Hudge,
The simple answer to your question is; yes. There a quite a few guys out there that can and do make shots on game animals at ranges well beyond 500 yards.
A search of this site will turn up many many stories of such shots, and most of us are willing to tell the bad stories along with the good.
Personally I have shot well over a dozen animals, deer, antelope and elk at ranges from 500 to 1010. So far, I have never hit an animal I did not recover, and have only missed 1 elk at about 800 yards a few years ago. I'm not bragging here, just trying to get two things across. First, yes, it can be done. Second, those of us who are taking those kind of shots are serious about it. If we are not certain we can make the shot, we don't take it. This is not "poke and hope" guess work. Such a shot is the culmination of many $$ spent on equipment, many hours spent learning how, and many hours of trigger time.
As others have pointed out this is an expensive hobby, and the further you want to shoot the more expensive it gets. When you get a rifle capable of kills at 1000 yards, you have only just begun to spend money!!!
The other thing, is this is a hobby for those who are dedicated to spending the time to learn how. At hunting camps I often get asked about shooting long range and someone will often make some comment about "you must be a really good shot". My reply is that I am probably no better "shot" than they are. If we were to pick a 22 and start shooting cans off a fence post 6 out of 10 guys at camp would probably beat me. I can shoot critters at 1000 yards, not because I am a "good shot" but because I have the equipment and at least the minimum amount of "knowledge" to be able to do it.
