splattergun
Member
Doping the wind is a very large portion of proper equipment and training. It takes a a very good, expensive scope, education and lots of practice. Apperently, he had the equipment and skill.
AZ Diamondbacks player shoots elk at 703 yards..
- Thread starter NelsErik
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Doping the wind is a very large portion of proper equipment and training. It takes a a very good, expensive scope, education and lots of practice. Apperently, he had the equipment and skill.
I have shot targets with Ranger snipers at Ft Benning GA and they routinely bang the target at 1,000 yards. Known distance, excellent equipment and superb training make this shot almost a gimme to these guys. I have rarely seen them actually miss their target although they get pissed if they are off by 3 inches.
I personally keep all my hunting shots under 300 yards because I can't see as well as I could and my hand is not as steady.
I personally keep all my hunting shots under 300 yards because I can't see as well as I could and my hand is not as steady.
Patocazador
Member
You must be an LSU fan. Sounds like the Les Miles school of coaching.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I bet the "6mm BR" on the paper plate answers that question.
Kachok
Member
The ethics of long ranged hunting is a touchy subject, I know hunters who have no business shooting 200yards and I know others that could make a 500 yard shot with ease, me personally I don't shoot any further then I have to, to me there are no bragging rights in ultra long shots, if i want to show off how well I can shoot I'll do it on paper, paper won't slowly die of infection if a gust of wind pushes your bullet a few inches off course. You want to impress someone show me how you stalked within bow range and got a clean kill. Never taken a 500 yard shot and don't ever plan to even though the paper agrees with me that I could hit my mark that far out. I normally keep quite when people talk about long ranged hunting, but I had a gentleman approach me wanting me to develop a load for his 50 BMG so he could kill a deer at 1,400yards, I called him an idiot and walked off, I'll have no part in that.
Just my opinion, but the chance of the animal getting wounded and running off to never be seen again are just too high, so I personally would consider it unethical and an unnessessary risk. JMHO. And hopefully anyone that would try a long shot like that would make sure they could reach the animal and recover it. Nothing like making a 700 yard kill and then realizing it's on the other side of an inaccessable canyon or ravine
What's the flight time for something like a 7mag over 700 yards? From my rather uninformed opinion, 700 yards with a rifle poses the same risks as 50-60 yards with a bow. I can punch 3d targets at 60 yards with my bow all day. I'd shoot a bedded bull at that range without much concern. On it's feet though I'd be concerned about how far it could move between release and hit. Is that not a concern on these really long range rifle shots?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
700 yards = 2,100 feet.
If your ammo averages 3,000 fps across that distance, flight time is 0.7 seconds.
If your ammo averages 3,000 fps across that distance, flight time is 0.7 seconds.
NelsErik
Member
The thing that initially upset me is the fact that he took the shot as part of a marketing gimmick. Willie is on "Team Weatherby" and went on the hunt as a promotional gimmick. My local news station showed a video of the hunt, I wish I could find it.
I think it is a lot more impressive to shoot an elk at 20 yards with a bow than 700 with a .30-378 Weatherby Magnum (that is what he used). I think it is outright irresponsible to shoot an elk at 700 yards and film it for promotional purposes. In my opinion this guy is promoting poor hunting technique, poor hunting ethics, and an overall lack of responsible conservation and leadership skills. I hold this guy to a higher standard since he is famous, I know I am probably wrong. I just think it is wrong to take a shot at an animal that far in the mountains. On an open plain where stalking is much harder is one thing, but this is another.
I think it is a lot more impressive to shoot an elk at 20 yards with a bow than 700 with a .30-378 Weatherby Magnum (that is what he used). I think it is outright irresponsible to shoot an elk at 700 yards and film it for promotional purposes. In my opinion this guy is promoting poor hunting technique, poor hunting ethics, and an overall lack of responsible conservation and leadership skills. I hold this guy to a higher standard since he is famous, I know I am probably wrong. I just think it is wrong to take a shot at an animal that far in the mountains. On an open plain where stalking is much harder is one thing, but this is another.
grubbylabs
Member
I used to think that it was un ethical to take shots like that, but the longer I am around the more I realize there are all kinds of hunters, some want to get as close as they can, some thrive on the skill of a well placed shot at distance, and so on. If both put in the time to develop the skill they need to do it well, then who am I to complain.
I have seen 20 yard shots at elk with perfect conditions go south for well accomplished archers, including my self. To me it seems that even if you put the effort in and do every thing right it can still go wrong even at close range. So I am beginning to think it does not matter what range you shoot at so long as you develop the skills necessary for your style of hunting.
I have seen 20 yard shots at elk with perfect conditions go south for well accomplished archers, including my self. To me it seems that even if you put the effort in and do every thing right it can still go wrong even at close range. So I am beginning to think it does not matter what range you shoot at so long as you develop the skills necessary for your style of hunting.
clamman
Member
I shot a dirt clod a half mile away with a Remington 510
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
To me, the bad part of the deal is the promotional aspect. It can lead guys to try such shots without having done all the prep work of practicing and learning how to really be able to be confident of a clean kill sort of hit.
Some guys do their homework, whether long-range shooting or up-close stalking. The gripe should be for those who don't do their homework, not the act itself.
Some guys do their homework, whether long-range shooting or up-close stalking. The gripe should be for those who don't do their homework, not the act itself.
CoRoMo
Member
Although I see no reason in the story to be upset, I can't say anyone 'is wrong' for reacting they way they choose to react. Being offended isn't necessarily right nor wrong.
According to the article that you linked to, his name is Willie Bloomquist and he plays Shortstop/Third Base for the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6636
If that had happened, it might have then required additional shots, but it's moot because he didn't wing it.
That explains it. Case closed.
NelsErik
Member
Actually, we have no idea if he missed any shots, people generally don't talk about those shots... Just to clarify, I didn't say he was a crack shot, I was quoting the article.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Seems to me lots of companies like to show highly skilled folks using their top-end products to perform difficult, challenging, and risky feats of skill. Many of those feats of skill would be quite dangerous -- to both the participant and even bystanders -- if folks "at home" went and tried them. But the fact that some folks can, with great skill and preparation, use the product in that way lends a huge aura of prestige to the brand.
I don't see a whole lot of complaining about irresponsible and unethical behavior in car ads, where FAR more people might be tempted to use the product in ways that would put the lives of many people at risk.
I'm not able to get very indignant about this one successful shot.
I don't see a whole lot of complaining about irresponsible and unethical behavior in car ads, where FAR more people might be tempted to use the product in ways that would put the lives of many people at risk.
I'm not able to get very indignant about this one successful shot.
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Certaindeaf
member
True.. that new Fiat flies and goes underwater.
NelsErik
Member
Just for clarification then, if he missed the shot, then said shot would be unethical? Or as long as you make your shot, it is fine? It is only bad if you miss the shot and no consideration for the risk of missing the shot is taken into consideration? This doesn't make sense to me, you have to consider the risk involved in a low percentage shot.
But it is not a low percentage shot for some people. For some people a 50 yard shot is a low percentage shot, but no one complains about them.
Not many years ago 700 yards would have been more luck than skill. But today we have much better equpment. Better optics, range finders, computer programs to calculate bullet drop, wind drift etc. If you know what you are doing it is not that hard in 2013. We now have bullets that will actually perform at that range, bullets, powder and chamberings that make a 700 yard shot easier than a 400 yard shot just a few years ago.
That doesn't mean everyone has the skills and equipment, but I'd rather see someone who knows what he is doing take a 700 yard shot than someone shooing at 70 yards over a baitpile. And baiting is perfectly legal in many places. Not saying it is unethical if legal where you live. Just not my preference.
Not many years ago 700 yards would have been more luck than skill. But today we have much better equpment. Better optics, range finders, computer programs to calculate bullet drop, wind drift etc. If you know what you are doing it is not that hard in 2013. We now have bullets that will actually perform at that range, bullets, powder and chamberings that make a 700 yard shot easier than a 400 yard shot just a few years ago.
That doesn't mean everyone has the skills and equipment, but I'd rather see someone who knows what he is doing take a 700 yard shot than someone shooing at 70 yards over a baitpile. And baiting is perfectly legal in many places. Not saying it is unethical if legal where you live. Just not my preference.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Tens of thousands of hunters wound and lose deer every year. The vast majority of those shots are at 75-200 yds (because that's the range the most shots are taken at). It would be far more realistic to say that it is unethical for several tens of thousands of shooters to be taking 100 or 200 yards shots than it is to say that this guy was unethical in taking a 700 yards shot, which he clearly had the skill to make.
If you're willing to say those tens of thousands shouldn't be in the field ... well, maybe you're right. At least you're then applying a consistent standards...except that (again) this guy MADE the shot.
25cschaefer
Member
Watch Best of the West and you will see what goes into a shot like that, it's not some guy popping a shot out the window of his F-150 with a 30-30.
Certaindeaf
member
There's a guy here that regularly takes Pronghorn out to 700 yards plus with a handgun.
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