400 - 600 yard magnification requirements?

FISMA

Is anyone successfully shooting out to distances around 400-600yards?

I was wondering what size magnification would be recommended to take a Sika sized deer (antelope size) at 400 or a big red (elk size) at 600yards. I figure the angle subtended by the two should be about the same, given the different separation distances.

No, I am not looking to hone my long distance skills. But may have the opportunity to be the third wheel on a hunting trip. Some times it pays to be able to pay!

From what I am told by guides, I have not a hope of coming within 300ya of the antelope on the plains, so if I cannot take a 400ya shot, stay home.

Thanks.

steyrprohunter

600 yards is a long, long way to ensuring a clean kill on an elk. Whoever is telling you that is not a true guide as I know 4 professional hunting guides in Africa and North America and from personal experience with these guys, they would not let a client take a shot at that distance for ethical reasons. 300 yards on plains game is common but you will need a decent range finder and mag of 10 would be plenty on a scope at this distance. For a 600 or 400 yard shot on a target Id prob suggest 14 power upwards. Remember at 400-600 yards on elk if you must take the shot, the energy needed will be coming from calibres like .300 win mag or .338 lapua.:)

poulo6.5

FISMA wrote: »

Is anyone successfully shooting out to distances around 400-600yards?

I was wondering what size magnification would be recommended to take a Sika sized deer (antelope size) at 400 or a big red (elk size) at 600yards. I figure the angle subtended by the two should be about the same, given the different separation distances.

No, I am not looking to hone my long distance skills. But may have the opportunity to be the third wheel on a hunting trip. Some times it pays to be able to pay!

From what I am told by guides, I have not a hope of coming within 300ya of the antelope on the plains, so if I cannot take a 400ya shot, stay home.

Likewise, the elk size may need to be taken from 400 -600 yards.

Thanks.

The longest shot I have taken on a fallow deer was 312y and it was with my IOR scope set a 10x. I could see clearly and was able to pinpoint my shot with no problem at 10x.
I never shot a live deer past that distance but I do practice out to 430 and 550 on deer size targets and I still use the scope at 10x. I only crank it up to see strikes and so on.

I would say it is more important that you have good quality glass more so than hi mag.

To answer your question so I would recommend a scope with German glass and be able to magnify up to atleast 20x if not a little more for the job you have in mind

alalkovitch

Regularily shoot deer at 400 and beyond but I'd recommend you have very good glass, Leopold do a beauty in the Mk4 8.5-25 which will give you all the Magnification you need with a crystal clear picture. I always shoot on 20 power but just remember these scopes have the crosshair in the second focal plane: IE; if you change the magnification crosshair stays the same size but you change the point of impact, not important at short range however becomes an issue at longer distances...practice practice and practice again so that you know all the changes attached to the different mags. And get a fine crosshair as at longer ranges a thick crosshair or dot will blot the target out...have a good trip

FISMA

steyrprohunter wrote: »

600 yards is a long, long way to ensuring a clean kill on an elk.

SteyrProHunter,
I agree 100% on making a clean kill. Sorry I worded my original posting poorly. They were telling me that the 600ya is one that I should be able to take. That is, if it is totally beyond your limits, you shouldn't be in the game. I will not be trying to shoot an elk at this distance.

I like to be overprepared. If they tell me we are likely to shoot at 400ya, I will practice between 25 and 50% more than expected. Hence, the 600ya on an elk sized target.

However, I will be trying antelope size game and they are 100% correct that I MUST be able to drill a Sika size target at 400ya as a 300ya stalk is almost impossible.

I never use any more than 4x magnification on deer hunting. Most of my shots are under 200ya and I do not really have the opportunity to go over 300ya where I shoot in Ireland. I think most people overcompensate on magnification.

I'll beusing a Leica 1600 and [hopefully] a Sako Finnbear 338Win Mag (thanks to ItWasn'tMe and everyone for the help). The only thing left is the scope.

Thus, I was wondering if 9x would be too small as my scopes are 3-9x40mm. I think 10-12x mag is where I will have the scope for the shot.
So a scope that has this mag right in the middle is where I probably should be.

poulo6.5 wrote: »

I would say it is more important that you have good quality glass more so than hi mag.

To answer your question so I would recommend a scope with German glass and be able to magnify up to atleast 20x if not a little more for the job you have in mind

True.

This is where you get what you pay for.

You know how much I love the Burris (and Nikon) scopes. They are perfect for my 300ya shots. However, shooting out to these distances, I totally agree with Poulo, it is time to step up and throw down some dosh.

Still, I am a "spend all your money on the gun" type guy, not the glass, at least 66% gun 33% glass. I feel my sport is shooting and not watching. To each his own.

I have been looking at the S&B, US Optics and was floored by the prices - in the States! Let alone the prices in Ireland. I agree on the German glass though.

I saw a nice Zeis and was thinking about it. Is the Conquest a good model?

What do ye think is the best scope for around $600-$800? Or should I just stop whining, get a second job, and throw down for an S&B.

If anyone out there is shooting a big bore, please advise what scope works for you (holds zero) and more importantly, does not hold zero.

alalkovitch wrote: »

Regularily shoot deer at 400 and beyond but I'd recommend you have very good glass, Leopold do a beauty in the Mk4 8.5-25 which will give you all the Magnification you need with a crystal clear picture...

Haven't ruled out the higher end Leupolds, they make a great scope too.

Thanks for reminding me about the focal planes. Something I tend to forget about given the distances I shoot out too.

Would you suggest a reticle that has any markings or is just thin cross hairs?

Is a Zeiss Rapid Z reticle solely for varmints?

Slan lads and thanks again.

BTW Poulo, seeing how you are in a similar boat as I, putting together a new kit, please advise: rifle, caliber, mounts, rail, scope, barrel length, twist, and anything else.

Hondata92

I dont think you can go wrong with the likes of zeiss, s&b or swarovski, they are all great makes with top quality european glass

For a larger animal i personaly wouldnt go with a thin (target) crosshair as at that distant i iwould find it harder to pick up (the crosshair) on the animal, i would go for a reticle with a thicker crosshair that will stand out on the animal

steyrprohunter

Ok scope choice really boils down to cash available but for $6-800 dollars you will get a really good scope.Nikon do a lovely 5-15x50 for around $650. I hunt in the states every year for whitetail and use a .338 firing 220 gn bullets. The scope is a bushnell trophy 3-9 x50 and has never shifted zero. Ive used it in the sub freezin temps in nov and dec last year and it performed brilliantly. I hit the buck where I aimed at just over 300 yds in a large swamp.

Tackleberrywho

Shooting with a wind meter, range finder Loaded ammo in USA.........
Well I'd use USA tried and tested Glass with a Japanese accent

http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforcescopes/SCOPES_OVERVIEW/5_5-22x50___5_5-22x56/5_5-22x50_-_5_5-22x56.html


Here is a new reticle available this summer. You'd bve able to get it at least a year before us. Everything here is at least a year behind.
The 5.5 NPR2 reticle is very clear fine reticle, that can illum to make it even clearer in low light (not that you will be shooting 600 yards in low light, but makes it more versatile over all)

There is in my experience is a exponential difference in shooting deer sized game @200 and 400+. The bullet drop will be your biggest enemy, with wind drift a close second &/or Mirage (depending on where you are shooting)
. All that time in the air gives wind and gravity every opportunity to cause havoc. If I were you I'd try Berger VLD's as to ensure maximium energy transmission @ that range and a clean kill.

But I would not even attempt it without shooting Varmints out past 500 yards regularly (that would be just me)

http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforcescopes/RETICLES_OVERVIEW/Velocity600Large.pdf

400yards is a long way to walk across rough ground for a deer to get up winded and bolt.
I know there is lots of video's out there of long range stuff, but a miss of a foot @ long range is normal on varmints, that could badly injure a deer being a bigger target.

Furthest deer I shot was a little over 300 yards many moons ago. I have only done it once, and that was because if I moved from the cover I was in I would have been seen and the deer were moving away rather than towards me.

Anyway........... My study break is over so I may get back too it!!
Slán leat mo cara

It wasn't me!

I'd go with tougher European stuff for a .338. It needs to take quite a belting. I like S&B personally. Something like their 3-12x42 Klassik would be perfect. I think 400 yards is doable, in ideal field conditions, with a good rifle and ammo. Any further and I personally would save it for follow up shots. I think the 7mm might make your life slightly easier in terms of positions, but both it or the .338 would do brilliantly. Just have to be more careful with the .338 as it will give you a slap given half a chance! Would love to see videos of testing and the like though. Going to do some long range stuff over the summer with the .25-06.