RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

7mm mag, would be like AT&T, reach out and touch someone

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Well good for pronghorns and Wyoming, I'm talking abuot deer here.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Well, take west Texas and mule deer then!If you are hunting there it is flat brush country and mountains I had that happen to me.A good mulie was 400 yards away and as me and my buddy bearlyyyy moved to get into position to shoot,he was gone up a mountain!!!LIKE THAT!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

To the bowhunters lets flip this around for a second. 20-30 is about what most call an average comfort zone much like 200 and under for the rifle shooter. Lets call this a fair comparison for debate. If you had an LRF reading of 50yards, perfect conditions, practiced and confident that you could makethe presentedbroadside shot...WOULD YOU TAKE IT?
Ifyes why?
If No, why not?

Pls include info of where you hunt, what, etc.The more info the better.

Heckeven rifle hunters chime inwhere, what,etc.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Should I throw you a party? You trying to win a case here or something? I gave my opinion, no need for you to debate with me. My God.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

It would be backstraps on the grill that evening and a trophy on my wall.

This is a no-brainer.

Gun of choice would be my Browning A-Bolt 7mm Rem Mag with a handload of Nosler 140gr Accubonds.

But then again, my buddies and I all handload all our ammo, and we place 20 ounce pop bottles filled with water at 300, 350, 400 yards and kick back an bust 'em shooting off our backpacks for fun.

To all those who said to stalk closer you obviously haven't hunted flat-open country or out West.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

No. Not consistent enough at 50 yards even in the best of conditions. That's 20-30 yards more of a twig to get in the way. That's 20-30 more yards for the deer to move and jump the string (I dont' care how fast the bow is). And simply for me personally if I can't be stacking them on top of eachother in practice, then I'm not shooting at that range. Also I don't practice at 50 yards because I know I'll never shoot that far.[:-]

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I like to be able to smell them before I shoot them too :D

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

THANK YOU Rammer!!!!!!!!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

would i take this shot, after a day in the woods, cold, without a proper rest, shaking due to cold and adrenaline... probably not under those circumstances.... would i take it from the bench with bags and a cup of coffee on coyote and woodchuck... all day long... i do it all summer, fall and winter with the 222 and 280 remington.... a man has to know his limitations... his equipment, his physics and his mathematics... the latter is why i always carry the trajectory chart for my load... and work on adjusting for wind drift... and i'm no "expert" i learn something new every time i shoot... to be honest.. the longest shot i've ever taken on a deer in the past 18 years of hunting... is 168 yards (GPS yardage), 2 seasons ago... 1 shot head on in the brisket with the 280... slightly offhand with a sapling for a rest and not in the most comfortable of positions... 98% of all shots i've taken hunting deer have been less than 75 yards

these are a couple of "load development" targets.. please notice loads #4 and #9... 4 rounds each group, Custom 700 remington... 35 Whelen AI, 225 grain Nosler BT, 125 yards... from the bags... i take my shooting, ethics, handloading, gunsmithing and hunting VERY seriously....

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I personally would not be interested in taking a long distance shot! I most proud of my 12 yard shot with the 870 Express I made last year! The Doe had no idea I was there and was head to toe in hunter orange! Watched her come in for 45 minutes, just wanted to see how close I could get her!

I'm sure some places out west you need to make a long distance shot, to each his own I guess!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I think that is really it in a nutshell, our area or terrain dictate what we practice and consider reasonable. I wish I still had a picture of a Huge mulie buckfrom years back. He was bedding in the middle of absoultely nothing with the prevailing wind blowing to his back. To further complicate the matters he had a harem of does situated around him as well. Stalking to withinrange was an impossible affair and we knew nothing could be done to get within range of this brute.Deer wins yet another battle!

NYBH, I have total respect for your passion and dedication towards hunting with string and sticks.Little doubt you are very proificent in the art of archery and now exactly what you need to be so. However my question was more of what I mentioned above, area, terrain and game form our opinions. I know many who consider a 50 yards shot normal in the wide open flats of Saskatchewan. I myself practicea lot further then I would never shoot, at any animal. Like you I like the slapping of shafts before I consider it a possibility. The described situation was within my possibility before I blew out my shoulder for the4th time, now 35 is as far as I'll even attempt such a perfect scenerio.Such "perfect" stituation withgun or boware quite rare to begin with, so bare in mind extreme ranges regardless of the equipment used are anything but the norm for a true hunter. I said it originally their is no room in my mind for "hope and prayer" attempts and stand by it. Shooting off a bench means nothing as if you miss oh well but animal we owe it to them to takje in account all the variables and take shots that we are 100% confident we will make good on. Thanks for your response and good luck to you:D.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

While I've already weighed in on this....I WOULD shoot...I thought I'd comment on the "stalking in closer" comments.

While every scenario is different, it's not ALWAYS impossible to stalk in closer. There will ALWAYS, however, be instances where you just never had a chance to get a shot...whether it's due to range or conditions, foliage, or even another deer walking in your bullet path...don't blame it on range or surroundings.

While it may not be the rolling hills of the western states, I've hunted pretty extensively in kansas, including western kansas, which is notorious for being flat, and dry. I've taken some fairly long shots, some over 400yrds on deer and antelope, I've also taken some very short shots.

I've also crawled on my belly for an hour and a half in ankle deep prairie grass to get within range of a herd of deer with my bow. Theyhad hungout at a little over500yrds on my LRF for almost two hours, never coming closer, so I left my blind and started crawling. I was inside the perimeterof their herd when I finally rolled up to my knees and tooka 200# 10pt from right in the middle of them. I take more time designing my outerwear for bowhunting so I'm able to do so, but it's not unreasonable to believe that if a lion can stalk for 5miles across the plains to get close enough to jump on a zebra, why can't I stalk a few hundred yardsto getwithin range to shoot a deer?

I've also had deer walk through so fast at 20yrds in more densely wooded areas that I didn't even have time to get my rifle up and get a sight picture.

Moral of my story...you can always stalk closer, but practiced shooting alleviates the need to do so.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Alot ofgood points. Terrain dictates. When I started hunting I got stuck in an open 200 acre hay field on a round bail. If you couldn't get off a 300 400 yard shot. Might as well go watch the vikes lose. But yes, around there only shots you will get off and very very few misses. So yes have to practice andknow you candrop it or don't shot.In the Marines you shoot at a target open sites 500 yards at a human size target, easly 10 out of 10 times. If you know you can do it. No problem.

Now I hunt back in the woods and my max shot range is 75 yds.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Hey now you have a teammate

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Well let me clarify in case there is any misunderstanding. I'm not bashing anyone that takes long shots. I'm not trying to come across as the "holier than thou" bowhunter[:-]. If taking long shots is your thing then by all means fire away. As long as you have practiced, you are consistently successful at those ranges, and it's legal then I have no problem with it.

I'm simply saying I could never see myself getting gratification from shooting an animal at 400 yards. Probably just the way I grew up and the type of hunting I've done all my life. Bow and shotgun only in my neck of the woods in NY. But for those of you that choose to hunt that way or have to hunt that way............... best of luck to ya and enjoy.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I hope this was directed at me! [:o]I wasn't ripping on any bowhunter nor would I, just posing a question that relates to the bowhunter mostly crowd. The point was simply to show that variances exist within all equipment in this sport and that what we practice, shoot, etc is a product of our enviroment more than anything else. If I came across disrespectful or made you feel "holier than thou" that certainly wasn't my intend and I appologize to any that felt this way.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I wouldn't take the shot. My limit with my 25-06 is about 300 yards, but I'd much prefer to keep my shots within 100 yards if at all possible.

Whether or not the deer is a trophy is irrelevant.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Name: Jim Giacolone
Ammunition used: Remington 700 in 300 Ultra Mag, J36 126 grain bullet
I shot this deer with a Remington 700 in 300 Ultra Mag. This particular rifle has a stainless steel action with 28”stainless steel barrel, a laminate stock, and a muzzle brake that extends the barrel about 1.5”. I use only the J36 126 grain bullet. Our load is 98 grains of Reloader 19. I only re-use a case one time, as we have witnessed some deformity just above the rim after 2 to 3 uses. We size and trim each case. Most of our shots in this area are long yardage. My rifle is sighted in at 3” high at 100 yards, and it is extremely accurate. We shot this load through a chronograph and recorded 3,978.00 per second from my rifle.
This was the first mule deer I shot with a J36. This particular shot was at approximately 445 yards. I missed high the first shot. I lowered my aim point to within about 2” of the top of the deer’s neck, thinking that would place the shot perfectly at that range. The second shot dropped the deer where it stood, but did not kill it. When we approached the deer it was partially paralyzed, as I had hit it almost exactly were I was aiming and serving it’s spine.
I would like to explain why I aimed high, and why I think most hunters make this same mistake when first introduced to the J36. I have taken deer and elk with factory loads. I normally would aim with trajectory compensation based on past experience. I now believe that this simply does not apply to the J36 carefully matched to an efficient powder and load, and the essential knowledge of how a particular rifle performs and its capabilities.
I can tell you that I have witnessed other hunters using the J36 with similar loads and in similar situations repeatedly shoot high in an attempt to place the shot based on bullet drop. I can also tell you that I shot a deer last season at approximately 345 yards that was truly a “one shot” kill. I aimed just above the front shoulder and little forward and hit it in that exact spot. The deer was knocked backwards about 15 feet and was dead on impact.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

this is in response to bullet_head. You shooting at a deer at 400 yards might be a bit too far for quite a few shooters, but there are definately people who can consistently shoot at 400 yards and longer. But to say shooting at a deer at 200 yards is too long is rediculous. If you're hunting with any type of big bore rifle, (30 cal or so) you should easily be able to shoot 200 yards. If you can't shoot accurately to 200 yards with a rifle, you should have your hunting privelages taken away. Thats rediculous to accuse people of being unethical for shooting at 300 and 400 yards.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

[8D] I would love to printthis all out and hang it at the local Sport Shop. 300 to 400 yard shot is as common as tying your shoes. Anybody that hunts in open praire agree with me?

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

30 cal is anything but a big bore rifle. Nor is a 30calrequired to cleanily/ethically harvest deer. Strictly based on our larger bodied deer my opinion is anything 25 cal and up is sufficent for such.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I guess your right about the big bore not being 30 cal. That wasn't really my point. I just wanted to make it clear that if you are shooting rifles like that, that you should be able to hit a deer at 200 yards very easily. I agree, you don't need a 30 cal to kill deer cleanly.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

You don't have to be on a praire, there are 1000's of power line lanes in the East Coastthat offer 300 and 400 yd shots.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Rebel Hog and upnorthmn thats what Imm talking about!!!No matter what state or what region of the world you go to,300,400, and above yard shots are common!!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Icetrey, Ithink most on here don'thave any Idea of what 300 and 400yds is!

This is my drive way, from where I am standing with the camerato the end is 1200ft (400yds). It's nothing!!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I still say too far for deer. If its a mountain goat or something like on those hunting shows then sure, go ahead and shoot. Its like a bow hunter shooting a deer at 100 yards. He might hit it in practice but never do it while hunting. Takes the fun away in my opinion. The fact about getting close. This isnt bashing anyone that does it, just my personal opinion, thats all.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

NO WAY!!!The average bow shot is about what,20 30 yards?When a rifle shooter shoots 400, THAT IS NOTHING!!!I SIGHT IN MY RIFLE AT 400 YARDS!!!UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
You guys surely dont know any thing about hunting with a gun!!!!!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I believe the opportunity for such a shot maybe be common but the taking and/or making of such a shot arenot nearly as common. IMO a 300 yards shot on game is a pretty good feat under field conditions and anything but a cake walk. The rifles are capable but that is only one piece of the puzzle and the smallest force acting interms of shooting accuracy;).

The point of my posting in this thread was not belittle those who wouldn't take the shot for whatever reasonsbut rather to say under certain circumstance some will, may or can. Personally I would love nothing more than to never worry about taking a shot of longer than 200 yards, but reality is sometimes it happens and if it is presented in the right conditions I have no problem dropping the pin.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Oh ya your right. For those of us who dont shoot that far, we will never learn to be gun hunters. I shall never pick up a gun to hunt with unless i learn to shoot 400 yards. GIVEIT UP, let us give our own OPINIONS.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Same here. Well said.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

The better question here is optics! Most of the rounds are adequate if the gun is sighted, conditions permit, and the gun is set-up with the right optics. I can't tell you how many stories I've heard of guys shooting distance with 4x power cheap optics = OOOOPS!

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I have used the 300 win for several years. Last year I took a buck and doe at 375-400 yards with the 300. I beleive the 7mmag is also good even though I have seen several deer at close ranges lost with both guns. These long range guns are good for long shots but not short range.Short rangeis strictly in the heart shots or you will be chewing on shoe leather instead of deer jerky. I love the 3006 as an al around gun just know your limits.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I have shot game form 30 yards to 400 yards with 300 and 7mm rem mags. I haven't noticed any difference between the 2. Pick the right bullet for the job and place it where it belongs you'll have no trouble collecting your jerky each time. Furtherest track jobI have had with either is 50 yards andyet to loose an animal with either. My experience and others I hunt with doesn't ressemble yours at all.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

You know of any shotguns I can use in NY to take a 400 yard shot? I would say far from "common" in ANY state or region. Regulations won't allow us to take a 200- 400 yard shot if we wanted to. (and I'm glad)

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

Well, thanks guys for all of your votes and comments. Turns out 31% of you wouldnt shoot. I find that hard to believe. The 7mmMag had next most votes 25% of you said you would shoot and with 7mmMag.
Appreciate it!:D

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

No,I would not take a shot at 400 yards,with the exception if I had shot and wounded the animal at a closer distance.I don't have the shooting skill with a rifle to feel confidant under any circumstance that I could consistently place my shot where I wished to.

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

I am mainly a bow hunter so I know about getting animals close but when using a rifle,I just want an animal I want to take in range.400 yards is in range for some people with some guns SO GET OVER IT.


The 7mm mag is probably the best gun for a 400 yard shot from your selection BUT due to the "flinch" factor(I am a wuss)[8D]I would choose a .270.I am just more accurate with it.I have taken a deer at 350 yards witthone so I know it is quite capable.The deer never took a step and I watched it drop out of the scope.[:o]

RE: 400 yard trophy?
 

What's wrong with the .338 Lapua Magnum?

I have read through all the replies and feel that some people are confusing 400 yards with 800 yards. I havekilled deer with a rifle from as close as 10 yards with thefarthest at this point in my life about 375 yards.I always try to get as close as possible, but if I am presented with a shot and I feel comfortable with myself and the conditions, I will take it.
My little brother was born 14 years after I was born so I "guided" him quite a lot over the years and yielded to shooting several deerfor him. Two yearsago he took a nice 8pt Kentucky Buck @ 326 yards with one shot from his Remington 700 .308. He wil be 14 this June.
Some people have no reason to shoot past 100 yards, but those same people have no reason to put down the ones that do.

I am voted for the 30-06.