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Post by terrifictom on Mar 21, 2017 8:23:19 GMT -6
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Post by Foggy on Mar 21, 2017 8:53:08 GMT -6
^ ......and that is pretty sound advice. However, the 280 Rem can be loaded to just about those same velocities (maybe 100 fps less) and can achieve a bit better accuracy due to the non-belted case bullschmidt that you have to contend with due to the OLD "magnum" headspace issues. .....and it does so with less felt recoil. I'm a bit out of date.....but some of the newer short magnum cartridges may exceed those of the older style, "belted" magnums. Not saying you cannot work around the magnum case issue (if your a reloader)....but it something else to contend with. I realize the 280 Remington (formerly known as the 7mm express at one point in time) is not as popular as some of the others out there. Ammo may not be available everywhere you go.....so you gotta plan ahead sometimes. So, it's not a cartridge for everyone - just the "real riflemen". Grin.
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Post by Foggy on Mar 21, 2017 9:02:41 GMT -6
With today's TDS-type (range flinding) reticles, rangefinders, high-magnification, target knob scopes, feild shooting rests,and other such long-range shooting aids.......many of us can learn to shoot at long ranges. But it does take some training and practice. Get a good gun.....and make a couple of prairie dog safaris......your long range shooting skills can get pretty good.
I think most of us can shoot minute of elk out to 300 yards or so with a good gun, scope and some range time. Trouble is.....often those big elk/deer are at 400 and 500 yards when you get your big opportunity.
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Post by Freeborn on Mar 21, 2017 9:42:45 GMT -6
With today's TDS-type (range flinding) reticles, rangefinders, high-magnification, target knob scopes, feild shooting rests,and other such long-range shooting aids.......many of us can learn to shoot at long ranges. But it does take some training and practice. Get a good gun.....and make a couple of prairie dog safaris......your long range shooting skills can get pretty good. I think most of us can shoot minute of elk out to 300 yards or so with a good gun, scope and some range time. Trouble is.....often those big elk/deer are at 400 and 500 yards when you get your big opportunity. I think the key is training and practice on shots past 200 yards. Many gun ranges don't even have targets past 300 yards so finding a place to practice at longer distances can be difficult.
One of the things I do after I get my gun dialed in at the distance I want (say 300 yards) is I get off the bench and get on the ground and shoot. I typically shoot both prone and sitting and find prone to be the best position for long shots. However the hunting terrain will dictate what position you can shoot at. If you think when your opportunity shows up you will have a perfectly flat ground with a nice log to rest your gun on you will be disappointed.
I typically shoot a couple hundred rounds through my gun before an expensive western hunt. Bullets are cheap compared to the rest of the hunts cost. At the end of the day shooting allot of rounds through your gun at the distance you want makes you feel very confidant in the gun, ballistics and yourself.
Another thing I do is I prove-out the ballistics tables by shooting at different distances using different points of site. Use the 300 yard cross-hair and see where it hits on the 200 yard target. If you know your velocity or not you can get very comfortable the ballistics tables hold true and that gives you confidence in shooting. This will also help you know your gun so if mister big is at 450 yards and you know your ballistic tables you know where your cross hair needs to be rather than guessing.
This stuff makes me want to do some reloading and go west.
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Post by Foggy on Mar 21, 2017 12:32:10 GMT -6
^^ HMMMM. Maybe we oughta put together a Prairie Dog Feild trip. Late June is a good time to shoot some dogs.....and we are in sorta a "lull" for doing projects about then. Maybe the first annual Deer Habitat PD Safari would be allot of fun. Two or three shooters per car......perhaps a destination of Mobridge would be good. Could also fish on the Missouri river in the mornings.....and shoot in the afternoon. I used to know some spots where you could actually shoot PD's from the boat. Grin. The good PD shooting is another 45 minutes (and more) to the west.....or at least it used to be. This could be fun......or trouble?
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 21, 2017 12:51:51 GMT -6
I have a .280 and an .06. both good choices along with the 7mm Mag for average hunters going out west. My .280 is probably the most accurate rifle we have with factory loads. We probably just stumbled on the right combination.
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Post by kabic on Mar 21, 2017 13:37:10 GMT -6
Many gun ranges don't even have targets past 300 yards so finding a place to practice at longer distances can be difficult.
That is one thing our little sportsmans club has is plenty of room...plus it is cheap, $20 for the "family" membership They have a 300 yard bench, and if you bring your own chair you could probably get a little further out.
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Post by wiscwhip on Mar 21, 2017 14:11:45 GMT -6
Kabic, which club do you belong to? Chaseburg is a 30+ minute drive for me and it is only "200" yards(more like 175).
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Post by biglakebass on Mar 21, 2017 14:45:29 GMT -6
God would I love to do a PD hunt Tom!!!!
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