Where does "Long Range" begin

[Plinker147]

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

 

[Okanogan]

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

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.

 

[98s1lightning]

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

 

[Koda_]

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.

 

[highfinblue]

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.

 

[lancetkenyon]

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!

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