Maximum point blank range

[kdenn]

I have couple Swarovski and Schmidt&Bender scopes with capped turrets, most of my scopes I dial. Does anyone calculate for mpbr and zero rifles accordingly? Again I know most African shots are 150 or less. Thanks for your input.

 

[375Fox]

I’m not exactly sure the question, but I refuse to use dials. I sight the majority of my rifles +2 at 100 and in some cases +3 depending on the hunt. I then shoot at 200 and 300 to know where the bullet hits and go hunting. My furthest first shot hunting has been 360 yards. Is this not standard practice?

 

[375er]

I’m not exactly sure the question, but I refuse to use dials. I sight the majority of my rifles +2 at 100 and in some cases +3. I then shoot at 200 and 300 to know where the bullet hits and go hunting. My furthest first shot hunting has been 360 yards. Is this not standard practice?

It used to be standard practice but not so much anymore with bullet drop compensators on almost every scope currently made.

 

[Rem700stw]

EVERY rifle I have used in Africa for plains game was sighted using MPBR. I use a six inch window so bullet is never more than 3 inches high or low to MPBR.

Even with my mil dot reticles I do not touch the dials in the field. Too easy to “get lost” on the turrets. And yes most of my shots were under 150, many under 100 yards but not all.

I affix bullet drop and drift data on the stock and know what my mil dots equate to out to any sane distance.

This system has worked on every hunt I have done in the last 16 years since I started applying it in North America and Africa. I shoot every rifle at various distances to 500 yard minimum and I know exactly where the bullet will strike as long as I do my part.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’m not exactly sure the question, but I refuse to use dials. I sight the majority of my rifles +2 at 100 and in some cases +3 depending on the hunt. I then shoot at 200 and 300 to know where the bullet hits and go hunting. My furthest first shot hunting has been 360 yards. Is this not standard practice?

That is exactly what I do. I don’t care if it’s standard or not it works the best for me.

 

[BryceM]

I plan on shooting everything within 200 yards, but if I get a wounded animal at 600 yards, I want to be able to make the shot. I mostly leave my scopes alone while hunting, but routinely shoot to 800 yards at the range. To hit at that range with any chance of success, it’s best to turn the dials. Sure makes me better inside of 200. I wouldn’t do it on a DG rifle though.

A couple years ago I was able to anchor a wounded pronghorn (that my partner shot first) at 740 yards. He was going off the property, and would have been lost. It happens.

As for MPBR, I’ll set zero to take advantage of it, within reason. Usually I don’t want to ever be more than 2.5” high though.

 

[BJH65]

I’m not exactly sure the question, but I refuse to use dials. I sight the majority of my rifles +2 at 100 and in some cases +3 depending on the hunt. I then shoot at 200 and 300 to know where the bullet hits and go hunting. My furthest first shot hunting has been 360 yards. Is this not standard practice?

What you stated is standard practice for me depending on the cartridge, I like to sight in 1 1/2 -2 inches high at 100 yards so out to 300 yards I can aim directly at the vitals of a big game animal with zero holdover.

But past 300 yards, I’ll use either a BDC reticle or dial up scope, no Kentucky windage for me but I’ve only shot past 300 yards in North America, I’ve never shot an animal past 200 yards in the areas I’ve hunted in Africa.

 

[Mekaniks]

Don’t overthink it…. Inch high at 100 and shoot everything out to 300…

 

[JimP]

I sight my rifles in with the ammo that they like and then just leave them alone. Most of my riles are sighted in at 250 yards. I shot game animals with that sight in distance from 5 feet out to just over 700 depending on the cartridge that I am shooting.

The main thing is to know where your rifle is hitting at at the range that you are shooting it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have couple Swarovski and Schmidt&Bender scopes with capped turrets, most of my scopes I dial. Does anyone calculate for mpbr and zero rifles accordingly? Again I know most African shots are 150 or less. Thanks for your input.

@kdenn
Depending on the rifle and game hunted is how I sight my rifles.
222rem I hunt small game so want the projectile to rise or fall no more the 1.5". This gives a 3" kill zone with a dead in hold.
This gives me around a 225yd zero and 1.5" drop at 250.

My 25 is used in medium game so I want a maximum ride or fall of 2.5" this gives me a kill zone of 5".
Out to 350 yards depending on the projectile it rises no more or falls no less than 2.5".

My Whelen is used in bigger game with a bigger kill zone (8") so I sight in with a 3" high at 100yds.
This way the projectile will not rise or fall more than 4" out to around 250- 300yds depending on projectile.
I let the size of the game hunted determined my max sight in range.
Bob

 

[BeeMaa]

It depends on the rifle, optic and intended use.

RDO or irons on DG only (458WM and up) rifle - 100 yards, maybe 50 if your eyesight is poor or the expected distances are short. Most shots on DG are taken within 50 yards. Many elephant are shot at less than 25 yards.

Low power scope on a DG/PG (375H&H/416RM/404J) rifle - Inch high at 100 yards keeps everything to 200 yards in range.

Mid-power scope on a PG (300WM) rifle - 200 yard zero. Everything to 350 is in range. And in all honesty, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking shots on game beyond that distance. My own limitations and ethics will force me to get closer.

 

[DieJager]

I would not take shots at say more than 300 meters, somewhat . I have simple not the possibility to practice beyond that in my country. We only have one shooting range in the whole country that is open for 300 meters and it is a far away. Never been there, PITA procedures to go through as a hunter and reservation is needed an very limited.

Only shots possible at the range are 100 meters or less. It will limit my opportunities but that is what is. The favorite part for me is the stalking anyway so more time to practice that. I use the MPBR to be in somewhat safe ranges for my possibilities that is at somewhat 300 meters.

Further than that I am into the dark. Furthest shot I took was on a roe deer at +- 280 meters from a high seat. Shouldn't have taken it but young and having a slight buck fever. Spined him, shot landed higher than expected.

Too far for me for my liking.

That said next year will go the Caucasus for Dagestan Tur. I'll limit myself to 300 meters and try to get closer if possible.

 

[HankBuck]

It used to be standard practice but not so much anymore with bullet drop compensators on almost every scope currently made.

@375er - it’s still Standard Practice (or at the least Smart Practice) for sighting in a rifle for Big Game. It allows very fast target acquisition & shot execution for many shots under 300 yrds w/out need for Holdover, looking at ‘hash marks’ or making turret adjustments. I don’t see a downside to using a tried & true sight in method. For shots over 300+ yards (where turret adjustments & BDC hash marks are helpful) they can still be used. Since Most Big Game is shot Under 300 yrds - the sight in method of 1” to 3” high @ 100 yrds remains an excellent standard.

 

[375er]

@375er - it’s still Standard Practice (or at the least Smart Practice) for sighting in a rifle for Big Game. It allows very fast target acquisition & shot execution for many shots under 300 yrds w/out need for Holdover, looking at ‘hash marks’ or making turret adjustments. I don’t see a downside to using a tried & true sight in method. For shots over 300+ yards (where turret adjustments & BDC hash marks are helpful) they can still be used. Since Most Big Game is shot Under 300 yrds - the sight in method of 1” to 3” high @ 100 yrds remains an excellent standard.

I completely agree. However if you took a survey with a large sampling I would bet the trend is going away from that practice. Gadgets are popular these days and it's easy to turn a dial. That is what I was saying.

 

[HankBuck]

@kdenn
Depending on the rifle and game hunted is how I sight my rifles.
222rem I hunt small game so want the projectile to rise or fall no more the 1.5". This gives a 3" kill zone with a dead in hold.
This gives me around a 225yd zero and 1.5" drop at 250.

My 25 is used in medium game so I want a maximum ride or fall of 2.5" this gives me a kill zone of 5".
Out to 350 yards depending on the projectile it rises no more or falls no less than 2.5".

My Whelen is used in bigger game with a bigger kill zone (8") so I sight in with a 3" high at 100yds.
This way the projectile will not rise or fall more than 4" out to around 250- 300yds depending on projectile.
I let the size of the game hunted determined my max sight in range.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen Agree and think that’s what most experienced Hunters are doing and have been doing - there’s NO “downside” to your method.
But Bob, you forgot to provide your Sight-In method for the .243….don’t hold out on us !!

 

[Luvthunt]

Guess I am old school as I have sighted in 2” high at 100 yd and taped a card on the stock with trajectory numbers.
With the availability of range finders the numbers became more valid.

 

[HankBuck]

I completely agree. However if you took a survey with a large sampling I would bet the trend is going away from that practice. Gadgets are popular these days and it's easy to turn a dial. That is what I was saying.

@375er I can’t see any DownSide to the standard sight in method and there is some Downside to completely relying on turrets, BDC hash marks - TIME. There is often Not time to make an adjustment or remember the right “hash mark” for each range before the animal moves-presents a different angle, becomes obstructed etc.. Using even a few seconds to adjust turrets - that Could be used to get “steady”, relax, trigger squeeze - might cause you to miss the short window presented for a good shot into the vitals. For shots under 300 yrds Big Game does Not require turrets/BDC hash marks for clean hits to the Vitals but it Can present a “brief” window of opportunity that does not allow for more then getting a solid rest, exhale, squeeze trigger. Some Guides will mention Clients that missed opportunities by Never getting the shot off - because time spent using range finder, adjusting turrets, on animals only 200-300 yrds away….or they used “wrong” hash mark (shot over/under). You might be very proficient with long range scopes, making quick & correct adjustments/looking at the correct hash marks etc.. but it still takes a few seconds more and after that You still must get “Steady, settled in, breath, squeeze-Bang and sometimes the “Trophy” doesn’t wait. Most important - what are YOU most confident in and shoot the best? If it’s a turret scope/BDC then that’s what YOU should use —- it’s all about what YOU like and can shoot well.

 

[375er]

@375er I can’t see any DownSide to the standard sight in method and there is some Downside to completely relying on turrets, BDC hash marks - TIME. There is often Not time to make an adjustment or remember the right “hash mark” for each range before the animal moves-presents a different angle, becomes obstructed etc.. Using even a few seconds to adjust turrets - that Could be used to get “steady”, relax, trigger squeeze - might cause you to miss the short window presented for a good shot into the vitals. For shots under 300 yrds Big Game does Not require turrets/BDC hash marks for clean hits to the Vitals but it Can present a “brief” window of opportunity that does not allow for more then getting a solid rest, exhale, squeeze trigger. Some Guides will mention Clients that missed opportunities by Never getting the shot off - because time spent using range finder, adjusting turrets, on animals only 200-300 yrds away….or they used “wrong” hash mark (shot over/under). You might be very proficient with long range scopes, making quick & correct adjustments/looking at the correct hash marks etc.. but it still takes a few seconds more and after that You still must get “Steady, settled in, breath, squeeze-Bang and sometimes the “Trophy” doesn’t wait. Most important - what are YOU most confident in and shoot the best? If it’s a turret scope/BDC then that’s what YOU should use —- it’s all about what YOU like and can shoot well.

@HankBuck I agree with you that the "old" sight in method works very well. All I was saying is that I believe that the trend is to use every gadget available, particularly for younger or less experienced hunters. If it wasn't a trend every scope manufacturer on the planet would not bother putting adjustable dials on practically every scope model. It is all market driven. 'Nuff said.

 

[375Fox]

What you stated is standard practice for me depending on the cartridge, I like to sight in 1 1/2 -2 inches high at 100 yards so out to 300 yards I can aim directly at the vitals of a big game animal with zero holdover.

But past 300 yards, I’ll use either a BDC reticle or dial up scope, no Kentucky windage for me but I’ve only shot past 300 yards in North America, I’ve never shot an animal past 200 yards in the areas I’ve hunted in Africa.

I do think a lot of hunters underestimate bullet drop. My bullets always drop faster than it says they should when I shoot at range. Even with a 300 win I need to holdover slightly for the vitals. I write these up before hunting trips for the bullet I’m using at backyard range.

 

[375Fox]

I would not take shots at say more than 300 meters, somewhat . I have simple not the possibility to practice beyond that in my country. We only have one shooting range in the whole country that is open for 300 meters and it is a far away. Never been there, PITA procedures to go through as a hunter and reservation is needed an very limited.

Only shots possible at the range are 100 meters or less. It will limit my opportunities but that is what is. The favorite part for me is the stalking anyway so more time to practice that. I use the MPBR to be in somewhat safe ranges for my possibilities that is at somewhat 300 meters.

Further than that I am into the dark. Furthest shot I took was on a roe deer at +- 280 meters from a high seat. Shouldn't have taken it but young and having a slight buck fever. Spined him, shot landed higher than expected.

Too far for me for my liking.

That said next year will go the Caucasus for Dagestan Tur. I'll limit myself to 300 meters and try to get closer if possible.

We are very lucky in US to just be able to set a target in a field and shoot. I don’t think I’d ever feel ready for a hunt with the limited practice you can do in Europe.