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RE: 400 yard trophy?
For me personally I would not shoot at 400 yds. There are so many minor variables that can affect the slug at that distance. I'm not saying it can't be done. I know there is the "beyond belief" boys who show this all the time. With the right equipment, much practice and ideal conditions I'm sure the shot can be made. I just don't want to do that and have the wind or something that isn't clearly visible deflect the slug and end up with a wounded animal you might not find before it'sbeen expired for a day of laying dead trying to track it down.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
200 yards is not even a problem with either a 7mm Rem Mag or 300 Mag so if I'm confident in my weapon and my skill and no my trajectory and can calculate the wind conditions then a 400 yard shot isn't at all out of the question, especially if it's that trophy of a life time. BTW, I am no sniper.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I'd shoot a deer at half a mile if I had the perfect conditions.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: travisville I'd shoot a deer at half a mile if I had the perfect conditions. I have seen two peoplemake 1shot kills on deerat least 800 yards. One with '06 and one with 264WinMag |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
I read through most of the responces and figured I'd weigh in with some comments.
I've taken several deer in the 300-350 yd. range with the '06. I'm also an avid archery hunter with many deer to my credit. I can understand the "thrill" in getting close, To me, the long range shot with a rifle is not as exciting as a close up shot. The only pride I feel is making the shot with a witness or two present. I've taken a couple deer at around 350 yds while I had a fellow hunter present. They would look through their scope and say, " No way". I'd pull out the range finder and get the yardage. They wouldn't shoot and said it was too far. I'd ask if they minded and take the shot. Their reaction is the same. They say they couldn't believe it. I had one guy that witnessed my shot, decide to take a shot at another deer an hour later, from the same spot. I lent him my tripod and instructed him to hold over the deer just enough to see daylight. He shot and down it went. Some guys that post against taking such shots probably don't get out and practice at long ranges. They sight their gun in at 100yds. and that's it. They don't hunt groundhogs or take any long range shots. They don't practice at any target past 100 yds. If not that is your choice but don't condem people that do. I do agree that many guys exagerate that distance a shot actually was. I range finder takes all the guess work out of that. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: bullet_head First, I wouldn't even fathom the thought of shooting a deer that far. Second, what someone else already posted. If I wasn't a good enough hunter to get closer than 400 yards, I wouldn't bother hunting. Matter of fact, I'd give my guns away. Third, I normally hunt with a 7mm and I've never had to shoot more than 75 yards in 10 years of gun hunting. Fourth, I don't understand what the purpose of this thread is. 300 yards........I'd have to be damn confident and sure of myself and hope that God was watching over me and to make sure the wind was just right and I was more than 100% sure of my gun....get the picture?. 400 yards.....just plain retarded and unethical. Finally, hell, even at 200 yards if a "huge" deer came out, I doubt very seriously I'd take the shot. I had a real nice 10pt walk out in front of my stand at 175 yards two years ago, and I didn't even raise my gun other than to look through the scope. Yes, I shoot at paper targets out to 300 yards but a paper target from the dollar store verses a live deer are two whole different worlds. Plus, I have a tremendous amount of respect for wildlife. My point; anyone that shoots at a deer that far IMHO is an idiot and needs to have their hunting privileges taken away for life. Anyone that does that obviously doesn't have ANY respect for the animal, much less themselves. They don't care if they kill the animal, they don't care if it runs off wounded, they don't care if they completely miss. They are just worried about telling their buds at the local coffee shop the story. Its pathetic and I see these types of hunters all the time and they make me sick and I have no use for people like that. dude if you dont take shots past 75 yards why do you have a 7mm? |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
If you could shoot a deer that far, hunting wouldn't be a challenge anymore. That would be bull.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
Christensen arms custom one 308 warbird longest shot well over 400. Didn't take a step. On video shot at 383doesn't even take a second thought. If you cant shoot dontif you can do. Who is anyone to say that its wrong or that thier better. Not everyone can play pro ball and most people cant shoot those ranges but just because you cant dont knock those that can. It doesn't make you a better hunter. Get off your soap box and go to the range.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I've taken one whitetail at close to 400 yards. I had bene practiceing all summer and fall long at shooting longer distances. Working on form and and squeezeing the trigger. The gun I shot him with was a 243 savage varmit gun. Very very accurate.There was very little wind. I was actually laying on my back, on the back side of a farm pond dam with the gun propped up against a tree for a rest. In other words I was rock solid and knew that if I did my part that deer was going no where. Which is exactly what happened. The bullet destroyed one front shoulder and the lungs. Would I take that shot again? Yes if I had been practiceing like I was all summer and had that rock solid rest with little to no wind. Without a rock solid rest there is no way in hell I would even consider a long range shot. Only under special circumstances. There was also no way in hell to get closer to that deer. In some locations, especially out west or in the midwest. Shooting longer ranges becomes part of hunting and is widely accepted. This is because there is simply no way to get closer to the animals. You go book a elk, mule deer, or antelope out west, (depending on your location), your guide may very well expect you to shoot to 300 yards.
Not everyone should attempt a long range shot. I think we all agree on that. I do belive if you KNOW you can make that shot then its up to you if you want to take it. One must know thier limitations and abide by those.I bow hunted for years and had to quit due to health issues. I will say I get way more of an adrenline rush from haveing the critters close than shooting them at 400 yards. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
25-06 Rem....good flat shooting, with little bullet drop even at 400yds...
If the conditions where just right and I had a chance at a "monster" I might would try... |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
my 243 wssm with 55 grain bullets drops i think drops 1 inch at 400 yards
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
The shooting of a deer size target at 400 yards is not difficult with the right stuff. We spend the summers shooting wood chucks from 200-600 yards .
The point being hitting a deer with a nosler bullet from my Model 70 264 win mag with 6.5 X 20 Leupold scope is something I would look forward to. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
It has been mentioned several times, that shooting a deer at long range is not a challenge.
Some on here feel that hunting is all about the challenge. If they really felt this way, they should sell their high powered rifles and get Flintlock muzzleloaders. They you can preach about challenge. Hunting is more than just about challenge. I for one, hunt for venison. I'm not a trophy hunter. A big rack is nice for bragging rights or to put on the wall but I like deer meat. I enjoy making jerky and trying new recipes. I hunt with Rifles, muzzleloaders and archery tackle. I enjoy hunting with each weapon. What I really like is after hunting during the archery season and seeing many deer out of range. When Rifle season rolls around, it's time to reach out and touch something. Practice is the key to being able to shoot well at long range. Spending time thinning the groundhogpopulation, during the summer,is good practice. It is good to see some hunters with self imposed limits but you guys need to get out and practice at longer ranges. Try shooting water filled milk and soda bottles. You might just surprise yourself on what that rifle can do out to 300-400yds. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
i live in OH and we can only use shotguns and m/l so i wouldnt and couldnt.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: whitetailstalker14 i live in OH and we can only use shotguns and m/l so i wouldnt and couldnt. Ditto that here in Iowa and I only have a 20ga. If I wanted to hit something at 400 yards, I'd have to aim 20 yards over it and hope for a strong tailwind! 80 yards is the upper limit of what I'd attempt and only with a clear, clean shot with little or no wind. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
Youre right kdsberman, Ill let you guys post your opinions. Sorry for anyone who might have to any offence
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
300 ultra mag
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
i think most people are not prepared for that kind of shot.i my case ive spent time on my blind building bench rests for all my windows.i have a spotting scope to judge anything before i pull the gun up.i know i'm going to hunt a 1000 acre wheat field before every season,and i practice at all ranges. i use a 300 weatherby,and have never wounded anything yet.but at that distance it is possible;you have to be confident or let it walk!
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I agree, it's all about the hunter. Coming from eastern Montana, (the part not in the mountains), sometimes there isn't a tree within two miles of where you are hunting whitetail. You have to get as close as you can, and sometimes that's 30 yds, sometimes it's 400 yds. I would take the shot if I felt good about it, but I would try to get closer if I could. I would easily take a shot at 300 yds or less. Past that, it just depends.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: bullet_head First, I wouldn't even fathom the thought of shooting a deer that far. Second, what someone else already posted. If I wasn't a good enough hunter to get closer than 400 yards, I wouldn't bother hunting. Matter of fact, I'd give my guns away. Third, I normally hunt with a 7mm and I've never had to shoot more than 75 yards in 10 years of gun hunting. Fourth, I don't understand what the purpose of this thread is. 300 yards........I'd have to be damn confident and sure of myself and hope that God was watching over me and to make sure the wind was just right and I was more than 100% sure of my gun....get the picture?. 400 yards.....just plain retarded and unethical. Finally, hell, even at 200 yards if a "huge" deer came out, I doubt very seriously I'd take the shot. I had a real nice 10pt walk out in front of my stand at 175 yards two years ago, and I didn't even raise my gun other than to look through the scope. Yes, I shoot at paper targets out to 300 yards but a paper target from the dollar store verses a live deer are two whole different worlds. Plus, I have a tremendous amount of respect for wildlife. My point; anyone that shoots at a deer that far IMHO is an idiot and needs to have their hunting privileges taken away for life. Anyone that does that obviously doesn't have ANY respect for the animal, much less themselves. They don't care if they kill the animal, they don't care if it runs off wounded, they don't care if they completely miss. They are just worried about telling their buds at the local coffee shop the story. Its pathetic and I see these types of hunters all the time and they make me sick and I have no use for people like that. thats good but where i hunt(alberta)if you see a good sized deer you take the shot it might be the only one you get but i really dont like shot at deer over 200 yards |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
30-06 Federal HE -180 NOS
Shoots flatter than the 270 hits harder than 300 win mag at that yardage!! |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
Regarding the original question; A vast majority of hunter can not accurately judge, letalone shoot 400 yards. A few can and when they can, then go ahead and shoot if you can't get any closer. But most of us should not even consider a 400 yard shot.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
You bet...
And with any of those cal listed in your poll....... Incl the .308 and 7mm-08 as well..... |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
it would depend on the angle or how much of the rack i can see....if i did shoot it would be with a 45-70
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
Who in the world would be shooting at big game with a .45-70 out to 400 yds. This is a post Civil War carbine caliber. No stretch of the imagination would call this a flat shooting caliber. It's more like an inverted "U" !
Look at your charts. A .45-70 405 gr soft point at 400 yds is 918 ft./sec (slow), 758 ft/lbs of energy. If it were zeroed at 100 yds, at 400 yds it would be 170 inches below zero point of aim!! Thats over 14 ft. of drop! You'd never kill a big game or much else at that distance with this caliber. Better look for a .300 WM, 7 mm mag or other rifle that actually can carry that far with a reasonable probability with practice could hit a paper target at 400 yds. Then let that trophy animal youshould show some respect to pass on by rather than take some wild shot with a caliber from the 19th century. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: kshunter Regarding the original question; A vast majority of hunter can not accurately judge, letalone shoot 400 yards. A few can and when they can, then go ahead and shoot if you can't get any closer. But most of us should not even consider a 400 yard shot. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
Shot a Doe in ALa. this past week, 442 yds. 7mm STW!
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I would try to get at least 100 yards closer. If I couldn't, he might be even bigger the next time we meet. Never have seen an anmal that I had to kill. If I take a trophy, it will be on my terms. I will pass for now.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
Most of the time a debate like this ends up being a West vs East style of shooting. Out west alot of shots are taking beyond 200yds. In the East alot of shots are under 100yds. So when one guy say i shota deer at 400yds the other guy is in disbelief. Then makes a comment like oh he's not a good hunter if he can't get no closer than 400yds. Guys that make those comments have never hunted antelope in the open prairie or mule deer at timberline where there's absolutely no cover beyond where your at. Sure most of the time there's a way to get closer. But sometimes when that monster buck is out there and there's no way to get to him or time is critical, you have better practiced for those shots or there goes your chance at a really nice trophy.
That being said no one should shot beyond their capable means. That to me means being able to hit a what your aiming at 99% of the time. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
My ultimate goal is to take one past 1000yds. At this time my equipment will get me out to about 600, but the longest shot I have taken was at 440yds. Every cartrige listed there is capable of a 1 shot kill at 400 yards, but the shooter better know what he's doing.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I would ratherlearn how to stalk and hunt, then fire no more then say 250 yards. I would get way more pleasure learning more about the animal and be able to track it down and get closer in on it then to launch a pebble at 1000 yards, is ridiculous.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
Although it takes for practice than most would put in, The old 45-70 killed thousands of Buffalo. This with Black Powder loads traveling at 1200-1300 fps. ME doesn't mean as much when a 500 grain chunk of lead hits something. Would the 45-70 be a good choice for modern hunters for long range shooting? Probably not but its ability is governed by the shooters skill rather than caliber. Long range target shooting with Black Powder loads is a blast and we often shoot targets out to 800 yards to practice for the Quigley shoots. There are many matches where they shoot 1000-1200 yards with the 45-70 and the old Sharps cartridges. There were no 300 Mags or 7MM Mags when the bison was nearly shot into extinction.
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
Brother, I've taken more deer inside of 20 yards with a rifle and bow than most people will ever see in a lifetime. To me, there's more of a challenge in doing something you've never done beforethan the same old thing over and over. I'll continue to bow hunt during archery season, and will also continue to hone my long range ability for a different challenge. To live inside you're own little pebble sized mind with no room for expansion is what is truly ridiculous.
ORIGINAL: M77man I would ratherlearn how to stalk and hunt, then fire no more then say 250 yards. I would get way more pleasure learning more about the animal and be able to track it down and get closer in on it then to launch a pebble at 1000 yards, is ridiculous. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: kingofspring Brother, I've taken more deer inside of 20 yards with a rifle and bow than most people will ever see in a lifetime. To me, there's more of a challenge in doing something you've never done beforethan the same old thing over and over. I'll continue to bow hunt during archery season, and will also continue to hone my long range ability for a different challenge. To live inside you're own little pebble sized mind with no room for expansion is what is truly ridiculous. ORIGINAL: M77man I would ratherlearn how to stalk and hunt, then fire no more then say 250 yards. I would get way more pleasure learning more about the animal and be able to track it down and get closer in on it then to launch a pebble at 1000 yards, is ridiculous. TRUE !! to kingofspring's comment. |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
ORIGINAL: kingofspring Brother, I've taken more deer inside of 20 yards with a rifle and bow than most people will ever see in a lifetime. To me, there's more of a challenge in doing something you've never done beforethan the same old thing over and over. I'll continue to bow hunt during archery season, and will also continue to hone my long range ability for a different challenge. To live inside you're own little pebble sized mind with no room for expansion is what is truly ridiculous. ORIGINAL: M77man I would ratherlearn how to stalk and hunt, then fire no more then say 250 yards. I would get way more pleasure learning more about the animal and be able to track it down and get closer in on it then to launch a pebble at 1000 yards, is ridiculous. Anyway, I'llbethe first to admit that I am an in-experienced hunter having hunted from a tower blind with a 300 yard firing lane for the past few years nowusing either a 7mm Rem Mag or a 30-06 and to be honest, a 300 yard shot is rather easy with a 7 Mag. But a 1000 yard shot? C'mon you have to admit that's ridiculous. And it's obvious that we have "sniper" wann-a-be's onhere.All I am saying, is that I personally would rather learn how to stalk and hunt then sit from a tower and shoot at long range. 400 yards is fine. Actually, if it were the trophy of a life time I would take a shot at 500 yards but not much further. Please try to showsome more maturity in your posts in the future also. Be with Jesus bra |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
I would have to say a .243 because its a high velocity, flatter shooting rifle that can keep alot of its energy at long distances. Therefore you can make a more ethical shot even though its not ethical to shoot that far anyways. But if it was a HUGE trophy i would proubably push ethics aside a little bit!
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I would have no problem shooting up to 500 yards with a good solid rest with my old 06. I am a bowhunter and love the close stuff, HOWEVER, I have been known to pick up a rifle every other year or so and bang away. It does not matter what caliber or what the distance is, it can all be done, all animals should beware of the man that only uses one rifle!!!!!!
I know, here comes the blasts about only shooting every so often, but there was a time whem I shot ALOT, and I have been coached by a man wearing camo!!!! and he yelled more than anyone on this site!!!! |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
.338 WM....depends on the condition and surroundings?
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RE: 400 yard trophy?
I thing you should loss your hunting rights for life if you cann't get close enough to touch the middle rib with the barrel of you rifle.No shot is 100% even at 50 yds.,so maybe alot of you guys should give up your rifles. How does that sound? My longest was 440 yds. and no I couldn't get closer b/c of water but I knew I could make the shot with my old win. mod. 70 in a 300 mag and a vxIII 3 1/5 x 10.You got to have a range finder and confidence gained by shooting that far. If you never shove your limits down another mans throat, we will get along great. To all ,Good luck on your next shot. [/align] |
RE: 400 yard trophy?
I would shoot, but i'd want a very steady rest and i would shoot my dad's .300 winchester magnum with 175 grain hornandy shells
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