Target shooting get ready for deer season

[Enigma]

The 338-378 weatherby mag accumark not cheap to shoot with swarovski 6-24Ao TDS-4 50mm for got the clicks were 1/8 inch not 1/4 and where I started shooting at the wrong range because just had the scope put on. so I guess didn't read the signs right on the range so I started a the wrong range 12.5yard not 25 yards so I shoot some bullets I should not have.20 bullets over $90.00. I'll go back next week a finish it.I guess it's only money

[kumma]

You started sighting in at 25 yards for the 338-378 magnum? Your using this round on deer? Isnt this cartridge a flat shooter out to 300 yards? Sounds like too much gun and scope unless you have lots of flat open land to hunt.

Wow $4.50 a pop, Now I wont complain when I shoot my 7mm mag for $1.50 a shot. Good luck sighting that puppy in. Sounds like an ideal round to hand load for.

[Swamp Monster]

The 338-378 weatherby mag accumark not cheap to shoot with swarovski 6-24Ao TDS-4 50mm for got the clicks were 1/8 inch not 1/4 and where I started shooting at the wrong range because just had the scope put on. so I guess didn't read the signs right on the range so I started a the wrong range 12.5yard not 25 yards so I shoot some bullets I should not have.20 bullets over $90.00. I'll go back next week a finish it.I guess it's only money


:lol:
No sympathy about the ammo expense!;) With the price of that gun and scope combo, I highly doubt the cost of ammo is really a big concern........

Better add a rangefinder to the equipment list if you had difficulty realizing that 12.5 yards was not 25 yards and you want to take advantage of all that expensive longrange hardware. No worries though, the muzzleblast from that cannon will knock the deer off it's feet even if the bullet doesn't find it's mark!:lol:

[skipper34]

Well at least the name fits. It is an "enigma" why anyone would want to hunt deer with such a set-up.

[Enigma]

Thanks for the compliment.I shoot any where from 200yards to 600 yards avg shoot 550 yard open field deer hunting.

[skipper34]

If 200 yards is your minimum range and you are(God forbid)shooting at a live animal at 600 yards, all of the advice in the world won't help you. Sorry, but at that range it is called stunt shooting, not hunting.

[goemado]

Thanks for the compliment.I shoot any where from 200yards to 600 yards avg shoot 550 yard open field deer hunting.

Uh-huh.

Your average shot is 550 yards at deer...at the range, you couldn't tell the difference between 12.5 yards and 25 yards - pray tell - how would you have any clue what your average shooting distance truly is with that record of range estimating?

I'll second the earlier comment about a 600 yard shot at deer. Wander out to a golf course and check the pin on a par 5. Tell me you're capable of plugging the center of the flag, consistently, in a hunting environment (not from a bench). I'd bet my last donut you aren't. Nice story though.

[Swamp Monster]

Uh-huh.

Your average shot is 550 yards at deer...at the range, you couldn't tell the difference between 12.5 yards and 25 yards - pray tell - how would you have any clue what your average shooting distance truly is with that record of range estimating?


300 yards, 600 yards......close enough, let me just crank up this here new scope to 24x and it won't matter. Between all this powder I'm burning, and this big old scope, bullet drop is a thing of the past!:lol:

[Enigma]

I was not asking for add vice I was just post my experaence.Ive been shooting at that distance for 8 years. I started out with a 30.06 and drop many deer at 300yards then went to a 270 weatherby mag I did not like it because the bullet was not heavy enough at long range for me. Ive extensive military trainning at long range shooting and if you have proper equipment,Shooting at these ranges is childs play if you don't beleave it check some of the 600 yard competitons some time.Remember this is a very flat shooting rifle with a 24 power scope.Because of the size of the bullet it is least affected by wind.

[deerslayer#1]

I shoot A 30-378 weatherby mag. A little bit less of a bullet than the rifle mentioned, but the same case. I'm here to tell you 400-500 yard shots are a chip shot from this rifle. Michigan has some in close tight hunting compared to the western states. You had better have some practice at that range, but definately happens all over the western side of the united states. Rifled slug guns and 30-30 are not the norm in some places as they are here in Mi. Most 30 cal bullet coming out of that 378 weatherby mag case, have the energy and velocity for this distance. If ballistics mean anything, that 378 has more energy at 400 yards that a 12 gauge at the muzzle. That 30 cal bullet is as fast as a varmint round. 200 grain bullet at 4000 fps.

Enigma..........keep shooting that rifle.....but get a range finder:lol: :lol:

[Enigma]

Man I made a mistake I'm getting crucified for it,Now I'm just waiting for the spear in the side.We have range stakes out in the field and I do shoot off a rest inside a blind.This round drops 23 inches at 500 yards.

[BUCKWIZZARD]

Hey, I shoot a 30 378 wetherby mag and 550 yards is a long shot but, with that gun I have a burris 6-24-40 and I would bet anyone anything I would FLIP a deer in 1 SHOT! you can buy shells 180 grain about 100 dollars a box and they will shoot 3500 fps , or you can reload 130 grain bullets and be about 4000 fps.Thats not a 22 cal. its a 30 cal. bullet. This gun has more power at a quarter mile than a 30 06 at the muzzle.If you have ever shot a weatherby with a brake on it you know what we are talking about.If its not raining or real windy out ,those deer better look out.With this gun and scope and a solid rest, its not that hard at these distances.If you guys cant hit a deer at 300 yards stop trying , I havent wounded one with a gun yet.

[mparks]

This is the kind of stuff that built the internet boys! Keep it coming!

[Ole Spike]

Give the old enigma a break. He pokes some fun at himself for doing something stupid and gets beat down over it. I have done some shooting with him and he can do what he says. Like he said, his blind has a bench rest similar to most ranges and he stakes yardage pipes in the fields. This kind of shooting is most definately not for the average hunter with a 30-30 with a 3-9 scope slapped on it. It requires specialized equipment with specialized training. I guarantee he can shoot better than he can type.

[M1Garand]

There is a website dedicated to long range hunting. These guys don't hunt in the traditional way. They are set up with gear on a concrete bench and shoot at deer (or whatever they're hunting) at up to 1000 yards or so. Yes they miss sometimes at those ranges but the distance is so far it doesn't spook the game and they get follow up shots. To each his own I suppose, it's not for me to judge. Enigma, I have to ask though, do you hunt in MI? I know of a guy who hunts with the Lazzeroni cartridges (and Weatherby's too I think) in Montana in a similar fashion. And with the price of that ammo, have you ever considered reloading? You could probably load them for 1/3 of what you're buying them. And how the heck do you handle the recoil of that beast off a bench?

Deerslayer, it's not the rifle that makes it a chipshot, it's the shooter. There's guys who shoot amazingly well with 45-70's at long ranges and we all know the ballistics of that round...like lobbing a softball. As far as the 30-378, I don't know where you heard it pushes a 200 grain bullet at 4000 fps....it doesn't. Even the 7.82 Warbird "only" pushes them at 3350 fps. The Weatherby'll push them about 200 fps less.

[Enigma]

I hunt a big open farm field in michigan in gladwin county private land.

[CL-Lewiston]

Most of the 200 to 300 yard shots up here turn out to be between 62 and 84 yards.

[BUCKWIZZARD]

500 yards is a chip shot with a rig like these. Also these guns dont kick at all with the accu break, I only shoot with one hand,but it does shake the ground.I sighted in a 20 guage slug gun today and it hurt. You can reload 130 grain bullets and they will be close to 4000 fps. you are right about guys than can shoot those other guns but ,these fine weatherbys make it very easy.Oh when im sitting on a big clear cut and I see a deer sneaking through and he stops and I dump him, thats hunting trust me. I dont like to be anywhere around the deer when they step out in gun season.

[skipper34]

I will say it again, you have absolutely no business shooting at deer or any other game at those distances. This is pure nonsense, unethical and like I said before, stunt shooting. Save your long-range nonsense for non-living targets. The mere mention of such trash is an insult to the ethical hunters who frequent this forum.

[anonymous21]

Have you ever thought of reloading, at the cost of ammo the equiptment would pay for itself pretty quick.

[deerslayer#1]

I will say it again, you have absolutely no business shooting at deer or any other game at those distances. This is pure nonsense, unethical and like I said before, stunt shooting. Save your long-range nonsense for non-living targets. The mere mention of such trash is an insult to the ethical hunters who frequent this forum.

Well.........insult(to you) or not, its the truth. These particular cartridges have the capability to do just what has been stated. Shoot very flat, and hit really hard at long ranges. What do you suppose these cartridges were made for? Let me guess........the typical 75 yard shot at a deer? Nope......its made to shoot long range, and thats what they are used for.
I see no trash or insults in these threads, just a few people with something positive to say about the 378 cartridge.

If you think its nonsense, come shoot my 30-378 weatherby mag and see for yourself. I bet you may be a little surprised at how well you can shoot with it at very long ranges. I dont know if you know it, but with a point blank range of 388 yards, it pretty easy to hit a deer at 450-500 yards.
But before you make your assumptions and bad mouth someone that may have a skill that you don't posses yourself, go shoot a 378 cartridge and see for yourself. You might just find that your not always right.

feel free to pm me if you would like to go shoot:coolgleam

[walleyechaser]

I was wondering when the issue of ethics would rear its face in this discussion and now that it has I'll toss in my .02 cents worth.
In my book, an ethical shot is one in which the individual shooter is confident of making a clean kill period, not based on my standards, your standards or anyone else's standards.
For some, a 100 yard shot may be unethical especially if he/she couldn't hit a bull in the **** with a Base Fiddle at 3 feet. For others, a 300 or 400 yard shot is perfectly ethical. Its a matter of having the proper equipment for the task at hand, the experience and practice to accomplish the task and the confidence to make the shot.
Fred Bear was known for many a running shot with a recurve bow and I'm certain no one would have the gall to suggest that he was unethical. On the other hand, I don't know many Fred Bears.
Let's keep it in perspective, anyone who has spent their entire life hunting in heavy cover which Michigan has a lot of cannot begin to comprehend the distances involved when hunting out West. Imagine taking a hunter who has spent his entire life hunting the western plains and mountains and plopping him into the middle of a cedar swamp. He might wonder how hunters ever see a deer let alone kill one in that situation. To that person, hunting in a cedar swamp might be considered unethical because there's absolutely no idea of what lies beyond the intended target.
There's been much ado about the ethics of shooting at a moving target and its back to the same issue. I think I'd be safe in saying that most wild game spends the majority of its time moving, not standing still. If one's not capable of making a clean kill on a moving animal, don't take the shot. Its that simple.
My idea of ethics and your idea of ethics does not make another individual unethical or even ethical for that matter!
Nuff said !
BTW, I consider it extremely unethical to hit the woods opening morning after not firing a single shot with their rifle/shotgun since last season. I wonder how many so-called hunters do that each year?:rolleyes:

[Swamp Monster]

Hey, I'm not saying these shots can't be made. I've fired the .300-378 Weatherby and a .340 Weatherby at long distances. They are fully capable.
But, there are numerous folks out there with more money than brains that think they can compensate their lack of skill with expensive equipment. With the start of this thread, Enigma made himself look like this person in a big way with such a poorly written post. Enigma, nobody's hammering you for making a ranges estimation error by itself....we hammered you for saying you didn't realize the difference between 12.5 yards and 25 yards, and then quickly claimed to shoot deer at 600 yards. Most of us are like great, here we go again with some fool. Now, that sounds like it is not the case at all, but you have to admit, it looked pretty silly im the beginning based on your first post.
Even though these shots are possible, they are not high percentage shots, regardless of your equipment. Benchrest blind or not, there are far more variables involved in the woods during November when your aiming at live targets then there are at the local range or wherever you choose to practice. Claiming these are chipshots is nothing more than bragging and gives those that don't or won't practice the notion that all they need to do is spend two grand on equipment and hit the woods. Many here consider these shots unethical for good reason.
Some can say I'm guilty of it myself, when it comes to muzzleloaders and 12 guage slugs pushing the envelope with shots 200 yards +. Makeable certainly in the right hands and right equipment, but not chipshots, not even close. And not recommended unless conditions are perfect.....which is rare.

[Munsterlndr]

Most of the 200 to 300 yard shots up here turn out to be between 62 and 84 yards.

:lol: LOL.
and most 10 points turn out to be fork-horns! :lol:

[BUCKWIZZARD]

all we know is what we know, and what we know is all we know:evil: most people consider this a 1000 yard bench rest gun. 550 yards is a chip shot, I shoot at a rock the size of your fist at a quarter mile and hit it every time!! and it is ethical when this bullet hits deer at long distances trust me.

[Hunter333]

Seems that everyone has said what they need to concerning the original posts and the many follow ups. Shoot what you and the gun are capable of shooting, let others decide this for themselves as well.