What is the average distance for modern shot elk.

[Remington 243]

I was wondering what the average shooting distance has been for everyone, for getting your elk in Washington or Idaho.
50 to  100 yds,, ?  More than 100 yds ?

[Navyhunter]

My dad shot a bull at 693 a couple years ago.   

[Woodchuck]

my last one was at about 75 yds, my kid standing next to me dropped his at about 100

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Of the two elk I have shot with a rifle one was 538 yards and the other was 70 yards. The other 12 I shot with a bow the average shot is right around 35 yards.

[Remington 243]

Just woundering what distance I should zero in my scope.  And what power of scope I should buy for my 270 ?

[jackelope]

sight in a couple inches high at 100 will put you at zero at 200(or close enough) and buy a 3-9x scope.

[Woodchuck]

3 in the same hole at 25 yds, will put you money at about 200 to 250 depending on gun and load, fine adjust l and r at 100, will be a couple inches high, and get after em

[JackOfAllTrades]

Just woundering what distance I should zero in my scope.  And what power of scope I should buy for my 270 ?

[/color]

sight in a couple inches high at 100 will put you at zero at 200(or close enough) and buy a 3-9x scope.

This would appear to be the unwritten standard. Now'a days, your scope could cost just as much or more than your rifle if you want good quality/durability/light gathering abilities. You need to take into account the region/terrain/vegitation you're hunting any animal in. There are places that shots on Elk could be well less than 50yds because you can''t see farther than that through the trees. Other places could have shots more than 300yds. It's a little late in the year to be slapping a scope on a rifle and 'practicing' for that 200+yd kill shot with yer new .270.

-Steve

[Remington 243]

Looking at Leupold VX-2 and Busnell Elete 3200  3x9

[jeepasaurusrex]

Also, what grain bullet you going to be shooting? We always shot 180gr when hunting Elk with the .270.   

[LongTatLaw]

Well,

Ive shot two elk...one was at one yard   and one was at 52 yards (both bow shots)

If you can shoot 200 yards Id say ur ok and most people can get there with one day at the range with a 270!

JackOfAllTrades...I have to disagree. If he doesnt have his scope yet...he has PLENTY of time to buy one and get to a range and get it all perfect and ready for rifle elk   or are you suggesting he skips this season and practice for fall 2010 so he can be dead on 6 months before season??   

243,  those are decent scopes your looking at...

I have disagreed with Jackelope plenty of times on almost anything I can but I like more magnification than 9x!

Jackofalltrades is right...  what kind of terrain are you hunting?

how far can ya see?

I have a Nikon Monarch 8-32 x 50mm on my sage brush gun because you can see a long way and it has a 600 meter drop down reticle...that gun isnt good in thick nasty western washington!

no matter what I prefer something closer to 4-14 power and never ever buy anything that doesnt have 40mm or 50mm...ya cant deny the light collection.

my

[Curly]

Jeep, is that a typo about the 180gr in a .270?

I can see a 160gr in the .270 but 180???

[jackelope]

Tat....there's no need for anything more than 9x aside from personal preference for elk hunting.
 

what are you gonna do with that 8-32x scope when your bull appears at 20 yards? shove the rifle down it's throat? cuzz all you're gonna see is brown when you put the scope up on him.

[Curly]

what are you gonna do with that 8-32x scope when your bull appears at 20 yards? shove the rifle down it's throat? cuzz all you're gonna see is brown when you put the scope up on him.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

LongTat,

JackOfAllTrades...I have to disagree. If he doesnt have his scope yet...he has PLENTY of time to buy one and get to a range and get it all perfect and ready for rifle elk

I really like bow hunters!  

You know why?  

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BECAUSE THEY PRACTICE! (well, most of them do)

I frequent my local gun club about 9 months of the year on a 'regular' basis. I may be shooting pistol most of the time, but I pay attention to what's going on around me. I see guys every year the week before Deer season show up with their gun and print a fancy group with their prized rifle of choice from sand bags, lead sleds and such, then go hunting the next week. I hear of missed shots. We all do. Why? Because most rifle hunters don't practice shooting off hand, from sitting, kneeling, prone or other semi-supported and unsupported positions. They figure that just dialing things in from the bench makes them a good shooter. Some people are naturals. I've seen'm. Most are not.

Maybe I stereotyped Mr/Mrs. Remington243 a little, I have no idea how often this guy/gal shoots that rifle or any other. And I mean no offense. But asking about Elk shooting distances a mear two months away from season? That's ~8 weekends?  Family commitments.. Deer season... How many times is he/she going to get to the range between now and the Elk opener?

Be realistic.  Twice?  Three times at most?  Two sessions from the bench? Any from the standing position unsupported off hand hitting a pop can at at least 100yds, (preferably more)?

I hope I'm wrong.  My statement stands though.  It's a little late in the season to be putting a hunting rifle together with new scope.

Not that it can't be done. A bit of dilligence from the hunter will go a long long way. And I'll have a ton more respect for the person that does put that ammount of time and effort in to make sure he/she has the skills to make the good shot between now and then.

-Steve