Antelope Range

[JimP]

You should not trust ANY calculated bullet drop. Spent primers are the ultimate tutorial.

You need to add that those spend primers should be used sending a bulled downrange at the ranges that you expect to hit something.

I did a lot of reloading last year along with shooting out to 600 yards along with using a ballistic program to see what the bullet drop was going to be. I found out that while the program was close it didn't come close enough until I put the targets out at 600 yards to see exactly what the drop was going to be.

 

[Tim McCoy]

My two cents, in most cases the cartridge box and most any ballistic program is very accurate, for the exact conditions they used. Now most ammo boxes will not tell you all the variables. Most ballistic programs let you pick the variables. But most shooters do not know the exact numbers for their rifle/load. What I've found is if I chronograph a load, then use the correct MV, altitude, temp, etc., the programs are surprisingly accurate, at least out to the 600 yards I shoot. So in my experience the error is pretty much the shooters for not knowing the correct details, the ole garbage in garbage out process.

 

[Hilltop]

My two cents, in most cases the cartridge box and most any ballistic program is very accurate, for the exact conditions they used. Now most ammo boxes will not tell you all the variables. Most ballistic programs let you pick the variables. But most shooters do not know the exact numbers for their rifle/load. What I've found is if I chronograph a load, then use the correct MV, altitude, temp, etc., the programs are surprisingly accurate, at least out to the 600 yards I shoot. So in my experience the error is pretty much the shooters for not knowing the correct details, the ole garbage in garbage out process.

The main differences I have seen are printed velocities. I believe the biggest variable is barrel length used for the tests vs what the average hunter's rifle barrel length is. For instance, my hunting rifle has a 22" barrel so it won't produce box velocities that were calculated out of a 24" barrel.

 

[BuzzH]

The main differences I have seen are printed velocities. I believe the biggest variable is barrel length used for the tests vs what the average hunter's rifle barrel length is. For instance, my hunting rifle has a 22" barrel so it won't produce box velocities that were calculated out of a 24" barrel.

...or it may.

More to it than barrel length.

 

[480/277]

You need to add that those spend primers should be used sending a bulled downrange at the ranges that you expect to hit something.

I did a lot of reloading last year along with shooting out to 600 yards along with using a ballistic program to see what the bullet drop was going to be. I found out that while the program was close it didn't come close enough until I put the targets out at 600 yards to see exactly what the drop was going to be.

I'm not that condecending. I assume most have IQs higher than room temperature....

 

[Hilltop]

...or it may.

More to it than barrel length.

Agreed... In my setup it does. The real point is that each shooter should know what their gun does with the particular load they are shooting. As mentioned before, there really is no substitute for time at the range.

 

[Tim McCoy]

And chamber tightness, and more. Ergo my suggestion to use a chrono, takes care of the rifle/load variables that impact fps. Then with your MV and bullet data, if you correct for environmental variables, the ballistic programs I've used are very accurate. If you do all that, then shoot to prove it, you are set. If the POI is off, odds are something other than the ballistic program was off, shooter, load, wind gust, ...

 

[Roundball]

You should not trust ANY calculated bullet drop. Spent primers are the ultimate tutorial.

Nicely said 480/277!

 

[swampokie]

I just calculated the average range I've shot pronghorn at, out of 73 that I've killed, average range is 186 yards. Not surprising, since I prefer shooting at calm pronghorn in that average range. You get too close, and they pick up movement etc. real fast and get pretty jumpy. I'll take a good calm shot at 150-200 yards on a pronghorn that has no idea I'm there, over a 100 yard shot where they're getting nervous because they detected movement, etc.

Closest was 32 yards, farthest was 421...

If you're good to 200-250 yards, you'll cover about 99% of your shots on pronghorn.

This is impressive record keeping! I can't tell u what I had for lunch today! Wow! Impressive.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I used to set my scope to shoot 1" high at 200 yards, but have changed that. Let me start by saying I use a chronograph to develop ALL of my loads and have for many years. I have a pet load for my 25-06 that I use for deer and antelope exclusively. Instead of guessing, I sent it and all my loads and rifle data to Leupold and have one of their ballistic turrets for almost all my rifles. Yes they are really only good for the rifle/load combination that they were made for, but I spent 100's of hours to develop them and don't really anticipate changing anything. The only problem I can see is if I cannot get one of the components used to develop the load.

Now I use a range finder to determine the actual distance (no guesses here) and set the turret to that setting and shoot. Every time it works. the only real variable is wind. It can be problematic and unless you have done some rangework with the wind blowing, you will be guessing. There is no substitute for practice! Over the years I have shot literally 1,000's of rounds practicing.

 

[Rich M]

Most modern hunting rifles can be sighted in to hit accurately out to 300-350 yards yards without holdover. I always recommend people coming from out east to sight in their rifle to achieve the maximum point blank range that their setup is capable of. For most rifles, this equates to 2-3" high at 200 yards or zero at 250 yards. For instance a rifle shooting a 150 grain bullet at 2850fps sighted in at 250 yards would be 3.1" high at 150 yards (the highest point in the flight path) and 3.6" low at 300 yards. This allows the hunter to hold center of body behind the shoulder and comfortably know his bullet will hit vitals if they do their part. Hunters knowing their ballistics can enter them into many different online calculators to give them the optimum sight in distance. Do not rely on what is printed on the ammunition box as that is generally not the exact numbers produced in a hunting setup. Use a chronograph for your rifle to get accurate numbers.

This reflects what I was told to do by a couple of fellows who live & hunt out there. My first trip is this fall - need to figure out my non-holdover range and go with that. Was told it would be in the 350 bracket with a 250 yd zero.

Otherwise will do a 300 yd zero and figure the rise & fall out to 400, which is my personal max.

 

[Hilltop]

Sounds good Rich- Keep us posted on how it goes. Good luck!

 

[fackelberry]

Sorry Rich, i posted some answers on your other thread about the load. I would do as Hilltop says. I live here in WY and all my rifles are Sighted to hit dead-on at 300 yards. I have found this to be the best for me as i can hold dead on to about 350 depending on which rifle i shoot. Your bullet drop should be around 10-12 inches at 400 yards with a 300 yard zero like mine. I just hold top of the back at 400, no air between the crosshairs and backline. Has worked great for me for along time. If the animal is farther than 400 yards, I have enough indian blood in me that i can sneak closer, at least to 400 yards anyways. Just practice to your maximun range and you will be fine. Confidence in a rifle goes along ways towards accuracy.