Shot set up on steep terrain

[mtnwrunner]

Okay, so here's a question for "what other guys do."
I have just located a "spot" that is absolutely incredible for long range. I went scouting last weekend with an archery friend of mine and he showed me an area (and I've always said, man, there has got to be bucks in there) that he hunts elk in and pointed out areas on the hill where he has seen bucks frequent year after year. He says that no one hunts it as its super steep and hard to get to. And I said, well, I can get there---with a 300 grainer.
The problem is being able to set up for a stable shot. Distance would be 800 to 1200 yards or more across a canyon and both sides are very steep as in 40 degrees or so. I will be going up this weekend to practice shooting across the canyon and maybe setting up a hide. I don't think getting prone is going to work. So, anyone else able to tell me what they do? I always have a bombproof tripod with me and I would use that for a front rest but thinking of ways to stabilize the rear of the stock as you would be sitting on a slope and the shot would be straight across.

Randy

 

[Sam Millard]

Okay, so here's a question for "what other guys do."
I have just located a "spot" that is absolutely incredible for long range. I went scouting last weekend with an archery friend of mine and he showed me an area (and I've always said, man, there has got to be bucks in there) that he hunts elk in and pointed out areas on the hill where he has seen bucks frequent year after year. He says that no one hunts it as its super steep and hard to get to. And I said, well, I can get there---with a 300 grainer.
The problem is being able to set up for a stable shot. Distance would be 800 to 1200 yards or more across a canyon and both sides are very steep as in 40 degrees or so. I will be going up this weekend to practice shooting across the canyon and maybe setting up a hide. I don't think getting prone is going to work. So, anyone else able to tell me what they do? I always have a bombproof tripod with me and I would use that for a front rest but thinking of ways to stabilize the rear of the stock as you would be sitting on a slope and the shot would be straight across.

Randy

Good luck

 

[larryschwartz]

Sit on the hillside, tripod in front of you with the rifle on it. Put your pack behind you between you and the hillside. Brace yourself against the pack and put your rifle stock against your shoulder.

 

[larryschwartz]

My real concern would be have you figured out how you will get it up or down the hill to a trail or road so you can get it back to camp or your vehicle?

 

[mtnwrunner]

Good luck

I was afraid that you would say that...........

 

[mtnwrunner]

My real concern would be have you figured out how you will get it up or down the hill to a trail or road so you can get it back to camp or your vehicle?

Well, no concern. You hike down, you hike up, you get your deer, you hike back down and they you hike back up.

Randy

 

[larryschwartz]

Well, no concern. You hike down, you hike up, you get your deer, you hike back down and they you hike back up.

Randy

Well now, that's the right attitude! Have a blast, so to speak and enjoy those backstraps over the coals.

 

[Sam Millard]

I was afraid that you would say that...........

Well, setting up and taking the shot sitting could be engineered, but spotting for yourself would be very difficult under those conditions. If you can't shoot from the top of the ridge, look for a rock, a small bench, or if it's timbered, a blowdown with a big root ball hole. I've had hides on steep hillsides in all 3 of those areas. Shooting prone is really the only way to roll for those distances.

Send me a detailed map and google earth coordinates of the spot. I will figure out a way to shoot it for you!

 

[pyroducksx3]

I hunt in steep areas and this is what I have found out. Obviously its the steep downhill where the target is across the canyon thats the challenge. You have to get the rifle level to the target which makes it going on perpendicular to the hillside. I have a tripod with a shooting saddle from prs that I often end up using to support the rear of the rifle with a rear shooting bag in the saddle. Ill find a log/rock anything put my pack down on and then use my bipod legs set as high as I can or need on the pack. The point is you need to get the rifle up so you can sit behind it. If you shoot lying prone down a steep incline with the rifle pointed across the canyon one its incredibly uncomfotable and almost impossible to get a good sight picture but the most important reason is this position pushes your face closer to the scope and you will scope check the shit out of your face. I shot a deer like this 3 years ago and thought I broke my eye socket. Finially I dont think you are going to be able to use anything but a solid prone to make 800-1000 yard shots, I mean this technique is pretty solid but its not prone solid. I have had luck finding large rocks , boulders really, that allow me to be in a more tradition bipod rear shooting bags position where im more lying against the rock closer to prone vs closer to sitting behind the rifle. Long winded post sorry.

 

[Broz]

tripod and 800 to 1200 yards in the same sentence sounds like bad juju to me. Now digging a fox hole sounds better.

 

[mtnwrunner]

tripod and 800 to 1200 yards in the same sentence sounds like bad juju to me. Now digging a fox hole sounds better.

Well, it is more of a front rest. And yes, I am going to be taking a shovel and a pick. I'll take some photos this weekend.
And no, Sam, you cannot have the GPS coordinates.

Randy

 

[quest]

Well, it is more of a front rest. And yes, I am going to be taking a shovel and a pick. I'll take some photos this weekend.
And no, Sam, you cannot have the GPS coordinates.

Randy

It sounds like a good idea using your shovel to level a spot out. If you have any trees around use screw in hooks.

 

[Sam Millard]

Well, it is more of a front rest. And yes, I am going to be taking a shovel and a pick. I'll take some photos this weekend.
And no, Sam, you cannot have the GPS coordinates.

Randy

I have dug out or flattened positions before. Stacking logs against downhill trees can be effective, also. I've taken a couple of really uncomfortable prone shots, where my feet were higher than my head and my waist was bent (from steep hillsides), but I wouldn't have tried if I didn't have a spotter...no way to follow through the recoil to spot hits.

I drew 1001 deer this year, so I will be busy looking around up here...no time to raid other spots

 

[mtnwrunner]

Found THE spot

Well, did some more scouting today and located THE perch. Able to prone out and shoot in several directions. Shot today at 860, 1127 and 1425. Right on the money. Was 2 MOA right (wind) at 1425 but elevation was perfect. Little difficult to get to but I think its gonna be worth it.

Randy

 

[Ryan Avery]

Nice looking place! I'm with Sam, going to need some grid coordinates

 

[pyroducksx3]

Good looking spot and the harder it is to get to the less you have to worry about someone snaking it from you

 

[pyroducksx3]

He took them with his phone so I was able to get the gps coordinates from the photos, I'll share em with you Ryan.

 

[Sam Millard]

You carry a shooting mat with you?

 

[mtnwrunner]

You carry a shooting mat with you?

Not when I'm hunting. I was, however wearing shorts today and got bit by something. Here's some more photos.


randy