Maximum Range for Stalking

[foxdropper]

I think the main point is dont advertise it on social media. It doesn't take much too catch some non shooting groups attention .before you know it we are a bunch of cruel so and so animal murderers the last thing we need I think

To be honest Steve I don’t think the die hard anti cares about how ,its more ,why .

 

[Mick9abf]

I think one other thing we should also bare in mind is that most shots in the highlands on Red deer are taken laying prone, not off sticks. Thus giving the shooter a more secure rest and time as a rule to compose ones self before taking the shot.

Also some stalkers/shooters may well be able to put consistent shots in a target at longer ranges. But this is a target, it does not move, its stationary. Its a bit different with live quarry, weather, walking up a hill side to get a shot with a stitch in your side and out of breath, plus the adrenaline makes a world of difference to laying comfortably on a range.
But this subject will forever be discussed.

There is also the difference between topography and how it effects the bullet in flight over distance which tends to be more variable. When stalking the firing point is chosen by circumstances as opposed to that on most ranges where the firing points and features don’t change thus making the wind, with practice (the flags help) easier to read.

It’s been a while but I always found the wind far easier to read at Bisley than say one of the long ranges in Brecon.

 

[howa243]

When someone can achieve something we can't, it's very easy to try, and find fault in what they do. You can come up with numerous reasons why they shouldn't, why they're wrong, all based on personal ability, and, or personal beliefs. None of which change the fact, that some people do things, because they can !

Absolutely none of this is about ability or equipment.

 

[Dalua]

No disrespect but the effective target zone on a red deers stags neck is about the size of a rugby ball, that long narrow sinuous curve you see in dsc documents is total male bovine by-product.
A solid hit to the neck muscle, missing the vertebrae, will still anchor it with a fast expanding bullet, a hit to the dorsal vertebrae will anchor it, a hit to the central vertebrae will anchor it and kill it.
I’ve no intention of re starting WW3 re neck shots/chest shots but there’s a great deal of misinformation accepted as gospel by stalkers who haven’t actually tried it.
No, neck shots aren’t perfect, the perfect shot only exists on the range, but it’s good enough often enough that it should be taught as a viable alternative to waiting for the perfect 90 degree profile.
Now that that’s settled, let’s get back to bad mouthing the.243, particularly Blaser .243’s

All I can say is that my target-zone on a stag's neck is not anywhere near that big. Nor is it's shape (whatever one thinks it might be) as useful for making up for errors of range, wind etc. as the chest.

I wouldn't take a shot at an unwounded deer that with the intention to do anything but kill it. As far as deliberately 'anchoring' a deer goes, I can only quote a stalker who took me out some years ago who said that when he approached a hit deer, he liked to see it gazing glassy-eyed into the next world, rather than staring back anxiously into this one.

 

[User00035]

Do you mind me asking if this was an overseas stalker or one based in the UK. If in the UK, did they own their own rifle?

He was an oversees stalker using my rifle which had been zero checked.
He owned several rifles apparently but had chosen to use estate rifles for this trip.
It was my third morning taking him out. He had turned down at least one prime shot on every outing, always claiming they were too far. I pinged every one and none were over 130 yards.
The only shot he had been keen on was an 80 yard buck on the skyline which obviously I wouldn't let him take.

 

[Dalua]

There has to be quite a few on here ,given the comprehensive membership it has ,that practice regularly at the likes of Bisley at ranges far exceeding this problematic shot that would definitely use that skill in the field .Move out of the darkness and into the light ,don’t be scared .

My experience of taking part in and running sporting rifle shoots is that having shot in proper wind at 200yds and then 300yds a few times does wonders for people's assessment of their own abilities, and what constitutes a reasonable shot
Most participants, I think, end up with a healthy respect for the wind and would keep to a maximum shooting range of a fair slice under 300yds.

 

[Kjf]

I've just shot a stag at 420yds , here's a pic of the bullet

It must be true coz it's on face ache

is there a video of the shot?????

I do this ,I do that , did he , didn't he , etc etc lol

That's my reply to the post FFS

KJF

 

[foxdropper]

My experience of taking part in and running sporting rifle shoots is that having shot in proper wind at 200yds and then 300yds a few times does wonders for people's assessment of their own abilities, and what constitutes a reasonable shot
Most participants, I think, end up with a healthy respect for the wind and would keep to a maximum shooting range of a fair slice under 300yds.

Fair comment but given a still day ,right kit and confidence ,around we go again .

 

[Heym SR20]

Personally much prefer getting up close. Thats the fun and skill. I took a shot at 300 odd at a Gams last year. I was pressured by the guide. I would prefer to have got in closer. Shot was perfect but we didn’t find it till the following day by which which time meat was spoilt. As it turns out it had bad fly strike so would have condemned it any how.

Generally if i have to think about range, drops etc then its too far to take a shot. Thats my personal view and thats the way i stalk.

 

[Lateral]

Absolutely none of this is about ability or equipment.

I don't agree, I think it's all about peoples opinions of what people, and equipment are capable of, based on their own experience, ability, and "peer pressure" !

In New Zealand, hunters commonly shoot out way beyond the distances mentioned here. 400m shots wouldn't raise a murmur.

Throughout history, some people have refused to accept others can do what they can't. People whose goals are faster, further, bigger, deeper, higher, than anyone accepted as possible, or sensible. But they did it, and these things became normal. Who are we, to say what other people can, or should do, if they can ?

 

[hedge hunter]

I think the main point is dont advertise it on social media. It doesn't take much too catch some non shooting groups attention .before you know it we are a bunch of cruel so and so animal murderers the last thing we need I think

To be honest Steve I don’t think the die hard anti cares about how ,its more ,why .

Yes your right they dont care how .maybe it's just me but I think we need too be careful just looking at this thread from a different perspective

 

[Ranger22]

420 yard neck shot. Not impossible but not the easiest of shots. I wouldn’t but I’m not a huge fan of neck shots at any distance. The room for error and causing you real problems is pretty big. If you get it wrong the beast will go down but get back up again and run, a few seconds and it’s a lot further out, your not going to be calm, could you get a second shot in to stop it? At that distance, if I was to shoot it would be a chest shot every time.
People need to shoot at distances within their own ability. They need to be honest about this and If the beast is to far away get in closer or leave for another day.

 

[howa243]

He was an oversees stalker using my rifle which had been zero checked.
He owned several rifles apparently but had chosen to use estate rifles for this trip.
It was my third morning taking him out. He had turned down at least one prime shot on every outing, always claiming they were too far. I pinged every one and none were over 130 yards.
The only shot he had been keen on was an 80 yard buck on the skyline which obviously I wouldn't let him take.

I guess you had him on a range before the outing? I know a guide of predominantly overseas stalkers who tells me similar stories. It leaves me not sure what to say to be honest. Its clearly wrong, but I am not sure what can be done about it. Assume the trophy hunting ban will stop it anyway.

 

[howa243]

I don't agree, I think it's all about peoples opinions of what people, and equipment are capable of, based on their own experience, ability, and "peer pressure" !

In New Zealand, hunters commonly shoot out way beyond the distances mentioned here. 400m shots wouldn't raise a murmur.

Throughout history, some people have refused to accept others can do what they can't. People whose goals are faster, further, bigger, deeper, higher, than anyone accepted as possible, or sensible. But they did it, and these things became normal. Who are we, to say what other people can, or should do, if they can ?

What? But nobody is saying it cannot be done, they are saying that it should not.

 

[User00035]

I don't agree, I think it's all about peoples opinions of what people, and equipment are capable of, based on their own experience, ability, and "peer pressure" !

In New Zealand, hunters commonly shoot out way beyond the distances mentioned here. 400m shots wouldn't raise a murmur.

Throughout history, some people have refused to accept others can do what they can't. People whose goals are faster, further, bigger, deeper, higher, than anyone accepted as possible, or sensible. But they did it, and these things became normal. Who are we, to say what other people can, or should do, if they can ?

 

[Stringer]

How does anyone predict wind drift at these sort of ranges? Even in a calm day the wind could be totally different 400m away. I have neither ability, equipment nor desire.

 

[foxdropper]

“What? But nobody is saying it cannot be done, they are saying that it should not.”
Why not .Skill is just that and can be applied to the 100 m range if we are being picky .Ive seen a few lads not able to hit that consistently but they are still stalking and still buy days under supervision or alone .
If we are to get all righteous on distance ,neck shooting ,head shooting ,pregnant etc then opportunities diminish ,people darnt post and this becomes pointless .Stick to whatever your comfortable with and stay within your boundaries if the skill level dosnt allow anything beyond the mindset of 150m max .Simples .

 

[foxdropper]

How does anyone predict wind drift at these sort of ranges? Even in a calm day the wind could be totally different 400m away. I have neither ability, equipment nor desire.

And yet down they go .

 

[bogtrotter]

Believe there is a long range shootIng forum if thats your bag take it on there.
This is a stalking forum and shooting at those sort of ranges is N0T! Stalking.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

I understand this has probably been done to death and that everyone has there own opinion and of course depends on experience etc.....

However I came across this on a stalking page on facebook and thought it was completely outrageous.

I am sure everyone will have there own opinion. I certainly have mine

In my opinion it is not Stalking.
The question is how close can you get? That’s Stalking.

I don’t dispute that some can get clean kills at longer ranges, but it is not Stalking.