775yd moose

Status
Not open for further replies.
I've competed at 800-1000 and shot buffalo matches out to 1250 or so, both with irons. They're all using pretty big targets. From the NRA rule book:



So a 6' backing board. I never had issues seeing the black, and I'd swap out my front insert to give me just enough daylight around it to be centered. When we shot with the BP guns, we only set up every other tgt because a missed wind call would often end up on the next shooter's TGT.

Camp Perry had unusually clear air. It might be due to the fact the backstop was Lake Erie and the lake breeze was cool and probably free of dust. The bulls on the 1000 yard targets were generally clear. That is not the case at several 1000 yard ranges in the South that I have shot at. I don't understand the optics, but with a post sight, I could not approach the bull as it disappeared in the heat, humidity, mirage. Post sight shooters often used a frame hold, that is the front sight was at the bottom of the target, you had to add elevation because the ten ring was still in the middle. Target frames would flicker and move in the mirage. Groups with frame holds were looser and scores with the service rifle were always lower than the guys with match rifles.

Most of the later long range matches I shot the course of fire was 20 shots for record with unlimited sighters in a block time. Shooters would show up with new loads and rifles, only having short range zero's. If they hit the berm you could tell them they were low. If they were shooting above the target, ranges like Camp Perry don't have a dirt backstop to see a bullet impact, and everyone gets frustrated. I have pulled for shooters who burnt up almost all of their block time getting on target. No happy campers on the line or in the pits! Hitting at long range is not a gimme.

And, I am going to state, unless the long range hunter has actually tested his loads at on target, he does not know if the bullets are stable or not. This is a topic not addressed by the in print crowd, as they test at most, 100 yards away, and make claims about 1200 yard performance based on their 100 yard targets. Not all bullets are stable at distance. I don't know if they tumble below supersonic, or at some random velocity, but bullets tumble.

these bullets were stable at 300 yards

V1m7Hqw.jpg

tumbled at 600 yards

ZBEjeNS.jpg

this was a shocker, 190 grain match bullets in a 308 Win. the actual string velocities are on the target. These bullets should have not gone sub sconic at this distance, according to the book values.

at 300 yards, stable.


zSAXCBn.jpg

600 yards, unstable

vkNmcu3.jpg


MCS48ir.jpg


other bullets, same rifle, stable.

CX4ZqpG.jpg

uW5fVHj.jpg

Stable at 600 yards does not prove stability at 700 or 775 yards. And yet these long range hunters are flinging bullets at distance, assuming they will go where aimed, and they really don't know what the bullet is doing at distance. They would be more ethical if they cut the distance between the animal and themselves, but they really don't care.

I am glad I don't have to justify the hunting habits of attention seeking narcissists who treat living creatures as disposable props in the story of their legendary lives.
 
Last edited:
One of the issues that I do see is the length of time it takes for some of these guys to get set up for a shot. Critters ain’t stationary targets if you give them enough time, they’ll move off.

This is exactly right. And though I'm not comfortable in the 800yd range yet, I have for years been slowly expanding my skills and my speed.
I shared this video previously to express my appreciation for the accuracy of this gun as I was surprised. What I didn't share at the time was that, as this video was being taken, I was also using it as a practice session. I started the timer on my phone, put it down in focus, propped it against the railing in focus, got in shooting position on my bags, made this shot, then stopped the timer.
I wasn't rushing at all,, and this took 11 sec total. So if I wasn't fooling with the phone, it's probably closer to 8 seconds that it took me to get sight picture and shoot. Not bragging at all, but I've been at the range watching guys take minutes to perform the same shot.
That's fine for target shooting, but hunting is a combination of many skills. Hitting a bullseye is just one part of the equation. If the target is moving and or, you don't have an ideal shooting position, that changes the game even more. Most people, if they practice at all, get on the bench, shoot some groups, call it good, then they're off to the woods.
When you practice, you should practice every move you will need to make, from getting in position all the way thru making a shot, putting the safety back on, and getting down from your stand or hunting position. Whatever thing you don't practice is what will bite you in the moment: that tree branch you didn’t realize would be in the way when you swing left, that zipper on your coat you didn’t realize was gonna snag your stock when you shoulder the gun etc. These are things that separate successful hunters from bad luck.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-qzf6ddba80?feature=share

This was just a 100yds with an American predator .308.
One benefit of longer shots is often a little more time to evaluate your prey and plan your shot. From 775yds, he even had the luxury of dry firing a couple times to calm himself. At 100yds, you just don't get that option.
 
Some say that a if he were a good hunter then he could get closer...

Some might also say he wouldn't need to get close if he's a good shot.

I wouldn't take that shot and I'm not saying I recommend it for most people. But he was successful by the reports.

Glad it worked out and hope he doesn't have a circumstance where it does not.
 
That was my initial take also. Interestingly enough, I caught this video the other day:



It wasn't the .270 on elk part that intrigued me. It was how excited Spomer got as he told the story of how they closed the gap from 600 to under 200 yards before taking the shot on the bull. To me that is a major part of the excitement from hunting.

Take a look at the 7:45 mark:

"we've got to get a lot closer, how are we going to do this? we're going to sneak, that's why I hunt, the excitement and challenge of getting closer to game".

@Chuck R. Thank you for the posting the video.
Put the hunt in hunting and get closer.
 
These are things that separate successful hunters from bad luck.

.

Agreed. But there is no such thing as being immune to bad luck. Such shots always rely on at least the absence of bad luck. So all those aspects of long range shooting that can disrupt the most meticulous preparation for the shot, and on game that includes random target movement which I count as a "biggie", must stay on the "good luck" side of the ledger. Preparation really does reduce the luck part of shooting, but range always increases the role of the luck factor, for lousy shots like me, and for those who are good at it.
 
I try to get within smelling distance.
And in my experience, that can be quite a ways if you're downwind from a stinky ol' moose. ;)
I'm just kidding around (mostly). Moose do stink, but I'd love to get one for the meat. Unfortunately, an Idaho moose tag is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, and while I've been putting in for an Idaho moose tag off and on for 50 years, I've haven't drawn one yet. :(
PS There's little doubt someone's going to correct me by telling me Idaho moose tags are no longer a "once-in-a-lifetime deal" like they used to be. Yes they are! From what I've heard, you can draw a second Idaho moose tag (for a cow moose) nowadays if you drew a first Idaho moose tag (for a bull moose) once in your lifetime. But I haven't drawn a first Idaho moose tag yet, and I'm 74! So, an Idaho moose tag is still a "once in a lifetime deal" for me - I keep hoping.;)
 
Using the plane to locate your wild game seems less “fair chase” than having the capability to make a successful long range shot. IMO.

My personal opinion in how I look at hunting myself is that it’s a hobby that provides good meat at the end of season (hopefully) so using tactics like air/radio locating animals, feeder plots, hunting over bait and running dogs doesn’t appeal to me. That takes the adventure and hobby out of it for what I look to get out of the experience.

I don’t really have an issue with how those above are being used in today’s hunting. The regulations established on air travel to hunting destinations, bait and running dogs I think is for the most part in good application in attempts to preserve the past time while still providing good opportunities to be successful.

Others whom are subsistence hunters will use all the tools afforded them to harvest as much game as they can use and I say more power to them as they operate within the rules everyone else is abiding by.

My problem is that he was lazy in my estimation.
"Why stalk if I don't have to? I'll see if I can pop him from here."

That's my problem with all ultra-long distance shooters. Be sporting for God's sake! And for the animal's sake.

Is hunting over bait and utilizing feeder plots not sporting?

What about using scent/lures, calls, bugles? What you can’t get close enough without all that?

Is running dogs not sporting?

What about hunting during the rut when the animals are distracted? Seems pretty unsportsmanlike to “blindside” the animal like that.

How close is sporting? 300, 200, 50 yards.

Some who muzzleloader hunt might think center fire rifles are not sporting, or a compound bow hunter might think both are not sporting, and long bow hunters think the same.

@Chuck R. Thank you for the posting the video.
Put the hunt in hunting and get closer.

It’s a personal opinion that what he did isn’t hunting. I have to check my opinions and view of what constitutes things in this world in check.

Nothing wrong with it as long as you don’t call it hunting. That is harvesting not hunting. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Just one old hunters opinion.

You should write a manual on what constitutes a hunt, so we can all get on the same page. Don’t take my comment to seriously, I’m typing it with a chuckle and just trying to get people to think.

It’s perfectly fine that you don’t consider it hunting but to say others can’t call it hunting rubs me wrong.
 
Now whether someone can ethically take game at that distance, in my opinion, comes down to: enough retained energy, projectile designed around terminal velocity, environmental conditions, animals demeanor and most importantly shooters skill.

Does the 338 RUM have enough energy at 775 yards to reliably take the size and toughness of the hunted animal? Yes.

Is the bullet being used designed for the terminal velocities at the distance it is reaching the game? Not sure, don’t know what bullet he used.

Environmental conditions, wind, rain, heat mirages, slope of shot, etc. Looked fine to me in the video.

Animals demeanor. Is the animal agitated, restless, calm, etc. Looks like he waited for the right time to ensure the animal is staying put.

Shooters skill. Don’t know the guy but with what he mentions about planning and practicing as well as the fact he has an understanding of environmental conditions, risks, etc being a bush pilot the outside things I can witness points to the fact he takes life seriously.
 
My personal opinion in how I look at hunting myself is that it’s a hobby that provides good meat at the end of season (hopefully) so using tactics like air/radio locating animals, feeder plots, hunting over bait and running dogs doesn’t appeal to me. That takes the adventure and hobby out of it for what I look to get out of the experience.

I don’t really have an issue with how those above are being used in today’s hunting. The regulations established on air travel to hunting destinations, bait and running dogs I think is for the most part in good application in attempts to preserve the past time while still providing good opportunities to be successful.

Others whom are subsistence hunters will use all the tools afforded them to harvest as much game as they can use and I say more power to them as they operate within the rules everyone else is abiding by.



Is hunting over bait and utilizing feeder plots not sporting?

What about using scent/lures, calls, bugles? What you can’t get close enough without all that?

Is running dogs not sporting?

What about hunting during the rut when the animals are distracted? Seems pretty unsportsmanlike to “blindside” the animal like that.

How close is sporting? 300, 200, 50 yards.

Some who muzzleloader hunt might think center fire rifles are not sporting, or a compound bow hunter might think both are not sporting, and long bow hunters think the same.



It’s a personal opinion that what he did isn’t hunting. I have to check my opinions and view of what constitutes things in this world in check.



You should write a manual on what constitutes a hunt, so we can all get on the same page. Don’t take my comment to seriously, I’m typing it with a chuckle and just trying to get people to think.

It’s perfectly fine that you don’t consider it hunting but to say others can’t call it hunting rubs me wrong.
As long as you are obeying the law you are free to hunt however you wish. I was not trying to say it was bad or unethical. Just not my cup of tea. That’s what makes the world go around, freedom of choice.
 
While it seems possible... And obviously is... I did a quick napkin calculation... A browsing moose may move 3' in a second... More if spooked, bitten, having an oh baby moment or just plane ticked off by something... Any moose hunters out there please correct me because the only moose like creature I've ever been around is called a horse ;)... A 300 wby mag will take nearly a second to get 775 yards... a professional hunter can probably guage "most" of what an animals movement and intention are "about" to be... But can that always be know? 775 yards is awesome... I prolly wouldn't take the shot unless I was really hungry... Or my family was really hungry... Are there other situations I would... Prolly... I mean who hasn't had buck fever in their life... And a giant animal in my sights might just be the thing that throws me off... I'll let you know when... Oops... if it ever happens... Not judging the guy here. Even at 200 yards I've seen little Georgia deer spook and move a very long distance (read possible miss) in under a half second... Ask any bow hunter to explain "string jump"... Take the little homely armadillo and see how high they jump "instantaneously" when startled... If an animal can walk out of a hit during time of flight then I try to move closer or take the mental picture and move on... Not scientific but a thought... For Georgia deer (say 10" kz) that's about 300 yards or less... On a standing attentive animal.. when aren't they right... IMHO... I'm not a professional hunter but I am always open to learning new info...:)
 
Last edited:
The only way to access a vast majority of quality game country in AK is by air. You simply can not drive to almost any place in AK that is west of the Denali Highway.

While “scouting via airplane” has a sinister sounding title. Airplanes are the ATV of Alaskan backcountry. You don’t put on blinders when you fly over the backcountry and you are always looking for game. It’s simply how it’s done. If your going to hunt or scout in most of AK it’s done via light aircraft. No airplane, no hunting it’s pretty simple. You can’t apply your local techniques and “ethics” to an AK resident. It’s a vastly different situation up there.

Everyone who is trying to demonize this hunter on here should take some time and watch some of their other videos. This is a serious hunting family, and if they are able to write off/cover some of their hunting via monetized you tube videos I say AWESOME!
 
Last edited:
Everyone who is trying to demonize this hunter on here should take some time and watch some of their other videos. This is a serious hunting family, and if they are Anne to write off/cover some of their hunting via monetized you tube videos I say AWESOME!

So disagreement = demonize??

Seriously, who is trying to "demonize" VS the various opinions that don't agree and wouldn't take the shot? I like a little forum "drama" as well as the next guy, but "demonize"???
 
The OP ‘asked’ what forum members thought about the taking of this moose with that long of a shot.

Members are responding as asked with most replying as to whether this was the hunting or shooting of an animal.

Obviously many of us have different opinions of just what constitutes a ‘hunt’ or ‘hunting’.

My thoughts: I watched the video. The guy is no run of the mill hunting season yahoo. Listening to him he appears to take this stuff seriously.

What I didn’t see on the video: Any real need to concern himself with masking his scent. Wasn’t too worried about noise or even being seen as a threat by the animal at that distance. No prolonged difficult stalk to make a closer shot. He did quantify in the video that he thought he couldn’t get any closer. The animal was almost 8 football fields away.

In my opinion he was light on the hunting and heavy on the shooting skills required to take this animal. That’s NOT an ethical assessment of the shot or situation.

As a Side Note: It’s a shot I would not have taken because I don’t have the skill set this individual has with a rifle. A man’s got to know his limitations.
 
Last edited:
if its ethical to kill humans at that range, its ethical on animals. Not something I would personally do, but I concern myself with legalities of hunting , not arguments on ethics.

If you want to be fair, take it on tooth and nail. The animals we eat from the supermarket werent killed in very sporting fashion either- headshot with a humane despatch tool at 0.0 yards. Doesnt upset my digestion one bit.

If I was a moose and someone said I have a choice of a hunter taking a shot at me at 200 or someone at 800 I know what I'd choose! I'd say bring on the wannabe sniper thanks, I'll even stand broadside.
 
Last edited:
If I was a moose and someone said I have a choice of a hunter taking a shot at me at 200 or someone at 800 I know what I'd choose! I'd say bring on the wannabe sniper thanks, I'll even stand broadside.
"On a ledge.... overlooking a bog..........also.....bite me!" :evil:

Tho perhaps mooseses are less persnickety than the things Ive killed.... which invariably manage to fall into the deepest, darkest hole, they can find.......
 
Tho perhaps mooseses are less persnickety than the things Ive killed.... which invariably manage to fall into the deepest, darkest hole, they can find.......
Yeah, that's the excuse I always used when Dad scolded me for shooting a head big game downhill from the road or way down in a black hole - "But Dad, he FELL down there, I didn't shoot him down there." ;)
For that matter, I remember once when Dad arrived on the scene as I was trying to drag a large mule deer buck out of a creek in the bottom of a very steep canyon. As usual, Dad started to say something about how many times he told me to not shoot a deer downhill from the road, and I told him, "But Dad, he wasn't downhill from the road when I shot him! He was just on the other side of the canyon!" :p
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top