What is a long range shot with a rifle to you?

[Wind River]

I was schooled in the thinking that you want to get as close as possible to your quarry for an optimal chance at a clean, fast, one shot kill. The mentoring I received was 60+ years ago and some of the hunters back then were just getting around to scoping their rifles. Irons were often seen.
Fast forward to today. There are cartridge/rifle/scope rigs capable of hitting a target at ranges grandpa never dreamed of.

I’m all for excellent shooting and top notch equipment but………how far do you shoot at a precious game animal?
To me a looooong shot is 400 yards and I’d rather be <200.

 

[Brunoo]

I respect old-school close shots but modern optics let skilled shooters make ethical long shots. If I can confidently place lethal shot, 300 yards tops, preferably under 200.

 

[Jimmy]

What practical steps, training and gear would you recommend to responsibly extend ethical shot distance beyond traditional standards while still prioritizing a clean one-shot kill today?

 

[PRAIRIEDOGGER]

Go shoot p-dogs at 300-???. Learn to squeeze and follow thru. You'll learn your dope.

 

[Lupis]

I practice regularly.. 1000 rounds plus a year at 500 yds plus.. todays rifles shoot accurately much further than they have ability/power to effectively kill the animal. Shooting steel, or animals are two entirely different things.

Practice, and don’t believe a lot of the crap on you-tube.. they won’t show the animals that are crippled and run off to be lost..

 

[Wind River]

I practice regularly.. 1000 rounds plus a year at 500 yds plus.. todays rifles shoot accurately much further than they have ability/power to effectively kill the animal. Shooting steel, or animals are two entirely different things.

Practice, and don’t believe a lot of the crap on you-tube.. they won’t show the animals that are crippled and run off to be lost..

Thank you for acknowledging the difference in 1k shooting at targets and hunting. There are guys around that seem to believe that as long as you can hit an animal, you can kill it.
Using our precious game as “targets” is just wrong.

 

[CoachChris]

Conditions, mostly wind, dictates what I consider to be "long range".
Of course cartridge, bullet design, rifle design and optics matter as well.
If I'm shooting my 12# 300WM pushing a 215gr Berger Hybrid at over 2900 fps on a flat range with no wind, distance is almost irrelevant, within the capabilities of the cartridge.
Add wind and it becomes more complicated.
Add terrain features and wind what becomes "long range" begins to shrink.

 

[RKS]

My son and I absolutely love long range shooting. We have practiced out loads to obtain the best for our liking. Now nothing less than 700 yards is our min and we have one shot kills .
Last elk season 868 yards, one shot kill 300 win mag. Yeah you have to have a steady rest, and know you Dope, and trust you rifle.

 

[Wingmaster]

My longest shot on a game animal is 385 yards on an antelope. That day the conditions were as close to perfect as it gets. No wind, I was laying prone with a bipod and the antelope was standing broadside and didn't know I was there.

That being said. My max range normally is 300 yards. The only way I will take a shot longer is if the conditions are perfect.

Half the fun of hunting is sneaking up on an animal.