Is 500 yards a long shot?

[blacktailcentral]

Hey roksliders, apparently there are a few fudds on the forum that think a 500 yard shot is sooo long and unethical for a shot. Parameters for this discussion, low to zero wind, ballistic rangefinder thats been trued out to 1000yards, shooting off a tripod with a bag or bipod prone.

 

[UpNorth89]

Depends on the shooter. I've seen people that shouldn't shoot over 100 yards and others where the shot you mention is a gimme. For me, if I'm not super rushed that's not a long shot

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

500 is extremely far and unethical unless youre using a 300rum/prc and 220+ grains bullet, at that distance the chances of anyone actually hitting the animal are minimal at best, if not 0. But if you are going to shoot something that far make damn sure youre using a cartridge with enough wallop to do the job.

 

[blacktailcentral]

Depends on the shooter. I've seen people that shouldn't shoot over 100 yards and others where the shot you mention is a gimme. For me, if I'm not super rushed that's not a long shot

Totally agree!

 

[Smokinyotes]

500 yards is easy peasy off my bench with a front rest and rear bag. In a hunting situation that’s a different game all together. My longest shot was a mule buck back in 2015 with my 300wm at 760 yards. I was just shooting off my Harris bipod and could not get steady enough until I leaned against a tree. I did make a good shot on the deer but probably would never shoot at an animal at that distance again. Too many variables. I do my best shooting at game off my pack. Round bales work pretty well also.

 

[Choupique]

500 is a damn long ways for me. 250 is far for me.

 

[dreamingWest]

Yes

 

[blacktailcentral]

500 yards is easy peasy off my bench with a front rest and rear bag. In a hunting situation that’s a different game all together. My longest shot was a mule buck back in 2015 with my 300wm at 760 yards. I was just shooting off my Harris bipod and could not get steady enough until I leaned against a tree. I did make a good shot on the deer but probably would never shoot at an animal at that distance again. Too many variables. I do my best shooting at game off my pack. Round bales work pretty well also.

Without a good rest even 300 yards is a long shot, but with a stabile position is what i am asking.

 

[BigCountry49]

At a gun range with a capable set-up, consistent wind, and known hold/drop, it’s pretty simple..

 

[sndmn11]

Yes

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

We have killed out to 990 with a 7mmstw. You're full of a lot of ignorance. Haven't killed many bulls

You're pretty bad at recognizing satire. Chill out amigo.

 

[blacktailcentral]

Anytime I hear wallop i know there is some ing going on

 

[SCHiker]

Unethical is pulling the trigger when the probability of success is unacceptably low. For me my goal is >95% success rate (I am 9/9 deer thus far) but some would accept lower numbers but i think less than 80% is unethical in general.
So it just comes down to shooting skill. It would be unethical for me to take a > 300 yd shot currently.

 

[Smokinyotes]

If you are stable and know your drops out to the distance your shooting I have no problem with guys shooting at extended distances. Trouble is many guys buy a scope with either dials or ballistic reticle and all of a sudden they think they are a sniper. You can have the best equipment but if you haven’t verified your drops out to the distances you will be shooting, really your only guessing.

 

[ckleeves]

People are way too concerned with distance. There are easy 600 yard shots and there are hard sub 200 yard shots.

 

[blacktailcentral]

Also the trolls from the other thread believe that it is always possible to get closer, i have seen many of situations where there is no way to get closer and still see the animal…. Ie the animal is across a canyon.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

In wind, 400 is where I have started to notice differences. Have made mistakes at 300.

“Far” depends on time to get a shot off as well.

500 is far(ish) in my book.

 

[blacktailcentral]

In wind, 400 is where I have started to notice differences. Have made mistakes at 300.

“Far” depends on time to get a shot off as well.

500 is far(ish) in my book.

Wind is the great equalizer, what i am referring to is a 0-2mph wind. A stiff wind can make a shot at 300 yards difficult or if their is updrafts that can make bullets do weird things.

 

[Snowwolfe]

500 is long to me. I have never shot beyond 300 yards and 95% of the animals I killed were under 150 yards.

 

[wapitibob]

Not that far when the target is 2moa.