stubblejumper

On that we agree.I myself have killed game at distances of well over 400 yards.In my case however I was using a custom 7mmstw that Ipractise with regularly out to 500 yards.My average 400 yard group size with that rifleis under 3" and I use a laser rangefinder to verify distances.However it sounds as though the original poster is new to longer range shooting and isnot the most experienced rifleman.Without the proper experience and equipment 400 yards shots are basically "hail mary" shots..

elgallo114

I agree with Roskoe. Good luck even spotting a deer at 400. I also agree that it's doable for a skilled marksman. The key word being skilled. I mean absolutely no offense, but none of us could consider ourselves skilled at 400 if we've only shot at 50. Make sense? There are many, many variables to consider at that distance. Wind being a major one for that round. Also, are you shooting uphill or downhill? A slight grade can make a huge difference over long distance shots. Also at 400, this might not be that huge of a difference, but humidity can affect a shot as well. If you sight in at 10% humidity, and take another shot at say 70%, your shot can be affected by as much as an inch at that range. Considering these things, you can see why people would call it irresponsible to shoot at an animal without being skilled at that distance. I'm fairly adept at 500 yard shots on paper under ideal conditions, but I wouldn't attempt that shot in the field with an animal. I get 12 or 13 inch groups from a kneeling position at 500. This group is nowhere near tight enough for a kill zone shot on an animal.

Also, consider this, if you did score a hit on a deer at 400, would you be confident that you would be able to re-aquire target fast enough to see how the animal jumped? This would tell you a lot about where you hit it and how to track it.

My suggestion? Find a place you can practice that range for a long time before ever attempting it in the field. In the mean time, work on the skill of getting close to the target. Personally, I get more satisfaction out of getting close undetected than I do out of a long range shot.

Good luck either way. Long range shooting can be quite rewarding.

Chuck7

"However it sounds as though the original poster is new to longer range shooting and isnot the most experienced rifleman."

Yes and know. I have hunted for many many years. I came in2nd place in my battalian for shooting in all areas. The range masters son beat me
But you are right. I do not have an M16 and was looking for advice on a long range rifle.My research contunually brought up the 270. I do know some bullets shoot flatter than others and don't drop as much. From reading these replys I need to set up a 400 yd target and experiment for my self. I know last year I sighted in my 30-30 at 50 and dropped a deer at 70 in his tracks. I just hate shooting a rifle in a WMA at 400 yds just to see my groups. And actually I probably won't .Very risky. I do live by another expensive range that is 100 yds. I could go there. The price is double.

Thank you ALL for your replies,
God bless,
Chuck

eldeguello

IF you use a 130-grain factory load with a muzzle velocity of 3140 FPS from your rifle witha bullet havinga ballistic coefficient of 0.490, and you zero DEAD ON at 50 yards, the bullet will strike around 1/2" LOW at 100 yards. It will be at least+- 21" low at 400 yards. Windage will probably be off as well. You will need to find a longer range for zeroing your rifle-one that has at least 200 yards available, and more is better yet!

Knightia

I got some places ya could shot for free chuck- at whatever distance you like( not formal shooting ranges tho,blm land ) Very few ppl or buildings around or risks.

Your going to be shooting at 400 yards in a swamp? But yep the .270 win is a good one(or maybe a 300 or 7 mag?).

I personalydont take many very long shots at game- i try to get closer go for around the 300 range(or less. esp noelk)As the winds are bucking pretty good ussally( thow that bullet wayoff /besides the drop) & my eyes are old( rest of my body to).( and i dont want to wound things)

It seems so short to when your out in the open areas with just many canyons/mtns etc around & nothing for references ofsize etc.I still have some troubles judging distances at times( but have a general idea)( but may have to invest in a rangefinder someday to).

But as the others say practice practice practice - if your going to be trying those long shots(i can hit the 12inch paper at 600 + evertime when i try, i shoot a bit at times(informal) ,but just for fun targets)

I can stand on my one lill deer property thats on a short bluff at the base of the rattlesnakes (small) mtns & see the bighorn mtns 100+ miles away- but i cant shoot that far. and i can see deer,elk,lopes from2- 3-4+ miles away no problem- but i cant shoot that far either

I do wish i could afford a 50. bmg & the ammo& a good scope - for some longer range targetshooting - Want to go halfs with me Chuck?

Ark City Larry

270 wsm a little flatter shooting..............

bigcountry

Chuck, you got to get ya a barrel burner to keep flat but even my 300RUM drops quit a bit at 400.

I suggest trying Federal 130gr Sierra Gamekings. I reload that bullet and its hard to get it to shoot bad.

zekeskar

Isn't a 270 mag pretty similar in performance, trajectory, etc. to a 7mm mag? I think the bullet diameters are very close. Is there a smaller (say 6mm or .243) type of mag?

DannyD

Hey chuck, my only 2 deer guns are a 30-30 and the 270. Great minds think alike i guess.

Or they get alot of good help from the people here in these forums.

m.t.hands

hey chuck a 270 is a great gun for whitetail, like the others have mentioned your better off to close the gap/distance, i have a rem 700 sendero in 7mmSTW, i have it sighted in @ 200yds. the longets shot i have taken is a little over 300yrds (318 with a rangefinder), the guy with me swore it was more like 600, the only time this gun see's any action is BIG corn/bean fields, like others have mentioned 400+ is a loooonnngggggg way, i know there have been days i could have made 500 yrd. shots, but the times the opertunities have come up the wind was blowing, the deer kept moving, and so forth and so on, i will only take a shot i feel like i can take cleanly, like someone mentioned the "hail mary" i could never justify a poor shot w/o consideration of all the factors involved, a lot can happen in that kind of distance... but as far as the 270 great caliber and easy shootin

oh yea i shot that deer before i took the time to range him, i held the cross-hairs 1.5" below the top of his back, the shot hit 1" below his spine