Signa, I've done a bit of across-the-course service rifle shooting, at 200, 300, and 600 yards. At 600 yards, using a target-grade AR15 with match grade barrel, national match sights, and national match trigger, lying prone on a mat, using match grade ammunition, using a Turner sling, it wasn't all that hard to hit the target. This was not your grandfather's AR15 -- this was a specialized gun.
But the target was quite large -- 36" in diameter. There was great contrast between the black bull and white surround. I had two sighters that were marked by target pullers, so I could use my spotting scope to see the marks and adjust my sights. I had a perfect place to lie prone, with a flat base and a perfect sight of the target. When the wind kicked up, all bets were off. But most importantly, I KNEW THE DISTANCE.
When hunting, your deer isn't going to conveniently show up at 200, 300, and 600 yards. You'll have to estimate the distance. And if estimate wrong, then you use the wrong come ups on your scope and you miss. Or you get the right distance, but you miscount the clicks on your scope and you miss. Or worse, you wound the deer.
Furthermore, I've hunted deer here in MA and VT. Where do you think you're going to get a 600 yard shot at a deer? Certainly not around here.
Have there been guys who shot a model 70 action in match rifle at 600 yards? Sure. But the action was probably all that was left stock -- it had been built by a top gunsmith with a new barrel, new free-floated stock, trued action, and complete new trigger group.
I'm trying to understand what it really is that you have in mind, but at the moment it just seems completely unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky BS. Where are you even going to practice? Where, exactly, do you think you're going to hunt deer at 600 yards? Have you ever hunted deer?
If you want to learn how to shoot long distances, buy yourself a 10/22 and attend an Appleseed or two so that you learn to shoot at close distances. Then buy a service rifle or match rifle and start shooting high power matches. There are matches most weekends at Reading Rifle & Revolver out to 600 yards. Once you get a little experience there, then you'll understand some of the right questions to ask.
To put it in perspective, an analogy to your question would be if I went to a runners forum and asked "Will I be able to win the Boston Marathon in these Ked's sneakers?" Well, those aren't the right shoes, and even with the right shoes I wouldn't be able to finish a marathon, let alone win one..
But the target was quite large -- 36" in diameter. There was great contrast between the black bull and white surround. I had two sighters that were marked by target pullers, so I could use my spotting scope to see the marks and adjust my sights. I had a perfect place to lie prone, with a flat base and a perfect sight of the target. When the wind kicked up, all bets were off. But most importantly, I KNEW THE DISTANCE.
When hunting, your deer isn't going to conveniently show up at 200, 300, and 600 yards. You'll have to estimate the distance. And if estimate wrong, then you use the wrong come ups on your scope and you miss. Or you get the right distance, but you miscount the clicks on your scope and you miss. Or worse, you wound the deer.
Furthermore, I've hunted deer here in MA and VT. Where do you think you're going to get a 600 yard shot at a deer? Certainly not around here.
Have there been guys who shot a model 70 action in match rifle at 600 yards? Sure. But the action was probably all that was left stock -- it had been built by a top gunsmith with a new barrel, new free-floated stock, trued action, and complete new trigger group.
I'm trying to understand what it really is that you have in mind, but at the moment it just seems completely unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky BS. Where are you even going to practice? Where, exactly, do you think you're going to hunt deer at 600 yards? Have you ever hunted deer?
If you want to learn how to shoot long distances, buy yourself a 10/22 and attend an Appleseed or two so that you learn to shoot at close distances. Then buy a service rifle or match rifle and start shooting high power matches. There are matches most weekends at Reading Rifle & Revolver out to 600 yards. Once you get a little experience there, then you'll understand some of the right questions to ask.
To put it in perspective, an analogy to your question would be if I went to a runners forum and asked "Will I be able to win the Boston Marathon in these Ked's sneakers?" Well, those aren't the right shoes, and even with the right shoes I wouldn't be able to finish a marathon, let alone win one..
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. I was asking about the rifle as well, not my abilities as a shooter. I want a rifle that can be accurate at long range because I want the most well - rounded rifle as possible. Someday i want to shoot long range (300 - 600yds), and can hunt out in the midwest with it. I also hunt in the mountains of vermont, in my area, thers alot of 200 and 300 yard shots.
