300 Min Mag < 1 MOA at 1000 yds? Really?

[MCMXI]

Nice shooting! Watching that target fall over at 800 yards gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside doesn't it?! LOL!

Hey, I have low self esteem so I'll take whatever I can get!! The man-sized target at 745 yards was so much easier to hit, but it's 20" wide and closer, as you can see from the photo below. I was getting good center of mass hits though but there's no way to measure the group since as I stated earlier, it's in the middle of an area where there may be unexploded ordnance. I like measuring groups as much as the next guy but I like my legs too!!

Zak, do you normally get good feedback from a miss when you're shooting those steel challenge matches? With the mirage and low contrast backdrop, I had a really hard time seeing any "splash" this past Friday.

 

[Zak Smith]

More often than not, yeah, the misses can be spotted with enough clarity that the next shot is an almost assured hit unless there is another wind change. Exceptions are when the ground is wet, the target tops a local terrain feature, or there is a bush behind it. Rarely does mirage prevent it for us. I can remember a time that impacts were pretty much totally imperceptible at 1700+ yards, high winds and high mirage.

 

[Maverick223]

So, based on this environment, I would dispute the statement that it's "not unusual". When everything comes together weather-wise, maybe; but that is usually not the case here in the NE.

Keep in mind that the entry in question is only talking about the cartridge, the human element is not taken into consideration. The cartridge is certainly capable of that feat, as is any other supersonic round at 1k. Give someone inexperienced anything from a .260Rem. to a .408CT to a 105x608mm and they still can't get the job done.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I have a modified Remington Sendero .300 Win Mag that I have shot at 1000 yards in the Camp Perry Wimboldon match. It is the only NRA match that allows "any sight" (meaning a scope is optional, all ther matches are with iron sights). I am not a "distinguished" class shooter, and do not score in the top 100. However, it does give me a chance to shoot and learn the ropes for long range shooting. The big drawback in these matches is the required shooting with use of the sling, on one's elbows supporting the rifle of fthe ground, in the prone position.....without sandbags, bench, or bipod. The targets/ frames are big; the groups shot by the top shooters are not big. Would my gun be CAPABLE of shooting a sub minute group (under 10 inches) at 1000 yards? In the hands of a better shot than I, probably all the time. Me, over bags, with not too much wind? Maybe some of the time. Wind is the big factor, and it can really mess with you at 1000 yards (read Carlos Hathcock's book where he describes winning this match back in the early 60's.) My gun will shoot subminute groups (about .75" at 100) and this translates to a rifle CAPABLE of delivering subminute accuracy at longer range, but human error, and the wind, make such shooting a challenge for sure. Once again, from a good rest, it is maybe more likely than not, if your rifle is capable, and you do what you are supposed to as a shooter. I do not have the fascility to practice or test myself and the rifle like I would want to, but the few times I get up to Perry, I have done well for shooting without bipod, bags, etc. My load is a 200gr Sierra BTHP match over 68.5gr. of IMR 4350, in Fed Match or WW cases, and my scope is a Leupold 6.5-20x Target. My load chronongraphed @2830fps just forward of the muzzle with a 24" barrel. Setting my 100 yard zero 29" (impact at 100 yds above the crosshairs/point of aim) high puts me pretty close to "on target" at 1000 yards. I have zeroed at Perry with only two shots on one occasion.