7 PRC and a Bull Elk at 627 yds. Video Included.

[Lawnboi]

Just shows that sometimes a little luck helps a lot. I see a lot of these YouTube video shots from hunters who do not appear to be very patient. That bull is feeding, a little patience might have yielded a higher percentage shot. Hard to argue with a dead animal on the ground though, the effectiveness of a hit to the spine can’t be beat, but it’s not a huge target.

That bull above him looks like a nice one! And is perfectly broadside.

Congrats to the hunter on a good bull. Can’t expect to post a video without questions and criticism

 

[jtg88]

Looks like a great shot to me. With the angle that the bull is standing, that bullet exits a few inches behind the offside should and cleans out a lot of vitals along the way. Like others have said, if anything, I might've preferred it a touch lower but left and right look great.

 

[BlackTail]

Guy puts a good shot on a good bull at 627 yards, within a 1/2 MOA of where you’d put if you could walk up and touch the thing with your barrel, right into the middle of the vitals and would have exited right behind the offside shoulder, and looked to result in instant death, and yet we still have people criticizing.

Jesus Christ!! Is this even still a hunting forum (let alone the LONG RANGE sub forum)??

 

[voltage]

Guy puts a good shot on a good bull at 627 yards, within a 1/2 MOA of where you’d put if you could walk up and touch the thing with your barrel, right into the middle of the vitals and would have exited right behind the offside shoulder, and looked to result in instant death, and yet we still have people criticizing.

Jesus Christ!! Is this even still a hunting forum (let alone the LONG RANGE sub forum)??

The allegation that it was a bad shot is probably just @Piercision Rifles trying to drum up some traffic to the post kidding

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Watching it frame by frame the green dot looks like exactly where it hit.

That’s good then. Hard to tell on my phone.

 

[Lawnboi]

Guy puts a good shot on a good bull at 627 yards, within a 1/2 MOA of where you’d put if you could walk up and touch the thing with your barrel, right into the middle of the vitals and would have exited right behind the offside shoulder, and looked to result in instant death, and yet we still have people criticizing.

Jesus Christ!! Is this even still a hunting forum (let alone the LONG RANGE sub forum)??

Unless a guy isnt okay putting one right on the shoulder, that shot is a low percentage shot at that range imo. Worked out and thats great but that’s not a huge target. This is a spine shot elk, and likely hit the offside shoulder, depending on what the bullet did I could see front of lungs maybe. Would be interesting to see the insides. Iv taken these shots, and don’t unless I have to and am very confident in placement.

Nothing wrong with the range at all, and nothing wrong with criticism, it’s how we all learn.

 

[BlackTail]

Iv taken these shots, and don’t unless I have to and am very confident in placement.

Nothing wrong with the range at all, and nothing wrong with criticism, it’s how we all learn.

So you’ve taken these shots, but you don’t take these shots. Unless you’re confident in the shot, then you’ll take the shot??? But only if you have to take the shot???

Are you the arbiter of slightly quartered to elk shots?

Would you have somehow killed the elk “deader” than the OP did if you took the shot?

 

[Lawnboi]

So you’ve taken these shots, but you don’t take these shots. Unless you’re confident in the shot, then you’ll take the shot??? But only if you have to take the shot???

Are you the arbiter of slightly quartered to elk shots?

Would you have somehow killed the elk “deader” than the OP did if you took the shot?

A spine shot in the base of the neck? Sure I’ll take that shot at range closer where I am very confident that bullet is going where I’m aiming. Maybe I just need to be better shooter but I know pinpoint accuracy isn’t easy at 650 yards.

I’m not against a quarter to shot at all and personally would aim right for or slightly behind the point of the shoulder in a situation like this. More margin for error shooting for the center of the vitals. That would be perfect shot here in my opinion, not a high base of the neck shot. Maybe that’s what the hunter did? I don’t know, no story, no inside pictures, we don’t know. But yea, I don’t agree this is a perfect shot.

I’m not going to answer the last question, this isn’t a pecker measuring contest. We can have dialogue about a video posted to have discussion about on a public forum can’t we? I have seen animals shot in the ass that dropped, does that make it perfect?

Maybe explain how you think this shot is perfect?

 

[voltage]

I’m still on team “thats a great shot”

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m still on team “thats a great shot”

The bull is dead. Hunter hit the bull in a spot that caused it to drop instantly. It was a great shot. I’m not the only one who has said it’s not where I would aim but was effective.

Should have never commented. People get sensitive on these posts, should know better.

 

[Jethro]

I’m still on team “thats a great shot”

Me too. Excellent placement given the elks position

 

[bmart2622]

Looks high and forward to me, doubt thats where he was aiming, glad it worked out. Im not referring to this shot with this next statement, but since many point to the outcome, a good outcome doesn't always go hand in hand with a good shot.

 

[Billy Goat]

I think the only point thats trying to be conveyed is to me, approximately this area is what is giving a double lung shot with that angle/body position.



I might be wrong, but that's what I'd be shooting for. Won't make it drop like a sack 'o tatters. But sucks the wind right out of him.

 

[BlackTail]

A spine shot in the base of the neck? Sure I’ll take that shot at range closer where I am very confident that bullet is going where I’m aiming. Maybe I just need to be better shooter but I know pinpoint accuracy isn’t easy at 650 yards.

I’m not against a quarter to shot at all and personally would aim right for or slightly behind the point of the shoulder in a situation like this. More margin for error shooting for the center of the vitals. That would be perfect shot here in my opinion, not a high base of the neck shot. Maybe that’s what the hunter did? I don’t know, no story, no inside pictures, we don’t know. But yea, I don’t agree this is a perfect shot.

I’m not going to answer the last question, this isn’t a pecker measuring contest. We can have dialogue about a video posted to have discussion about on a public forum can’t we? I have seen animals shot in the ass that dropped, does that make it perfect?

Maybe explain how you think this shot is perfect?

So you’ll take that shot if your confident, but the OP got lucky? He wasn’t confident? You get to decide it’s too far for him to be confident?

Maybe we’re not in agreement with where the shot landed? I’ve watched it frame by frame and the green dot , to me, looks like exactly where it impacted. Ryan Avery said he watched it on a 70” screen and the green dot is where it impacted. That to me is a high shoulder, that yes, could have disrupted the neck/spine area, but also gets into and wrecks vitals with the right bullet.

I already said that was maybe 1/2 MOA from perfect (maybe 3-4” lower, maybe a little more on the shoulder would be perfect). I think that was a good shot because of where he hit resulted in a dead elk quickly. A little lower would have also been a dead elk quickly. A little left would have been a dead elk quickly. A little right still would have been a dead elk quickly.

And elk hit in the ass? I know you’re going to say “it dropped but that doesn’t mean it’s a good shot”. But thats not even close to what’s being criticized in a short like this.

 

[Lawnboi]

So you’ll take that shot if your confident, but the OP got lucky? He wasn’t confident? You get to decide it’s too far for him to be confident?

Maybe we’re not in agreement with where the shot landed? I’ve watched it frame by frame and the green dot , to me, looks like exactly where it impacted. Ryan Avery said he watched it on a 70” screen and the green dot is where it impacted. That to me is a high shoulder, that yes, could have disrupted the neck/spine area, but also gets into and wrecks vitals with the right bullet.

I already said that was maybe 1/2 MOA from perfect (maybe 3-4” lower, maybe a little more on the shoulder would be perfect). I think that was a good shot because of where he hit resulted in a dead elk quickly. A little lower would have also been a dead elk quickly. A little left would have been a dead elk quickly. A little right still would have been a dead elk quickly.

And elk hit in the ass? I know you’re going to say “it dropped but that doesn’t mean it’s a good shot”. But thats not even close to what’s being criticized in a short like this.

I’d take that shot at range I could be more confident at. And I said if I was better shooter…. But I’m not at 650 yards, and know how little it takes to be 4” to the right on that shot. Maybe there are shooters out there who can confidently put a bullet on a 4” tall elk vertebrae at 627 yards, that’s not me. I’m not crapping on the hunter, I don’t know his skills or abilities, I’m just discussing what we see in the video.

That green dot where it landed is where the spine is. The spine is a small target. Above it you have a rodeo, below it you have a potential rodeo, to the right you have a potential rodeo. I don’t see where that bullet hits anything but maybe the front of the lungs, maybe. It obviously hit the spine, that’s evident, the bulls legs were swept from under him, that only happens from a CNS hit.

The animal, I never said elk, in the ass was an example. Just because an animal drops from a cns hit dosnt mean it’s a perfect shot. Or where I’m aiming.

Billy goats picture above illustrates what I’m trying to say. Miss that green dot and have a potential rodeo. I’m aiming for that purple box and having the most margin for error on a longer shot, where 3mph of wind is almost a 7” error. Maybe that’s where the hunter was aiming, I don’t know there is no story.

Again you are taking this discussion as an attack.

 

[voltage]

I will say, one thing I don’t love about this shot is the awkward front feet higher than back feet and the quarter to. At this distance, I hope he relaxes and gives me a legit broadside shot. I want everything to be perfect past 500, but that’s just me.

Embrace debate… where is everyone aiming? I am holding yellow circle.

 

[BlackTail]

I’d take that shot at range I could be more confident at. And I said if I was better shooter…. But I’m not at 650 yards, and know how little it takes to be 4” to the right on that shot. Maybe there are shooters out there who can confidently put a bullet on a 4” tall elk vertebrae at 627 yards, that’s not me. I’m not crapping on the hunter, I don’t know his skills or abilities, I’m just discussing what we see in the video.

That green dot where it landed is where the spine is. The spine is a small target. Above it you have a rodeo, below it you have a potential rodeo, to the right you have a potential rodeo. I don’t see where that bullet hits anything but maybe the front of the lungs, maybe. It obviously hit the spine, that’s evident, the bulls legs were swept from under him, that only happens from a CNS hit.

The animal, I never said elk, in the ass was an example. Just because an animal drops from a cns hit dosnt mean it’s a perfect shot. Or where I’m aiming.

Billy goats picture above illustrates what I’m trying to say. Miss that green dot and have a potential rodeo. I’m aiming for that purple box and having the most margin for error on a longer shot, where 3mph of wind is almost a 7” error. Maybe that’s where the hunter was aiming, I don’t know there is no story.

Again you are taking this discussion as an attack.

So where was he aiming? I don’t see where that was posted. Maybe he did put it right in that box knowing he had 5-6” in any direction and it would still be a lethal hit (like it was) and this was just on the edge of his cone? Would that have been a good shot then?

Taking this discussion as an attack? Again? I guess I missed the first time you asked that. Certainly not feeling attacked . I’m just calling out BS when I see it. Like “attempting long shots with a lucky hit” and “the impact was 10-12” higher than you have circled” and “a near miss by an inexperienced long range blaster”. Direct quotes from this thread.

The sad reality is that people are so quick to criticize a long range shot. Some definitely deserve it. I just didn’t think this was one of them. I’ll bet if this video said elk shot at 227 yards, there wouldn’t have been a single thing said about the shot. But because it’s 627 yards it’s “just another terrible Hail Mary shot from one of the unqualified long range blasters”. (another direct quote).

 

[Lawnboi]

I will say, one thing I don’t love about this shot is the awkward front feet higher than back feet and the quarter to. At this distance, I hope he relaxes and gives me a legit broadside shot. I want everything to be perfect past 500, but that’s just me.

Embrace debate… where is everyone aiming? I am holding yellow circle.

View attachment 969194

Exactly, this is great discussion.

This elk is chewing cud, the 6x6 behind him is feeding comfortably. I’m waiting on the shot personally for a more broadside shot, where I have the highest margin for error.

Depending on the wind I’m aiming 2” left of your yellow dot. A tenth of spin drift at that range as well to keep in mind.

As noted above there are ranges where I will purposely aim for CNS. If im shooting at an elk 600 yards away and happen to hit CNS I consider that lucky.

 

[Lawnboi]

So where was he aiming? I don’t see where that was posted. Maybe he did put it right in that box knowing he had 5-6” in any direction and it would still be a lethal hit (like it was) and this was just on the edge of his cone? Would that have been a good shot then?

Taking this discussion as an attack? Again? I guess I missed the first time you asked that. Certainly not feeling attacked . I’m just calling out BS when I see it. Like “attempting long shots with a lucky hit” and “the impact was 10-12” higher than you have circled” and “a near miss by an inexperienced long range blaster”. Direct quotes from this thread.

The sad reality is that people are so quick to criticize a long range shot. Some definitely deserve it. I just didn’t think this was one of them. I’ll bet if this video said elk shot at 227 yards, there wouldn’t have been a single thing said about the shot. But because it’s 627 yards it’s “just another terrible Hail Mary shot from one of the unqualified long range blasters”. (another direct quote).

Exactly! If he was aiming for the box, and hit the spine, I’d consider that lucky. If it were me I’d be aiming in that box, and if I end up catching spine I consider myself lucky. I’m not aiming for the spine at 600 yards. 100 yards? Different story. Neither distance is wrong.

I have zero issue with a long range shot. Not at all. I had a similar situation as above this year. I was safety off at 500 yards, waiting for a slightly more broadside shot because my target grows 2x in size. I look back at my past and compare it to my lethality now, the biggest difference today is knowing when to take a risky shot and when to wait for a higher percentage shot.

I’m not at all criticizing the range of the shot. But I also understand that a reasonable cone of fire at that range is beyond the size of the spine or even a neck shot at that range. Again maybe we are watching the best shooter in the country shoot this bull, I don’t know, we don’t know.

Some are criticizing the range earlier, I don’t agree with them. It is actually good seeing those reactions because it shows you how hard it is to actually spot your shot at that range. These are skills that are hard to master.

There would be a huge difference for me if this elk was at 200 yards. I know I can be near pinpoint precise at 200 yards. At that range actually going for a CNS hit would be a high percentage shot for me.

Again good discussion, I’m not crapping on you or the hunter just adding my 2 cents. And also kind of scratching my head wondering why people are thinking this is such a great shot.