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Used to be too far…
#8484986
12/23/21 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,291
603Country
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,291 |
Just read that some guy killed a monster buck at near 900 yards. Not sure I could hit a port-a-let (how do you spell portalet?) at that range. Anyway, reading about that reminds me of the monster buck we never shot. Every year he went nocturnal mostly, and you’d never see him in daylight except at distance. He spent his days in a grassy depression in the middle of an always muddy (Louisiana winters - deep gumbo mud) area in a bean field about 400 or more yards from anything. Even if you could get past the mud, which we tried, he’d see you and disappear. I had a 35 Remington and Dad had a 30/30. We were good to 150 or maybe 200, but 400 yards might as well been a mile. In today’s hunting environment, that old buck would be on my wall.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485145
12/23/21 10:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,624
txtrophy85
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400 yards is still far, especially on a smaller bodied whitetail.
That distance isn’t impossible with a good shooting rig with a higher magnification scope, but with a standard “ deer rifle “ and a 3x9 scope it would be pretty damn tough.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485199
12/23/21 11:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,904
Biscuit
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,904 |
Better scopes and new , flatter shooting calibers are making this possible. I’m like you , never have taken a shot past 125 or so but I’m diving in next year and learning
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485233
12/23/21 11:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,019
don k
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I think it is a good way to wound a lot of deer.
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485248
12/23/21 11:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,291
603Country
OP
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OP
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Posts: 16,291 |
When I moved from the 35 to the 270, my range extended to about 300 or so. That was what I considered a sure thing, given time to shoot. Than, with range finders and better reticles, that’s moved out to about 400. Not a sure thing, but a strong probable. But that’s for pigs and coyotes, not deer.
There are guys on here that 400 yards is a chip shot. As for me, the truth is that before I shoot at 250 or 300, I consider the wind and give some thought as to which direction the fatally wounded deer might run (how thick is the brush). And…do I feel like dragging and skinning right now. Age brings the need for more considerations.
And, back to that big old buck in the muddy field, if you’d shoot him, you have to go get him. We didn’t have 3 wheelers or 4wheelers back then. A 250ish pound buck and 400 yards of deep thick sticky Louisiana gumbo mud calls for 2 if not 3 draggers.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485274
12/24/21 12:14 AM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 526
Whammer7
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 526 |
Anything more than 60 yards in questionable...for me anyway
"Sometimes, too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485278
12/24/21 12:21 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,248
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,248 |
When I moved from the 35 to the 270, my range extended to about 300 or so. That was what I considered a sure thing, given time to shoot. Than, with range finders and better reticles, that’s moved out to about 400. Not a sure thing, but a strong probable. But that’s for pigs and coyotes, not deer.
There are guys on here that 400 yards is a chip shot. As for me, the truth is that before I shoot at 250 or 300, I consider the wind and give some thought as to which direction the fatally wounded deer might run (how thick is the brush). And…do I feel like dragging and skinning right now. Age brings the need for more considerations.
And, back to that big old buck in the muddy field, if you’d shoot him, you have to go get him. We didn’t have 3 wheelers or 4wheelers back then. A 250ish pound buck and 400 yards of deep thick sticky Louisiana gumbo mud calls for 2 if not 3 draggers. 400 is a chip shot for guys who practice a lot - problem is many do not practice a lot and they are the ones who wound animals. I have witnessed it too many times
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485287
12/24/21 12:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,342
angus1956
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,342 |
If your proficient at long range shooting which many on here are a 900 yard shot is doable any day. But don't take the shot unless your confident of your skill level, equipment, optics and environmental conditions. I'd take a 900 yard shot if all variables aligned. A few year back I spotted for a friend who killed a cow elk at 869 yards in Wyoming, It can be done.
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485297
12/24/21 12:43 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,217
Theringworm
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,217 |
Only the “hunter” knows their own capabilities. Whether or not they practice within those when in the field we’ll never know. Everyone else is simply a bystander. I don’t care what people do so long as it’s legal and all efforts are exhausted to recover the animal. There is no data base that can give us statistics to back-up any claims (long range rifle hunting wounds more animals). Personally, within my circle of hunting friends, wounded game is a perceived 20:1 ratio or greater archery to “all” rifle hunting.. To reiterate, that’s my perception. At the end of the day…… I don’t care at all. I bow hunt, I rifle hunt, and feel competent at long range hunting but haven’t needed to beyond 400yds. This topic has been beat like a dead horse. “Painting with a broad brush” leaves out a-lot of details. Know your limits and stay within those.
Last edited by Theringworm; 12/24/21 12:48 AM.
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Re: Used to be too far…
[Re: 603Country]
#8485306
12/24/21 12:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658
GusWayne
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Well, to make that I can promise he put in the work
Hats off to em
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