[H1500308]

I took a doe this morning at 200+ yards with my Howa .308. 1 shot, right in the vitals, deer didn't move. I know 200 yards is not that big of a deal for this cartridge however, it's a big deal for me. Previously, my comfort zone was just a bit past 100 yards but over the past several months, I've shot this rifle 150-200 times with the same hunting ammo out to various ranges. The value of practicing shouldering the rifle, breathing, and trigger control should never be overlooked. It's very rewarding to know what your rifle and you are capable of.

Humane kills should be the goal of every hunter, sadly it's overlooked too often.

[shaggy430]

Try to practice shooting weak side (left handed if you are right handed) out to about 50 yards or so. It has come in handy for me numerous times while hunting (this morning again actually) when the deer comes to the wrong side or behind you. There is a lot less movement by moving the gun to the other shoulder instead of trying to move your whole body around to get a shot.

[ArmedBear]

The value of practicing shouldering the rifle, breathing, and trigger control should never be overlooked.

Absolutely. Too often, they are, as are shooting in real field positions on crappy ground with nasty vegetation and rocks, as opposed to off a bench or even "field positions" on clean flat concrete or graded bare ground.

This year, I've been practicing on BLM land, by popping small balloons with my hunting rifle and ammo. I've done it to about 325 yards so far, so I know the drop, my capabilities, and how I need to shoot at a given range. For example, I know that I can make a good shot past 100 yards offhand, but 150+ I need to steady myself somehow. At 250+ I need some sort of a rest (shooting sticks or something).

This isn't written in stone; I've known people with physical handicaps that kept them from being very steady, making offhand shots on moving game at 300. But I like to know what I can consistently do at a given range.

Congratulations on your one-shot drop at over 200 yards. Good job!

[interlock]

I took a doe this morning at 200+ yards with my Howa .308. 1 shot, right in the vitals, deer didn't move. I know 200 yards is not that big of a deal for this cartridge however, it's a big deal for me. Previously, my comfort zone was just a bit past 100 yards but over the past several months, I've shot this rifle 150-200 times with the same hunting ammo out to various ranges. The value of practicing shouldering the rifle, breathing, and trigger control should never be overlooked. It's very rewarding to know what your rifle and you are capable of.

Humane kills should be the goal of every hunter, sadly it's overlooked too often.
well said. I am with you all the way on this.

[qajaq59]

It's very rewarding to know what your rifle and you are capable of. And it makes it easier as well. I don't have to dither much about a shot. If it's one I can make I know it immediately. I don't believe "luck shots" are ethical when it come to hunting. Unfortunately though, I've known plenty of people that have made them and have gotten a deer. But that's their choice and they sure didn't need my permission.

[qajaq59]

It's very rewarding to know what your rifle and you are capable of. And it makes it easier as well. I don't have to dither much about a shot. If it's one I can make I know it immediately. I don't believe "luck shots" are ethical when it come to hunting. Unfortunately though, I've known plenty of people that have made them and have gotten a deer. But that's their choice and they sure didn't need my permission.