Long Range Gear

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

It really is something you need to do yourself, that said I get it if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. I have people coming to me each year asking for me to do the same thing you're asking for. There's plenty of videos online to guide you to get started here, look at Long Range Only and maybe reach out on specific questions. Sam @ Panhandle Precision has some great videos as well. Maybe listen to Modern Day Sniper podcasts and try to pick up a few things. No offense to the OP but this is why I hate the phrase "1000 yards out of the box"!!! I meet people every year that think if they buy a specific rifle and optics than they just need it sighted in with a DOPE chart and then they can go hunt and shoot at animal's way out there!! I shoot out to just over a mile on a fairly regular basis in different locations under different conditions and I can tell you that I'm still learning constantly!!!! Elevation might be simple physics but the wind is freaking Voodoo!! It takes a lot of practice to "try" to learn how to read wind, so please do yourself a favor and when you make it out west for your hunts please keep to a maximum distance that you've actually practiced at. Otherwise you're just going to open the opportunities for wounded horror stories. I'm pretty sure you don't want that to happen, otherwise you wouldn't be on here asking for help.

What do you differently from a technical perspective when shooting at 400, 800, 1000, etc?

Asking since I was taught to approach every shot the same no matter the distance.

 

[orelkaddict]

From a basic fundamental standpoint you're correct that you treat each shot the same regardless of distance. They change lies in the details, are you shooting 200 yards across a semi flat bench? Or are you shooting across the canyon that has multiple finger draws that all have conflicting thermals and winds? I've found a few places that I thought would be a chip shot at 600 yards only to hit 3+ feet straight high. After multiple days of attempting 1 of these spots I hiked my ass over there to discover the wind is blowing straight up and screwing my "easy" shot. So many of these shots you have to discover in real world experience to learn from them. To help you try to figure out how to read the terrain to make the shot. In some of those areas where it looks to good to be true I've found that looking for dust or pollen or anything airborne to help me read the shot.

 

[wind gypsy]

I'd bet my paycheck you can find a place to shoot as far as you have any business shooting at muleys and antelope in MS, it just might not be convenient. You cant buy competency so stop trying to. Good equipment can make a big difference but it doesn't shoot for you.

 

[bsnedeker]

I'd bet my paycheck you can find a place to shoot as far as you have any business shooting at muleys and antelope in MS, it just might not be convenient. You cant buy competency so stop trying to. Good equipment can make a big difference but it doesn't shoot for you.

I'd bet WG's next paycheck too.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using Tapatalk

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

From a basic fundamental standpoint you're correct that you treat each shot the same regardless of distance. They change lies in the details, are you shooting 200 yards across a semi flat bench? Or are you shooting across the canyon that has multiple finger draws that all have conflicting thermals and winds? I've found a few places that I thought would be a chip shot at 600 yards only to hit 3+ feet straight high. After multiple days of attempting 1 of these spots I hiked my ass over there to discover the wind is blowing straight up and screwing my "easy" shot. So many of these shots you have to discover in real world experience to learn from them. To help you try to figure out how to read the terrain to make the shot. In some of those areas where it looks to good to be true I've found that looking for dust or pollen or anything airborne to help me read the shot.

I’ve not seen you mention specifically what you are changing when actually taking the shot at various distances. Only seen different input variables that feed into the shot process.

Getting a range (minimum X readings) and wind call are external variables that tell you what to do with the scope. Once “inputted” there’s no change to how a person actually takes the shot.

(You is generic)
May be slight adjustments if hunting solo vs tandem.

Not touching the rifle…
* You get your distance.
* You get your wind call.


Touching the rifle…
* You dial your elevation the same way no matter the distance nor wind. The only variable is how many clicks.
* You get into the rifle the same way no matter the distance nor wind.
* You get stable (relative) the same way no matter the distance nor wind. Different positions/rests have different stability levels which can impact your effective distance; hence “relative”.
* You control your breathe the same way no matter the distance nor wind.
* You hold for the wind the same way no matter the the distance nor wind. The only variable is how much to hold and from which direction.
* You apply same amount of pressure to the trigger the same way no matter the distance nor wind.

This is why I said taking the actual shot doesn’t change. It’s also why solid fundamentals are critical as they literally impact every shot you take.

Wind can be a wicked evil b*tch. It’s an art to learn yet few master (lucky SOBs). Don’t want to discount it’s importance, but it is just a variable to be inputted when it comes time to take the shot.

 

[Clark33]

This is what the "1,000 yards out of the box" ad campaigns get you

 

[MTNHUNTER76]

Find a local one day prs club match. You can enter one fairly cheap. It will be held at a range that extends to usually 1k yards. This is the best bit of experience you can possibly get and will translate to the field 100%. Most seasoned shooters are very eager to help new guys.

 

[XLR]

Find a local one day prs club match. You can enter one fairly cheap. It will be held at a range that extends to usually 1k yards. This is the best bit of experience you can possibly get and will translate to the field 100%. Most seasoned shooters are very eager to help new guys.

Exactly what he said! It is going to cost you a few rounds and hurt your ego a little bit when you are shooting with them but you will learn a lot! Reach out to the match director before to see what gear he recommends bringing and if anyone could help you get a good zero and Chrono your rifle before the match begins. Most of the time you will be able to borrow the bags that you need for shooting off barricades. The biggest thing is to bring a set of binos (and a tripod if you have one) so you can watch the wind and see what they are seeing.