Determining effective shooting range

[hibernation]

Sure, but what exactly would you do? I see a lot of guys go to the range and check the rifle zero at 100 yards and then go hunting (and presumably taking shots beyond 100 yards). What do you do to decide where to draw the line?

Adding to this: I practice enough that I have a pretty good idea how my group size changes with different shooting positions, what MOA I can typically maintain. That's my starting point for checking with single shots where I'll have to add in wind, elevation, and ideally, some time pressure. I want to be able to consistently hit an 8" steel with my hunting setup from actual hunting positions, that's my check on what shots I can confidently take as I lead up to hunting season.

 

[goathunter.oregon]

+1
the question doesnt make any sense to me

My point was, how and when do you decide your effective distance? There has to be a cutoff somewhere when you aren't fiddling with gear any longer and you pick a number for your effective distance. In other words, you're out of time to make adjustments; you're going hunting. You've done something before the trip to determine what your distance is: what is that something?

 

[ElPollo]

Scenario: it's the week before your rifle hunt. You aren't buying any more gear, you aren't adjusting your scope or rifle or shooting accessories or changing ammo; you have what you have and your shooting form is what it is. What steps do you take to determine your effective shooting range for the hunt?

Thread 'Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting'

Mar 31, 2020

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions. It’s an attempt to get to actually using your rifles.


People online tend to act like 600/800/whatever yards is a rifle, cartridge and BDC scope purchase away. When someone asks for advice, or says I’m building an -insert whatever rifle/cartridge you want-, people are discussing hardware not...

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[rookieforever33]

S

My point was, how and when do you decide your effective distance? There has to be a cutoff somewhere when you aren't fiddling with gear any longer and you pick a number for your effective distance. In other words, you're out of time to make adjustments; you're going hunting. You've done something before the trip to determine what your distance is: what is that something?

Shoot progressively longer distances until you cant consistently hit the target on the first shot. Using hunting positions. This isnt something you do the week before you go. It may take time and research to find somewhere to do this. If the farthest you can find to shoot is a distance you are always right on target you may be comfortable extending past thst 50 yards or so. This is the best/easiest way to know your range.