RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Terry,

We all take that risk when we pull the trigger or release an arrow. Especially bow hunters, whichI do as well. Deer jump and drop arrows all the time. Some things are out of a hunter's control.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

These are the kinda people who wound deer at 50 yards, I work at a range and have seen it in the field many times. Many people claim the same things, "oh I can hit such and such at 900 yards" and then they turn around and miss an 8 point at under 100 yards, talk is cheap, but action is free.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

I really like my 6.5x284 its built on a howa action / shilen match grade barrel I havent got to perfect my 1000 yard shot but I am working on it. I am getting real good at 600 yards. after that mark it gets real finicky. But last week I kept all my shots at a 1000 yards on a 4ftx4ft sheet of plywood. It take alot for me just to do that.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Dan, I am considering(going to buy) a 6.5 X 284 for ground hog hunting out to 600 yards. Right now I use a 300 WSM heavy barrel. Do you have any comments about your rifle or load that might help me. I consider myself to be extremely proficient at a distance of 400-500 yards. I realize the next step to 600 is going to take some time. I have been shooting for 40 years and I laugh out loud when I hear some of these shooters talk about buying their new rifles so they can shoot to500.I realize my 300 would do the job, but I just feel the need for a new rifle. Our shooting range was just extended from 440 yards out to 560 yards(about $1000 worth of dozer work). I am considering the 6.5 X 20 Leupold(with VH reticle)for my scope, I am also looking closely at the straight 16X Leupold. What do you think about these scopes. Remember this is going to be a hunting rifle. Tom.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

I use the Leupold 6.5-20 with VH reticle on my 600 yd rifle. Works great with no parallax shift.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

This looks like an incredible rig! But I feel it is a tool that fills a niche for which there is no need. I mean who needs a 1000 yard deer rifle. I think it would be irresponsable to take a shot at a deer at that range. And where would you use it. Like I say I don't see the need for this rifle. Now I Just have to get on for me too!!!!!
okcmco

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Hi Bigiron,

you really hit the nail on the head when you said "people have got to know their own limitations" and when it comes to shooting deer at any kind of distance, you are more than correct...

We practice shooting literally thousands of rounds of ammo a year at long range and some of our "targets" are as follows:

600 yds: soda pop cans...

700 yds: Castrol quart motor oil jugs full of water - turned sideways...

800 yds: Castrol quart motor oil jugs full of water - face forward...

900 yds: gallon milk jugs full of water...

1,000 yds: gallon milk jugs full of water...

1,100 yds: 1-gallon anti freeze jugs full of water...

1,200 yds: 1-gallon anti freeze jugs full of water...

1,300 yds: 3-gallon peanut oil jugs full of water - laid over on side...

These are "fun" targets to shoot when were not punching paper or recording wind drift or ballistic drop from changing bullets and or load. At least when shooting "jugs" full of water, you get a little satisfaction when you score a hit...

Me personally, I will usually call it quits with my 6-284 when it comes to taking a deer much past 1,000 yards and that is when my 7mm STW or 6.5-300 Weatherby really come into play...

The "bigger" guns wear custom 40X, 50X or 60X scopes that meke seeing and identifying targets a little easier. The biggest drawback to scopes with this much magnification is that they are pretty much useless at dusk and dawn...

Long-range shooting is'nt for everyone. I have several customers in the state of Pa. that shoot deer from 1,000 yards to 2,000 yards and that is their "speciality". I can't even imagine pulling the trigger on a deer at that kind of range but these group of guys do it all the time. Unlike most other people, I don't condem them for what they do but am in awe of their shooting skills and admire them for what they can do, especially with one of my rifles!!!

DAVID

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

its not for me

but igot nothin bad ta say about it

seems like a legitimate type of sport if its kept within strict discipline

nice rifle too.......ive heard of this cartridge (very impressive)

early

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

I like it. I like to add some additional to the mix. I want to shoot from the ground and carry like a regular hunter. Mine is a Savage 12BVSS in 300 WSM with a Burris XTR 3-12x50 on it. I was getting ready for this year in Montana for Antelope or Deer, but didn't dget the tag. [:'(]

With a rangefinder and good equipment, even from the ground, one can hit a ways out. My goal is to get to 1000, but probably would have limited myself to ~500 this year.

Something one needs to consider. While we are all told you need a wizbang bullet for big game, some match bullets are reported to kill pretty well once they slow down due to their light jackets.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

This thread is inspiring me to get a Marlin 336...

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

:D:D:D

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Hey, I got the Marlin this morning, put my scope on it - now just got to get it sighted in for hunt. Yippee!

I think I'll stick to <200yards, though.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Hell, put a peep sight on it and go for the 1500 yard deer shot. One might just run into the bullet. :DI would keep it down to 1760 yards Max though. A mile is plenty far for a 30-30.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Why are you guys trashing long range hunting? It can be done well.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

But 90 percent of the time its done wrong by rambo want to be's. I can see Long range if people mean 500 yards and have that much room to practice at that range a lot. But when we start talkin a mile and more, that a whole different can of worms.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

1000 yards? Sure it can be done but buy only probably less than 1% of the hunters out there. There are so many variables that come into play and conditions must be perfect. Heck a 10 mph crosswind will drift a bullet 3-4 FEET at 500 yards. Now take into account if the animal moves even a little.
A person really must be accomplished in this discipline to even comtemplating 1000yd. shots at any big game.

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Let me give you an example of how much even your heart rate can have an effect on long-range shooting by a test that I did a couple of years ago...

Having one of our rifles, which weigh an average of 29 pounds, set on the bench and in shooting position (unloaded and with the bolt removed for safety reasons), using two way radio communication, we set up two 1-gallon milk jugs at 1,000 yards. With only hand pressure used in gripping the stock, with no cheek or shoulder pressure whatsoever touching the gun. With the scopes cross hairs set centered on one jug, I would radio Phil and have him move one jug while I stayed centered on the other. What I was doing was testing to see how far off target just the pulse in your hand would make the cross hairs jump. With me holding centered on one jug and the cross hairs jumping over to the other jug, there was 21 feet of movement between the two jugs with the cross hairs bouncing back and fourth between the two and like I said, this was only with me "lightly" gripping the stock...

EVERYTHING comes into play when shooting long range, espacially to some 1,000+ yards....

DAVID

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

Wow! Your heart must beat a lot harder than mine. 21 feet at 1,000 yards means that it would be moving the rifle 2.1 feet at 100 yards. Did you just climb a steep hill?

RE: 1,000 yard deer rifle...
 

No Sir, I did not climb a steep hill. The test was just to prove how much of an effect a relatively tight grip on the stock would effect long range accuracy....

DAVID