ORIGINAL: Deercorn
I hear a lot of people discussing 500yd shots on deer. It never fails to irritate me. I apologize in advance if this offends you.
Yes 500yd shots are possible - but only if all conditions are perfect - if you want to shoot this far you'd better have a sandbag, a perfectly still deer at a known distance, no wind at all, good optics, handloads,and either a flat shooting rifle or a rifle you have patterned at the distances you plan to shoot.
This is fine at the range, shooting at targets, but these conditions seldom, if ever, arise in an actual hunting situation.
Go to an open field, set up a paper plate, walk anhonest 500 yards and look at it. I think this will answer your question.
Shooting at a living animal at this distance is for one thing unnecessary - if you are a hunter - hunt it - get closer. Also, it is irresponsible as your chances of wounding the deer are very large. Even if you are on him perfectly, the deer has plenty of time to take a step between the time the bullet leaves your barrel and impact.
Very well said Deercorn and I agree with you 100%. (you don't have to whisper it though.)
Bobby