I may be "odd man out" I'm not as religious on shot distance as many that have posted on this thread. I have, and will continue to execute "certain" shots on game at long range. Of 60+ whitetail, antelope, and mule deer harvested between 500 and 1200 yards most have been taken between 500 and 700 yards. Over this 15 year period I have successfully taken about 10 animals beyond 700 yards, the furthest 1188 yards, and, my first LR shot, a 998 yard whitetail. The balance was taken between 700 and 1000 yards. I will say that over this period well over few dozen animals at long range have been passed up, or a closer stalk/shot attempted….Due to conditions and the uncertainty of a clean kill.
Prior to taking up LR hunting I competed in various forms of "long range" rifle sports/competition. When began the quest to hunt game at long range it became immediately apparent that the two forms of LR shooting, had little resemblance. First shot/cold bore performance is critical. An investment of countless hours of training/practice and understanding conditions, AND, a complete understanding of the rifle/load performance was imperative. Most all my LR shots on game have been taken with the same rifle(except scope), the same barrel, and the same load. With the exception of initial load testing and sighting-in work, all practice has been cold/warm bore at LR. The balance of the 1150 total shots on the barrel have been LR shots in game or varmints….Less the 10% of total shots fired.
While there are surely disproportionate demands in shots taken at the longer ranges, equipment, experience, practice, and confidence are what, IMO, separates each of us in determining the distances we will take a LR shot on game
I can remember a time long ago when a 300 yard shot on game was considered as miraculous as a thousand yard shot is today!
Prior to taking up LR hunting I competed in various forms of "long range" rifle sports/competition. When began the quest to hunt game at long range it became immediately apparent that the two forms of LR shooting, had little resemblance. First shot/cold bore performance is critical. An investment of countless hours of training/practice and understanding conditions, AND, a complete understanding of the rifle/load performance was imperative. Most all my LR shots on game have been taken with the same rifle(except scope), the same barrel, and the same load. With the exception of initial load testing and sighting-in work, all practice has been cold/warm bore at LR. The balance of the 1150 total shots on the barrel have been LR shots in game or varmints….Less the 10% of total shots fired.
While there are surely disproportionate demands in shots taken at the longer ranges, equipment, experience, practice, and confidence are what, IMO, separates each of us in determining the distances we will take a LR shot on game
I can remember a time long ago when a 300 yard shot on game was considered as miraculous as a thousand yard shot is today!
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