That most glorious of all seasons is quickly upon us (it's almost hunting season), and I'm looking to up my preseason marksmanship game. The basic question here is what field shooting position(s) do you consider most appropriate (i.e. ethical, effective, etc.) at what range for large game hunting?
I hunt caribou on open tundra. Literally miles with only hills obstructing my view. I know that my chosen projectile with my handload will drop below minimum performance velocity (the hollow point may not open) at 350 yards. Subsequently, my maximum range is 300 yards. At 300 yards, I wouldn't even consider shooting at a moving caribou, and I would only shoot from a prone and supported position. However, in your mind, what are the cutoffs for other positions?
For example, what's your max range on a moving target? At what range do you feel it acceptable to simply take a knee and then the shot? (Or a shot from the sitting position.) At what range does a standing off-hand shot cease to be ethical, effective, etc.?
Of course, we all have our own individual answers to these questions. What I'm really looking for is a sounding board. For my preseason practice this year (I usually shoot all year long, but with the ammo shortage...), I'm looking to do most of my training with 22LR shooting at 25 yards using various diameter targets based on MOA an the average 12" kill zone on an average caribou. If I say "No offhand shots past 100 yards, then I only need to practice off hand on a 3" target at 25 yards with a 22. Likewise, if I say "only prone after 200" then I probably just need to be shooting prone at a 4 MOA target of 1" diameter with a 22 at 25 yards. (Aiming black would be the same size as the 12" vitals at 300.)
So I'm the exact opposite. Modern cartridge or black powder, my shots are always under the max effective/accurate range, due to tight, rolling terrain and trees. I always have a tree that I can steady upon.
I have in the past, however, hunted fields and meadows, and some of those shots are out at 200 yards.
In your area, were I there..., I wouldn't go past 100 yards on a "moving" target, and I think more left-right or right-left, when I say a "moving target", as opposed to walking toward me. Also the speed would be a walking, big game animal. If it was trotting or going faster, nope, I'd pass on the shot. Scope or not, I just like a pretty steady sight picture.
I wouldn't be shooting offhand, aka standing-unsupported. I just don't like it. When I've been in fields or meadows without a tree for me to use, I've carried a walking staff that I used as a sort of monopod, but only for a shooting situation that was unplanned, such as I was crossing an area and a deer appeared, before I had chosen a spot and set up. I do like your 300 yard limit.
In your area, I'd consider the old "Crossed Sticks" and a sitting position. Prone never worked for me as the grass where I am is always knee high, and I always end up looking at a grass wall. Crossed sticks worked for bison hunters, and granted, that was at a time when rifle trajectory was really curved, but I've found them good now. They give me a less tight position than a full sitting or kneeling, and thus I don't go numb or cramp up waiting for that shot. Because, it's always been the case in the past, when I've used a tight shooting position in sitting or kneeling..., the animal takes it's darn sweet time presenting me the with shot that I want. Numb isn't so bad, but a cramp that gives the shakes..., I'd rather use the sticks.
LD