How does everyone feel about using the Long Range Rifles and Scopes so you can shoot longer ranges instead of the old days trying to get closer to the game ??
The new age of Hunting
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JimP
Administrator
Hasn't this been going on ever since a hunter placed the first magnifying scope on top of their rifle and started shooting further than they could with open sights?
I actually have zero problems with it as long as they practice at the ranges that they plan on shooting. But with that goes the responsibility of checking if the animal has been hit after a shot. Some shots you can tell if it is a clean miss, but then there are the others where the animal doesn't even react like it has been hit and runs off. Not following up and checking for blood is a problem with a long range shooter.
I have even seen people shoot a animal at close range and not follow it up to see if it had been hit. But that is a different problem.
I actually have zero problems with it as long as they practice at the ranges that they plan on shooting. But with that goes the responsibility of checking if the animal has been hit after a shot. Some shots you can tell if it is a clean miss, but then there are the others where the animal doesn't even react like it has been hit and runs off. Not following up and checking for blood is a problem with a long range shooter.
I have even seen people shoot a animal at close range and not follow it up to see if it had been hit. But that is a different problem.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Everyone should know their own limitations and their equipment limitations. That isn't to say all hunters will stay within these limitations. I also believe that some of the TV hunting programs have done hunting and hunters a disfavor by showing the shooting of animals at extreme ranges. They sure don't show the wounded or lost animals.
Not everyone is a good shot. Some will never be. no matter how good their equipment is.
Not everyone is a good shot. Some will never be. no matter how good their equipment is.
Rokslide just had a cold bore challenge. You shoot 1 shot at your perceivedvmax effective range and then another day do the same, no practice in between.
most guys couldnt hit a 10-inch target at what they said was their effective range. The hooplah didnt measure out into kill shots.
i wontvtell you i can kill at a certain range unless i’m shooting groups at those ranges, nevermind slinging lead and hoping.
the long range fad has led to a lot of nonshooters slinging lead and hoping.
imo, if you cant say w 100% certainty that you can make the shot, you shouldnt even try. Field conditions change stuff but uf you aren’t 100% confident, dont shoot.
most guys couldnt hit a 10-inch target at what they said was their effective range. The hooplah didnt measure out into kill shots.
i wontvtell you i can kill at a certain range unless i’m shooting groups at those ranges, nevermind slinging lead and hoping.
the long range fad has led to a lot of nonshooters slinging lead and hoping.
imo, if you cant say w 100% certainty that you can make the shot, you shouldnt even try. Field conditions change stuff but uf you aren’t 100% confident, dont shoot.
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
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Lot of big game animals are being wounded by long range wannabee hunters.
That’s a fact.
That’s a fact.
I agree with the comments above. I like to think I can shoot long range very well and the range but on an animal my kills are usually under 400 yards.
dan maule
Veteran member
Even at 300 or 400 yards by the time you get to where you thought the animal was standing, it can take a while to find exactly where it was. I would imagine this being very difficult when you push that distance to 1000 yards or more. The only way I can see this working is if you have several people spotting for you.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
tim
Veteran member
1000 yards with a proper rifle set up or 100 yards with a bow. Is there any difference?
I guess it is a skill to shoot long range but at the same time it doesn't seem sportsman like , to me shooting a couple hundred yards and being fairly close shows more of a skill.
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
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I don't shoot at big game animals past 400 yards with a rifle. That is my self imposed limit.
If I can't get closer, well, let's be honest, I'm mostly a bowhunter, so yes, I can get closer. Much closer. lol
I also don't shoot past 50 with my bow at big game animals. I practice out to 80 though. My average shot with a bow is about 12 yards and I have killed a lot of stuff with my bow over the years. I have done that with what I consider to be a very minimal wounding percentage.
Bottom line, the closer the better. Be it with a bow or with a gun. If you're backing up to intentionally make your shot more difficult/longer you should have your license pulled.
Just my two pennies.
If I can't get closer, well, let's be honest, I'm mostly a bowhunter, so yes, I can get closer. Much closer. lol
I also don't shoot past 50 with my bow at big game animals. I practice out to 80 though. My average shot with a bow is about 12 yards and I have killed a lot of stuff with my bow over the years. I have done that with what I consider to be a very minimal wounding percentage.
Bottom line, the closer the better. Be it with a bow or with a gun. If you're backing up to intentionally make your shot more difficult/longer you should have your license pulled.
Just my two pennies.
So many variables, conditions being the most important.
There are days hunting in Wyoming, I don't feel comfortable much past 200. Shooting in 40-50 MPH sustained wind is no joke. Plus, how often do you shoot full value wind? Not often in my experience. Wind is voodoo, bullet drop is physics.
Good calm day, excellent rest, plenty of trigger time prior, 600 isn't off the table for me if I just can't get closer and if I'm confident in the shot. I simply won't shoot past 600ish. I'm honest with myself and things just change after 600 for me. I don't have the desire or time to mess with anything farther than that. I rarely shoot more than 200-300 at game, very rarely.
I'll also say, that closer isn't always better either. I would much rather take a 200 yard shot off a great rest at a calm animal than trying to rush a shot at animal that knows I'm there at 100.
IMO, I think most hunters would be way better spending time learning about the animals they hunt than wasting a ton of time at the range. Be extremely good at 300 yards and closer, learn to hunt, keep your cool and you're going to rarely miss a shot on game.
There are days hunting in Wyoming, I don't feel comfortable much past 200. Shooting in 40-50 MPH sustained wind is no joke. Plus, how often do you shoot full value wind? Not often in my experience. Wind is voodoo, bullet drop is physics.
Good calm day, excellent rest, plenty of trigger time prior, 600 isn't off the table for me if I just can't get closer and if I'm confident in the shot. I simply won't shoot past 600ish. I'm honest with myself and things just change after 600 for me. I don't have the desire or time to mess with anything farther than that. I rarely shoot more than 200-300 at game, very rarely.
I'll also say, that closer isn't always better either. I would much rather take a 200 yard shot off a great rest at a calm animal than trying to rush a shot at animal that knows I'm there at 100.
IMO, I think most hunters would be way better spending time learning about the animals they hunt than wasting a ton of time at the range. Be extremely good at 300 yards and closer, learn to hunt, keep your cool and you're going to rarely miss a shot on game.
Timber Stalker
Active Member
- May 22, 2020
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I’m typically zero to 300 guy, once I went all the way out to 330. Never had to shoot farther than that for a game animal. I have guns that will go way farther but I don’t practice with them to go beyond 400.
tim
Veteran member
I am not a long range guy at all. but i do wonder who wounds more animals, the mighty bowhunter or long range snipers. My unscientific thinking, thinks it is bowhunters. But then again, i don't even own a bow or a long range rifle. So I don't have the bias.
funny how folks like to dis what they don't like to do.
I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what others do.it is enough to be responsible for my own actions.
I just try to be a good role model/example to those I hunt with or around. I doubt there are any who are not guilty of poor judgement at one time or another.
so long as long range is legal, I have no issues with those who choose that path.
I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what others do.it is enough to be responsible for my own actions.
I just try to be a good role model/example to those I hunt with or around. I doubt there are any who are not guilty of poor judgement at one time or another.
so long as long range is legal, I have no issues with those who choose that path.
we need more good role models.
Too many guys are afraid of the dark on backcountry hunts, dont know their effective range, and overall unprepared.