statement about practicing!!  We shoot hundreds, if not thousands of rounds annually so we are very comfortable at extended (not long) range shots. 

We practice to 800 yards and beyond.....mostly so the 500 - 600 yard shots are easy.  99% of hunters should not be shooting beyond 600 yards (my opinion).  At 600 and beyond, the wind is critical (again my opinion) and most people don't practice enough to be able to consistently read the wind. 

We have never wounded an animal when shooting at Mid ranges (exception being a bear that was hit where I was aiming and the bullet failed...the bear lived).  My son has killed a bear at 500 yard and an elk at 520 yards....both 10 ringed.  He has taken multiple animals in the mid 300 yard range.  We won't take a mid range shot (400-600 yards) if we don't have ample time to set up and get stable.  I would argue, we have made more questionable shots on close shots when it was, "shoulder and shoot" scenario. 

At the end of the day....to each their own.  I hope folks shooting beyond 300 yards are practicing a lot, though the reality is they are not.  I see and hear it every year....world war 3 breaks out and folks are slinging led trying to walk a bullet in to a (now) running animals at ranges well beyond their comfort range.      The vast majority of hunters pull their rifle out of the safe / closet a couple days before the season, confirm 100 yard zero with a 25 yard target and go hunting.  These are the guys that have no business shooting past 200 yards (again....my opinion). 

[fowl smacker]

My personal range on a non moving deer in good conditions is 750 yards.  I practice often and am set up to do so.  I've only missed once at over 300 yards and it was this year.  Never wounded one or had one get away.  I have made a perfect shot  (or so I thought)on a bull elk archery hunting from 28 yards and couldn't find it however.  I am set up for long range and I am confident in my equipment.  I've killed deer at 547, 550, and 384 in the last 3 years.  The one at 547 dropped in 10 yards 1 shot, the one at 550 I put 2 rounds in while he stood in the same place then dropped 5 yards away, and my Mule deer this year I hit with the first shot around 370,  dropped him, then he got back up and I finished him at 384.  I shoot upward of 300 rounds a year through my big game rifles.  I set up in all kinds of different positions and scenarios.  I trust myself more than I trust the guy who pulls his rifle out the week before season and fires 3 rounds to make sure he's on target at 100 yards with a bench rest.  I don't think I'm better than the guy who limits his shots to 100, 200, or 300 yards, everyone has their comfort level and if someone's comfort level is 1,000 yards and they've got the kinetic energy is whatever they're shooting that is adequate Im all for it.

[Magnum_Willys]

I practice at 300-1000 yards - drop in dirt with bipod and light bag.  I know in what conditions I can hit a hand sized target.   Rifle will do its job way past 1000 yards if  i do mine.  But terrain and wind will limit me to below 300 yards at times.

[Westside88]

My longest shot on an animal was probably 350 and I am most comfortable inside of 300. I will say that as I’ve practiced longer shots I’m feeling that 500 is an option for me under the right conditions. One thing I’ve noticed is the more you practice longer shots the easier the midrange shots feel.

[dreadi]

I'm shooting where I find them, preferably under 600yds.


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[str8meat]

The tools are there to make this a very doable shot. Range time , great glass, solid rifle and premium ammunition is key. The biggest problem is always the nut behind the bolt.

[Bullkllr]

I had a nice buck at around 300 yards this year. That seemed too far through my old scope and the dim lighting. Luckily conditions allowed me to close the distance some. I moved closer, found a stump for a rest and made the shot. Ended up being about 175, which I was entirely comfortable with. I guess that means no, but I feel like 300+ with a better scope than what I have on my Mod 99 Savage should be very doable. I'd have to practice at longer range. I admire the guys who have made the investment in gear and practice to make extended range shots routine.

[huntandjeep]

I practice regularly out to 1000 . Have killed  multiple deer from 300 - 698 yards with 1 shot. Have watched buddies do the same . Knowing how to read wind , your equipment and your skill are the key . I have been at the range the weekend before opener and swear 90% of the guys there have no business shooting anything over 50yrds   
Hell I work with a few guys that own 1 rifle.  They will use 160gr for deer , then swap over to 200gr for elk.  And never go re-check zero

[greenhead_killer]

I’ve shot a few bucks between 150-200 yards but I’d say 90% of the deer I kill are 100 yards and under. I’m not opposed to shooting longer but I really like to get in and tight.

[hunter399]

Do you have to dial to shoot 300 yards.

[Fidelk]

I have a rifle that is very accurate and is zeroed at 300 (with 2-10 x 42 scope).......wouldn't hesitate on a 300 yard shot if I had a stable rest. I'd calculate the holdover beyond 300 and up to 500 yards and also take shots in that range.

[jrebel]

Do you have to dial to shoot 300 yards.

No, I don’t dial till I hit 350+ with my rifles.   That said, if I have time to dial a 300 yard shot, I will.  Most modern rifle don’t drop off a hair hold till your past 300.  If I have time, I always dial as I like holding crosshairs on the exact spot I want to hit.