Where does "Long Range" begin

I think long range begins around 600 yds. I say this because that about the distance bullet construction/ BC, reloading practices all start to matter more. You can shoot flat base bullets like partitions pretty accurately out to 500ish yards. Past that the lack of BC/ bullet design make it hard to keep them at MOA. 600 yds is when you need to be using LR style bullets, inside of that most any good bullets will shoot accurately

Even the old school, gas station, "6 bread & butter cartridges"
30-30, 45-70, 243win, 308win, 270win, 30-06.....
They are now $60 a box instead of the $25 they used to be, for plain jane loads

Gotta reload to afford to shoot

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I highly recommend using a chronograph, either borrowed or purchased, as you attempt to stretch out your shooting capabilities to approach long range. It provides important information with hard data. You shouldn't rely on manufacturer claims as to muzzle velocity and even good factory ammo is subject to potential lot to lot variation that can have significant effect at greater distance.

In the case of reloading, having a chronograph allowed me to significantly improve my results over time for use at longer ranges. This forum also has a lot of information available on reloading though you may have to sift through conflicting or confusing opinions on some issues.

Being able to shoot well at longer ranges involves more than just your selection of firearm/scope/ cartridge. If you want some science background as you start your journey, I suggest reading Byran Litz Modern Advancement in Long Range Shooting (4 Volumes). If you're lucky you might be able to borrow them from a library or friend.

Yes on chronograph or else reloading is pure speculation w no real data

For me "long range" is anything past the rifles MPBR. Anything past that you have to take additional steps to compensate for holdover and time of flight on hunting targets lands in the long range category.

I recently went on a deer hunt in western Kansas, and before I left I was checking all my dope on my rifle, and for reasons I do not understand my 100 yard, and 250 yard, (that's my zero) were off. I made adjustments, shot some more, went to 500 yards and was all around my 3" flapper at that distance. It was windy so I knew I was plenty good for whitetail at that distance. 500 might as well been on the moon when I was a young man, and nowadays I don't even consider it long range. It is a long shot, I'll save the argument, but my rifle is so capable at 1000, 500 seems simple if I do my part. Granted, throw in adrenaline, a mature buck in front of me, 500 can become 1500 if my emotions run away with me, but if I can remain calm, enough, 500 is so doable. I've taken whitetail at 750 plus, elk much farther, if you want to do it, you can, even with a sporter. I've taken many whitetail with factory sporter rifles 500 and beyond.

98s1lightning said:

Once I put a target out at approx 300yds and found a pizza box sized group below my target on my cardboard.

Did that after all this talk about the 284 and had to know.
I was pleasantly surprised that day too.

Just the fact that there was a 10" group THERE, on my target, was enough to be excited about for shooting off a balled up sweatshirt on a bench.

Got my kid a rangefinder for xmas, so we are going on the adventure together!

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If you shot a 10" group at 300, your maximum range should be 150.

Depends on equipment being used and skill. For some folks 400yds is a chip shot. For the vast majority of hunters that's farther than they've ever shot. I've seen hunters where long range begins about where their muzzle blast ends.

If you're shooting a 45-70, no matter your skill, the definition of long range is quite different than a 300 Win Mag.

Last elk I got a number of years ago was 738 yards with a 338 Edge. Angle was steep and crosswind was significant, but I'd shot the gun to 2000 yards and was prepared and made the shot. The guy I was with got upset that I "shot his elk". I'd told him if we encountered one within his capability or ability to stalk, I'd give him first shot. Otherwise I'd take it. This elk was not stalkable. Guy had never shot over 300 yards in his life and he was legit going to start shooting at this one. I'm glad I got the job done before he started lobbing rounds. I dropped him off at home and never spoke with him again.

It's not about a set distance, its about the shooters skill and marksmanship ability.

I'd be willing to bet I could bust clay pigeons off a bank w 100% successful hits at 200yds with said rifle, from the bench

On quick lookup for industry standard clay size in USA a clay is 4.300" diameter

I do enjoy offhand shooting open sights and believe it's a great tool of practice for realistic hunting scenarios in the Northeast.

But for this thread focusing on bench shooting a sporter weight hunting rifle 284win 2.5-8x36mm Leupold Scope

For illustration purposes….
30ft is long range for my Daisy 499B….
30 yds for my FWB 300s w/ scope
300 yds for the ARs…sometimes 600 yds
500 yds for the sporter configured bolt guns
1000 yds for the HB chassis bolts with the dial-up FFP scopes

Only extension trigger time with each one can allow you to take them to their limits…ya gotta know the DOPE and adjust for conditions (wind, mirage, slope, caffeine blood levels etc)

I believe long range is up to the individual. Personally for me it's 500 yards on steel and 300 yds on game. I have taken deer at over 400 but that was when I was shooting a lot more getting ready for a mule deer/antelope hunt. Any further and I'm just kidding myself. Some guys do double that and more but IMO you have to know the limitations of your equipment and yourself.

Clem Bronkoski said:

I believe long range is up to the individual. Personally for me it's 500 yards on steel and 300 yds on game. I have taken deer at over 400 but that was when I was shooting a lot more getting ready for a mule deer/antelope hunt. Any further and I'm just kidding myself. Some guys do double that and more but IMO you have to know the limitations of your equipment and yourself.

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It takes solid gun handling knowledge and an extreme amount of shooting in virtually all conditions, weather and light to be truly proficient at calling conditions for distance shooting…. I believe there are a lot fewer of us with access to the necessary time, ammo, barrels and ranges to get truly good much beyond 400yds…God bless those who get to play enough.

You're right 3800. My only range is limited to 300 yds. Next year I'm going to see if I can locate a farm with an open field with about 600 yds.

It begins when you start manipulating your sights to hit your target

Thanks

Buck