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.270 range

Old 02-08-2011, 06:58 AM
  #11  
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Ya'll are making a huge deal out of something that isn't. If he wants to shoot out to 250yards, that gun will do it just fine. NO one is saying anything about ridiculous hold over. Everyone that mentioned hold over so far is still aiming on the deers chest, just in the upper portion. 260yards is just fine assuming he holds good groups at 100. The OPs question was if his rifle was capable of that and if others have taken deer that far with a .270. The answer is yes.
-Jake
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Old 02-08-2011, 08:20 AM
  #12  
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The ruler function on google earth is a handy tool to use. Just measure the distance from your stand in approximation to certain landmarks (trees, ponds, ditches, etc.). The trick, though, is that the ballistics information on your box of ammunition is just the general behavior of the bullet, and it may not applicable to all guns so you'll need to get a box of bulk ammo and practice at longer ranges and in a variety of wind conditions. As much as I like to pride myself as a decent shooter from the bench, it's a different ballgame when there's a deer out that far and the adrenaline starts seeping into your system. I have found that if I am going to shoot over 200 yards, I like to be on the ground and shooting with a bipod. Those minor shakes and bad trigger pulls that cause a shot to go one or two minutes from the bullseye at 100 yards REALLY get amplified at 300 yards.
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Old 02-08-2011, 09:54 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by homers brother
Ever try to put that kind of elevation into your average, off-the-shelf hunting optic?
....yes
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Old 02-08-2011, 11:31 AM
  #14  
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If you practice shooting paper enough at various distances, until you feel confident in your abilities, the .270 will do the rest.


It has for many & for a lot of years !
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Old 02-08-2011, 12:24 PM
  #15  
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Power wise, you have plenty.

Sighted in as you are, do what Ridge Runner says.

If this is a common scenario for your hunting, I'd bump that zero up to 3" high at 100, then you'd be just about 3" high at 200, and only 3" low at 300, assuming about 3,000 fps. Then if he steps out at 300 or less, center the chest with the crosshairs and squeeze. Practice enough so you know you can do it.
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Old 02-08-2011, 12:57 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by JOE PA
Power wise, you have plenty.

Sighted in as you are, do what Ridge Runner says.

If this is a common scenario for your hunting, I'd bump that zero up to 3" high at 100, then you'd be just about 3" high at 200, and only 3" low at 300, assuming about 3,000 fps. Then if he steps out at 300 or less, center the chest with the crosshairs and squeeze. Practice enough so you know you can do it.
I agree, take the guess work out of it sight as Joe say's and the rifle will do the rest!
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Old 02-08-2011, 05:41 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by homers brother
Ever try to put that kind of elevation into your average, off-the-shelf hunting optic? This kind of hunting (700-900 yards) isnt for the average Joe with average equipment.
I dug up some info for a little light reading... All are what I’d call “average joe” worthy scopes, 3-9x40mm scopes for $250 or less.

Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm: 50MOA
Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm: 60MOA
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40mm: 50MOA (Mine is ACTUALLY 78MOA)
Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Leupold VX-I/VX-II 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Redfield Revolution 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Simmons Aetec 2.8-10x44mm: 80MOA
Simmons Prohunter 3-9x40mm: 60MOA

I’ll admit, there are some “weird” models out there that have way more or way less internal adjustment (Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x40mm only has 20MOA), but 50-60MOA is a pretty typical internal adjustment range for the “average scope”. Another upside for the “average joe” is that more and more manufacturers are swapping out the traditional socketed dial-type adjusters in favor of finger-knob type adjusters, making windage and elevation doping adjustments much easier to make on the fly.

Whenever I’m in the need for a new scope, I evaluate a new scope’s internal adjustment against the total drop of the cartridge I’m using for a given range I plan to use it for (total drop, not just drop below a 100yrd zero). For a 50MOA scope, I count on being able to use at least 20MOA for drop correction, but could never exceed 25MOA.

Besides a $250 or less 3-9x40mm scope, I’d also venture that the “average joe’s average equipment” will be a standard weight bolt action rifle from one of the major manufacturers using mid-grade factory ammo pushing a 6mm to 30cal cartridge from 90-150grn (BC = 0.35-0.45) at 2700 to 3400fps.

So a little more reading… Here’s the maximum ranges based on some “average” cartridges based on an “average” scope with 50MOA adjustment range (range where total drop exceeds 20-25MOA):

.223rem 55grn (BC=0.25) @ 3325fps: 650-700 (I use a 60MOA scope with a mil-dot reticle to shoot P-dogs out to 800yrds)

.243win 90grn (BC=0.38) @ 3100fps: 675-750

6.5x55mm Swede 140grn (BC=0.41) @ 2700fps: 575-650yrds

.25-06rem 120grn (BC=0.41) @ 3100fps: 700-800yrds

.270win 130grn (BC=0.45) @ 3100fps: 725-825yrds

7mm Mauser 145grn (BC=0.45) @ 2800fps: 600-700yrds

.308win/.30-06 150grn (BC=0.42) @ 3100fps: 625-700yrds (I use a Nikon 80MOA to shoot 1,000yrds in a .308win with no angled base)

Jumping up to a 60MOA scope adds about 100-150yrds to every one of the above
ranges. Jumping up to an 80MOA scope ranges the .223 and the 6.5x55 up to at least 800yrds, and ranges the other cartridges up to 900-1,000yrds+.

So, getting an “average scope” to cover a .270win out to 700-900yrds isn’t anything special.

MOST rifles from the major manufacturers are capable of shooting 1.-1.5MOA with at least ONE suitable factory hunting load (8-12” group at 800yrds). Just on the fringe of accurate enough for a deer’s vital area.

And I know I’m going to catch flak for this, but even the .243win has as much energy at 800yrds as a .357mag at 50yrds… more than enough to seal the deal with a vitals shot.

On the other hand, the “average joe” doesn’t have access to a 400yrd shooting range, let alone a 1,000yrd range. So the “average joe” hasn’t practiced the skills to shoot that far.

Moral of the story, the “average scope” will have plenty of adjustment to get the “average joe” on target with his “average rifle”, so the "average joe" can't blame his "average equipment" for his own lack of shooting ability...
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Old 02-08-2011, 06:56 PM
  #18  
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260 yards is a breeze for the cartridge... the problem lies with the shooter. It isnt a range just anyone should shoot at but as Ridge and some others pointed out.. with a little practice and preparation its very doable. My furthest kill with a 270 was just a shade above 400. However I do shoot at almost that range very frequently.
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Old 02-08-2011, 07:28 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Nomercy448
Moral of the story, the “average scope” will have plenty of adjustment to get the “average joe” on target with his “average rifle”, so the "average joe" can't blame his "average equipment" for his own lack of shooting ability...
Now, while I'm sure you're pretty proud of all that stuff you wrote, for starters let's clear one thing up. I don't recall that I either specified or insinuated that most scopes don't allow adequate internal adjustment to be suitable for shooting at long ranges. You simply assumed that's what I said.

How about we take one of those you list and try this at home. Since I have four of them, and because I know a lot of "average" guys who have them too, we'll just pick the VX-2, eh? Now, walk me through the process by which you'll apply all that dope to get my .243 out to 800. Let's start with the part where you unscrew the turret caps and dig the dime out of your pocket.

Now, quickly, tell me again how much drop we have at 800 yards? That's how many MOA? I prefer mils, but maybe that's just me. Don't tell me that you have to refer to some kind of trajectory chart that I mentioned previously?! Given that most factory loads aren't provided data beyond 500 yards, we're probably going to have to plug this thing into an exterior ballistics program to make 800. No problem though, most "average" hunters have those....

I'll give you that a couple of the optics on your list probably do bridge some of the gap between the older-style turrets and true target or tactical turrets, but it remains that they are not the norm as of this moment. Until such time as that feature becomes the standard, those "average" optics are at a decided disadvantage in their utility for long-range dope.

And now back to my point, a simple chart embedded in the shooters mind and affixed somewhere on the shooter's rifle lest he forget, detailing trajectory out to 500 yards, is all that most hunters need to engage 95% of the situations they'll encounter, particularly in a hunting environment where there may not be time to apply all that dope, especially if you're faced with fumbling for turret caps and dimes.
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Old 02-08-2011, 07:32 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Doe Dumper
260 yards is a breeze for the cartridge... the problem lies with the shooter.
Without a doubt, and the shooter can significantly improve their chances with a modest amount of practice at that range.
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