Sighting 30-06 4" high at 100 or 320 yard zero for deer

Stevel said:

How true, though most of what you say applies to any hunting regardless of zero. I agree there are a lot of hunters that take shots they shouldn't or aren't capable of ensuring a clean kill.

In my case this particular rifle does shoot 3" groups at 300 yards with this load. I doubt I would take a 300 yard shot at a deer. Have only taken 1 at 200 yards. Otherwise 25-135.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

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If this is the case, why not zero for 200? Shoot it for dope at 300 and be well inside a more ethical mpbr for the rifle.

Bfh_auto said:

If this is the case, why not zero for 200? Shoot it for dope at 300 and be well inside a more ethical mpbr for the rifle.

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This would work if you have a 300yd range with 100/200yd known distances. If you have a 200yd range, and you live in an area where 200 is considered a long shot, why worry about 300?

mustanger98 said:

This would work if you have a 300yd range with 100/200yd known distances. If you have a 200yd range, and you live in an area where 200 is considered a long shot, why worry about 300?

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It gives you leeway. I like to know what my drop is past my usual hunting distance.
Range finders are cheap.

Bfh_auto said:

It gives you leeway. I like to know what my drop is past my usual hunting distance.
Range finders are cheap.

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If I understand correctly, you're in an area where you can see that far, and you have access to a 300yd range. Not everybody has that. Take most places in the Appalachians... 200's a long shot and most of the time you can't see beyond 100. It's kinda hard to shoot for 300yd dope when your local range only goes to the 200yds you got to zero for.

troy fairweather said:

I like 1.5 to 2'' high for a deer rifle.

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same here, I hunt with a 30-06 in Northwestern PA...... very hilly/lots of trees........ unless I'm walking through a timbered area my shots will be under 200 yards for the most part.

Having shot a deer at 440 yards, my opinion that it is not very ethical even for an expert shot with a very accurate rifle. First I don't agree with the common idea that a pie plate is good enough for a solid one shot kill. It's a very rare combination of rifle and marksman that can consistently make that shot in field conditions if you know the exact range which I did. I had ranged the field to landmarks beforehand. The bullet has lost a lot of energy and may miss the window of full expansion. I hit the deer in the pie plate circle three times. After I made the long walk the deer was still alive. That was terrible. I have seen one shot kills by another guy at that range but it was more a fluke I think. Since then I limit my shots to 300 yards. Two or three inches high may sound fine to you. This year a high double lung shot resulted in a 200 yard track in very tough cover and I am not proud of it.