Well it appears not in my case, oh and I’m not a “wannabe sniper” I simply know how to shoot!
Why Not...A Long Range Rifle?
- Thread starter SmallGameAddict
- Start date
John, art the risk of blowing my horn, I'm quite sure I have competed in more rifle matches than you including 1000 yard ones.
"Knowing "how to shoot" is about 25% of long range shooting at game. There is damn little long range hunting in NY. Out West we see the guys who buy all the space age equipment that they think will make them 1000 yard Elk killers. Sadly, very few have any idea that shooting a live animals at long range is very complex. If the animal takes a step, if there are contrary wind currents, if the range is misjudged and so on, a simple shot off a bench rest becomes a cluster-F---.
There is no justification to risk mistreating a fine game animal to "make your bones" as a "long range hunter".
I hunted for 40 years in NY and never saw a Whitetail that could not be approached to 100 yards or less. That requires knowing how to use camo, terrain and getting dirty. Not like sitting in a high stand waiting for an animal to step into a clear cut.
Being able to hit an animal from far outside his sensory range is about as impressive as shooting a pie plate at the same distance.
As a great old timer, now passed, who killed 100s of Elk with a 30-30, once told me: "Son you a'int hunting Elk, till you can smell em !"
I sure as heck could smell this boy at 18 paces when he fell to my 61 caliber Baker British flintlock. That is HUNTING !
"Knowing "how to shoot" is about 25% of long range shooting at game. There is damn little long range hunting in NY. Out West we see the guys who buy all the space age equipment that they think will make them 1000 yard Elk killers. Sadly, very few have any idea that shooting a live animals at long range is very complex. If the animal takes a step, if there are contrary wind currents, if the range is misjudged and so on, a simple shot off a bench rest becomes a cluster-F---.
There is no justification to risk mistreating a fine game animal to "make your bones" as a "long range hunter".
I hunted for 40 years in NY and never saw a Whitetail that could not be approached to 100 yards or less. That requires knowing how to use camo, terrain and getting dirty. Not like sitting in a high stand waiting for an animal to step into a clear cut.
Being able to hit an animal from far outside his sensory range is about as impressive as shooting a pie plate at the same distance.
As a great old timer, now passed, who killed 100s of Elk with a 30-30, once told me: "Son you a'int hunting Elk, till you can smell em !"
I sure as heck could smell this boy at 18 paces when he fell to my 61 caliber Baker British flintlock. That is HUNTING !
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
What scope is that?
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
I couldn’t afford one of those lol. Best I have is a vortex razor gen II
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
2016 ram 1500 crewcab here. I’d take a pic but the wind will blow me away lol.
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
I thought about getting a gen 2 ram with a Cummins but they r hard to find in good shape. I did find a place that completely restores them in ny but they want a pretty penny for it. I want it to tow my camper.
Vapor
.308 Win
I've never taken a shot at a deer here in the Delaware, chenango, broome country area more than 120 yards. Most of them have been within 25-80 yards with the median probably being about 40.
My oldest brother did shoot one at about 350 yards across a farm field off hand...But he did win several shooting state shooting competions in highschool...back when schools had shooting teams, not safe spaces...
My oldest brother did shoot one at about 350 yards across a farm field off hand...But he did win several shooting state shooting competions in highschool...back when schools had shooting teams, not safe spaces...
SmallGameAddict
.308 Win
Well, this year I'm entering my 42nd deer season in NYS. Making remarks that judge and question someone's hunting skills just because they have new opportunities when you know absolutely nothing about them is quite arrogant in my opinion. I've tried to keep an open mind, and form my own opinion, and quite honestly Steyr you rarely have a positive or constructive thing to contribute, ever. I've more than paid my dues in the 200 yard and under category. I have additional opportunities to fill tags at longer range, and I am going to be taking advantage of them. Like it or not, Western hunters are breaking new ground and showing what's possible with the right skill set and equipment. No one asked you to like it. I'd rather share and contribute ideas about equipment and knowledge than complain about what those idiots are doing in Albany or DC any day of the week.
Last edited:
Ok so you wrote a nice piece there. Put simply I don’t take a shot I can’t make the buck I shot at that distance was dead before he hit the ground, it wasn’t about being a long range shooter it was about filling my freezer which I did. As far as competition I yield to your greatness but when I have to make a shot I will.John, art the risk of blowing my horn, I'm quite sure I have competed in more rifle matches than you including 1000 yard ones.
"Knowing "how to shoot" is about 25% of long range shooting at game. There is damn little long range hunting in NY. Out West we see the guys who buy all the space age equipment that they think will make them 1000 yard Elk killers. Sadly, very few have any idea that shooting a live animals at long range is very complex. If the animal takes a step, if there are contrary wind currents, if the range is misjudged and so on, a simple shot off a bench rest becomes a cluster-F---.
There is no justification to risk mistreating a fine game animal to "make your bones" as a "long range hunter".
I hunted for 40 years in NY and never saw a Whitetail that could not be approached to 100 yards or less. That requires knowing how to use camo, terrain and getting dirty. Not like sitting in a high stand waiting for an animal to step into a clear cut.
Being able to hit an animal from far outside his sensory range is about as impressive as shooting a pie plate at the same distance.
As a great old timer, now passed, who killed 100s of Elk with a 30-30, once told me: "Son you a'int hunting Elk, till you can smell em !"
I sure as heck could smell this boy at 18 paces when he fell to my 61 caliber Baker British flintlock. That is HUNTING !
It was actually in Tioga county across a reviene I had a hell of a time getting to the deer the brush was tough ti get through and the creek was fun too....Where are you taking deer at more than across a hay field in ny...going to hit up deer on 81 north?
SmallGameAddict
.308 Win
I hunt for groceries my own self as well John.
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
I see no problem with someone taking game at distances they practice regularly.
Not sure why I'm telling you this except for the fact you were speaking of distances. So I thought I would speak
Longest woodchuck kill was 341 yds with 223 and killed another on the walk over to it.
Shot my first legal deer this year at 175yds,, running full tilt,,,dropped at 200,,,shot with a 6.8 AR,,,100gr nosler accubond reload
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
How do you know what he sees? You don't!
Robin
He might be able to with those thick glasses, who know what the magnification of those things are.
I repeat, any big game shot at over 300 yards has too many variables to be 100 % SURE of making an ethical kill.
I can ring a 10" gong every shot at 1000 yards in good conditions with my 338 RUM. If there is an unforseen gust of wind, I miss, I don't shoot some majestic big game animal in the azz so it can go off and die a horrible death.
Situational ethics have replaced real ethics in far to many areas of the current world.
I can ring a 10" gong every shot at 1000 yards in good conditions with my 338 RUM. If there is an unforseen gust of wind, I miss, I don't shoot some majestic big game animal in the azz so it can go off and die a horrible death.
Situational ethics have replaced real ethics in far to many areas of the current world.
I have allowed you your rant, now understand this every shot i have ever taken including out to a 1000 yds have been ethical, never have I had to take more than one shot to kill any animal in my scope. I learned to shoot before I went into the Army and, while I was in the Army I learned how to shoot at distances in all kinds of conditions. So have fun with your competitions and I’ll continue to make the shots I must!
Shame you have no idea how to spot and stalk and are forced to take long shots. Were I king, everyone would have to be a traditional bowhunter for 5 years before being allowed afield with a rifle.
While your rifle is a decent mid range rig, it is no 1000 yard gun. Sorry if the truth hurts ---- hardly a rant just based on far more experience with long range shooting than anyone who stays in NY will ever have.
This was my first 1000 yard gun, made in 1949. Been to Perry twice and reworked by Weatherby shop. Still a lot better than any camoed up 308. One wonders why, if the deer is too far away to see you, the rifle is camo ? "Sniper cool" ?
While your rifle is a decent mid range rig, it is no 1000 yard gun. Sorry if the truth hurts ---- hardly a rant just based on far more experience with long range shooting than anyone who stays in NY will ever have.
This was my first 1000 yard gun, made in 1949. Been to Perry twice and reworked by Weatherby shop. Still a lot better than any camoed up 308. One wonders why, if the deer is too far away to see you, the rifle is camo ? "Sniper cool" ?
SmallGameAddict
.308 Win
Well, you're not king, but you're obviously a legend in your own mind. You have voiced your unsolicited opinions and objections AT LEAST a dozen times. We get it. You must be very bored. Wish I had your time on my hands. I have to hand it to you, you really know how to take the fun out of posting a thread on the Forum.
Jaywmustang
.308 Win
Wow....you are a dick.
Steyr you are not king of anything other than trolling, I AM a bow hunter and have taken a number of deer with in 20 yds. of me so it is not that I can't shoot up close because I can and I prefer to when I can but knowing that if need be I can kill an animal out to 650yds.
Last edited:
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Shame you "experts" can't handle the truth. Of the many outfitters I know, who are REAL professionals, none will take one of these wannabe sniper types, aka "long range hunters" as a client.
They have seen the results from people who believe technology can outwit Mother Nature.
Those who can hunt do, those who can't sit in box stands along clear cuts and shoot at unsuspecting animals.
Killed my Bighorn last fall @288 yards. Could have shot at him at 1000. 288 was as close as I could get with cover, he was standing in a 1000+ acre open sage brush hillside. I shot prone off a pack with a good wind call from a professional. One shot, clean kill.
Then again, I was on a sneak through a woods not sitting in a box stand.
My rifle is not camoed either. chuckle.
Yes Virginia, that's a $1300 Nightforce on a $900 Benelli. Given the fine wind call (3 foot hold off) it was not a difficult shot and worst case I had two more 300 Winnys on tap with no manual labor.
Had I not been able to get within 300 yards, the sheep season had 10 days to run and he had already migrated to his winter range.
Think I'm done with the topic.
They have seen the results from people who believe technology can outwit Mother Nature.
Those who can hunt do, those who can't sit in box stands along clear cuts and shoot at unsuspecting animals.
Killed my Bighorn last fall @288 yards. Could have shot at him at 1000. 288 was as close as I could get with cover, he was standing in a 1000+ acre open sage brush hillside. I shot prone off a pack with a good wind call from a professional. One shot, clean kill.
Then again, I was on a sneak through a woods not sitting in a box stand.
My rifle is not camoed either. chuckle.
Yes Virginia, that's a $1300 Nightforce on a $900 Benelli. Given the fine wind call (3 foot hold off) it was not a difficult shot and worst case I had two more 300 Winnys on tap with no manual labor.
Had I not been able to get within 300 yards, the sheep season had 10 days to run and he had already migrated to his winter range.
Think I'm done with the topic.
Wow I don’t know what you are smoking but slow down a bit!Shame you "experts" can't handle the truth. Of the many outfitters I know, who are REAL professionals, none will take one of these wannabe sniper types, aka "long range hunters" as a client.
They have seen the results from people who believe technology can outwit Mother Nature.
Those who can hunt do, those who can't sit in box stands along clear cuts and shoot at unsuspecting animals.
Killed my Bighorn last fall @288 yards. Could have shot at him at 1000. 288 was as close as I could get with cover, he was standing in a 1000+ acre open sage brush hillside. I shot prone off a pack with a good wind call from a professional. One shot, clean kill.
Then again, I was on a sneak through a woods not sitting in a box stand.
My rifle is not camoed either. chuckle.
Yes Virginia, that's a $1300 Nightforce on a $900 Benelli. Given the fine wind call (3 foot hold off) it was not a difficult shot and worst case I had two more 300 Winnys on tap with no manual labor.
Had I not been able to get within 300 yards, the sheep season had 10 days to run and he had already migrated to his winter range.
Think I'm done with the topic.