RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I harvested my first bull elk last year at a 468 yards. Following the shot, the bull turned and laid down. The gun caliber was a 7mm rem mag, the bullet used was the Hornady 154 gr Interbond. The energy at impact was estimated to be above 1648 ft/lbs. I would not hesitate to take the shot again, my rifle can do it, but more importantly I can do it. I would make sure that I had a rest that was ROCK SOLID, 'prove the shot', then squeeze the trigger.

Regards,

GSjohnny

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

30-06
I have "better" guns for the situation, my .300 Win. Mag. shoots flatter and hits harder, but I have more confidence and comfort with that .30-06 than any other Centerfire in my safe...

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

My .338 Win Mag...great shooter at long ranges....I am good to about 450 but i know thwe gun can go alot farther.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I've shot game farther with my 06.......
Answer is yes and the 30-06 is more than capable....

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

No, wouldn't shoot, but there are plenty of guns and shooters capable.

I personally like to see how close I can get, not how far I can shoot, but to each his own!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I haven't read many of the other comments posted here, but I thought I'd weigh in.

I personally am comfortable shooting at 400yrds. Granted conditions have to be basically perfect, but I've taken game at those ranges a few times with no argument. I used to shoot benchrest rifle, smallbore rifle (.22lr), and 1000yrd matches, and I do a LOT of varmint hunting, I've taken coyotes out to 400, even a little beyond 600yrds on around a dozen occasions. I've also harvested a handful of deer out to 400yrds. I use a lazer rangefinder and good glass, plus loads that I've shot quite a few rounds out to that range.

Typically, no, there's no reason I couldn't get closer, but when I'm capable of putting meat on the table because I've chosen a rifle and load that will let me get it done, and I've practiced myself so I know I can get it done, there's no reason not to.

No, a normal run of the mill "1inch high at 100 is dead on at 200", shoots 5 rounds a year hunter need not apply, but there are plenty of skilled shooters that make out to 600yrds an ethical range.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

The elk I took in CO a few years ago was a little over 300 yards. I actually used a bolder with my coat on it as a rest. My target was big and I was shooting a .300 win mag. There was no breeze so I felt comfortable and took the shot. It all depends on size of game/ target, wind, rest, comfort level, etc. It may vary by person and change from time to time.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I have heard alot about how people have shot farther than that and dropped them dead in their tracks.And I have personally dropped a whitetail from 489yds.But I still hear how people wouldnt think about the shot.
I live in south Texas but own a ranch near Uvalde and there if you had good enough equipment you can shoot deer from wayyyyyy farther than 400,but I still hear about how people say you have to be stupid to shoot at an animal that far.You are open to your opinions but dont shoot others down because they have more shooting skills than you possibly or just because you dont like what they say!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

300 ultra mag can handle the shot with the right finger pulling the trigger,

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I've never shot that far. I would personally try to stalk him and get closer if possible. Once I was within about 200-250 yards, then I might shoot. But, that is me. I have seen videos where guys shoot something up to 900 yards away and drop it. They are extremely good, but in my situation, no way.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

i dont own a rifle ., i have a bow and muzzleloader., so i dont take long shots., but i have never told anybody what they can or cant or should do!if you can make the 400 shot good for you ., if you cant make the shot and wont take it ., good for you ., its all about enjoying the outdoors.,and it really ticks me off when i see people name call and or what ever to fellow sportsman,.opinon? opinons are good to a point., but leave it at that ., good luck to you all this year hunting weather it be a 20 yard shot or a 400 yard shot!!!! BE SAFE!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Well i would pick 7mm mag but i my furthest shot was at a monster mule deer I shot him across a ravine at 386 yards and drilled him through the shoulder dropped him then he rolled straight down to the river at the bottom long long long night

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

300 Win Mag, or my 7MM Mag I would.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Thanks, I feel beter about my self now. I see way too many threads get out of hand and just plain silly at times and everyone seems to forget the reason the thread was started!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

My stand is a home built permanent stand on private land. I have placed 1"X6" decking boards the entire perimeter at a height that is perfect to shoot from sitting on a 5 gal bucket. This is why I will take these longer shots. Without that rest, I would just watch the deer walk on by! She wasquoting me.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

NYB, I can only speak for myself but the day their is no adrenaline, satisfaction, etc will be the last day I hunt. I get pumped watching deer through my spotting scope or binos scouting. Hey, like I said previously it is an addiction for me. More to the point long shots are anything but the norm for me, 200 or undermakes upthe majority of my gun hunting. My big game long shots have come on open plain hunts, mule deer or antelope where I may have belly crawled or snuck to the closest spot possible to then deciede if I shoot or retreat. I have retreated more times than I shot b/c not feeling confident in the situation at hand. Of those times where I took the shot I had the same feeling as I do everytime I harvest an animal, thankfulness and pumped, of course. Only difference is a longer walk to put my tags on;).

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

The only way I would consider shooting that far is if trhe deer was already wounded and the situation could not get worse. I shoot a 270 most of the time.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

From Deerslayer223



My first elk. - 10/23/2006 10:19:16 PM








showPicture("10/23/2006 10:19:16 PM",0,0,0,1754892,5)


deerslayer223

titleAndStar(944,0,false,false,"","")
Non Typical



[align=center][/align]
Posts: 944
Joined: 2/12/2003
From: Western PA
Status: offline
I shot this bull on a trip through hunt of a lifetime. I hunted with big canyon outfitters in coalville utah. It was one heck of a trip and I hope to go back again here someday soon. One shot from my 270win at 379 yards and down the hill he rolled. He's no monster but he makes a fine first bull in my opinion. He's a clean 5x5.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I would either shoot me 7mm wsm or my 257 weatherby mag

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

i would stalk it until either the wind changed and it didnt smell me and take about a 200 yard shot

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I would use my trusty Ruger .44Mag carbine....No problemo!

I have consistently shot deer at 40 yds and even once atalmost 50.

Oh, it said 400 yds....... nevermind.

Seriously...answer = no shot.

I never practice at that distance. My greatest distance was 70 yds with my M/L.

All other deer were taken well within 40 yds.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Last year, as we were skinning a deer a friend killed, there was a comotion in my dads cow pasture. I grabbed my A-bolt .300 win mag and went to check it out. I topped a hill, and a pack of dogs bolted through a tree line into an open field. I sprinted fifty yards to get to the tree line, propped a hand on the tree trunk and laid my riffle over my hand. The pack stopped at 300 yards, where I dropped one. They ran, and stopped again at 500 yards, where I dropped another.

I would have no trouble shooting at a deer at 400 yards with that riffle.

*Disclaimer: A lot of people do not like killing dogs. This particular pack had recently killed a calf of my dads.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

7mm STW. Killed one out at 500 with it before.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I find it amusing how some posters judge others abilities based on their own abilities.Just because you don't have the skill to make a 400 yard shot doesn't mean that no one else does.I hunt deer with the 7mmstw,and I practise regularly to 500 yards.I use a laser rangefinder so yardage estimation is not a factor.With a solid rest and a favorable wind,I would have no problems shooting big game to 500 yards.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I would use any of them except the .243....

For me to take a 400 yard shot at a game animal the conditions would need to be near ideal and I would have to feel real comfortable. I tend to stick with the notion of not taking a shot you can't see hair on.

I shoot a lot of highpower and long range from the 600 yard line but shooting at a game animal is different.

My longest good oppurtunity was at an antelope I took at 320 yards with a 270WSM.

Every hunter and shooter has to make his own decision based on his skills and then live with the outcome.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Most shots out west for antelope are at least 300 yard shots.
If you practice, practice, and practice, know your ammo, your gun, and the surrounding conditions, it isn't that hard to reach out and touch them.
My longets gun shot at a deer was 246 yards according to my trusty range finder. He dropped in his tracks. If you aren't comfortable with long shots then by all means don't take them. But to say people that do are morons is ridiculous.
Good luck to you.
Mac

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

And what do rifle buyers want?
[ol][*]Accuracy: a rifle is supposed to hit a small target at a long distance. For instance, the “vitals” of a whitetail deer are only 8 to 10 inches in diameter, and sometimes such game is shot at distances as long as 500 yards.[*]Durability: a rifle is generally regarded as something that can be passed down to one’s children without needing major repairs. Note: most WWI rifles produced are still very much usable, in spite of their century-old status.[*]Reliability: a rifle must function. With the tremendous expense often associated to big-game hunts, a rifle must do its part when the chips are down.[*]Good cartridges: game must be brought down effectively and humanely. Fortunately, all rifle manufacturers offer rifles in good, proven cartridges.[*]Aesthetics: a rifle is often seen as an object of pride and a carrier of tradition. Good wood, polished metal and clean lines are therefore important.[*]Good sighting systems. While earlier rifles were shot with open sights, now the norm is scopes. Scopes are not integral part of the rifle. Therefore, the “attachment” systems must be rock-solid and be as accurate, durable and reliable as the whole ensemble.[*]Value. [/ol]

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

7mm-08 will knock em down i have a buddy with 250 to 300 yard shots regularly on a clear cut and knocks em down everyime so not unethical at all

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

M24 weapon of choice Leupold Mil-Dot, scope

My furthest kill was 867meters 20"x40" steel plate

400 yds would be a walk in the park

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I have to start by talking about some of my hunting buddies around where I live. I set up targets for them to shoot at my house its the place to slght in as they say. Last year just to see there reaction I put targets out to 400 yards. They all said the same thing when they pulled up, How far is that 1000 yards, I am not saying everyone is that way but they all are. There are some great marksmen in the deer hunting world around here the claims of 500 yard shots are rampid !!! Some even with a 30-30 with open sights. I am by no means saying it cant be done cause I am sure it has.
I am practicing to shoot long range competitions And I can tell you after 300 yards with out proper scope crosshairs it starts to cover the target real fast. Now I now I am not the best shot in the world but I shoot alot. I am having a hard time just keeping my groups under 4 feet at 800 yards. It is very disappointing to drive to your target and there is a unaccounted bullet,and that is on a 4x8 sheet of plywood.I know my hunting buddies dont mount the scopes that it would reqire to make those shots. They dont even know what alapping tool is used for, or scope alining tools.Even though they would try, these are the same oneswho at 100 yards shoota 4 in group and say that will kill a deer. I would take the shoot from my stand cause I have actually practiced from there at that range. I know that sounds silly but I like real world experinces. I am an exArmy Ranger and I to have went to sniper school. (That is a great experence to have. ) I was tought some great shooting techniques .I like using the skills I was taught from my father and the army to try and place myself closer to my targets (ie; deer ).Would I try that shot -Hell yes cause I know my round and my abilities. Would I say anybody Hell no not the average hunter in my area. Here is my .220 swift targrt at 100 yards

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I forgot to tell you that those are 3 round groups

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

7mm STW

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

My 7mm stw with the shepherd scope.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

good ol 300 win mag

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I agree with you 1000%. Thats why I highly respect us bowhunters, we know how to get within 20 yards. We dont have to settle for 400 yard shots. And besides at 400 yards, you might as well not worry about your scent, go ahead and talk, and where anything you want, cuz thats a hell of a distance.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I personally would never take the shot unless I have more experience with my gun and knew how it shot at all distances. I'm new to hunting and don't even know of a 400 yard distance anywhere I hunt. Maybe I could see it if I knew my gun better, I was out West or somewhere I could glass game and make a good shot. I can't wait to get better and more knowledgable with my gun and maybe make a 150-200 yard shot sometime later in my career. I think ifone knows their gun well enough andis a good shot out to that distance than more power to them. Ifnot then let the game walk b/c it would be a sin toshoot at such a beautiful animal, not find it and have it rot away somewhere in the woods.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I was surprised to go through all those posts and no one mentioned my caliber of choice for a 400 yard shot - .50 BMG.
Maybe that's what the M24 of desertloper was - I'm not familiar with the nomenclature.
Anyway, it's been an interesting thread. Even more interesting to me is how so many get so excited and, well - downright nasty when they have a disagreement with someone else. No wonder so many of our kids have taken to violent video games - they learned it from us!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

kdsberman, go to Wyoming or any other state and hunt pronghorns and dont where camo and scent killer and see how long you see him at 400,he wont be there long!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

jaybe,I completely forgot about .50!!!!It completely slipped my mind!!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

.325 or .300 WSM