What made you curious about long-range shooting? Others have seen it when they checked online forums. Some have become interested because they saw some videos about it and they were amazed. Some people’s interest in long-range shooting started from playing video games. No matter what your reason is, your curiosity is already piqued. You want to know more about it.
What is Long-Range Shooting in Terms of Distance?
If you would ask other hunters what type of shooting they like, they would say that long-range shooting is fun. If you have never tried it before, you may be missing out. What exactly is long-range? It is going to be different. Some think that if they would need to shoot from 200 to 300 yards, it is already long-range. Some would go beyond what is normal so they would reach up to 800 yards. Having the right items will make a lot of difference.
Others would use this general guide:
- Less than 300 yards = short-range shooting
- 300 to 1000 yards = long-range shooting
- More than 1 mile = extra long-range shooting
Remember that taking longer shots is not something that you can just do out of the blue. You need to make an effort to learn more about how you can do it properly so that you will not waste your bullets, your time, and your effort. You need to make use of your gear properly too.
The Best Caliber to Use for Long-Range Shooting
You cannot start doing long-range shooting without being prepared. There is one thing that you should know: there is no such thing as the “best” one to use. It will always depend on what you need and what other people need. You will hear others recommend the products that work best for them. It does not mean that just because it worked well for them, it will be perfect for your needs.
Some of the things that you can consider are the following:
- Choose a caliber that comes with a high BC. The difference will ensure what type of animal you can bring down. At times, you can just bring down a small animal. The right caliber will allow you to take down big animals.
- The cost will matter. The dream of a lot of hunters is to purchase the items that they need without worrying about the cost. At the same time, it can be more fulfilling when you know that you have purchased something for a reasonable price.
- The availability of the caliber will also matter a lot. For example, you may like a specific caliber but you know that it is not readily available. It can be a problem when you get used to it but you cannot purchase it whenever you need to do so.
- The recoil of the caliber will also be important. Strong recoils can be problematic especially if you are using an eyepiece. You may end up getting yourself injured.
The most common caliber that people use for hunting is the 300 Winchester Magnum. People refer to this as the Win Mag. This can also be used for target shooting so it is likely that it will be easy to familiarize yourself with this caliber.
Where Can You Start Shooting Long-Range?
You can shoot long-range in a place where there is a lot of space. Some schools will provide you with the classes to become experts in doing the long-range shooting. You will become more familiar with the areas where the classes will be held.
Some people say that it was a struggle for them in the beginning. This is something that you will encounter when you first start taking the classes too. The more that you become used to the distance, the more that you will come up with your strategies to make it work for you.
You can also research the different areas near you where long-range shooting is allowed. You can also organize a group long-range shooting activity with other people. Others are as enthusiastic about long-range shooting. Some would be offering slots too so make sure that you will reserve your slot before they are all gone.
Some Tips for Long-Range Shooting
You want to shoot more like the pros when doing the long-range shooting. It does not have to be hard as long as you will follow these tips:
- Get enough data about your rifle before you start shooting. Be familiar with the equipment that you will use because your knowledge will help you take better shots.
- Start shooting dirty. This means that you should not clean your rifle for about 200 – 300 rounds. It will make a lot of difference that you will begin to feel when you start doing more long-range shooting.
- Squeeze when you take a pause. You can take deep breaths and it will make a lot of difference when you take a shot.
- Stop yourself from jerking when you are taking a shot. You need to follow through so that you can make a nice and clear shot. Remember to squeeze the rear and release the trigger as gently as possible to the front.
- Make sure that your rifle is zeroed before you begin shooting. A lot of people settle for using rifles that are not zeroed. Make sure that you will be able to do three consecutive rounds hitting your desired range. If you settle for less, you are not going to do your best.
Some Mistakes Hunters Make When Shooting Long-Range
How far is too far when you are taking a shot? This is just one of the questions that you need to ask yourself when you are shooting in long-range. Make sure that you will not do the following mistakes:
- You are relying too much on your equipment and not too much on your skills. Some would even take classes to improve the way that they shoot. You cannot expect to be good at it without any practice.
- You always get surprised by your trigger. Shooting will be like driving, you need to be calm and collected while doing it. Sudden jerks will cause issues.
- The focus will always be important. Use the right optics to improve the way that you view your target. You will notice that the crosshair may seem to move when you are using it for the first time. The more that you learn how to focus it, the better you will be at shooting long-range.
The tips and details mentioned above will help you when you start shooting long-range on a more frequent basis. Start making accurate shots soon.