Would you take the shot

[levigsp]

Pah! I could do that freehand, in a blizzard while being blinded by the sun in the middle of the night and soaked through with driving rain

I would say that at least 50% of the people I meet stalking could not do the 20 inches at 260 yards, in fact they cannot hit a roe of sticks at 100!

 

[Essex stalker]

Id need to put stronger elastic on my catapault

 

[Woodsmoke]

I would say that at least 50% of the people I meet stalking could not do the 20 inches at 260 yards

I'd say they need to be practicing more! Kidding aside though, the more time behind the trigger the better. Shooting's a perishable skill, and how some can think they're fit to shoot at live quarry when the rifle only comes out once or twice a year is beyond me. At the risk of ending up a wee pile of scorched bones and ash, I wonder if this is why the popularity of aids such a quad' sticks, BDC apps and rangefinders has risen so dramatically over recent years?

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

not to mention night gear!

 

[Loki]

Hello John

Interesting post - for me whether or not I did would depend on some knowns and some unknowns -
calibre to hand, urgency for meat, can I get closer to reduce the risk of an 'unknown-unknown', extraction and then I am ok at that moment in time with myself.
If these could be reasonably ticked - yes.

F

 

[finnbear270]

and rangefinders has risen so dramatically over recent years?

, Lasered target, distance to target known quantity, I gave up guestimates years ago.

 

[I. Farticus]

, Lasered target, distance to target known quantity, I gave up guestimates years ago.

Agreed...
Is it within my PBR of 250yds? Y/N
Y - Check wind, safety off, breathe and squeeze.
N - Stalk closer or hope that they move in my direction or just watch through the binos as I still get a buzz knowing that they don't know I'm there, watching them!

 

[John Gryphon]

The deer on the left in the bottom photo comes with a handy X marks the spot.

Yes thats the bloodline that has been encouraged here thus that one is still kicking ha ha.

 

[John Gryphon]

I should add that there is several kilometres of bush rising to 3500' behind the deer.

F if you had of been here with me I would have advised to take the shot if comfortable.You come all the way here from the UK and it maybe the only 'chance you get' type of situation,so take the shot.

Never mind waiting another day for the mature boys to come back,its been another day of torrential rain here,two in a row,there will be no deer out of the cover in this\ again this morn.

As mentioned, the calibre/bullet was eminently suitable, an exact distance ranged,nil wind,a large broadsided target and a good and very steady rest over a tripod with time to set the exact required height etc,I have faith in you mate!

If not doing it there and then its back to stalking into the effing 'jungle' behind the deer,its much the same cover as the pics I have previously sent you,thus if one needs meat or a scalp take it when you can.
We have taken a lot of deer in heavy bush and the retrieval is not fun,its a slog,so much so that as the years roll on,far less opps are taken by me now.

 

[finnbear270]

The WinMag for me.

 

[scoby3030]

Yes

 

[Heym SR20]

I should add that there is several kilometres of bush rising to 3500' behind the deer.

F if you had of been here with me I would have advised to take the shot if comfortable.You come all the way here from the UK and it maybe the only 'chance you get' type of situation,so take the shot.

Never mind waiting another day for the mature boys to come back,its been another day of torrential rain here,two in a row,there will be no deer out of the cover in this\ again this morn.

As mentioned, the calibre/bullet was eminently suitable, an exact distance ranged,nil wind,a large broadsided target and a good and very steady rest over a tripod with time to set the exact required height etc,I have faith in you mate!

If not doing it there and then its back to stalking into the effing 'jungle' behind the deer,its much the same cover as the pics I have previously sent you,thus if one needs meat or a scalp take it when you can.
We have taken a lot of deer in heavy bush and the retrieval is not fun,its a slog,so much so that as the years roll on,far less opps are taken by me now.

I must admit with my stalking that if a shot presents itself I tend to take it. On average I reckon one beast every five or so proper outings. I have had some very tricky stalks before taking a shot. But I have had a couple of occasions when I have driven into the corner of a field, parked got out of the car and a deer has popped out 100 yards away and used the car roof as a stable rest. With bigger deer - if its an easy extraction - take the shot.

 

[old man]

Backstops and extraction aside, personally no, because not able to practice at those ranges.

 

[kimh]

if there's a question 'NO'
from the image you show, there is no question with my personal capabilities so 'YES'

other's may say No and have that right

 

[John Gryphon]

As a follow up I couldn't help myself this morning and sneaked back to the same spot in the rain. I was surprised to actually see a shape. Wet glass,early light and rain made the 'black blob" moving uphill totally unidentifiable,even at 230 m`s. I came back wet as a shag and its still pouring rain,this deer hunting has an amount of 'madness' to it.

As testimony to the rain we are still having attached is a pic of our bbq/fire pit are with the brook along side the house.

 

[sinbad]

Broadside with a decent backstop and the 7mm rem mag, all things considered including the GWP at heel then yes without doubt John.

 

[turner.jc1]

I saw these young stags ( we consider meat animals) the other morning,feeding and frigging about at various ranges from 260 - 267 metres. A few broadsides were presented and in my mind easy enough shots at that range.
Do you UK blokes mind having a crack at targets like this,remember they are robust big *******s with a 20" square sweet spot.
Personally I do like to get closer but if not no sweat I will bang them. I had an open paddock `tween them and me that precluded a sneak in.
Yes I do realise some may consider it to be a bit of a snipe anyway interested in replies.
I dont see much difference in rolling a Highland Red in the Scottish forest at a similar distance.

Out of interest why is the question directed at UK shooters specifically?

 

[The tramp]

20" sweet spot, less than 300m, any suitable caliber could do that, simply aiming at the spine.
As for a previous post, 3-4" at 100 yards windage from a 10 mph wind ??? Even the mighty hmr isnt that bad. You need to reevaluate your kit if so...

 

[John Gryphon]

Out of interest why is the question directed at UK shooters specifically?

Because this is a UK forum.. do ye get it?

 

[User00007]

Suitable caliber, around a decent distance, if your confident and comfortable and steady why the hell not, providing you also know your equipment properly.