I am comfortable shooting over 300 yards, but realistically I won't be shooting over 150-200 yds at the longest. More than likely under 50 yds will be the range of contact. I have a rifle that is capable of shooting 1,000 yds, but I would not try to shoot it that far.

200 yards for me. I hunt over feeders and the longest (measured) shot I take is 144 yards. I am not into crippling any animal and taking more than one shot wastes ammo.

250 yards with the right conditions. I took one last year at 220 and luckily they are easy to track with only two legs. Still went 300 more yards though. Took another one at 210 and went down after about 50 yards to the heart. I am dialed in right at 200 but need to be calm. I am shooting a fixed 6x Zeiss.

This is a good point. I would think an ethical hunter would treat all deer with respect. Different risks imply the shooter "doesn't care as much" if he maimes or wounds if the animal isn't a "trophy".

IMHO, an ethical shot is an ethical shot - regardless of the "worth" an animal.

I have passed on shots on both trophy or meat animals because, while in my maximum range, I didn't feel comfortable with the shot for one reason or another. Likewise, I have "pushed" my abilities on shots because I have felt comfortable- but it was never because the "quality" of the animal.

Each circumstance is different. While i make wait for a closer shot on a "trophy" , it is because of other circumstances not specifically due to quality.

Now, if you want to "practice" on live animals - then that's why God created hogs. I know that might sound hypocritical - but I don't consider feral hogs a "game animal". To me, they are more on the level of vermin or pests, like fire ants or rats.

350 on all the above.

265 yards on bucks or does that are not a trophy, since that is my longest shots off of a sturdy rest. Longest on my biggest trophy buck has been 232 yards of a sturdy rest.

My Savage 11 in 270 shoots MOA at 300 yards and I have practiced at that range
If I had a good shot at that distance, I would be confident for sure

Nail on the head. 200 is my max on ANY deer. Hogs and yotes don't matter

Depends upon conditions, time spent on each, and caliber.
To whit:

243 - 350 on all
25-06 - 400 on all
30-30 - 150 on all
30-06 - 300 on all
264 WM - 500 on all
358 win - 200 on all

I've taken the 243's, 25-06 and 264 out to 6-800 but I wouldn't take a shot at a game animal at that distance as my confidence level isn't that high. Also, if I am unable to take a good, solid set up or the wind/rain etc is interfering, all of those ranges could be cut in half or more.
Just depends on so many different variables.

On some of my NightForce Scopes I can count the ticks off a deer's a*s at 400yrds so yes it can be done easily with the right glass like Stompy said.

To the OP 500 on all the above and the right conditions wouldn't have a problem going little farther.

I was in a elk hunt last year and our guide had some Swarvoski binoculars he could tell if it was a shooter from half a mile. .308 I would shoot about 250-300 on all but with my .300 wsm 500 yards on all.

Doe -- 100
spike -- 100
big buck --- 200

But that's just me and what I know I can do every single time. And for me I can always get a doe or spike within 100 yards, no need to shoot any farther.

<3 .264 winmag

^^

Hard to say. Weather conditions dictate so much. Longest shot ever was two seasons ago on a doe. 478 yards according to my Leica RF. 332 yards is the farthest I've ever killed a trophy buck. Both from a solid rest. And both with a 7mm-08. The 478 yards was really pushing the limits on that caliber, but I know my gun and its ballistics well. Plus I have a Sawrovski with the TDX reticle. Makes long shots much easier if you know the range. Still, at 478 yards there was a good bit of luck involved.

I have never really practiced at long range. 1-time I shot at a feed sack target at 400 yards resting off an old cedar fence post with a 223. I have shot 1 hog at 225 yards and a feral house cat at just under 200 yards. I feel comfortable with my shooting skills just haven't pushed the distance too far. With a good rest I will shoot 200 yards at a deer.

Well, I will be hunting from a stand that has 3 feeders this season- 224 yards (mine), 770 yards, and 880 yards. I plan to take a doe from the 770 or 880 yard feeder with my 300 WM. My other goal this season is to take a doe with my G29 10mm carry pistol.

Here's one I took at 280 yards, and this was relatively short range.

Put me in for this opinion right here.

I am very impressed with the ranges most guys are stating as their maximum comfortable range. Guys go to talking 400+ as the norm on game animals and this starts popping in my head:

Me too. I know there are several people who eat drink and sleep long range shooting on here and for them 400 yards is a chip shot. I however know far more people who have never even attempted practicing at anything more than 100 yards. Also look around at the targets at the rifle range when you go before deer season, It scares me that some of those rifles/hunters are going afield! I would have to put some effort into finding a place on our property to shoot 400 yards.

There you go. I have no issues on does getting close so no need to worry about it. Longest shot I have on my place is about 410 yds, that's no issues for my 300 mag sendero..

I have practiced out to two hundred yards with all my center fire rifles. I'm comfy out to two hundred on any target bigger than a bug.

Before I had my custom 6.5 Creedmoor built I had shot at 200 yards a few times with my 7mag and then I shot a sign at 400 yards once. Then I fired three rounds with my 300 mag at five hundred yards once using holdover with a standard reticle. Yes, it was a crap shoot but I hit the target but seriously the group was about two feet. The first time I shot my rifle at long range, 600 yards, I had two friends with me. Frankly it was easy. I had the dope, the wind was less than 5 mph, put the crosshairs on the target and squeeze the trigger. Please know I'm not bragging...all three of us hit the target with ease. We had a solid rest and great rifle and scope. All of this was done without any pressure. We were just having fun. I said that to simply say this, it's just not that difficult to make these shots with the right equipment these days. That being said shooting an animal, and to me that even includes hogs, is another matter. But for those who question the ability of guys to make shots at this distance you should go try it. Find someone who is willing to let you shoot their long range rig and see if your opinion changes. Now that I've done it the skepticism I had prior to owning my target rifle is gone.

Nailed it Sneaky...considering my ability these days, I won't shoot much over 200 yds...usually less than 100 yds unless its at a yote....I'm good to 1k then....I just use Kentucky windage and let the lead fly.....

Hogs get shot at from as far as I can see them and put the crosshairs on them.

Deer I limit my shots to 400. I respect all deer the same. I want it to be clean and quick. Regardless of age or score.

My rig will shoot out to 1000 yards but deer are too jumpy so I don't shoot at them at that distance.

200 is pretty much my max. If I practice more I'd feel better about going further.


If it was a buck that hadn't been seen on camera, it would be hard for me to judge him well enough at longer ranges. Not that it can't be done. I'm just saying that for me personally, I don't have the practice and skills to do so.

The buck I killed last year I saw at probably 800 yards and knew who he was because of lots of trail cam pictures of him.