I also appologize to the self imposed ethic folks who figure that since they can only shoot 100 or 200yds in their hunting area or their cability, that everybody in the whole country should have to do so as well. Not.
As to hitting the target at known distances from the bench as well as from field positions or an offhand stance, I can handle that as well. Getting close, yep I can put the sneak on them as well as most, and in an area in which the natural terrain and ground cover allow, I love to do it, and highly recommend it. The areas I hunt in, the terrain is such that in places three feet might be a long shot, to open flat country, hay and cotton fields, where a mile might still be on the short side. The the latter areas, after the hay has been cut and the cotton disked under, during hunting season there isn't a person behind any keyboard who can put the sneak on a the deer that live around there. For the distances in the areas in which I might make a long shot, most of the areas have all been ranged and noted on laminated cards to which easy references can be made quickly. These are generally studied upon arrival to the area so that when something comes out it can be quickly assessed and if needed the laser can be used for an accurate measurment. The cards are simply used for rough estimates and getting a basic idea of the size of the animal using the retical as a measure.
In my years of hunting I have had to learn the ballistics for all of my rifles out to 500yds in order to be successful in getting a deer, or watch them walk on by. This being said, I also hunt with handguns as well and am capable out to 100yds using my open sighted Rugers, and my scoped Contenders out to 200yds. I would rather not shoot that far, and will make every effort to get as close as possible depending on the conditions and terrain. If they are favorable I will shoot from the best vantage spot I can while utilizing the best rest I can. I do not make it a habit of shooting to the longer distances, but should the need arise, as it has on may occaisions, I have made the necessary preperation to make the shot a good one and if conditions are not favorable then I do not shoot. In fact, I haven't shot a deer in going on 5 years. Not that I haven't had numerious oppurtunities, I simply have chosen not to. Feral hogs you bet, as many as I can, but thats not what this topic is about, and I appoligize for getting off track
My longest shot on a deer using a rifle has been 1) over 400yds 25-06 115gr Partition, Harris Bi-pod, several over 300 in several calibers using improvised and solid rest and many under 250 using improvised and solid rest and off hand. Closest was withing several feet.
Using my Contender the longest was lasered at 283 yds 14" barrel 7x30 Waters 3x12 scope 140gr Ballistic Tip rest was a day pack.
and for my open sighted GP-100 in 357mag it wasa kneeling shot of 73yards using a Speer 146gr SJSWC just below the ear of a doe where I was aiming.
As to other critters, coyotes, feral hogs and such, I have surpassed the 400yd mark numerious times from prone, and using the Stoney Point rest, as well as taken multitudes of them in as close as a few feet.
