300 wsm effective range
Hello, I posted a note on the Ask the Experts about mounting a scope on a recently purchased Tikka T3 SS lite in 300wsm. My question here is does can anyone here help me with what range this rifle in this cartridge is capable of killing deer size game, and then elk size game? I know there are a lot of variables and the biggest is my ability. My question is about the rifle and the cartidge, of course assuming I have a good rifle. Another question is how much optics will I need to access this range? All input appreciated.
Thanks.......Scout
Thanks.......Scout
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highball,
A little story behind the building of the rifle(s) that led up to the making of the long shot. Good read...it wasn't all luck but it did take a lot of tries!
http://www.varminthunter.org/downloads/Issue49.pdf0 -
Highball,
I wasn't demeaning the post at all, I was just adding to the information by posting the whole story. I think information like this needs to be posted and discussed because there is a very prevalent, current trend for shooters wanting to make longer shots than they are capable of making. Articles such as this tell the entire story so folks get the idea that it isn't just some fantastic, precision, one-shot kill. The accomplishment is diminished and put into a sharp perspective by the reality of the number of shots taken.
sandwarrior,
The total number of shots for the 3 kills was 155. At an average of 50+ shots per kill, I consider that to be more luck than anything else. Eventually, the prairie dog will run into the bullet. I'm sure that some statisticians have other descriptions of each individual event but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is an interesting article.
"By 9:30 Ken had fired about 50
rounds and finally had a kill - at 2,222
yards! By the time we had measured the
distance, the mirage forced us to quit for
the morning. In the late afternoon, the
mirage factor started to drop and we
could start shooting again. Our goal for
that afternoon was to get Ken into the
Varmint Hunters 1500 Yard Club. A
small wind had developed. After about
60 shots, with similar rifle results as in
the morning, Ken finally shot a dog at
1,546 yards. We were amazed at how
well the rifle performed at those long
ranges. Again and again Ken dropped the
bullet right on the mound. Instead of the
two or three quality shots out of nine that
we were getting before, we now were getting
accuracy with every shot. It was time
to head back to Minnesota with our successes
under our belt.
In September, with our rifle problems
solved, we headed back to Montana.
We'd had a good season and decided
to try for The Varmint Hunters
Association Longest Shot of the Year
Award. The two of us thought a shot in
excess of 2,500 yards might qualify. We
set up a shot for 2,800 yards and again
the weather cooperated - no wind and
no mirage. The dogs came out around
8:00 a.m. to feed. We focused on a dog
feeding about 6 yards from the mound
and Ken started shooting. Forty-five
shots later a kill was confirmed at 2,784
yards, and Ken qualified for 2002's
Longest Shot of the Year."
Shooting and killing ethically at long range requires not only superb equipment but intensive practicing in order to produce the necessary skills to achieve consistent, repeatable accuracy that doesn't require luck to enter into the equation. Lots of us manage to do the practicing and learn the skills to accomplish that goal.
Best.0 -
nononsense,
I certainly agree that luck played a big picture in this story. Even though the preparation was great. Being able to find ones way down through what wind there is even at 1000 yds. is a difficult task. Even when you have the best equipment you know YOU can put together. It takes a lot of practice to get good enough to do that. Which, I'm sure has been brought into question before. Can you do that and know you can do that? A hunting ethics question for the ages. I personally would have shot at a lot more paper than what they did before I attempted an animal.
And as described the number of seconds the round was in the air will tell you it was luck....all it would take is one little gust and that bullet went a long ways in the wrong direction.0 -
SCOUT5,
We've certainly covered a lot of ground during the course of this thread and managed to discuss a lot of good information. Your choice of the .300 WSM will stand you in good stead with your selection of game so long as you pick an appropriate bullet by construction. The .30 caliber bullet selection is huge, making it a great choice for cartridges to be used under varying circumstances and game choices.
Enjoy yourself and take pictures during the hunt so we can all share the experience with you!
Best.
sandwarrior,
"Can you do that and know you can do that?"
When I hunt paper targets, I can read wind as good as most of the average competitors. Besides, during a competition there are sight in periods where you can test the wind and mirage for a short time to get an approximate feel for conditions. Am I a great wind reader? Heavens no! I can't devote the time to endless days of practicing and competitions that can hone that skill to the ultimate sharp edge. My businesses keep me way too busy to enjoy a shooting and practicing schedule that others manage to enjoy in order to achieve the very top levels.
Big Game hunting is a different story. I let the weather conditions dictate the limits of my shooting. The conditions that I hunt in are extremely variable. One minute it's sunny and beautiful, the next the wind is howling with a gale force. It's cool and clear in the early morning and 90+ degrees during the daytime. Mirage can get real ugly!
Under some conditions, long shots are easy. Under switching and changing conditions, I shorten up my range of acceptable targets. I've been lucky to shoot some game under ideal longer range conditions. If stalking is possible, that's my first choice of course. There have been a few seasons though where I've gone home empty handed by choice. The conditions weren't suitable to longer shots and creeping closer across an open canyon doesn't happen. I haven't learned to fly or walk on air. While this can be aggravating, it's hunting as we all know and there are no guarantees. So I go home and dream about the next season when I can try again. No different than most hunters.
Best.0 -
Nononsense;
I don't believe that 'demeaning' is a process you indulge in.
I have been reading and enjoying your posts for awhile..and feel that facts take precedence over opinion or conjecture with you.
Some may get upset over facts,but we live..or die..by the facts.
There are times I read the question asked, and feel I might respond with some pithy statement...and generally find that if you have answered it..very little or nothing need be added..
I personally wish to thank you for your sharing of hard-won knowlege with those of us on the forum..and the total lack of condescension from you.0
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