Cow elk at 919

[hunter67wa]

Well I filled my cow tag yesterday. I shot her at 919 with my 284 with 168 vld. Cold day in Wyoming started out at 5 below but sunny. The winds were finicky as the day warmed. I was up at 7700 feet. Lessons learned.
I watched the wind for 10 minutes with great indicators on my side of the canyon and other side. I was shooting across a canyon but the wind was changing a lot. Density altitude calculated and 20 minutes of elevation put on. 2 minute wind hold.
I had wind at 5-7 with gusts 12-15. It would lay down and pick up.
1st shot I waited for wind to lay and sent it. Splash was right in front of her chest **** wind picked up over there not felt here. Worked the bolt and sent 2nd shot with correction 4 minutes and down she went spine hit know I had updraft as my dope was true and shot was perfect.

What I can say is no matter what you do mother nature will do what she wants and I will not take that shot again with those kind of winds as it could have had a horrible outcome. I was lucky I think. I am a great shot and practice a lot but in the end the wind will dictate the outcome.

Oh ya the Berger smashed the spine and exited. I was very impressed at bullet performance.

 

[MtPockets]

Congrats on a great shot!
I am nowhere near being capable of such a shot, and I am in awe every time I read of one. And I am guessing you were in the Big Horns, so that helps too.
I LOVE the Big Horns.

 

[hunter67wa]

I was in the Bighorns and honestly I think sometimes we shoot beyond our limits. I won't do that again.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Thanks for sharing your story.
Personally I set a limit on myself based on what I'm able to do with my hunting rifle shooting off of shooting stix. 450 yds for an elk.

 

[JohnWess]

That is a great story. I also greatly appreciate your honesty and bluntness of the shot you were taking. It is important to realize that with long range shots there is more affecting the shot than just us, the shooter. Also, congrats on the full freezer!

 

[davsco]

yeah people miss way shorter than that, even prone with bipod at prs matches. wind is generally the key.

 

[mtmuley]

I was in the Bighorns and honestly I think sometimes we shoot beyond our limits. I won't do that again.

It's tough to be honest. I know I've taken a hard look at my max distance. And I don't care how much experience anybody has reading wind. It's not exact. mtmuley

 

[Kimber7man]

Congrats! I love the Bighorns too, got my fix in this past October.

 

[TMill308]

Thats an awesome shot!

 

[hunter67wa]

I have shot PRS and RO some matches on stages and have seen and missed a lot. lol
I actually made this shot sitting using a dead tree limb for a rest and R knee also. I had less than quarter minute wobble.

 

[hunter67wa]

I used to love sneaking around and shooting things very close. I think I will start doing that again. Get as close as possible then there will be a lot less variables.

 

[Rick Richard]

I was in the Bighorns and honestly I think sometimes we shoot beyond our limits. I won't do that again.

Great shot and happy you did not wound her.

 

[MtPockets]

I used to love sneaking around and shooting things very close. I think I will start doing that again. Get as close as possible then there will be a lot less variables.

In my lifetime, I've been more of a bow/muzzleloader/handgun hunter than a rifle hunter. I have always loved the challenge of getting as close as possible.
A few years ago, my son caught the long range bug while in Afganistan. Since he was limited in what he could do over there, I started looking into it from here for him, and that's when I caught the long range bug.
I'm still nowhere near ready to take a shot like that, but I admire those who are.
With your experience and knowledge, I don't see you being out of line taking a shot like that but I admire the candor about taking another.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Great shot and excellent, real and honest story. It's a slippery slope, the decision to shoot or not shoot, in what is a dynamic situation and I think it comes down to your honesty in terms of knowing how much preparation you've made for the shot. You did great.