Maximum Range

[JEBar]

in another thread I have chronicled purchasing and learning to use a range finder ..http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2218 .. I freely admit that one thing that has been proven is I am not a good judge of distances and the further the distance, the worse I am at estimating the distance .... from sitting outside of our camper talking with folks who stop by, I've learned that I'm not alone in that regard .... basically, I've come to believe that most folks don't really have a handle on just how far 100, 200, or more yards really is .... one of questions I often ask myself is, would I take that shot ? .... the answer may well change before and after finding out just how far away the distance really is ....

Question : given what you consider to be perfect conditions and your favorite firearm, what is the longest range you would be comfortable taking a shot at deer size game ?

2nd Question : just how sure are you of your ability to accurately determine if the deer in your sights is within that range ?

[Dennis H]

I killed a doe antelope at 500yds. She was limping or I wouldn't have taken the shot. Couldn't tell you what the hold over was but it was plenty. Remington 7mm with factory core lokts. Heart shot, three steps and flop. It was all luck. Killed my best muleys at 411 but I had practiced at that range and felt confident. Still sent a spoiler over his back, luckily he gave me a second chance and made the necessary adjustment. He reared and fell. Remember em both like it was yesterday.

[JEBar]

that's really fine shooting .... to me 400 - 500 yards is very impressive .... the Remington 7mm is a fine, flat shooting cartridge .... I've never hunted with one but have loaded hundreds of rounds for a friend who does

[North Country Gal]

Several research studies have shown that we humans are poor at estimating distances much past 20 or 30 yards. We're just not wired for it. Experience helps, of course, but if I was heading out into open country to hunt, again, I'd darn sure carry a good LRF.

[Mgderf]

I learned in boot camp that the average "Joe" can be taught to hit a man size target at 500 yards, with open sights, and do this repeatedly.
Is it easy? Not really, but can be done with confidence if one practices enough at those distances.

You can help yourself to better judge distances by stepping/measuring off several distances in a known surrounding, such as your back yard/neighborhood.

Measure the distance to your neighbors driveway at the end of the block...
If possible, set up a deer target at these distances.
Even if you can't shoot, you can dry-fire practice.
Studying the known distances long enough will carry over into the field.

[ditto1958]

I don't currently shoot at a "long" range. Our range is only 100 yards. Going by the old "paper plate rule,"* I'm confident that I could hunt deer at 100 yards with any of my lever guns, both scopes and not scoped. I would have to practice awhile at longer distances before I could go out much more than 100.

*If you can hit a paper plate sized target every time, you can ethically shoot at game out to that distance.

[PT7]

Anyone have thoughts on hunting at this distance? --> 1376 yards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn1G8BeUuc

[JEBar]

looking at the safety, it looked like a Remington .... I wonder what caliber .... our Remington 700 BDL chambered in 300 WBY mag is fully capable of delivering killing shots at those ranges .... that is not to say I'd be comfortable pulling the trigger

[Dennis H]

Anyone have thoughts on hunting at this distance? --> 1376 yards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn1G8BeUuc

IMO this is one of the things wrong with hunting today. I didn't watch the video but I've seen a bunch of em. It isn't hunting, it's just shooting. I've seen a few where they wing em a time or two tryin to "walk it in" before they finally kill em then high five each other like they accomplished somethin. Then they think it's a good idea to post it for the world to see. We've had plenty of wars goin on the past 15yrs if they wanted to play sniper all they had to do was step forward.

[RanchRoper]

I don't hunt but I'm confident I could hit a deer size target consistently up to 100 yds.

[bdbrown66]

Anyone have thoughts on hunting at this distance? --> 1376 yards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn1G8BeUuc

IMO this is one of the things wrong with hunting today. I didn't watch the video but I've seen a bunch of em. It isn't hunting, it's just shooting. I've seen a few where they wing em a time or two tryin to "walk it in" before they finally kill em then high five each other like they accomplished somethin. Then they think it's a good idea to post it for the world to see. We've had plenty of wars goin on the past 15yrs if they wanted to play sniper all they had to do was step forward.

Well said. I agree 100%.

[JNG3]

Archery big game = 35 yard max. Although I've taken two long shots and both were successful. 45 yards on a nice buck and 50 yards on a coyote.

Rimfire small game = 50 yards max. Although I will stretch the range on fox and coyote with my .22WMR to 100 yards

Shotshell wingshooting = 50/60 yards max

Shotgun slugs big game = 100ish yards max

Varmint with centerfire = 300 yards max

Big game with .308Win = 300 yards max

Big game with muzzleloader = 100ish yards max

Big game with .357Mag pistol = 50 yards max

Big game with .357Mag carbine = 100ish yards max

[JNG3]

I should also add that just because you can hit the target at some extended distance, that does not mean the projectile has the needed momentum/energy/velocity to do the job. Also I've rarely seen 'hunting days' that are as nice as 'range days'. Meaning enviromental conditions can and will play havoc with the bullet on it's way to the quarry. Most folks would be amazed at how wind, temperature, elevation, and other factors can conspire to send the bullet off course even if YOU did everything perfect at the moment of the shot. Also it's called hunting, not sniping. Learn to be a better hunter and you won't need to shoot a .338 Lapua 850 yards to kill a mule deer.