ultra long range rifles.... I found this interesting.

[Gringo31]

I'm just wanting to pick up some easy money   

[jjhunter]

I'm just wanting to pick up some easy money   

Gringo, you take his money, then call me and I'll take his cash and yours......

[bearpaw]

This is one of those threads where everyone's personnal opinion comes into play. While I love long range guns and hunting, I would have to agree with the person who said that the average deer hunter has an effective range of about 200 yards for responsible hunting.

[Jamieb]

Hawks writing targets the novice shooter/hunter.
He sells articles but I cant stand to read them.

[bearpaw]

I find Hawks stuff to be more for the average guy too, but you have to remember, there are more average guys than long range shooters and its good that someone writes sensible stuff for the masses.

Just had a long conversation with an old friend from PA last night, he has a 257 WTBY tricked out that shoots a 4.5 inch group consistently at 750 yards. The guy who got him into long range shooting has a 240 WTBY really tricked out that shoots 4 inch groups consistently at 800 yards. This same friend has a son in law that's a US Senator, the Senator didn't  believe they were shooting that well until he observed it for himself. I guess the Senator was just astonished by their long range groups. They shoot ground hogs at ranges from 700 to 1000 yards with these guns. The guy has a 300 RUM tricked out that shoots nearly as good of groups for hunting larger game at long range.

[konrad]

I will add, if the “average Joe” had a place to practice and he actually took the opportunity, there would be a lot more dead critters taken at range and a lot fewer wounded Whitetails shot at 150 yards.

To my feeble mind this equates well to the World’s Oldest Sport…archery.
There are folks who are proud of groups 8 inches in diameter produced at 20 yards. This level of proficiency can be attained with minimal skill and weekly or semi-weekly practice. Many rifle hunters who use the bow to extend their season fall into this category. Typically, this is the same fellow who has a box of Remington Cor-Lokt that he has owned for three years and has fired four rounds a year…two at the range and two at deer each year. Sadly, I believe there are more “Deer Hunters” that fall into this category than we would all like to admit.

However, there are other archers who strive for 3 inch groups at 50 yards. This level of proficiency requires diligent practice and excellent technique that may only be attained by careful study and many hours on the range. This is the group of men and women that, would it were feasible, would be deadly at 1000 yards were they rifle folk. It is much easier to find a safe, 50 yard archery range to play at than a safe, 1000 yard rifle range.

I, for one, would be playing at those ranges had I the space and opportunity. I think many of my “brethren” would follow suit had they the chance.