Hm, im 21 and have hunted for 11 years. My largest buck was about a 35 year shot, yet the moose and deer I took this year were both between 250 and 300 yards. I was shooting a .300 win mag, and knockec both animals to the ground in one shot. I dont think I am an idiot, nor should I have my hunting privledges taken away. like Skeeter said, go nuts with your opinions but dont be rude about it. And yeah, stop wasting bullets @ 300 yards if you dont shoot over 75 yards. Maybe think about buying a .30-.300 too

Wouldn't have to think twice. Dead deer. I shoot long range all the time and know my gun well. I have personally taken over a dozendeer that were over 400 yds including one last year at 527 yds. Those were all clean kills and to this day, I have never missed or lost a deer with my rifle. My weapon of choice, is a H.S. Precision .270 WSM topped with a 5X22X56 Nightforce. The bullets are handloaded 130 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. Would I suggest that Joe Blow pick up grandpa's trusty ol' Winchester and fire away. Certainly not. But with good equipment, a good rest, and an experienced shooter that knows what his gun is doing at that range, thereis no reason to pass that shot. The military has been using.308s and 30-06sfor decades to shoot people at ranges much further than 400 yds. Hell, they're expected to hit targets consistently at 500 with iron sights. Don't tell me I can't hita deer at that range with a faster, flatter shooting rifle with a 22 power scope on it.

When you get to be MY age you cant even SEE 400 yars much less shoot at a buck that far away ..... however if I were going to shoot my weapon of choice would have to be the proven sholder held bazooka ...that way close would count !

dd

First: I see you have never hunted power lines!

Second: You should be using a .30-30 and not a 7-Mag if you have only shot 75yds in 10yrs of hunting!

Down here, unless you are hunting powerline/pipeline right-of-ways, Whitetail hunting is not normally a 400 yard sport, and as my friend DD said I can barely see that far anymore!!
Personally, I would not take that long of a shot! IF, you practice a lot at that range and conditions are PERFECT, then go for it!
As for making the "hail Mary" shots, that is a peeve of mine! I respect the animal and the sport too much for that!
A "no shot" is a "NO SHOT" even if its a lifetime buck!
You hear it all the time,"I wouldn't normally have tried a shot like that, but it was so big, I had to try!" BS!

WOW........ makes 20 yards with a bow seem awfully close [:-].

After reading all of the replies I think I would shoot. My friend in Missouri has 2 nice deer mounts and they were all at 300 yds. If you can shoot and see the animal through the scope ..why not. I hunt brush country though so my tirdy tirdy Marlin is all I'll ever need. If I ever move to the open country I'll buy me a gun that shoots flat at 400 yds. I believe a 270 may do the trick.if not I'll ask Rebel Hog to stir me in the right direction.
c7

300 mag

Chuck, many here have never hunted Power Lines and taken shots @ 300 or 400yds. Many have never hunted out West.

For 200-250yds I would use the .270 with a Zeiss or Leupold scope and for 300-400yds the 7mmMag with the same scopes, but them days are over for these worn out eyes.

These days I'm shooting a 6.5mm Ruger and try to keep it @ 200yds.

I'd use a 7mm-08 elk load.