Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting May give it a shot!

I've made one kill @ +/- 590 yds. and that was a "Hail Mary" combined with luck.

Never much tried my hand at long range shooting, much less long range hunting.

But I may just give it a try this year. Hogs only, no deer.

One of the few places on my lease I can shoot over 300 yds.



I call it the canopy.







Anywho, the distances ranged with my Leica Rangefinder @ the circles are +/- 760 yds on the left, +/- 900 yds on the right and +/- 1,200 yds in the middle. Give or take.



Thinking about setting up a feeder for hogs @ the 760 yd. distance.

Among others, I have rifles in 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, 7PRC, 300PRC, and 338 RUM.

Just fer' schitz n' giggles, what would be your preference.

Quien Sabe,

GWB

For cleaning out Hog populations, I would go with the 6.5 PRC.
Light recoil and decent ballistics.
This is assuming the gun shoots well enough to kill at that distance (760 yards).
How does it group at 800 yards in good conditions?
If you are going to be shooting off of at that portable shooting rest in the picture, how good can you group with it at 700-800 yards in good conditions?
Factory ammo or reloading?
What bullet are you considering?
If it shoots well in your rifle, the 147 ELD-M would be a consideration

It would be easy to zero any of the named rifle/cartridges at the 760 mark. But, how good are you at calling conditions when hunting? That would be the deciding factor for me.

Ofcourse, no one would be forcing you to shoot if conditions weren`t right.

All of the above is to be determined.

Without getting too deep in the weeds, let’s just say the topography of the places I’ve hunted over the last sixty years does not lend itself to shots much past 200 yds. The shooting club to which I frequent, the range is limited to 300 yds. Consequently, the ability/capability to shoot well at distances over 200 yds. has not been the prime directive.

However, it’s good to have a goal and a plan to achieve that goal. This would be a new challenge.

You mention the 6.5 PRC. I have a Browning Max Long range chambered for that Cartridge.

I’ve only killed with it to 200 yds.

Here are pix from a range session where I shot it to 300 yds, with factory 143 Gr. ELD-X. At present I do not load match bullets.





Maybe a fluke, but its a start.

Anywho, In the coming weeks I plan to take several rifles to the range and shoot @ 300 to see which works. I'll be going back to my lease in a week or two and I'm going to scout out a couple other areas that are easier to get to/from than the Canopy.

Ya!

GWB

If recoil is not real bothersome for you, grab the two rifles that shoot the best for you.

Set up some AR500 10" steel (paint them white) where you can shoot (start at 300 or 400 yards), and set them up in 100 yard increments or at random distances.
Make your furthest one around 750 to 800 yards.
In other words, give yourself the opportunity to actually practice at distance.
Use shooting positions that you will use for your hog killing.
Do you have a chronograph and a ballistic app?
You don't have to have that, but it makes it a bit easier.

Everyone has to start somewhere.
The paper and steel will show you where you are at with XYZ rifle and yourself over a period of time.

I have ordered a number of animal targets for WY-SHOT from Brad at Atlas Targets.
Good guy.
https://www.atlastargetworks.com/collections/ar500-targets


"Maybe a fluke, but its a start.
Anywho, In the coming weeks I plan to take several rifles to the range and shoot @ 300 to see which works. I'll be going back to my lease in a week or two and I'm going to scout out a couple other areas that are easier to get to/from than the Canopy."

If you want to be shooting at a steel pig for practice...

https://www.atlastargetworks.com/collections/ar500-targets/products/ar500-feral-hog-target

https://www.atlastargetworks.com/co...ral-hog-target-w-reactive-vital-and-base

I have the bottom target, but the top one would be cheaper

XPhunter,

first let me say thanks for taking the time to be so informative.

My boys have a shop where they do custom fabrication and a pantograph. I had not got that far in the planning but the steel pig targets is a good idea.

I acquired the new Garmin Chrono a few months back and have a number of ballistic apps downloaded on my i-phone.

I am not particularly recoil sensitive and when shooting off the bench, I employ a Lead Sled II with additonal weights. I shoot a number of boomers and it helps me avoid developing a flinch.

Best,

GWB

Think the 7PRC is the sweet spot, particularly with something like the 180 ELD-M.

I'm wanting one pretty bad but few places around here offer the distance that one is needed.

Your welcome.
I have never owned a lead sled. I think I might have used one a long time ago...
You will have more flexibility in shooting pigs, if you have a rifle with a good muzzle brake, and are not bound to a lead sled....Unless you will be shooting pigs from a bench or solid table.
You may notice your point of impact changing when going from a lead sled to other shooting positions.
This is something to be looking for.
I would rather have a rifle that someone is comfortable shooting, than a big boomer, that is going to create issues.

A friend of mine has a 6.5 PRC rifle, and he shoots the factory Hornady 143 ELD-M. His MV is 2850 fps.
in our atmospheric conditions, he is going to be around 2000 feet per second impact velocity at 750 yards.
You do not need to jump up in cartridge size or caliber.
If your 6.8 Western shoots good that would work too.

You know you place far better than anyone. Would it be massively counterproductive (and is it safe) to just set steel targets in the feeder opening you’re thinking about using and practicing for a couple of trips?

Glenn,
Always enjoy reading your threads, my friend!

Wish you the best of luck on your quest.

Me and a few of my local buddies spend time at our local range, shooting out to 600 yds on steel, with loads that don't have enough ooomph for hunting with, but it gives us plenty of good practice, between hunting season and varmint season.

It pays dividends when deer season rolls around...

Last year at this time I had been spending time shooting at 300 and 400 yd steel, with a 6 x 45 on a Savage action while reloading 223 cases with 8.5 to 9.5 grains of Unique. Also did the same with a 223. Got pretty simple with practice.

750 rounds in 5 months. That set me back the price of a 1 pound container of Unique. Cheap trigger time and plenty of practice for the old hand to eye coordination getting tuned up. Come deer season, a deer at 300 yds looks like a dump truck thru your scope. A couple thousand rounds over the summer at sage rats helps also. That makes a deer look like a dump truck out there also thru the scope, at 300 yds or more.

Trigger time works just like practicing in high school sports did back in our youth. Light loads teach you trajectory for one the cheap and stretches out your barrel life dramatically. This morning going over to the range ( 3 miles away) and will be shooting steel at the 300 and 400 yd mark with 17.5 grains of W 296 in a 223, with 40 and 55 grain bullets. Always trying new powder charges of powder you can find on the shelves. This yields 400 rounds out of a pound of powder. And I was able to pick up 4 pounds of this in one container, with a cost of under $30 a pound, with a military discount. Igniting it with Remington 5 1/2 pistol primers is working out just fine also. Save those small rifle primers and large rifle primers for hunting in the field.

have a great day my friend!

cheers
seafire.

IF, the Factory Hornady 147 grain ELD-M ammo shoots good for you in your rifle...

Specs say 2910 fps MV with a 24" barrel.
If you have a longer barrel, say a 26", you will gain around 40-50 fps on average -2950-2960 MV

With a 2131 fps impact velocity at my elev/70 degrees (100 yard zero) at 750 yards:
14.5 MOA for drop, and your wind correction for a 10 MPH full value (True crosswind) is 3 MOA = close to 23" of drift.

You will learn quickly that the wind speed & direction may be different down range than it is at your shooting position.
There is much to be said about that, but that is a start.

Great post XP. I'd also throw this out there, how often does the OP practice at those distances? If possible, I'd set up steel plates in those open spots, and practice. He will find out real quick, which rifle works the best for him. I also like the 147 ELDM.

I agree that setting up steel where you expect to shoot pigs would be the best possible way to prepare.

I also agree with the 6.5 PRC and 147 ELD or 7 PRC and 180 ELD suggestions, depending on how windy things get in that location.

That browning will probably shoot a fair amount better groups at 300 yards if you play with the factory ammo seating depth. I'd personally want my groups tightened up a bit for 800 yard hunting. Seat deeper at .003" intervals until you find a better node. The nodes are typically every .006" with the hornadys but may need to go aways to find an optimal seating depth. That's my recommendation

The last browning I that I played with the factory ammo seating depth went from 7" 500 yard groups down to 2.5" Factory hornady ammo generally has a good optimum charge weight but no way they can determine the seating depth node for different rifles. Looking at your groups your definately not in a great seating depth node

Great suggestion

Geedub, 6.5 PRC with the Hornady ELDM 147 Match bullets handloaded to your rifles preferred seating depth and then go forth and slay piggies!

My Kelbly's rifle in 6.5 PRC is sub .5 MOA, all it requires is for me to do my part correctly.


Frog---OUT!

Good advice. The bolded part, however, should say that the nodes are typically about 0.006” wide, not that there is a node every 0.006”.

No reason not to stretch out your shooting even if you just shoot steel.

I would start with big steel plates so you will see exactly where each bullet impacts. Animal shaped steel is fun but it's slower to learn wind calls/elevation because it's not clear exactly where a miss went.

It would be pretty cool to have a nice large steel target at all your different locations just to practice different conditions with different rifles. Spray paint the steel when ever you add feed to the feeder.

Once you feel confident in your firing solutions it could be time to start whacking the pigs.

I didn't study your locations but being able to shoot on multiple feeders would be a good way to up the pig removal.

Everyone should have the LR tool in the tool box even if they choose not to use it. Looks like you could do some fun shooting with a bit of effort.

It's not like you don't have a rifle or 2 to test out at LR.

The best advice on the thread.

Yep-Good stuff!

Thanks Jordan I'll edit that

I have been thinking of trying it too. My reason is because after multiple shoulder surgeries and knee surgeries and a bad back and double bypass I find it hard to get close like I used to. I recall crawling through sagebrush keeping an eye out for cactus and rattlesnakes to get within a 100 yards of antelope herds. One time crawling within the herd with them horseshoed around me. That was fun. The last time I did anything like that I crawled on my hands and knees and low crawled with my cheek in the dirt for a total of 500 yards to get within 25 yards of a herd of antelope. A wonderful time. Impossible for me now. I can still get within 300 yards usually and my daughter shot her antelope this past year at 90 yards after we spotted it from a mile away. In that case the antelope helped us with its curiosity bringing it closer. That was fun but I was hurting the whole time and was worried I would blow the stalk for her. So, I have given it some thought to make it easier on myself and work on improving my shooting skill. Believe me if I could still do it effectively, I would be crawling as close as possible and having the time of my life.

Again there are lots of good reasons to develope the skill of placing a bullet on target at longer distance. It just does not start right off with hunting shots and some choose to never shoot game at longer range.

Just the pursuit of the skill and knowledge is a worth while endeavor. It takes time, resources, and effort to do it right.

Taking game at distance, after putting in the effort to learn the craft, is even better, just like sneaking closer than most is fulfilling.

Yes, it would be nice to learn the skills to hit targets at long range. Have a friend in Kentucky who got into PRS after his military career. I think if it weren't for hunting and fishing he would do nothing else.

🎯🎯🎯

Guys,

First let me say thanks for the positive nature of all of your posts, your tips and advice.

Thanx!

Also, I like the perspective of the quote expressed above.


I went and shot a 6.5 prc, a 7 prc and a 300 prc last week @ 200 exclusively using factory ammo. I am embarrassed at how poorly I shot. One of the worst days at the range in recent memory. May re-consider my choice of rifles.

In the past I've developed loads using only "hunting" bullets. I have ordered two boxes of the 6.5mm 147 gr. ELD-M and will try those in the 6.5 PRC first.

Heading to my lease next week to perforate hoglets/coyotes and maybe a turkey. While there I plan to scout two areas that I can shoot past 200 yds. which will be easier to access than the canopy.

I can tell that this is a long term project.

Best,

GWB

Good for you. You went out and shot 3 different rifles.
Appreciate your honesty.
All of us have bad days.
Enjoy the journey.
Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Depending on the speed you are getting, you may have problems with the 147 eld-m. The internet is awash with tales of blowups from them, which I thought bs until I had it happening with my 6.5 SAUM @2980 fps. While I was working up a load the rifle would shoot multiple 1/2" - 5/8" groups then it threw a wild round 3" away which I put down to me being tired, but the end of it for me was missing a deer @ 460m with the impact 2m below the animal. Immediately after that shot I dropped 3 into a .1mil rock at 550m, so I had to call it a projectile issue.

From a 260 or 6.5 Creedmore I haven't read of any issues - it seems to be around 3000FPS+ that the problems happen.

I gave up on them and am now using 143 grain Norma Bondstrike at a reduced bc (.630 vs .697) and so far I've shot deer between 20 and 683m, and been very impressed with them.

I don't know where you are seeing "awash" of "tales of blowups" from the 147 ELDM bullets? Maybe post a link? I do know that on occasions Hornady and other bullet manufactures have issues with some bullets. I've had one bad lot of 140gr ELD match bullets. Those did come apart in the air. I contacted Hornady with the lot number, and they sent me some new bullets. I've never heard of anyone having nothing but positive comments on the 147. It's my preferred longrange match bullet, as well as a bunch of buddies I shoot with. YMMV. I'd also think a guy that shoots a lot would know if his lot of bullets were bad, before taking them out on a hunt. I know I would for damn sure. I don't want to have to make an excuse for missing a critter though.

Anyone else here have any issues with the 147 ELD match bullet coming apart?

No, but only one sample. .264 Winchester at around 3100. Low velocity node

Dead cow elk at 500 blowing through the off shoulder stopping in the hide. Bullet definitely came apart like a Berger

Friends have shot wild horses and elk with the same bullet with DRT results

Well, while waiting for the Hornady 147 gr. ELD-M's to come in, I've loaded up 50 rounds of 6.5 PRC.




Virgin Nosler Brass, WLR Primers, 59 gr. Magpro (trickled +/-.1 gr.)., 142 gr. LRAB's.




Nosler #9 indicates COAL @ 2.955".

Max length that will reliably feed in the magazine is 2.965"

Loaded 25 @2.955" and 25 @ 2.965".

Give them a try and chrono, either at the lease later this week or at the range when I get back.

ya,


GWB

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/hornady-147-eldm-blowing-up.7013159/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Precision-Rifles/147-ELDMs-Blowing-Up-Finally-caught-up-to-me-/10-9707/

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...-the-things-one-sees-at-a-match.3984873/

Of course, my issue is a data point of 1 (or 2), if you count both events so hardly statistically valid except for me, but 2 seconds on Google pulls up enough that I can accept there is a problem with the 147 grain eld-m.

You can believe there is an issue or not. I don't really mind what you do, but it is sufficiently known and talked about in addition to my experience that I have made the change away from that particular projectile, and I've shot thousands of Hornady bullets over the years at paper and animals. The barrel is Shilen 8 twist 6 groove, and at the time had 1100 rounds down it. It is a shame, as they were good killing bullets, have a fantastic bc and are cheap(ish)

Fair enough, but a flier isn’t the same as a bullet blowing up. Unless there is additional evidence to indicate otherwise, it sounds like you had some unrelated issue.

I know of two different shooters who have had issues of bullets letting go in flight , neither of them were shooting Hornady bullets, one barrel eas a Shilen, not sure of the other . Both F/O rifles , and both rifles went sour in the middle of a match, not over time.
I know Speedy Gonzalez has talked about this before as well.
It is not uncommon for wind to drop a bullet right out of the target are at distance if their is random wind.
I watched several Very accomplished F/O shooters do exactly that last weekend. Hitting V's at 900 , then dropping a 3!
Cat