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Scope Dilemma |
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taz_gerstman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/14/2017 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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So I guess I should clarify to some degree. A majority of my shots range to about 200. However I do hunt a few places that will allow me to take shots up to 1000 yards if I so desire and I am thinking about making this into an elk gun as well. Not going to get too crazy with it but I have the options to reach on out.
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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In that case the CDS may come in handy.
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Doug
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sambarman338
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Melbourne, Aust Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Taz, don't let the tail wag the dog. Though the 2-12x scope may suggest the world's your oyster, the rifle beneath is still only a .308, not a 338 Lapua. If you intend to hunt elk with it, use a 200-grain bullet and make sure your beast is well within 200 yards.
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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There is some truth to this. For heavier bullets I prefer something with a little more Ooomph and for hunting when you might have to shoot quickly, remember MPBR is your friend ;) Scrummy
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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sambarman338
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Melbourne, Aust Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Yes Scrummy, MPBR (though new initials to me) is very important, because game animals often clear off before you can get out the rangefinder or even turn up the power of your scope.
A mate shot at a sambar recently with his 9.3x62 but missed. I asked the distance and he said about 300 metres. I quizzed him on where had aimed (at the chest) and the distance the rifle was zeroed (about 100) and suggested he may have missed it by a foot because the heavy bullet may have dropped two on the way. Back at the range, I got him to zero at 200 yards, to give some chance on long shots. Then, looking at the targets, he began to think the deer had not been 300 metres away but only half that. So, why he missed is still a mystery. Distances can be deceptive even at normal ranges and the closer critters are the less chance they will stand around while we try to calculate range. Because our eyes are five or six feet above the ground, there is a kind of triangulation aspect to estimating closer distances but beyond about 200 yards looking down on the ground becomes much harder. And once we exceed maximum point-blank range, the trajectory parabola drops away big time. Therefore, I think we should find what distance our bullet neither rises nor falls any more than four inches (10cm) and try to get within that distance. We may take the odd range-estimated shot beyond that but, as the space between bushes and trees on the way foreshortens, distance and bullet drop becomes more and more of a guess.
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Ah, I do love the 9.3x62. I have one and it was my first centre-fire rifle.
Those 285gr round nose, flat base bullets hit hard but drop like rocks!
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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sambarman338
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Melbourne, Aust Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Thanks Scrummy,I replied to your post through the email notification but may that does not work, so here it is again:
Yes, 285/6-grain bullets are what he uses. He would like to use 250-grainers but sambar are generally shot close up and are pretty tough customers, esp. when heading south. BTW, Scrumbag, in trying to promote my book on what's wrong with modern riflescopes*, I have been giving a few copies away. If you and anyone else would like one, free, send your addresses to: sambarrmann@gmail.com In case there's a rush, I'll limit the freebies to Scrummy and the next two applicants to send addresses. Cheers 'Samuel B. Mann' *LIGHT AT THE START OF THE TUNNEL Are rifle scopes off the rails? |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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That all sounds like a really awesome way to wound lots of animals.
If you don’t have time to range it, you shouldn’t be taking the shot. In my opinion. Guessing at range, guessing at wind, guessing at drop: bad choices compounded. I’ve seen many hunters take shots they weren’t ready for or capable of, and animals pay the price far too often. End of rant. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Time to range is always nice but rarely possible in a lot of the terrain I hunt and I guess Sambar man as well. Most shots are at deer temporarily pausing in gaps. When I have time, usually sitting up in high seats I will range various trees or other objects so I know roughly how far something is - but it isn't always possible Scrummy
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Hi Sambarrman, dropped you an email in response to your very kind offer I'd have thought that the 250gr Nosler Accubond would be tough enough if you can get it and a pretty good BC to boot. Scrummy
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122178 |
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Sambar are freaking BIG animals! |
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Visit the Ed Show
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sambarman338
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Melbourne, Aust Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Thanks All,
I have some sympathy with your outlook, Rancid Coolaid, but if you look closely at what I wrote, you might glean I am warning against taking shots much beyond 250 yards with rifles of .30-06-type trajectories, yet even Townsend Whelen countenanced shots to 350 yards decades before rangefinders were common. The problem with embracing the rangefinder concept too closely is that it encourages a culture of technical assassination: I have the rangefinder, bi-pod and a wizz-bang scope with bullet-drop compensation, so what's wrong with that 700-yard shot? But does the average hunter often have the opportunity or presence of mind to bring that concept successfully to anything but varmint shooting? I had a rangefinder and BDC reticle on my 270WSM when tahr hunting in NZ years ago, but strangely forgot all about that stuff when a bull turned up above me. I even forgot about the steep-incline can of worms, and put the first shot over top. Somehow, I can't get back to the end of this thread to answer some other posts, but I'll send your book tomorrow, Scrummy, and yes, sambar are big critters. They are the third largest deer species after moose and wapiti but have a reputation for toughness and cunning that probably exceeds both of theirs. Some say they have a lower blood pressure, which allows any that are wounded to go a lot farther before falling over, and in the thick bush where we hunt that can easily mean a lost animal.
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