Thought maybe I could interest folks in trying our own 400 yard hit the lifesize deer target challenge.
Deer season is upon us, maybe we could put the "Hit the deer" test to folks around here.
Original post on the subject stated hit a life size deer target "anywhere" from 400 yards, any position except a concrete bench (I believe any bench would be out of the question).
Let's put it to the test.
I suggest a piece of cardboard, 16" tall by 36" long. Place it horizontal at 400 yards (hang it off the ground so we don't get ground crawler round hits) and shoot 1 round. Go down and mark the target a hit or miss and then back to the line and fire a second round (just for fun). Assume the head end of the cardboard is "A", the back is "B" the tail is "C" and the belly is "D".
Post your results here. First round, hit or miss, then the inches is was from "A" and "B". Post the same for round # 2, hit or miss and again the inches from "A" and "B". We can all then plot the hits on our own target and "play along".
Post the cartridge, bullet, specifics of desired, rifle, optics/sights, position, conditions, altitude, temp, wind, whatever if you want.
I have a few items left over from a previous "fun shoot" and I'll send a few goodies to some of the better performers or teller of tales.
I have Leupold bases, Nosler partition bullets, a few wildlife prints and some other hunting related stuff.
I just need to find a target turret with enough range to compensate for the 15' of drop out of my M629 .44 Mag <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
I guess we should put the caveat in of " the rifle you normally hunt long range deer with"?
That kinda puts a little spin on things for some, as I would not consider tryin' it with half the rifles I hunt with .
However , some are set up for long range shooting , and are , for all intnents and purposes, hunting rifles. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I guess that leaves out my 577/450 and my Hawken! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I was just about to clean up all my rifles and take them out to try this. I initailly intend to only use the 308 but I can use the 243, 300 WSM and 375 H&H too. I have a 416 Rigby but express sights and not regulated, I'd need to sneak up a little for that one.
I'll probably get out this afternoon if the hurricane remnants hold off for a while.
Well, let's see, I was plinkin' clays at 500 yast weekend with the .308 and the 6.5WSM, and helped zero a fella's
Sporterized Enfield for him after I mounted a scope.
After sighting in at 25, the first shot I made at 200 busted a clay, so if I calculated the range properly, I think that one would do it, also.
Not that i would attempt a shot like that with an Enfield on a real deer.
The 6.5/284 of my son's was smackin' the turkey at 385m pretty good, so I have a few honest hunting rifles that should be in the running... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Here's my results: Three different rifles, two rounds each rifle with a trip to the target to mark the first round(s). All shots hit the target. All shots were from the prone position using a bipod with a sand sock rear rest (the way I hunt long(er) range). temp ~70, elevation ~1,000 ASL, wind ~0 mph (none), slight downward angle to the target at 400 yards.
375 H&H Magnum, 260 Accubond @ 2820fps, Leupold Long Range M3 (3.5 x 10).
I just got the Long(er) Range 375 H&H put together so no verified data, just and educated guess for the first come-up value after the initial 100 yard Zero.
Well, I didn't get a chance to try it today, as I was wringing out a bunch of rifles that came to be worked on, and shooting My 577/450.
However, My 14 year old son grabbed my Ruger No.1 in .308 and asked what the zero was.
"200", I said, and he proceeded to plunk his butt down into a kneeling position, hold over with the mildots and smack the 385M turkey 3 for 3 with Hertenberger milsurp. Sooo, I guess he would be able to hit the deer target at 400 Yards....
I went shooting with my son today also, he's back on leave during a transfer from Wackernheim (?), Germany to Fort Lewis, WA. This is the first full day I've spent with him in almost 2 years. We had a good time, talked about his year in Iraq, Army life in general and other catch up stuff. A good father & son day for all I guess.
I drove up to PA, just north of Hancock, MD. I buddy of mine has a little over 200 acres there and I shoot from the small house down through an old fence line (tree line now) onto a old (fallen down now) farmhouse yard.
Here's a Terraserver link. The little house is near the center top and the old farmhouse yard is nearly due east at the black square. It's about 940ft ASL at the house and 720ft ASL at the target. 400 yards via laser.
Attached is a target shot at 400 yards off cross sticks from a sitting position. The target measures 8in by 8in. The first shot was from a clean barrel and landed just outside the bull the next four went in. Almost forgot, the rifle is a Remington Sendero 7mm Ultra Mag with 6.5x20x40 Leupold in Leupold long range mounts. Load is 160 Accubond with Retumbo powder and velocity aproximately 12 feet from the muzzle is 3375fps.
Dave, this is an excellent idea. For a target I went to Sportsman's Warehouse and bought a life size deer target in their archery department ($1.99). I'll tape it on a piece of cardboard.
I want this to be a realistic test for me so I'll sight in at 3" high at a hundred (my normal sight in) and use good ole holdover to see what the results are. In the past at 400 yards I just lay the horizontal hairs on the back of the animal at touch off. I'll go into a more realistic hunting postion, sitting or shooting off one knee. I'm going to try standing just for the heck of it.
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