Long range hunting gun question

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Long range hunting gun question #883314 03/01/14 06:18 PM 03/01/14 06:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 8,494 A Atoler OP 14 point
Atoler OP 14 point A Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 8,494	I'm looking to put together a setup for deer. And I would like something that is a good match for 5-600 yard shots but can be used for your typical 250 and in type situations. Basically, I'm wanting a gun/scope combo that has minimal hold over at those ranges when zeroed at 200. Not opposed to turrets but not sure about how effective they would be hunting road beds, gas lines, and clear cuts. As far as caliber, what's the best for this? I'm thinking 25-06 or 280. Need to be able to buy ammo as I don't hand load. What type of gun? I've been hearing good things about tikkas, but I've always been a 700 fan. Scope? I've always used kahles, leopold, and zeiss, but I'm not opposed to some cheaper brands that will fit my needs. Looking to spend about $1200 total maybe a little more

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883399 03/02/14 02:46 AM 03/02/14 02:46 AM
Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,216 Mobile, AL M Mdees 8 point
Mdees 8 point M Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,216 Mobile, AL	I can't speak to the .280 but I would not recommend the 25-06 past 400 yards for deer. To me the more important factor beyond 400 yrds is energy/velocity to bring an instantly critical wound to game. With linear view, long range shots, my experience has been that finding blood on the ground is much more difficult than shooting a standing animal as it is very hard to mark exactly where the are standing. Not so bad if you are higher up off the ground. I recommend on of the magnum calibers if you plan to regularly take shots beyond about 350. 7mm is abundant, .300 WinMag is a good one. You will find they shoot flatter out to about 500 and bring the energy you need with them. Find a load that will print 3/4" groups or less at 100yrds and you are set out to 800 easy.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883418 03/02/14 03:06 AM 03/02/14 03:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,021 Auburn F frezznh2o 6 point
frezznh2o 6 point F Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,021 Auburn	mdees pretty much summed it up on the calibers. if 1200 is your budget find a used 7 mag or 300 win mag -mypreference . most haven't been shot much at all . getting a rifle scope combo that has a little weight to it will help . I don't like light rifles for longer ranges. I bet you could find an accutrigger Savage in 7 mag for $300 easy. that leaves you more money for glass which is very important at that range.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883421 03/02/14 03:11 AM 03/02/14 03:11 AM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama BhamFred Freak of Nature
BhamFred Freak of Nature Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama	I agree on the 25/06, not enough energy for beyond 400 yards I'd stick to a good 300 magnum and 180gr bullets for 600 yard KILLING deer. I'd use a Remmy 700, 26" barrel, and a scope that goes to 16-18X for clarity at 600 yards I have used a 3.5X10X40 for a 625 yard shot, pretty small looking deer thru that 10X I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted..... proud Cracker-Americaan muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: BhamFred] #883427 03/02/14 03:24 AM 03/02/14 03:24 AM
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 15,057 Tuscaloosa Co. N N2TRKYS Old Mossy Horns
N2TRKYS Old Mossy Horns N Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 15,057 Tuscaloosa Co.	Originally Posted By: BhamFred I agree on the 25/06, not enough energy for beyond 400 yards I'd stick to a good 300 magnum and 180gr bullets for 600 yard KILLING deer. I'd use a Remmy 700, 26" barrel, and a scope that goes to 16-18X for clarity at 600 yards I have used a 3.5X10X40 for a 625 yard shot, pretty small looking deer thru that 10X The Sendero would fit the bill. 83% of all statistics are made up.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: N2TRKYS] #883428 03/02/14 03:30 AM 03/02/14 03:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama BhamFred Freak of Nature
BhamFred Freak of Nature Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama	Originally Posted By: N2TRKYS Originally Posted By: BhamFred I agree on the 25/06, not enough energy for beyond 400 yards I'd stick to a good 300 magnum and 180gr bullets for 600 yard KILLING deer. I'd use a Remmy 700, 26" barrel, and a scope that goes to 16-18X for clarity at 600 yards I have used a 3.5X10X40 for a 625 yard shot, pretty small looking deer thru that 10X The Sendero would fit the bill. that would probably be my choice.... I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted..... proud Cracker-Americaan muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883431 03/02/14 03:33 AM 03/02/14 03:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 4,052 Sylacauga doecommander things that make you go hmmmmmmm
doecommander things that make you go hmmmmmmm Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 4,052 Sylacauga	223 with ballistic tips would be best. Last edited by doecommander; 03/02/14 03:34 AM. doecommander out...........................

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: doecommander] #883470 03/02/14 04:24 AM 03/02/14 04:24 AM
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 8,494 A Atoler OP 14 point
Atoler OP 14 point A Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 8,494	Preciate the advice fellas, are there any smaller calibers that y'all would recommend? I'm not opposed to a 7mag or 300 but would prefer a smaller round. As far as glass goes, what are some of y'all's favorites in the $600-$1000 range?

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883477 03/02/14 04:38 AM 03/02/14 04:38 AM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama BhamFred Freak of Nature
BhamFred Freak of Nature Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama	some smaller rounds will shoot flat enough for 600, but lack the needed energy. Smallest I would shoot would be a 270Win. I shoot a very accurate 264WinMag with 125NPS that would prolly do BUT you asked...7mmRM with 150/160 bullets would be good...300mag would be better... I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted..... proud Cracker-Americaan muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883479 03/02/14 04:38 AM 03/02/14 04:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,165 Birmingham W wew3006 Booner
wew3006 Booner W Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,165 Birmingham	Might consider the VX-2 6-18x40 and have a M1 elevation turret installed for $80.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883583 03/02/14 07:23 AM 03/02/14 07:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 55,110 Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen James Freak of Nature
James Freak of Nature Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 55,110 Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen	7mm stw Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many!

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: James] #883605 03/02/14 08:14 AM 03/02/14 08:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,021 Auburn F frezznh2o 6 point
frezznh2o 6 point F Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,021 Auburn	Originally Posted By: james 7mm stw do you have one? if so how do you like it compared to 7 mag

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883657 03/02/14 09:12 AM 03/02/14 09:12 AM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,633 Gardendale B BigDalk 10 point
BigDalk 10 point B Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,633 Gardendale	Pretty sure the 257 wby still has plenty of energy at 600 yds. Recoil is like that of a 270 "The aggies are going to destroy bama" Burbank

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883689 03/02/14 10:25 AM 03/02/14 10:25 AM
Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4,386 Scottsboro,Alabama J JW 10 point
JW 10 point J Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4,386 Scottsboro,Alabama	If you are buying the ammo and not reloading, I say a Sendero in 7 Mag or 300 Mag. Only problem I see is a new gun is going to eat you up on the $1200. You get past 400 yards, it's a tough poke on a deer. I used to do it regular and glad I don't have to anymore. Whatever you get, make sure it is comfortable to shoot a lot and practice.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883711 03/02/14 10:59 AM 03/02/14 10:59 AM
Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,216 Mobile, AL M Mdees 8 point
Mdees 8 point M Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,216 Mobile, AL	I have never used one but according to my chart the .257 Weatherby Mag is the first round in the smaller end to truck the velocity and energy out to 600 that you will need. With the Wby. 115 Nosler Ballistic tip at 400yrd you should have 2547fps and 1656f# of energy and be -7.1 inches low with a 300 yrd zero (+3.0 & +3.5 at 100 & 200). Following are the .270 Win Short Mag and .270 Weatherby Mag but these are on par with the 7mm RemMag and you can find that on the shelf anywhere you go. As for .223, the 55gr Nosler ballistic tip is moving 1920fps with 450f# energy at 400 and is -20.9 inches low with a 200yrd zero. So at 600 you are looking at having the equivalent of a .25acp with a bullet that either won't penetrate a shoulder bone or will hardly expand in the soft flesh behind.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Mdees] #883793 03/02/14 12:41 PM 03/02/14 12:41 PM
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 8,670 NW Alabama R R_H_Clark Leupold Pro Staff
R_H_Clark Leupold Pro Staff R Joined: May 2012 Posts: 8,670 NW Alabama	Originally Posted By: Mdees I have never used one but according to my chart the .257 Weatherby Mag is the first round in the smaller end to truck the velocity and energy out to 600 that you will need. With the Wby. 115 Nosler Ballistic tip at 400yrd you should have 2547fps and 1656f# of energy and be -7.1 inches low with a 300 yrd zero (+3.0 & +3.5 at 100 & 200). Following are the .270 Win Short Mag and .270 Weatherby Mag but these are on par with the 7mm RemMag and you can find that on the shelf anywhere you go. As for .223, the 55gr Nosler ballistic tip is moving 1920fps with 450f# energy at 400 and is -20.9 inches low with a 200yrd zero. So at 600 you are looking at having the equivalent of a .25acp with a bullet that either won't penetrate a shoulder bone or will hardly expand in the soft flesh behind. Not saying the 223 is a good choice for deer at 400+ yards especially with a 55 grain bullet but it is a heck of a long way from a 25 acp with a MV of 750 fps and 65 ftlbs with a 50 grain bullet. This sounds harsh but anyone who needs to ask what to shoot a deer with at 500 yards , has no business shooting at a deer at 500 yards.

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883808 03/02/14 01:00 PM 03/02/14 01:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 595 St. Clair, Alabama B Bucky205 4 point
Bucky205 4 point B Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 595 St. Clair, Alabama	300 WSM is probably the best all around cartridge ever developed. "There are no easy days, not even yesterday"

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Bucky205] #883901 03/02/14 02:25 PM 03/02/14 02:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 5,000 north alabama shooters 12 point
shooters 12 point Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 5,000 north alabama	With 1200 dollar price range and shooting factory ammo this will be difficalt. Not imposable though! Get a used 7mm mag, get a decent scope= 6x24x50 vortex pst viper. Find a friend that reloads and that has 500 yards or more to shot! You can get good high BC ammo for Best of the West stores. It will be 168 or 180 gr bullets. Great for longrange, but 90 dollars a box. FIND A FRIEND THAT RELOADS!

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: Atoler] #883973 03/02/14 03:06 PM 03/02/14 03:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama BhamFred Freak of Nature
BhamFred Freak of Nature Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 36,987 alabama	shooters, why a 7mm instead of a 300??? just curious... I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted..... proud Cracker-Americaan muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one

Re: Long range hunting gun question [Re: frezznh2o] #883977 03/02/14 03:08 PM 03/02/14 03:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 55,110 Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen James Freak of Nature
James Freak of Nature Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 55,110 Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen	Originally Posted By: frezznh2o Originally Posted By: james 7mm stw do you have one? if so how do you like it compared to 7 mag Love mine but to the average person its not enough difference between the stw & mag to justify buying one. To be honest I like the way it performs but I also like being different.. I also shoot a 308 warbird but its hard to justify buying $135 box of bullets when I can get the stws for half that..... Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many!

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