"Long Range Rifle Hunting Within YOUR Reach."

[1Irishguy]

I think you hit it on the head there Speck.
My opinion...and it's only that...is that if you are going out with the thought of taking an animal at 700 yards...you might as well but game farm raised meat. The challenge is near totally gone. It is not a hunt, but a test of machinery against nature.
I've taken game as far as about 150 yards out. Past that...I really just can't do it. I've done fine hitting paper at 200, 300+ yards. But with an animal's life in my hands...can't do it.
But as I said earlier...that's just my opinion.

 

[oregoncritters]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ May 6 2008, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Recently i had a rifle built specifically to shoot spring bear at the distances mentioned above. Guns made to shoot that distance will do it. We could debate how ethical it is for years to come because everyone has their own opinion. What is ethical to me (KNOWING i can shoot that far) and ethical to someone else is completely different.. By know means am i saying i'm a great shot, just realize the equiptment out there now is incredible...[/b]

Equipment has no ethics, no judgement, and no accountability. It is up to the hunter.

A rifle does not miss... the hunter does. A rifle doesn't cripple game... the hunter does. It is not about the equipment, it is about the hunter.
[/b][/quote]

I think were saying the same thing??? By being up to the hunter, it is the hunters responsability if they are going to take shots like that to put every variable in their favor. Obviously its about the hunter...I would say that some HUNTERS are far better suited to shoot distance then other hunters...When you say "it's not about the equiptment, it's about the hunter," I believe in this context that is simply incorrect..Equiptment is a large part of the deal when talking shooting distance..That is, if the HUNTER is capable of doing it...

 

[Speckmisser]

Oregon, I don't think we disagree at all... just re-emphasizing the fact that the best equipment in the world won't make you a better hunter, or even a better shot.

Long range shooting is a discipline, a combination of art and science. It requires both innate ability and practiced skill. Without these, the finest rifles and optics only make the would-be marksman a threat to game... not a hunter.

Of course, every skilled workman works better with quality tools. But without the skills, a hammer is just a bludgeon... as big a threat to finger nails as it is to sixteen-penny nails.

 

[tmoniz]

When I booked my first guided Elk wilderness hunt the outfitter told me to take my best rifle out as often as possible and shoot out to at least 300 yards.
I did that 2 times a week for many months.
A guy I met in that camp touted himself as a great shot and hunter.
He nicked 2 bulls that were never recovered.

But I do understand what Speck has been saying.
You can have the best gear. But there's a certain learned knack to hunting.

I once shot a buck way out. I paid attention to certain rocks and trees and where the does that were with him traveled after the shot. I walked a fair piece to where I thought he went down. Could not find him.
So I walked back to where I was. Took a look at the terrain. And then walked back to where I knew he was standing when I took the shot.
Finally found him wrapped up in a bunch of brush down in a ditch.

Gear can be really good, but gear doesn't make a good hunter.

 

[easymoney]

IMHO, just having a weapon that can do the job out to a mile does not guarantee a clean kill realistically. Many people I see every year shoot way beyond their comfort zone and wound or miss lots of game that if they had waited for a clean shot would have scored. This is something every hunter must determine for themselves and admit truthfully when the time comes.
I am a good shot but keep all rifle shots to 400 yards or less. I use a rifle and round(win model 70 in 300 winmag 180grns nosler) that can take any game on the lower 48 out to great distances, but I determine whether the range is reasonable for me given the circumstances.
I'm not pointing any fingers but many folks seem to be eager to shoot repeatedly at game well beyond reasonable ranges. Maybe another good reason not to allow automatic weapons...
I am also a bowhunter but does not make 80 yard bow shots either...

 

[arizona hunter]

There are enough rifles/scopes that can do that 700 yd shot-but darn few people which are truly qualified/skilled enough to make (not take) that shot. Lots of folks may take the shot but they are not skilled enough to make it.

As for me, I would just have to admire that animal at 700 yds if there was no way to get within about 350 yds. and thats fine with me.

 

[oregoncritters]

Speck, I couldn't agree more..Nothing makes a good hunter except years of hunting and learning from the mistakes YOU make. I've been around alot of very good hunters over the years and have come up with a few things that all those very good hunters have in common..
1) Grew up Hunting from very young..Birds, squirrels, frogs, etc...then to larger game
2) All are Very competive
3) made it a lifestyle/not a hobby

Most have archery hunted alot.. In my opinion, archery hunters have much more time to learn animal habits, habitat, routines, and behaviors. And to be successful archery hunting, they've had to pay attention to the slightest detail...

Also, even if they can't afford it, they generally have the best gear to even make their odds a little better..I've always told myself, my gear will not cost me even one animal..I've cost myself plenty not worrying about gear