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Hunting & Fishing 950 yd bull elk kill
- Thread starter huntermanpaul
- Start date
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Awesome.
At 10,500' elevation, that 175 was still probably moving 1700fps/1100 ft-lbs, give or take. The 22 moa el correction jives with that.
Awesome.
At 10,500' elevation, that 175 was still probably moving 1700fps/1100 ft-lbs, give or take. The 22 moa el correction jives with that.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Thanks for your comments! I appreciate the spirit in which you offer your criticism. It is more effective when it comes from humility and experience. So thanks!
With that said, I spent all summer planning to make a 1000 yd kill this fall. We have a 1000 yd range about 5 miles from my house and I shot over 400 rounds this summer between 800 and 1000 yds. I consistently shoot sub moa at 1000 with this rifle at the range and given the conditions we had when we were hunting, I knew it would be high percentage in the field. Had a good range finder, and knew what needed to be done to make it count.
The only unknown factor was the wind, hence the first two shots missing. The wind was steady from left to right and the bull was facing from right to left. My first shot I held right behind the shoulder and marked in the scope how many mos's the impact was left. The second shot was about 2 inches in front of him so I made the correction. Given the way he was facing, the odds of wounding him due to wind were slim because his shoulder was the only thing on the down wind side. Although,there was still that risk, it was manageable.
One thing that should also be said is there are other factors that go into making a shot like that. As you can see from the pics, there were no trees around or large hills, making a follow up shot easy.
I built the rifle with two things in mind, long range hunting and a caliber that my wife can handle the recoil. Given what I know now, I would eliminate the second consideration and buy her a gun for herself.
Probably not a shot I will be taking again any time soon but given the way I shoot that rifle and the amount of time I have spent making data and proving it at the range, I would not say it should never be done but if a guy is going to do it, he better have his stuff together.
Again, thanks for the comment. I appreciate the perspective.
Thanks for your comments! I appreciate the spirit in which you offer your criticism. It is more effective when it comes from humility and experience. So thanks!
With that said, I spent all summer planning to make a 1000 yd kill this fall. We have a 1000 yd range about 5 miles from my house and I shot over 400 rounds this summer between 800 and 1000 yds. I consistently shoot sub moa at 1000 with this rifle at the range and given the conditions we had when we were hunting, I knew it would be high percentage in the field. Had a good range finder, and knew what needed to be done to make it count.
The only unknown factor was the wind, hence the first two shots missing. The wind was steady from left to right and the bull was facing from right to left. My first shot I held right behind the shoulder and marked in the scope how many mos's the impact was left. The second shot was about 2 inches in front of him so I made the correction. Given the way he was facing, the odds of wounding him due to wind were slim because his shoulder was the only thing on the down wind side. Although,there was still that risk, it was manageable.
One thing that should also be said is there are other factors that go into making a shot like that. As you can see from the pics, there were no trees around or large hills, making a follow up shot easy.
I built the rifle with two things in mind, long range hunting and a caliber that my wife can handle the recoil. Given what I know now, I would eliminate the second consideration and buy her a gun for herself.
Probably not a shot I will be taking again any time soon but given the way I shoot that rifle and the amount of time I have spent making data and proving it at the range, I would not say it should never be done but if a guy is going to do it, he better have his stuff together.
Again, thanks for the comment. I appreciate the perspective.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
What part of Alaska you guide in? We were up North of Fairbanks 2 years ago hunting caribou on the haul road and are hoping to make it up again next year. Not into another haul road rifle hunt though. There is nothing fun about walking 5 miles in the tundra... haha
What part of Alaska you guide in? We were up North of Fairbanks 2 years ago hunting caribou on the haul road and are hoping to make it up again next year. Not into another haul road rifle hunt though. There is nothing fun about walking 5 miles in the tundra... haha
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
I did not consider the high altitude and do not have my ballistic program with me at the moment. If the numbers that MontanaMarine quoted are correct and I will assume they are I will now retract my statement that that range was too far for a 308. Instead your shot was at the extreme end of the range that a shot should be taken on a tough big game animal like an elk.
You had made an excellent choice of scope, rifle, rings, stock, and bipod. The practice and preparation you did before your hunt had you ready for a long shot. You thought out your elk’s location carefully and were looking at the risk logically and did not take the situation lightly.
Good Job congratulation on a trophy elk.
You sound like the kind of guy that I would enjoy hunting with.
I did not consider the high altitude and do not have my ballistic program with me at the moment. If the numbers that MontanaMarine quoted are correct and I will assume they are I will now retract my statement that that range was too far for a 308. Instead your shot was at the extreme end of the range that a shot should be taken on a tough big game animal like an elk.
You had made an excellent choice of scope, rifle, rings, stock, and bipod. The practice and preparation you did before your hunt had you ready for a long shot. You thought out your elk’s location carefully and were looking at the risk logically and did not take the situation lightly.
Good Job congratulation on a trophy elk.
You sound like the kind of guy that I would enjoy hunting with.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Hunting off the haul road with a rifle is not my idea of fun.
as you found out having to be at least 5 miles away from the road to shoot is tough in the tundra.
My Lodge is located at Lake Iliamna. We mostly do fishing trips now but do still run a few hunts with my boys doing the guiding.
It sucks but I am not personaly guiding hunters any more. I got hurt on my last tour in Afghanistan and can no longer carry a heavy pack.
Hunting off the haul road with a rifle is not my idea of fun.
as you found out having to be at least 5 miles away from the road to shoot is tough in the tundra.
My Lodge is located at Lake Iliamna. We mostly do fishing trips now but do still run a few hunts with my boys doing the guiding.
It sucks but I am not personaly guiding hunters any more. I got hurt on my last tour in Afghanistan and can no longer carry a heavy pack.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
congrats on the bull !
did ya see any of those "large K-9's" ? grin
good friend just got a black one in the same area.
congrats on the bull !
did ya see any of those "large K-9's" ? grin
good friend just got a black one in the same area.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Saw a few set of tracks but no wolves. I would sure like to smoke one some day though!!!
Saw a few set of tracks but no wolves. I would sure like to smoke one some day though!!!
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Saw the photo with your elk & rifle and thought:
1. "Wow - What a bull!" Congrats.
2. "Good grief, it's a short action! Probably a .308!"
Then I read your story. Nice job on the hunt and on telling all us armchair elk hunters about your efforts. I like my .308 and Bergers as well, but haven't pushed it anywhere near that far on game. Nice...
Regards, Guy
Saw the photo with your elk & rifle and thought:
1. "Wow - What a bull!" Congrats.
2. "Good grief, it's a short action! Probably a .308!"
Then I read your story. Nice job on the hunt and on telling all us armchair elk hunters about your efforts. I like my .308 and Bergers as well, but haven't pushed it anywhere near that far on game. Nice...
Regards, Guy
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Great shot and animal!
I also want to say how much I appreciate the respect with which both the OP and Jerry conducted the discussion on the range and caliber. We're all here to learn and constructive discussion is the best way to do it. Good on ya gentlemen.
Great shot and animal!
I also want to say how much I appreciate the respect with which both the OP and Jerry conducted the discussion on the range and caliber. We're all here to learn and constructive discussion is the best way to do it. Good on ya gentlemen.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
awesome bull and shot one day I will grt my chance to get one hear in tennessee congrats
awesome bull and shot one day I will grt my chance to get one hear in tennessee congrats
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Thanks for the comment. How true it is, "A Soft answer turns away wrath."
Thanks for the comment. How true it is, "A Soft answer turns away wrath."
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Thanks! His main beams are not that long and he is only half as wide as he looks in the pic. Nonetheless I am happy with him. Thanks for the congrats!!!
Thanks! His main beams are not that long and he is only half as wide as he looks in the pic. Nonetheless I am happy with him. Thanks for the congrats!!!
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
I am not sure either way. Either way, shooting that far takes lots of practice and time at the range making and proving data.
I am not sure either way. Either way, shooting that far takes lots of practice and time at the range making and proving data.
L
longguntoter
Guest
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had to hike into the wilderness area about 3 miles before we got on them. I am shooting a modified Remington 700 PSS in .308. Shooting 175 gr Berger vld's and Varget powder. The scope is a vortex Viper pst ffp. I missed the first two shots because I did not factor enough for wind. Had to make a 5moa adjust for wind and a 22moa adjust for drop. 950 is probably the outer limits for a .308 on an animal this big. I hit him behind the front shoulder, missing the ribs and did not have the velocity to go thru the lung tissue and pass thru out the other side. It killed him fine but if I can't pass thru hair and tissue, I probably wont be trying another one that far. But, what can I say, sometimes God blesses us even when we try shots outside of what our guns should be doing. </div></div>Kudos. I would never had tried a shot at 950 yards, especially with a .308. Good shot placement!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had to hike into the wilderness area about 3 miles before we got on them. I am shooting a modified Remington 700 PSS in .308. Shooting 175 gr Berger vld's and Varget powder. The scope is a vortex Viper pst ffp. I missed the first two shots because I did not factor enough for wind. Had to make a 5moa adjust for wind and a 22moa adjust for drop. 950 is probably the outer limits for a .308 on an animal this big. I hit him behind the front shoulder, missing the ribs and did not have the velocity to go thru the lung tissue and pass thru out the other side. It killed him fine but if I can't pass thru hair and tissue, I probably wont be trying another one that far. But, what can I say, sometimes God blesses us even when we try shots outside of what our guns should be doing. </div></div>Kudos. I would never had tried a shot at 950 yards, especially with a .308. Good shot placement!
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longguntoter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had to hike into the wilderness area about 3 miles before we got on them. I am shooting a modified Remington 700 PSS in .308. Shooting 175 gr Berger vld's and Varget powder. The scope is a vortex Viper pst ffp. I missed the first two shots because I did not factor enough for wind. Had to make a 5moa adjust for wind and a 22moa adjust for drop. 950 is probably the outer limits for a .308 on an animal this big. I hit him behind the front shoulder, missing the ribs and did not have the velocity to go thru the lung tissue and pass thru out the other side. It killed him fine but if I can't pass thru hair and tissue, I probably wont be trying another one that far. But, what can I say, sometimes God blesses us even when we try shots outside of what our guns should be doing. </div></div>Kudos. I would never had tried a shot at 950 yards, especially with a .308. Good shot placement!</div></div>
Great Shooting.....308 is one of the most under rated cartridges there is.950 is not a record for it killing elk.
Pass thru are nice...BUT
in 2008 I shot the biggest buck of my 40 yr.career...180# typ.8pt.with a 30-06 and factory Rem.180gr. core loks at 35 yds...2 shots to the chest did`nt go thru...although perfectly mushroomed.
I talked at length with rem....thier reply...worked as designed....???
bill larson
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longguntoter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had to hike into the wilderness area about 3 miles before we got on them. I am shooting a modified Remington 700 PSS in .308. Shooting 175 gr Berger vld's and Varget powder. The scope is a vortex Viper pst ffp. I missed the first two shots because I did not factor enough for wind. Had to make a 5moa adjust for wind and a 22moa adjust for drop. 950 is probably the outer limits for a .308 on an animal this big. I hit him behind the front shoulder, missing the ribs and did not have the velocity to go thru the lung tissue and pass thru out the other side. It killed him fine but if I can't pass thru hair and tissue, I probably wont be trying another one that far. But, what can I say, sometimes God blesses us even when we try shots outside of what our guns should be doing. </div></div>Kudos. I would never had tried a shot at 950 yards, especially with a .308. Good shot placement!</div></div>
Great Shooting.....308 is one of the most under rated cartridges there is.950 is not a record for it killing elk.
Pass thru are nice...BUT
in 2008 I shot the biggest buck of my 40 yr.career...180# typ.8pt.with a 30-06 and factory Rem.180gr. core loks at 35 yds...2 shots to the chest did`nt go thru...although perfectly mushroomed.
I talked at length with rem....thier reply...worked as designed....???
bill larson
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
I have hunted this area as well as other similar areas in NW Wyoming. I have long pondered the longest range shot I would be willing to take. I never could wrap my head around the ethics of taking a shot that had substantial travel time on big game. If I did everything perfectly, once that bullet leaves my barrel, I no longer have any control over it. At longer distnaces, the travel time is easily enough for the animal to take one or two steps and a prefectly placed vital shot becomes a nasty gutshot or other wound. I understand wide open spaces and undoubtedly there is room to get more shots off but now you have an animal that is spooked or wounded that will be even more erratic during travel time. Paul or others - what is your opinion on this?
I have hunted this area as well as other similar areas in NW Wyoming. I have long pondered the longest range shot I would be willing to take. I never could wrap my head around the ethics of taking a shot that had substantial travel time on big game. If I did everything perfectly, once that bullet leaves my barrel, I no longer have any control over it. At longer distnaces, the travel time is easily enough for the animal to take one or two steps and a prefectly placed vital shot becomes a nasty gutshot or other wound. I understand wide open spaces and undoubtedly there is room to get more shots off but now you have an animal that is spooked or wounded that will be even more erratic during travel time. Paul or others - what is your opinion on this?
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have hunted this area as well as other similar areas in NW Wyoming. I have long pondered the longest range shot I would be willing to take. I never could wrap my head around the ethics of taking a shot that had substantial travel time on big game. If I did everything perfectly, once that bullet leaves my barrel, I no longer have any control over it. At longer distnaces, the travel time is easily enough for the animal to take one or two steps and a prefectly placed vital shot becomes a nasty gutshot or other wound. I understand wide open spaces and undoubtedly there is room to get more shots off but now you have an animal that is spooked or wounded that will be even more erratic during travel time. Paul or others - what is your opinion on this?
</div></div>
It is certainly a calculated risk. For me it is a case by case thing instead of a hard and fast rule. I have seen some guys take shots at 200 yards that given the circumstances I would never take. Having said that, with this elk, they had no clue where we were, we had wide open spaces, I had spent the time at the range to make the shot with a fairly high level of confidence, and in the end it could not have turned out much better.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have hunted this area as well as other similar areas in NW Wyoming. I have long pondered the longest range shot I would be willing to take. I never could wrap my head around the ethics of taking a shot that had substantial travel time on big game. If I did everything perfectly, once that bullet leaves my barrel, I no longer have any control over it. At longer distnaces, the travel time is easily enough for the animal to take one or two steps and a prefectly placed vital shot becomes a nasty gutshot or other wound. I understand wide open spaces and undoubtedly there is room to get more shots off but now you have an animal that is spooked or wounded that will be even more erratic during travel time. Paul or others - what is your opinion on this?
</div></div>
It is certainly a calculated risk. For me it is a case by case thing instead of a hard and fast rule. I have seen some guys take shots at 200 yards that given the circumstances I would never take. Having said that, with this elk, they had no clue where we were, we had wide open spaces, I had spent the time at the range to make the shot with a fairly high level of confidence, and in the end it could not have turned out much better.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
The other think to think about is that this is the same thing bow hunters have to thiink about also. You have to time your show when they are eating, lying down, or turning away to decrease the risk of them moving while the bullet or arrow is in flight.
The other think to think about is that this is the same thing bow hunters have to thiink about also. You have to time your show when they are eating, lying down, or turning away to decrease the risk of them moving while the bullet or arrow is in flight.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Well done,I only wish it was me.This is what most of us dream about,making the awesome long shot on a Killer Bull.
Well done,I only wish it was me.This is what most of us dream about,making the awesome long shot on a Killer Bull.
Re: 950 yd bull elk kill
Great bull! I was mesmerized by the 3rd pic you posted though...I can't wait to get out of Tx for a bit.
Great bull! I was mesmerized by the 3rd pic you posted though...I can't wait to get out of Tx for a bit.
