Average Range you shoot???

JMF0486 · January 20, 2011, 03:34 PM

Was just wondering how long of a shot you guys usually decide to take when hunting?? I know itll most likely vary depending on the game. Do any of you guys actually shoot these 1000 yrd shots when hunting?? I stick to 300 and under, unless i get antsy then i might extend that out a little more.

Art Eatman · January 20, 2011, 04:48 PM

I figure that anybody who talks of regular killing of game beyond 500 yards--ignoring the "blowing smoke" thing--is well married up with specialized gear. Lots of practice and trigger time, etc.

So, leaving that one-in-a-gazillion type of fella, I sorta figure that the average shooter should pretty much limit himself to around 300 yards. Roughly. For most deer rifles which are commonly zeroed at 200 yards, that's around six inches of drop at 300. IOW, it doesn't take a bunch of thought and effort to kill Bambi--once you've actually found that shootable buck.

I've shot few deer inside of fifty yards; maybe three or four. The majority--30 or so?--were between (guessing) 75 and 150 yards. A few in the 175-, 250-yard distance. One at 350 and one at 450. My longest kill on a running buck was 175 yards, give or take a bit. A couple at maybe a hundred yards. That's for tagged bucks; I've never counted does or culling-kills, but they generally were pretty close in.

Saltydog235 · January 20, 2011, 04:58 PM

Most of our shots are between 70 and 150yds due to the thick cover and swamps that we typically hunt in. Beanfields, cutovers and powerline right of ways offer you to reach out there to long ranges but in SC after those first couple of shots, the big bucks get wary and stick to cover.

PawPaw · January 20, 2011, 05:08 PM

My stand overlooks a natural gas pipeline in the hill country of north central Louisiana. The longest possible shot I've got is 200 yards. I took two deer this year and one was at 140 yards, the other at 120 yards.

On the other hand, I missed a deer this year at about 40 yards. I was out of position and muffed the shot. Shot over her back.

phil mcwilliam · January 20, 2011, 05:50 PM

Its interesting that we assign different values to different animals. Hunting deer I usually limit myself to around 300 yards(dropped one once at 320 yards).
My mate has a ranch where feral goats have to be regularly culled. One of my favorite spots for culling these goats is a back canyon where cross valley shots are 300 to 400 yards. As I shoot this canyon regularly I know the holdover depending where the goats are on the hillside.
Culling pigs on the wheat fields has also seen 400 yard plus shots.
If I happen to see a fox on my mates property a shot is usually taken regardless of distance - my mate has lost upto 20 lambs in a night due to foxes.
Blasting rabbits with my 22-250 will see me taking shots upto 450 yards.
The majority of game I have taken over the years has probably been between 50 yards to 150 yards.

DiscoRacing · January 20, 2011, 05:54 PM

Our hunting land is very thick with cover brush and for the most part all hillsides... there is really no where to shoot here much over 60 or 70yards.

egor20 · January 20, 2011, 06:00 PM

250 yards max with my L/E .303 with a scope. 100 yards max with a SKS or 50 yards max with a 12 gauge as I'm usually on horseback with them.

BIG P · January 20, 2011, 06:05 PM

I agree with MR.Eatman,I hunt my deer 300 yards & back.I also work for a couple farmers that let me hunt they're farms for deer if I shoot as many hogs as a can the rest of the year. Thats a deal I cant turn down.Im one of those old guys with the tools I shoot from a set up bench range finders wind guage & a custom 300WM built for the job. I have taken a good number of hogs out passed 400yards & several passed 500,very few out side 800.I pratice 1000 yards all I can afford around 500 round a month I'll tell you something shooting 5 gallon bucks @ 1000 is easier that hittin hogs @ 500.

jmr40 · January 20, 2011, 07:12 PM

Right now my personal comfort zone is 300 yards, but have been working on becoming comfortable at longer ranges. I feel that with a rangefinder, a flat shooting rifle and some practice I can work up to 500 yards. But for now I wouldn't take shot longer than 300.

But you better believe there are people who can and do make much longer shots. I have a brother in law who has taken several elk at 700 yards. He shoots a 338 Lapua and has spent the time to get good with it. Every elk dropped dead in it's tracks

jimbob86 · January 20, 2011, 07:27 PM

Most of my shots are within 150 ...... I've killed 2 deer past 450, and one of those was to kill a poorly hit animal I'd messed up a 200 yard shot earlier.

Like others have said, the right equipment- a flat shooting rifle, sticks or a tripod, and a rangefinder- and lots of practice will let you stretch that 300 a bit.

Kreyzhorse · January 20, 2011, 08:21 PM

Deer hunting in the woods of Kentucky my shots average around 50 yards. Antelope hunting out west I've made shots any place between a short of 50 yards to a long of 300 yards.

JerryM · January 20, 2011, 08:33 PM

Although my rifles are long range sporters, and I want to be prepared for shots out to 500 yrds, my average shot has probably been around 200 or less.

I have a friend who has taken a "World Slam of sheep, and all but 2 of all goat species, and he recently told me most of his shots are under 300 yards. He did shoot a Stone in Canada at about 400 yards as it was that or nothing.

I do not consider it hunting to shoot at the ranges I sometimes hear about - 800 to 1000 yds. To shoot at those ranges with range finders, bipods, and specialized equipment is not hunting, but just shooting.

Part of hunting are the spotting and stalking aspects. 1,000 yards is just shooting, but not hunting or sporting.

I confess that I wonder if anyone knows how to hunt anymore.

Regards,
Jerry

k31 · January 20, 2011, 08:50 PM

also about 200 or less. while hunting the max ive hit at while hunting was about 175. i have only recently went to scopes i prefer open sights
i have never hit at any thing farther than that without luck.
i spot and stock but wouldnt try a shot past 400 with a scope or 200 open sights i agree that it isnt too sporting to hit an animal that has not natural fear of you simple cause it can see you while you set up 1000 yards away

GeauxTide · January 20, 2011, 09:24 PM

I'm with Art. The fields we hunt are in the bottom power line cuts, so the top of each hill is about 275-300.

shortwave · January 20, 2011, 10:15 PM

My average would be 50-75's for deer. Ohio is shotgun,blackpowder or handgun as far gun deer hunting goes. Have only shot 5 deer with a rifle. Two at around 150yds, one at 175 and two at around 225.
As far as varmint hunting goes, most those shots are usually between 100-250yds with an average of about 150yds.

Gunplummer · January 20, 2011, 10:24 PM

Looking back I would say about 80 yards average.

Dr. Strangelove · January 20, 2011, 10:53 PM

I hunt in GA and mostly hunt deep woods, I used to hunt bean fields when I was a kid.

Longest (fatal to a deer) shot? 330yds over a soybean field when I was 17 (20yrs ago) and shot almost every day.

Next longest shot? about 60yds.

I'm not sure I could see a deer now at 330 yards, much less shoot it...

reloader28 · January 20, 2011, 11:27 PM

Our average is probly 250-300yds. My shortest deer was about 20-25yds and I've shot a few deer and elk over 500yds.

davlandrum · January 21, 2011, 11:05 AM

I am comfortable out to 300, but I seriously doubt I have ever taken a shot at a deer over 150. Just hasn't came up.

Brian Pfleuger · January 21, 2011, 11:10 AM

I've almost never seen a deer under hunting circumstances at more than 120-140 yards.

I have only fired one shot (of approximately 30 killed with a gun) over 100 yards and that was 110.

The average shot on deer is very much closer, easily within bow range. In fact, only twice have I shot deer at over 40 yards.... there have been more under 20 than over.

On woodchucks, I routinely shoot beyond 300 yards.... sometimes even hitting one.

700cdl · January 21, 2011, 02:49 PM

I live in Arizona and thus hunting is done with a high powered spotting scope first. Most of the game we spot are usually several thousands yards away. At that point using radios and ear buds one of us will keep and eye on the deer, elk, or what ever we happening to hunting, while the other guy watches and guides the shooter into a position for the shot. All said and done, most shots average between 200 yds. and 500 yds.. I have 5 Son's, so it's not too difficult to find guiding help at the optics to provide 2 man spotting teams.

YARDDOG(1) · January 21, 2011, 03:44 PM

The furtherest shot I've taking was 150Yds. The land I'm hunting now, I've
shot 4 deer this year all within bow range 30Yds ; )
Y/D

Buzzcook · January 21, 2011, 04:57 PM

Depends on which side of the Cascades I hunt.

Wet side average is under 100yds with a couple over that. Dry side the average is slightly over 100yds with a few over 150 and two at about 250yds.

Outdoorsman · January 21, 2011, 06:46 PM

On woodchucks I'll shoot & kill them at up to 500 yds where I hunt them. Just don't have a place to hunt them that would allow longer than 500.

On predators I've not shot over about 375yds, though I might depending on the situation such as a large yote standing.

On mule deer the longest shot I've made was just a bit under 700yds. Not 800-1000 as the OP asked, but farther than really sane. All other mulies have been between 25-240yds.

On whitetails the longest is 200 & only two of dozens of them were beyond 150yds. Where I hunt and a rifle can be used, the cover is thick enough that a shot gun with a good rifled barrel and sabots can cover most shots. One of the two I've taken over 150 was in fact with my SBE in a shotgun only area.

I think there are far, far more long range shooters now than in the past. Far better powders & more streamlined bullets combined with superior barrels & optics have allowed for this. I work with a man who's a member of the "750yd club", done on P dogs.

45 yrs ago when I was starting out a 700yd shot was considered a myth by most & anything over 400 claimed was taken with a large dose of salt. Now it's clearly still a long shot, but far from the realm of myth. I'm amazed at some of the shots I've seen that were filmed by some of the guys who post such on U tube, hunting CD's, or on TV for that matter. In fact I rather enjoy watching some of these long range prairie dog shoots & predator hunting as well. Some highly skilled folks out there now with gear to reach WAAAAY out there.

I've a 600 yd range on my farm & I practice often. Yet it's different when the target is living & will suffer if I'm not DEAD on. Yet those vids and this thread have me thinking again about a fast twist 22-243 or some such......

But only for varmints or predators, I took a deer once at crazy range...that's enough for me.

Doyle · January 21, 2011, 07:05 PM

Outdoorsman hit on something that I think most long-range shooters adhere to (maybe even subconsiously). Most hunters are far more agreeable to the idea of taking a super-long range shot on a varmint than a large (i.e. deer/elk) animal. I think it is just kind of human nature that we would worry less about a pest type of animal.

January 20, 2011, 03:34 PM	#1
JMF0486 Member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Nine Mile Falls, WA Posts: 93	Average Range you shoot??? Was just wondering how long of a shot you guys usually decide to take when hunting?? I know itll most likely vary depending on the game. Do any of you guys actually shoot these 1000 yrd shots when hunting?? I stick to 300 and under, unless i get antsy then i might extend that out a little more.

January 20, 2011, 05:08 PM	#4
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	My stand overlooks a natural gas pipeline in the hill country of north central Louisiana. The longest possible shot I've got is 200 yards. I took two deer this year and one was at 140 yards, the other at 120 yards. On the other hand, I missed a deer this year at about 40 yards. I was out of position and muffed the shot. Shot over her back. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

January 20, 2011, 05:54 PM	#6
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	Our hunting land is very thick with cover brush and for the most part all hillsides... there is really no where to shoot here much over 60 or 70yards. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 20, 2011, 06:00 PM	#7
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	250 yards max with my L/E .303 with a scope. 100 yards max with a SKS or 50 yards max with a 12 gauge as I'm usually on horseback with them. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

January 20, 2011, 08:21 PM	#11
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Deer hunting in the woods of Kentucky my shots average around 50 yards. Antelope hunting out west I've made shots any place between a short of 50 yards to a long of 300 yards. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 20, 2011, 04:48 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I figure that anybody who talks of regular killing of game beyond 500 yards--ignoring the "blowing smoke" thing--is well married up with specialized gear. Lots of practice and trigger time, etc. So, leaving that one-in-a-gazillion type of fella, I sorta figure that the average shooter should pretty much limit himself to around 300 yards. Roughly. For most deer rifles which are commonly zeroed at 200 yards, that's around six inches of drop at 300. IOW, it doesn't take a bunch of thought and effort to kill Bambi--once you've actually found that shootable buck. I've shot few deer inside of fifty yards; maybe three or four. The majority--30 or so?--were between (guessing) 75 and 150 yards. A few in the 175-, 250-yard distance. One at 350 and one at 450. My longest kill on a running buck was 175 yards, give or take a bit. A couple at maybe a hundred yards. That's for tagged bucks; I've never counted does or culling-kills, but they generally were pretty close in.

January 20, 2011, 04:58 PM	#3
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Most of our shots are between 70 and 150yds due to the thick cover and swamps that we typically hunt in. Beanfields, cutovers and powerline right of ways offer you to reach out there to long ranges but in SC after those first couple of shots, the big bucks get wary and stick to cover.

January 20, 2011, 05:50 PM	#5
phil mcwilliam Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 573	Its interesting that we assign different values to different animals. Hunting deer I usually limit myself to around 300 yards(dropped one once at 320 yards). My mate has a ranch where feral goats have to be regularly culled. One of my favorite spots for culling these goats is a back canyon where cross valley shots are 300 to 400 yards. As I shoot this canyon regularly I know the holdover depending where the goats are on the hillside. Culling pigs on the wheat fields has also seen 400 yard plus shots. If I happen to see a fox on my mates property a shot is usually taken regardless of distance - my mate has lost upto 20 lambs in a night due to foxes. Blasting rabbits with my 22-250 will see me taking shots upto 450 yards. The majority of game I have taken over the years has probably been between 50 yards to 150 yards.

January 20, 2011, 06:05 PM	#8
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	I agree with MR.Eatman,I hunt my deer 300 yards & back.I also work for a couple farmers that let me hunt they're farms for deer if I shoot as many hogs as a can the rest of the year. Thats a deal I cant turn down.Im one of those old guys with the tools I shoot from a set up bench range finders wind guage & a custom 300WM built for the job. I have taken a good number of hogs out passed 400yards & several passed 500,very few out side 800.I pratice 1000 yards all I can afford around 500 round a month I'll tell you something shooting 5 gallon bucks @ 1000 is easier that hittin hogs @ 500.

January 20, 2011, 07:12 PM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Right now my personal comfort zone is 300 yards, but have been working on becoming comfortable at longer ranges. I feel that with a rangefinder, a flat shooting rifle and some practice I can work up to 500 yards. But for now I wouldn't take shot longer than 300. But you better believe there are people who can and do make much longer shots. I have a brother in law who has taken several elk at 700 yards. He shoots a 338 Lapua and has spent the time to get good with it. Every elk dropped dead in it's tracks

January 20, 2011, 07:27 PM	#10
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Most of my shots are within 150 ...... I've killed 2 deer past 450, and one of those was to kill a poorly hit animal I'd messed up a 200 yard shot earlier. Like others have said, the right equipment- a flat shooting rifle, sticks or a tripod, and a rangefinder- and lots of practice will let you stretch that 300 a bit.

January 20, 2011, 08:33 PM	#12
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	Although my rifles are long range sporters, and I want to be prepared for shots out to 500 yrds, my average shot has probably been around 200 or less. I have a friend who has taken a "World Slam of sheep, and all but 2 of all goat species, and he recently told me most of his shots are under 300 yards. He did shoot a Stone in Canada at about 400 yards as it was that or nothing. I do not consider it hunting to shoot at the ranges I sometimes hear about - 800 to 1000 yds. To shoot at those ranges with range finders, bipods, and specialized equipment is not hunting, but just shooting. Part of hunting are the spotting and stalking aspects. 1,000 yards is just shooting, but not hunting or sporting. I confess that I wonder if anyone knows how to hunt anymore. Regards, Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

January 20, 2011, 08:50 PM	#13
k31 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: utah for the time being Posts: 213	also about 200 or less. while hunting the max ive hit at while hunting was about 175. i have only recently went to scopes i prefer open sights i have never hit at any thing farther than that without luck. i spot and stock but wouldnt try a shot past 400 with a scope or 200 open sights i agree that it isnt too sporting to hit an animal that has not natural fear of you simple cause it can see you while you set up 1000 yards away __________________ "the best shooting firearm is the firearm you shoot best" Tony Marr

January 20, 2011, 09:24 PM	#14
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I'm with Art. The fields we hunt are in the bottom power line cuts, so the top of each hill is about 275-300.

January 20, 2011, 10:15 PM	#15
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	My average would be 50-75's for deer. Ohio is shotgun,blackpowder or handgun as far gun deer hunting goes. Have only shot 5 deer with a rifle. Two at around 150yds, one at 175 and two at around 225. As far as varmint hunting goes, most those shots are usually between 100-250yds with an average of about 150yds.

January 20, 2011, 10:24 PM	#16
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Looking back I would say about 80 yards average.

January 20, 2011, 10:53 PM	#17
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	I hunt in GA and mostly hunt deep woods, I used to hunt bean fields when I was a kid. Longest (fatal to a deer) shot? 330yds over a soybean field when I was 17 (20yrs ago) and shot almost every day. Next longest shot? about 60yds. I'm not sure I could see a deer now at 330 yards, much less shoot it...

January 20, 2011, 11:27 PM	#18
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	Our average is probly 250-300yds. My shortest deer was about 20-25yds and I've shot a few deer and elk over 500yds.

January 21, 2011, 11:05 AM	#19
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	I am comfortable out to 300, but I seriously doubt I have ever taken a shot at a deer over 150. Just hasn't came up. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

January 21, 2011, 11:10 AM	#20
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I've almost never seen a deer under hunting circumstances at more than 120-140 yards. I have only fired one shot (of approximately 30 killed with a gun) over 100 yards and that was 110. The average shot on deer is very much closer, easily within bow range. In fact, only twice have I shot deer at over 40 yards.... there have been more under 20 than over. On woodchucks, I routinely shoot beyond 300 yards.... sometimes even hitting one. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; January 21, 2011 at 01:19 PM.

January 21, 2011, 02:49 PM	#21
700cdl Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Posts: 216	I live in Arizona and thus hunting is done with a high powered spotting scope first. Most of the game we spot are usually several thousands yards away. At that point using radios and ear buds one of us will keep and eye on the deer, elk, or what ever we happening to hunting, while the other guy watches and guides the shooter into a position for the shot. All said and done, most shots average between 200 yds. and 500 yds.. I have 5 Son's, so it's not too difficult to find guiding help at the optics to provide 2 man spotting teams.

January 21, 2011, 03:44 PM	#22
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	The furtherest shot I've taking was 150Yds. The land I'm hunting now, I've shot 4 deer this year all within bow range 30Yds ; ) Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

January 21, 2011, 04:57 PM	#23
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Depends on which side of the Cascades I hunt. Wet side average is under 100yds with a couple over that. Dry side the average is slightly over 100yds with a few over 150 and two at about 250yds.

January 21, 2011, 06:46 PM	#24
Outdoorsman Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Mi Posts: 27	On woodchucks I'll shoot & kill them at up to 500 yds where I hunt them. Just don't have a place to hunt them that would allow longer than 500. On predators I've not shot over about 375yds, though I might depending on the situation such as a large yote standing. On mule deer the longest shot I've made was just a bit under 700yds. Not 800-1000 as the OP asked, but farther than really sane. All other mulies have been between 25-240yds. On whitetails the longest is 200 & only two of dozens of them were beyond 150yds. Where I hunt and a rifle can be used, the cover is thick enough that a shot gun with a good rifled barrel and sabots can cover most shots. One of the two I've taken over 150 was in fact with my SBE in a shotgun only area. I think there are far, far more long range shooters now than in the past. Far better powders & more streamlined bullets combined with superior barrels & optics have allowed for this. I work with a man who's a member of the "750yd club", done on P dogs. 45 yrs ago when I was starting out a 700yd shot was considered a myth by most & anything over 400 claimed was taken with a large dose of salt. Now it's clearly still a long shot, but far from the realm of myth. I'm amazed at some of the shots I've seen that were filmed by some of the guys who post such on U tube, hunting CD's, or on TV for that matter. In fact I rather enjoy watching some of these long range prairie dog shoots & predator hunting as well. Some highly skilled folks out there now with gear to reach WAAAAY out there. I've a 600 yd range on my farm & I practice often. Yet it's different when the target is living & will suffer if I'm not DEAD on. Yet those vids and this thread have me thinking again about a fast twist 22-243 or some such...... But only for varmints or predators, I took a deer once at crazy range...that's enough for me.

January 21, 2011, 07:05 PM	#25
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Outdoorsman hit on something that I think most long-range shooters adhere to (maybe even subconsiously). Most hunters are far more agreeable to the idea of taking a super-long range shot on a varmint than a large (i.e. deer/elk) animal. I think it is just kind of human nature that we would worry less about a pest type of animal.