I have the same gun from a couple years ago and it was almost $400 back then, I do know for sure it is very effective from about 15 yards, with brenneke sabot shells. that's how I took my buck last season. Why people take such long shots is beyond me. Bowhunt for awhile it will teach you patience and give you practice at getting up close. I would say like the rest of them 100 yards maybe even 125 it would probably be ok, although might have some drop to compensate for. I've only probably target shot mine at around 50 yards or so and it was still pretty dead on the scope at that range. If you want to take a couple hundred yard shots get a rifle, not a 12 gauge. 250 is cheap too, because if it is the one in the d i c ks ad it comes with a slug and a bird barrel, and a halfway decent scope too.