Accuracy and long range hunting

[coachcw]

So I figure anything over 500 and out to 1000 to be long range hunting . my thoughts of minimal equipment are rounds that carry 1000 ke at 1000 yards as minimal with the proper bullet ie vlds. as far as the rifles a sub 1/2 moa every time with at least a 14x scope with some kind of a ballistic turret and angle finder along with a 1.5-2lbs trigger . If a guy plans on hunting with a 1 to 1.5 box gun with a basic bdc reticle in angled terrain past 400 i'd say your asking for trouble and the question of ethics comes into play . I figure it's a good time of year to stir this pot what are your thoughts ?

[Biggerhammer]

This should be good! Especially with the opinions of many that have NEVER killed a big game animal at distance.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've got a .270 with a fixed 4 power tasco.  Will that work?  Its a tack driver.......

[rtspring]

Come on Man!!! .32 Winchester open sights at 562 yards. 13 feet over  at the v in the third tree with core loks!!  Easy day..

I truly believe most rifles will out shoot the shooter! You have to know your equipment and bullets. 

But if your building another gun I wanna shoot it

[coachcw]

1903 springfield outta do it ! vrs 32 win

[BULLBLASTER]

I made my second longest kill ever this fall. 580 on a yote. Prior to that it was a bull elk at 592. Many betweeon 400-500.
The only thing wrong is my trigger is 4-5 lb... how did i ever make that shot with that trigger? 
I agree with all you said tho. I shoot my lr rig weekly as from april through november and am proficient with it. And it is capable. 300 rum with 215 bergers at 2950

[jasnt]

I'm not understanding. You looking for rifle advice or gear? Or just want to talk long range?

[coachcw]

just talk . I have gear

[jasnt]

I used to be a big fan of bdc rec.  now I just dial for everything     

[JackOfAllTrades]

Coach, I think you said it pretty correctly. But I'd reduce your numbers to 400yds as the start of long range shooting. Even a box stock 300wm has ~25" of drop at 400yds depending on bullet selection. Any slight 'misinformed guess' can reliably dump the impact well out of the kill zone on most animals smaller than a Bison.

I don't shoot long rang at big/wild game like you guys do, I've never had to as I a take most within pistol range. (I'm damn lucky!  )   But anyone running to Cabela's for that schnazzy new SS 'whatever' rifle chambered in 'whatever' magnum cartridge needs to realize that just because it says magnum on the barrel, just because there's a BDC retical matched to that one particular factory bullet that you can't find on the shelf, with that 5 pound trigger is likely not qualified nor did their $1,200 purchase a combination of rifle and optic worthy of taking the long shot. There are a lot of scopes with finger adjustable turrets that won't dial in 25moa. So even with a spot on range finder, a flat ridge to ridge shot at say 425yds is well beyond a reasonable ethical shot on most big game. What's spin drift...?

And how many people that buy that pretty new rifle with bore sighted scope installed by 'the technician' have actually ever shot, let alone practiced shooting from the prone position? 

I say 400yds is a long shot for most, and I mean most people.

-Steve

[jasnt]

Prone position is one I hate. Not that it's a poor position or because it's hard. It great for stability and comfortable to shoot from but for me it's rarely do-able in a hunting situation. Most of my shooting is off my bench or bipod/shooting sticks. Like Steve all my big game have been in bow range except 2 and both those where under 200 yards. Guess I'm just lucky too. My farthest kill has been on coyote,433 yard head shot(head was my only option).

[Bob33]

Since everyone around here seems to hate the word “ethical”, grab a thesaurus and find another one - but set a standard for yourself. My standard is that at least 9 times out of 10, my first shot should be fatal. 

Compute the actual kill zone size of the animal you are hunting, and start shooting paper at longer and longer distances. When you can’t put 9 of 10 shots into the target, shooting under real life conditions (wind, angles, obstacles, etc.) shooting from field positions like prone, then you’ve found your maximum range.  Few will admit it, but for the vast majority of hunters it is this side of 400.

[jasnt]

Since everyone around here seems to hate the word “ethical”, grab a thesaurus and find another one - but set a standard for yourself. My standard is that at least 9 times out of 10, my first shot should be fatal. 

Compute the actual kill zone size of the animal you are hunting, and start shooting paper at longer and longer distances. When you can’t put 9 of 10 shots into the target, shooting under real life conditions (wind, angles, obstacles, etc.) shooting from field positions like prone, then you’ve found your maximum range.  Few will admit it, but for the vast majority of hunters it is this side of 400.

I prefer personal limit. Also I agree. If you can't hit it 9/10 or better it's past your personal limit

[coachcw]

personal limit is a great method if a guy uses it and has tested it . im sure plenty of guys sight in plus 2 at one hundred and figure they are good to go . ! spin drift left 1/4 up 1/4 at 200 

[mountainman]

338 Edge, built by our own Rbros rifles, sight sponsor. Has taken deer at 1000, 1 bear just over 500, so it nicely covered the ops range gap. Spins 300 mk's to easily hit the 1000 '/#'s. Accuracy?? Well, uncanny!
That being said, I am still a bowhunter at heart. I enjoy the challenge of getting close and personal..long range hunting is just shooting. It has its place...