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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,319
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,319 |
OK. I've measured all the possibilities and determined that the longest distance I can shoot at the farm is about 400-450 yards. I've got a new 14" A-500 gong. I've spent my life shooting at targets 100 yards and under. I currently have the gong at 200 yards and I can already tell that this is way too easy with everything that is practical.
I'm now thinking ahead. I know 400 yards is not all that far for folks that are trying. I figure I'll build one of my target frames -- two fence posts with 3 2X4's screwed between. I'll put the gong out there as well.
The next step requires some thought. What's fun at 400 yards?
I'm working on my Ruger American Predator in 223. It's going to have a nice Boyd's AT-One stock.
I've got a M1 Garand that rang the gong at 200 yards with the first shot.
I've got a slew of deer rifles in normal chamberings
30-06 /308 WIN
25-06
8X57
35 Whelen
If I had to pick a rifle to re-work, it'd be the 25-06 Mauser. If I had to pick one off my bucket list for a new rifle, the nearest I can think of is 7mm-08 or 308Win bolt gun.
What does one shoot at 400 yards? This is new ground for me.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516 |
Your .223 would be my first choice.
1. Low recoil means high volume shooting (more fun per session) is feasible.
2. Lower cost per round for both handloads and factory loads compared to your deer rifles. Before the current pandemic, factory FMJ (plinking) ammo was down around 26 cents per round on sale if bought by the thousand.
3. Can challenge yourself more with wind reading and correction than typical deer rifle rounds like the ones you listed.
Second would be whatever chambering of your options could achieve the least wind drift so on windy days when you're frustrated with how much the .223 bullets are drifting you can more easily hit the steel.
I predict it won't be long before you buy a smaller gong because with a little practice you won't find your current gong challenging at 400 yards except under windy conditions. At that point you could move your current gong to 200 to 300 yards and have fun with a .22 LR.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,319
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,319 |
Your .223 would be my first choice.
Second would be whatever chambering of your options could achieve the least wind drift so on windy days when you're frustrated with how much the .223 bullets are drifting you can more easily hit the steel.
Thanks for the quick comeback. Would 25-06 be a good choice? If so, does anyone have a suggestion for bullets?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,471
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,471 |
400 yards is a chip shot for most everything centerfire. I said most, not all.
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is.
dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,064
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,064 |
I have played with a bunch of different rifles at 400+ yards, partly because the local range (where my wife and I are life members) has gongs of various sizes scattered out to 1000 yards. I also shoot prairie dogs every year, with some rifles well beyond 400 yards.
As others have noted, you won't find much challenge in simply hitting a 14" gong at 400 with most centerfires, or even rimfires. Even some surprisingly small centerfire rounds will work consistently on prairie dogs (which generally means a target no more than 2" wide) at 300-350, which is about as far as most hitters can hit more than they miss during typical wind conditions. Have killed PD's out to around 425 with the .22 Hornet, loaded with 40-grain plastic-tips at 3000 fps, and out to 600+ with the .17 Fireball. It's even easier using a fast-twist .223 with heavier, high-BC bullets--and am guessing your RAR Predator has a faster twist.
You might invest in smaller gongs after you get going.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,732
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,732 |
.223 for certain. The shooting is well within its abilities, it's cheap to shoot (I shoot mostly inexpensive Fiocchi Extrema in mine to save my precious time), and won't need a new barrel in a long, long time. Recoil and report are mild. Save the big 'uns for hunting (with some practice thrown in).
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,622
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,622 |
Any on your list will do. My longest mule deer kill was 465 with a 139btsp out of my 7-08. Now, I don't normally like to do that, especially if the wind is gusty, but the conditions were right that day, and stalking him wasn't an option. Like others have said, any will do. 400 isn't that far. If you really want to challenge yourself try a 22lr at 300+ (there are those that specifically set up a 22lr for "rimfire long range"). Personally I've decided I'm not fun enough to join that crowd.
I'd say put a 7-08 on it. Having that mauser's action length will allow you to do any long .284 bullet without loosing case capacity (assuming it throated right, and is at least a 1/9 twist). Honestly, you could do about the same with a 6.5cm, however, I'm a big fan of the 7-08. My 7-08 is on a long action, FYI.
Keep us posted on your fun adventure.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,581
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,581 |
What's fun at 400 yards? Anything that will shoot that far, even a 22 LR. That might break the monotony of gong rings up a bit.
Steve
Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can where you are with what you have"
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,082
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,082 |
Get yourself a BP cartridge gun, cast some bullets and learn a thing or two about drift and drop.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,712
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,712 |
C'est bien ça! ![[Linked Image from parentingthemodernfamily.com]](https://www.parentingthemodernfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/oregon-trail-4.jpg) Circle the wagons! Indians! ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/35ppNcT.jpg)
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/AP39Jhm.jpg)
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,007
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,007 |
OK. I've measured all the possibilities and determined that the longest distance I can shoot at the farm is about 400-450 yards. I've got a new 14" A-500 gong. I've spent my life shooting at targets 100 yards and under. I currently have the gong at 200 yards and I can already tell that this is way too easy with everything that is practical.
I'm now thinking ahead. I know 400 yards is not all that far for folks that are trying. I figure I'll build one of my target frames -- two fence posts with 3 2X4's screwed between. I'll put the gong out there as well.
The next step requires some thought. What's fun at 400 yards?
I'm working on my Ruger American Predator in 223. It's going to have a nice Boyd's AT-One stock.
I've got a M1 Garand that rang the gong at 200 yards with the first shot.
I've got a slew of deer rifles in normal chamberings
30-06 /308 WIN
25-06
8X57
35 Whelen
If I had to pick a rifle to re-work, it'd be the 25-06 Mauser. If I had to pick one off my bucket list for a new rifle, the nearest I can think of is 7mm-08 or 308Win bolt gun.
What does one shoot at 400 yards? This is new ground for me.
I know a lot of guys have seen this one, but I made this target to shoot at 400-450 yards: ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/sjlBgkD.jpg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/i5vhzL6.jpg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/xYmOMnR.jpg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/ERreLaI.jpg) I built this one in about 2 hours... This tree has targets ranging in size from 2" to 12" and I'll tell you, if you can hit the 2" target consistently at 400 yards, you are doing pretty damn good. For me a 14" target would be way too big. I got the idea of this shooting tree when I was shooting with my dad in Nevada at a cool shooting range they have. Here's the tree there: ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/u9oetIL.jpg) Of course, everyone is going to tell you shooting at 400 yards is easy, until you get them out there and they actually try it. Targets like the 2" diameter plate are what proves you can shoot at that distance. ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/Z4vJw9C.jpg) Another thing you will find out is if you want to make consistent hits at that range, you are going to want to buy something like the 6.5 creedmoor. It will reliably, and consistently, make better hits than your 223 will. Its easier on the shoulder than anything else on your list as well..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 587
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 587 |
Use a .22 Rimfire OFFHAND. You will not be soon bored. Unless a considerable number of misses are boring. :):)
"not too grumpy"
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,475
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,475 |
The 25-05 is a favorite of mine . I would keep it in the stable .
You may want to also try long range pistol .
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,064
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,064 |
Gun control at its best.
DF
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302 |
What does one shoot at 400 yards?
Well, I once shot a whitetailed buck at that range with my .308. Dropped in its tracks.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302 |
What does one shoot at 400 yards?
Well, I once shot a whitetailed buck at that range with my .308. Dropped in its tracks.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010 |
7 BR shooting a 168 MK.
Very accurate with low recoil.
When the tailgate drops the BS stops.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736 |
Once hitting the 14" gong at 400 yards becomes routine from a bench rest, get off the bench. If you are a hunter, shooting from typical field positions is good practice.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 331
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 331 |
Have your own little egg shoot at 400. That should keep you interested for a while. Pick the smaller calibers in your stable and have some fun burning ammo and learning( elevation seems fairly easy but that dog gone wind can make ya feel foolish)!
Proper prior practice prevents piss poor performance!
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,064
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,064 |
Have your own little egg shoot at 400. That should keep you interested for a while. Pick the smaller calibers in your stable and have some fun burning ammo and learning( elevation seems fairly easy but that dog gone wind can make ya feel foolish)! Yeah, elevation is physics, windage is snake oil. DF
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