Kreyzhorse
New member
As a hunter, I consider any thing over 300 long distance.
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POLL: Long distance (rifle) shooting to you?
- Thread starter TXAZ
- Start date
T. O'Heir claimed:
Clearly not the case. Our Alaskan guide indicated that lots of shots there with .308, .338 and a few larger calibers routinely take trophies out to 500 yards. Why? Because your chance of getting to 200 or 300 yards of sizeable animal is much lower than 400-500 yards.
A .308 has 2000+ ft lbs of energy at 300 yards, more than enough to bring down most North American game.
I wouldn't discount the mile+ sniper shots. If the wind is light, hitting an 18" steel plate at 1 mile is a 1MOA shot, with 500 - 1500 ft lbs terminal energy remaining.
One shooter at our recent fun shoot nailed the 1 mile gong with his first shot using a 6.5 Creedmoor. (As did other's with .338's and .50's)
It's not that hard with practice.
Please show me how I'm wrong.
Never mind that no hunting bullet has sufficient energy for a clean kill past 300.
Clearly not the case. Our Alaskan guide indicated that lots of shots there with .308, .338 and a few larger calibers routinely take trophies out to 500 yards. Why? Because your chance of getting to 200 or 300 yards of sizeable animal is much lower than 400-500 yards.
A .308 has 2000+ ft lbs of energy at 300 yards, more than enough to bring down most North American game.
I wouldn't discount the mile+ sniper shots. If the wind is light, hitting an 18" steel plate at 1 mile is a 1MOA shot, with 500 - 1500 ft lbs terminal energy remaining.
One shooter at our recent fun shoot nailed the 1 mile gong with his first shot using a 6.5 Creedmoor. (As did other's with .338's and .50's)
It's not that hard with practice.
Please show me how I'm wrong.
Last edited:
With a modern bolt action rifle in almost any bottle necked cartridge shooting pointed bullets 300 yards should be doable by almost anyone with no special equipment. Zero any of them at 100 yards and the drop at 300 doesn't require any hold over on big game. If you simply hold on the top of the back and you'll hit vitals. At 300 there isn't enough time for wind to be a factor unless you're talking about some pretty extreme wind conditions.
Going to 400 isn't THAT much harder. You'll need to account for a few inches of bullet drop and either read the wind a little or simply decide not to shoot when the wind is blowing. But 400 doesn't really require any special equipment or skills. Anyone can learn how. The problem is that lots of guys simply don't have an opportunity to practice and develop confidence at ranges beyond about 300.
Once you get to 500+ you need a range finder, or be shooting at known ranges. A scope with adjustable dials or long range dots on the reticle starts to be important. The wind becomes even more of a factor. And some trigger time at longer ranges is important.
That is why I listed 600. I've shot out to 600 and feel pretty good at 500 on targets. I still wouldn't shoot at game beyond 400 and conditions would have to be perfect with little or no wind. With more trigger time at longer ranges I might get to the point where I'd go farther. But I'm not there yet.
Going to 400 isn't THAT much harder. You'll need to account for a few inches of bullet drop and either read the wind a little or simply decide not to shoot when the wind is blowing. But 400 doesn't really require any special equipment or skills. Anyone can learn how. The problem is that lots of guys simply don't have an opportunity to practice and develop confidence at ranges beyond about 300.
Once you get to 500+ you need a range finder, or be shooting at known ranges. A scope with adjustable dials or long range dots on the reticle starts to be important. The wind becomes even more of a factor. And some trigger time at longer ranges is important.
That is why I listed 600. I've shot out to 600 and feel pretty good at 500 on targets. I still wouldn't shoot at game beyond 400 and conditions would have to be perfect with little or no wind. With more trigger time at longer ranges I might get to the point where I'd go farther. But I'm not there yet.
Never mind that no hunting bullet has sufficient energy for a clean kill past 300.
My 308 has more energy at 500 yards than a 30-30 has at the muzzle,lots more at 600 than a 30-30 has at 100. Are you saying no 30-30 has sufficient energy to kill cleanly. We have hunters dropping elk in their tracks at near 1/2 mile with 243's.
You keep bringing up stuff like this when you have no clue what you are talking about.
For big game hunting you should shoot no further than you can keep all your shots on salad plate under actual hunting conditions and positions. For most people that's going to be a LOT shorter distance than those bandied about on the internet.
For targets shoot as far away as you can safely.
For targets shoot as far away as you can safely.
Zen Archery
New member
No empirical chart.
Depends on the caliber of gun?
.22 and a .50 cal. are gong to differ.
Depends on the caliber of gun?
.22 and a .50 cal. are gong to differ.
For me "long distance" is 600 to 1000 yards for fun shooting at targets with a rifle.
"Long distance" with a revolver is 300 yards for targets and never over 75 yards any more on big game. I have made several kills on antelope and deer at 125 to 150 with revolvers, but I was a better shot in those days. I lack the confidence to do it now at my age, so 75 yards is now my limit for hunting.
550 yards is my self imposed maximum range for hunting any big game with a scoped rifle. I'd feel like a fool if I shot at game farther then I have to, and I am a good enough hunter that I VERY SELDOM have any reason to fire over 300. I have lived in Wyoming for 24 years now and we are the state that is known for Antelope and Prairie Dogs. Yet in 24 years I have only killed 3 big-game animals at 400 yards and none in Wyoming over 465 yet. No need. No ethical reason to do it or even try it.
Varmints I'll try at any range.
I have made quite a few Prairie Dog kills at about 500, and about a dozen Rock Chuck kills at a bit over 700. My longest kill in my life on a coyote was also a bit over 700.
"Long distance" with a revolver is 300 yards for targets and never over 75 yards any more on big game. I have made several kills on antelope and deer at 125 to 150 with revolvers, but I was a better shot in those days. I lack the confidence to do it now at my age, so 75 yards is now my limit for hunting.
550 yards is my self imposed maximum range for hunting any big game with a scoped rifle. I'd feel like a fool if I shot at game farther then I have to, and I am a good enough hunter that I VERY SELDOM have any reason to fire over 300. I have lived in Wyoming for 24 years now and we are the state that is known for Antelope and Prairie Dogs. Yet in 24 years I have only killed 3 big-game animals at 400 yards and none in Wyoming over 465 yet. No need. No ethical reason to do it or even try it.
Varmints I'll try at any range.
I have made quite a few Prairie Dog kills at about 500, and about a dozen Rock Chuck kills at a bit over 700. My longest kill in my life on a coyote was also a bit over 700.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I would disagree that drop is the characteristic that qualifies for long range. Drop due to range is easily predicted, tested, and adjusted. If target shooting one needs to make minor drop adjustments at almost any range off the zero'd range.
I selected the 357 max as my hunting cartridge based on it having the flattest trajectory of legal cartridges in my state for whitetail, but I still don't hold the same at 50 and 200 yards.
I selected the 357 max as my hunting cartridge based on it having the flattest trajectory of legal cartridges in my state for whitetail, but I still don't hold the same at 50 and 200 yards.
What I would consider "long range" depends on some variables. For hunting, if it's just me and a rifle with a sling, anything over 300 yds if I can get a shot from prone (probably only 100yds or so offhand). If I also have a range finder and some sort of portable rest I can easily carry, anything over 400 yds. And that assumes little wind.
Beyond 500 yds I got no business shooting at anything other than paper and such.
Beyond 500 yds I got no business shooting at anything other than paper and such.
"Whether it's for hunting or target shooting, the question is simple, what distance, in yards do you consider "long range"?"
There is a BIG difference between hunting and target shooting. I'll throw bullets at a target much farther than I would at a game animal. Just last week on an elk hunt, I heard some guys talking about "ringing steel" up to 900 yards. OK, they must be good shots(?). Unfortunately, when it came time to shoot an elk, 350 yards was "beyond the capability" and a miss occurred.
There is a BIG difference between hunting and target shooting. I'll throw bullets at a target much farther than I would at a game animal. Just last week on an elk hunt, I heard some guys talking about "ringing steel" up to 900 yards. OK, they must be good shots(?). Unfortunately, when it came time to shoot an elk, 350 yards was "beyond the capability" and a miss occurred.
600 is the start of long range for target shooting.
This reflects my opinion and experience. Doping your sights out at 500 and 600 can be tricky, and range estimation is pretty critical, but it's beyond 600 where things become much more difficult. Range estimation is very crucial past 600 yds. If you're off by as little as 30-40 yards in range estimation, you could see additional bullet drop (or lack of drop) by more than 1-2 feet depending on the cartridge. Is that target 640 yards or 680 yards? You better get it right if you want to make a hit.
As has also been mentioned, weather conditions play a much greater role out at this distance as well.
OzeanJaeger
New member
There is a BIG difference between hunting and target shooting. I'll throw bullets at a target much farther than I would at a game animal. Just last week on an elk hunt, I heard some guys talking about "ringing steel" up to 900 yards. OK, they must be good shots(?). Unfortunately, when it came time to shoot an elk, 350 yards was "beyond the capability" and a miss occurred.
At my range there is a 4' AR500 disc @ 700yds. That's almost a 7moa target. Guys hit it with iron sights all the time. I have a full AR500 IDPA silhouette 18"X24" (without the head). That's effectively a one minute target @ 1,800 yds. I have nothing that will send it 1,800 yds. It's a 1.5min @ 1,200 which is all I have dope for.
The claim they can ring steel @ 900yds is as meaningless as the claims someone has a 1/4 minute off the rack rifle.
The kill zone on a deer is about 6", so you're shooting a 1moa target @ 600 yds; a looong hunting shot. There few hunters who can shoot beyond that and call it "ethical" with a straight face, IMO. I don't hunt with a high powered scope (would drive me nuts), so my crosshairs are covering the whole deer at that range. For me about 400yds is max hunting, and then it would have to be under certain conditions (like a stable shooting position).
Don Fischer
New member
What is the difference between shooting 400yds and 600yds? Both should require the same skill's.
I've had several one-shot kills on deer out to 350 yards with my .270 Win rifle, but that's my upper limit for hunting. Target shooting is different, as long as there's a safe backstop.
Being able to target shoot 1/2 MOA at 1,000 yards takes a great rifle, ammo, and careful sighting/wind knowledge, but no living thing gets hurt and dies a miserable death if you miss. Moreover, with good spotting, corrections can be made for another shot on the range.
Farthest I've ever shot on paper was 450 yards (lasered), when I fired one 3.5" three-shot group to find out how much drop was involved with ballistic tip handloads.
I consider the group pretty impressive, considering wind and mirage at the time. That distance is the limit I can see to shoot over the blueberry fields behind the house, due to terrain.
Being able to target shoot 1/2 MOA at 1,000 yards takes a great rifle, ammo, and careful sighting/wind knowledge, but no living thing gets hurt and dies a miserable death if you miss. Moreover, with good spotting, corrections can be made for another shot on the range.
Farthest I've ever shot on paper was 450 yards (lasered), when I fired one 3.5" three-shot group to find out how much drop was involved with ballistic tip handloads.
I consider the group pretty impressive, considering wind and mirage at the time. That distance is the limit I can see to shoot over the blueberry fields behind the house, due to terrain.
What is the difference between shooting 400yds and 600yds? Both should require the same skill's
300 yards (or just shy of) is your typical point blank range for many high-power rifle calibers. Using .270 as an example, the drop from 300-400 will run from 12-16" or so. That's a lot, but as long as your range estimation is no more than 50 yards off, you will still hit somewhere in a 8" circle. The drop from 600 to 700 is about 40". Your window to hit that 8" circle narrows a great deal. You better be sure it's 640 yards and not 680 yards. Wind drift plays a much larger role as well. As a matter of fact, everything is magnified by range. Slightly lower velocity due to below freezing temps? You won't even notice it at under 300 yards, and probably barely at 600. Out further? It can make a big difference. All of the same skills come into play, it's just that you must be much better because the margin for error is much smaller.
ndking1126
New member
I put 600 and that's for shooting at gongs from a bench. That number comes more from a lack of access to a range where I can shoot farther. For hunting 400 yards is about all I'm comfortable with given my current equipment and assuming good conditions are in place ( solid rest, little to no wind, distance confirmed with range finder etc).