Ethical Hunter Challenge - Part 2

[@davism131]

Loved seeing that guy with the budget build show that practice is more important than the Gucci stuff

[@Erik7prc]

Ah come on man! You don't like a narcissistic grandiose build? 😄

[@McgSpook]

100% but think how good it would be with both :-)

[@JupitertheGiant-qe7ir]

Even a cheaper gun that's set up well can outshoot a douchebag's ego gun costing thousands.

[@McgSpook]

@@JupitertheGiant-qe7ir i guess it depends on whether the "douchebag" practices also. Not sure why having an expensive rifle makes someone a DB though lol. the cheapest gun in this was a couple grand. its not like he was in a stock roger american or something. It was cheap, in comparison only. Its a bad look to be hater on nice rifles. try one, you might like. it.

[@JupitertheGiant-qe7ir]

@@McgSpook I don't hate nice rifles, but I don't necessarily need one either.

[@Nickm1998]

All of the people commenting about everyone using comp rigs need to simply understand we had no idea we were shooting this challenge. We were all prepared for the blackjack challenge and was told about this when we arrived. Nice little twist Erik gave us. Thanks again for the invite Erik and happy shooting!

[@helloneighbor11]

Good to have the extra insight, but no apology needed. The rules were to run what you got and that's what everyone did. I think all of these competitors are target/ competition shooters more so than hunters. If Eric wanted to require everyone use factory ammo, wood stock and 9 power max scope then he could, but that wasn't what this ever was.

[@somebrains5431]

I dont care about the long range hunting thing. Ive seen dudes build carbon everything loghtweight rifles that arent very shootable. The rifle doesnt settle and there is just a little too much ass to keep controlled. Ive seen friends dads build a heavier rifle for handling, then drive in most of the way. Theyll walk minimally. Knowing your rifles cold bore behaviors for a given load is what is clearly being tested here. Bunch of these dudes are larping like theyll pack in 5-10 miles, then pack out a deer slung over their shoulder. Ill justcall bullshit on the majority of those fat fucks. Cant sling 20lbs of rifle, good luck hiking in with the 20-40lbs more crap in a bag.

[@thomashaley7657]

Adapt, overcome, but always know your limitations! Really good marksman today. I was pulling for the big guy with the Bible verse and the striped shirt. Cool guy!! Thanks again for the great videos!

[@Vantage88]

Ngl, Id be spewing if I rocked up for the Blackjack challenge and got to fire 1 round at a 1 moa target instead.

[@TeensierPython]

It’s fine everyone used a competition rifle. Should make you realize you aren’t as good as you thought you were though. Proves practice and skill are more important than gear.

[@kenbrown873]

I will say being an Ethical Hunter is more about the shots you don't attempt then that shots you could make.

[@kt3505]

Amen.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Knowing when to pass is absolutely the key, and the range is only a small part of that. That’s why I generally try to argue that people need to stop focusing on what range is ethical and how to determine if a particular shot is ethical.

[@Isometrix116]

​@jaydunbar7538 I think range of ethical is a good data point to have. If you know that under no circumstances should you take a 500yd shot and you know how difficult that is, you know not to take a more difficult shot. No single data point should be the focus entirely, but each one is useful.

[@C42WatChe42C]

Getting it done with a savage action, criterion barrel, and arken scope!!!! I love it! Great job to this shooter and proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to get it done 😎

[@garrettsayger1275]

That looked like a fake atlas bipod too!

[@somebrains5431]

I believe that guy when he says he shoots every weekend.

[@dougroope8040]

Nothing at all wrong with the Savage action. That's all I've ever used, because I'm that same budget shooter. And come to find out, 1/2 MOA of better is still 1/2 MOA or better no matter what it's built on.

[@Intermtn9736]

Personally I think 1MOA is very fair given massive advantages of setup, gear, etc. For haters, you can see impact just outside of that as well. My takeaway is still that 99% of hunters have no business cracking 300+ in field conditions

[@suprafastmafc]

I'm extremely experienced, and I wouldn't want to take a shot at that range if at all avoidable. If you got the gear and the (just) confidence. Sure. But in my opinion, closer is always better.

[@dpwhitaker7088]

Agreed and I'm one of the 99% that has no business doing it.

[@adambryant3825]

Thats fair. A hunter can shoot at a deer past 300 yards. A good hunter can get closer.

[@brunoterlingen2203]

In 100% agreance.

[@flynnryder7798]

@@dpwhitaker7088was just about to say this same thing haha

[@ltljohn1725]

I think this is a great reality check for the internet warriors/ hunters. A little taste of reality is sometimes bitter. Keep up the good work.

[@ErikCortina]

Thanks 👍

[@lazybear236]

Some people just don't get it. The fact that it's been hard for most in this series to hit the target with near ideal rifles and conditions means that most hunters with typical rifles and no special training would have poor chances of guaranteeing a 500 yard first shot in the field with its challenges. Having done it once for real doesn't account for all who miss the target in similar conditions. If you can't pass this test at random you shouldn't hunt at 500

[@ErikCortina]

Very true.

[@brandonboyd2500]

I'm setting up my new 300prc and I'm going to try this challenge before I go after my moose this year.

[@paulvandenberg5341]

Practice hunting not shooting. The real challenge is 5 seconds, no ranging tools. Prone doesn’t work often in the field. Most of my shots are from the sit or stick.

[@Timberdam]

Truth !

[@brandonboyd2500]

@paulvandenberg5341 yes I practice all different positions and free standing. And I completely understand what ya mean.

[@chrisogburn6364]

Glad you're pointing out the average hunter has no business hunting at longer ranges

[@kt3505]

However we are also outside the average range game is taken, which some still have no business shooting at, lol.

[@stevenlewis6781]

@@kt3505 No, I think some people see videos of people taking game at stupid ranges, and think They can do it too. This series and Texas Plinkers have shed a lot of light on just how difficult it is to make a shot at those ranges. Good for them.

[@glock31]

Agreed. The average hunter, with their duplex reticle, will go to the range once a year and shoot a box of ammo (while "zeroing") They'll hit a paper plate size group at 100 yards and will call it good. And every keyboard sniper thinks they can ethically kill an animal at 500 yards.

[@zelevenzelevenz9823]

In the realm of what’s ethical that’s correct an best left to being sad an average hunter shouldn’t attempt to potentially make a deer suffer and potentially not even be recovered or tracked or found the old adage goes better safe then sorry.. almost a touchy subject on the scope of if anyone should be catching large mouth small mouth bass not releasing them and eating them… lol 😂 now that’s another controversy

[@Monscent]

Noone should do that.

[@tlschoofs]

I rarely make comments, but that was a great series of videos with real practical application. Thank you for doing them. I think you proved a great point. 1 MOA at 500 yds is almost outside of an ethical kill shot in real world conditions. Factor in the cold bore shot which is true for everyone on a hunt with a rifle, stack wind conditions on top of that, and you have a very difficult shot. You really demonstrated this so well. I think the first group that shot was actually a better example of reality. Truth is if you haven't been practicing a lot, and have your equipment really tuned in, for the sake of the game, and true hunting ethics, act like a real hunter and get closer to your quarry. I would say if you can't get within 200 yds. of a deer, you need to hone your skills as a hunter more. No matter how good equipment has gotten, we need to be proficent at using it, and we need to take shots we know we can make. If you are not 100% sure you can make a shot, don't try it. Thanks again Erik, that was a home run!

[@baitammo4652]

If you ham string yourself by limiting shots to under 200 yards, in many places out west, will leave your children hungry much of the time.

[@coerievantonder3491]

The San(Bushmen) hunted animals with just a small bow and arrow in the Kalahari desert at 20 yards At least. They are the oldest living tribe on earth and survived for Thousands of years. There is no excuse for anyone to get within 200 yards of your prey to make an ethical shot. Don't care who you are or how great you can shoot. You have no business hunting if you find it too hard to stalk your prey within 200 yards. If the San Bushmen can go within 20 yards in the wide open desert

[@kevinh4631]

Also makes you wonder how many deer are lost with this "long distance" hunting fad! Eric you are really making a statement with this challenge without really saying much. Bravo,, Sir!

[@ErikCortina]

Thank you.

[@jimothy-johnson]

Probably about 1% as many as are lost by archery hunting. But for some reason people's concerns about long range hunting don't translate to archery even though it has the same problem of time of flight, sensitivity to inaccurate range estimation, and the fact that arrows aren't as lethal as bullets. Lucky for archers, hunting ethics are mostly vibes-based so no one faults them for it because they're closer to the animal.

[@elkhuntr2816]

Good to see content like this reality check as to how difficult it is to make a 500 yard cold bore shot hunting. To be fair, a 2 MOA target at 500 yards would be a kill shot on a deer with a 10" vital zone. None of those rifles are even close to being a hunting rifle. I would love to see the challenge with actual hunting rifles. 6.5 creedmoor minimum to have enough energy to kill a deer at 500 yards (1000 ft-lb minimum). 7lb max rifle weight without scope. Max 32oz scope weight. I would also love to see the same challenge for an elk hunting rifle at 500 yards. Keep the 10" target, but require 1500 ft-lbs at 500 yards which would eliminate the 6.5 creedmoor. Very helpful video though.

[@james2139]

I definitely appreciate the video. I have personally shot big game (elk) at 400 yards out. The conditions are tough it's rare you get a comfortable position. Shooting off your bag, no rear bag, and sometimes the grass is so high you have to shoot on a bipod. It's important to train and shoot. $10k later on the last day of the hunt, you want the confidence to take a 500 yard shot. That said, 1000 yards away and I will go home eating tag soup. Don't take those shots. That's just stupid.

[@Chopping_Broccoli]

6k rifle with a $75 bipod always cracks me up.

[@xengyang6552]

You don’t have to go expensive on everything.

[@christaylor77723]

@@xengyang6552plastic bipods are not stable enough for long range shooting.

[@christaylor77723]

Agreed lol

[@PeppicoF1]

@@xengyang6552 wow you really got him with that response.

[@xengyang6552]

@@christaylor77723 I’m just saying in general. Certain accessories are not necessary go expensive. There are cheap aluminum bipods out there too.

[@deeeeeeps]

A reminder this is ETHICAL hunting challenge unlike the 2nd guy's attitude, 1 MOA I believe is ethical. I would prefer that they have to use hunting bullets. 3rd guy was legit and did a fabulous job. Kudos to him! I'd like to see more of these challenges using people's real hunting guns, timed and possible moving targets (remote winch on a rail?) Thank you for the content.

[@jason200912]

You can use a long range bullet for hunting. You can use a fmj too. Some people don't like soft points because if the lead contamination in their food

[@deeeeeeps]

@@jason200912 I've read people use them but when I watch testing I think the choice is clear.

[@Leonarco333]

That’s well and good for a competition, but the already very small percentage of people who could regularly make that cold bore shot at that range under perfect conditions would drop astronomically. There are very few scenarios where someone should attempt a shot on a moving animal at any sort of long range.

[@bbarker5766]

​@@jason200912you're not shooting a full lead bullet... There would not be a significant amount of lead in your food from 1 or 2 shots that most take a deer with.

[@M.C.1903]

Id say 2 moa is ethical

[@X-ForceBro]

These are my favorite videos right now,

[@stevenzagrodnik7243]

Sight In day at our ISRA 300yd range has similar results. We setup 5 SMT electronic targets with full size lifelike big game animal paper targets centered to the X ring at 300yds. Elk, black Bear, Whitetail deer, Xray of deer, and coyote. Load the SMT tgz files onto server so tablet shows shot placement on animal image. Have benches setup with bald eagle rests and rear bag, bullsbags, and Wiebad front rear bag. Most hunters come with rifle boresighted by Cabelas and factory ammo. No trigger time with combo and say they are going on a guided big game /elk hunt out West. Wrong eye relief with scope. Most shouldn't shoot over 100yds. Had old guy who had been to Africa back in the day bring out his 458winmag and 270wbymag who shot his rifles well at 300yds. We help them learn marksmanship fundamentals to make ethical shot. You can't call the bullet back. Need to know what is beyond target.

[@austinkroe]

Easy to do! Equipment: Brux barrel chambered in a 7mm cartridge or larger. Also, put an EC Tuner Brake on it. Use heavy for caliber bullets from Berger. And loading them after appropriate load development. Use Lapua brass of course. Maybe a March Scope or a Zeiss or something similar in glass quality. Preferably with 1/8th MOA clicks. Use a high quality single shot bolt action. Bed that thing properly in a nice stock with a wide flat fore end. Use a Bix and Andy trigger either a Taco Bell or Sport Pro or their Benchrest model. Rest it in a nice front rest like a SEB or something of similar quality. Also, use a nice rear support. Then the real key piece of equipment is what you choose to pull the trigger with. For that piece of equipment I would pick Erik Cortina. I think if I had all that equipment I could watch the bullet hit that target at least 95% of the time. Nice round about way of saying I’d still like to see you take on the Backfire challenge Erik. Heck just shoot it at your own range and show us how long you can go without missing with several different rifle setups.

[@jorgefigueroa7573]

Erik 500 yards in most hunting conditions is very hard. As you menthoned, position, wind, and Vegetation. Just like shooting from a tree stand is nothing like shooting prone. Personally, I agree a custom built rifle b/w traditional and Competition. And Cartridge IMHO, nothing less than a .264 Win mag. at the very min. From there all magnum up. When its for real you have to make a dent. My hat goes off to the gentlemen with the 300 Norma. That Rifle was a howitzer, LOL. Did you see the impact on the steel Buck. I thought it was going to fold it over. LOL

[@scottcottontx]

I love how Erik can't hide his disappointment when people miss.

[@Timberdam]

Love it !!!

[@charltonlwalker]

Backfire opened a new era in shooter You Tube channels. These challenge videos are fun to watch. Can we be entering a new era? Reality TV for shooters and gear nuts?

[@mikepetersen1999]

Yes I'd take the shot. I have a Christensen Arms ELR in 300PRC with a Trijicon 10 Mile scope and the Sig 10k. I have confidence in this system and do MOA shoots out to 500 at Big Timber in Selitz, Or. and have first round hits at COSSA in Bend, Or. out to a mile. Plus, I'm a Marine and qualified with iron sights out to 500. ha ha... Had to throw that in for you Erik.

[@jaybailleaux630]

If one has bullet expansion at 500 yards , Nathan's 300 Norma is the best cartridge for the job. One has to consider terminal ballistics as well as everything else for deer hunting. The 6mm and 6.5 Creed may be on the light side for a clean kill every time at 500 or more yards.

[@rustbucket9318]

I like that the target is 1moa because shooting steel is much different than taking life. Steel has never got my heart rate up or made me shake when it walked out. I use hunting rifles and I make my limit 250 yards. Main three guns are 6.5cm, 30-06 and 300 wby mag. Anything beyond that I am probably calling the dogs.

[@philipsteele5704]

Very good Erik. It shows how prepared you would have to be to make a long range shot on a game animal and it is still not a guarantee of a perfect shot.

[@loopeyshooter503]

Would love to see this done using less than ideal field rests at 300 yards just to drive home how much a prone shot from flat ground sways the result. Really love that your shining a light on this Eric and hopefully it saves atleast a few animals from needlessly suffering.

[@patrickgjorven7832]

I'm with you on that one about a hunting rifle. Any rifle that is capable of shooting a legal caliber round for hunting is a hunting rifle.

[@leovasquez5501]

Thanks for posting this. I’ve recently been shooting at a 600 yard range. It’s REALLY humbling. I’m currently shooting around 3MOA at 400 yards. Still have a long way to go.

[@jimcheatham8306]

I like the one MOA challenge at 500 yards. It's a bonus your target is a droptine buck! What's ethical varies greatly not only from one shooter to the next, but where you are hunting. In Tennessee you can kill one deer per day and the season is like 3 months long. In Indiana farmers can apply for summer hunting tags based on how many acres they farm and DNR don't check to see if the deer is recovered....some farmers prefer to gut shoot them so they make it out of the field to die. I don't agree with people killing more than they can eat, but it is legal in places.

[@Dmcquown]

I always like seeing these challenges. It really puts into perspective where you are as a shooter compared to the “big boys”.

[@eskimoreloader]

As a Eskimo I personally don't do long range hunting. But this rifles looks expensive 😮

[@jimyeats]

I actually just went with a 2-7x power scope on a lightweight deer rifle build because I wanted to keep weight down and I simply acknowledged that - unless I want to start adding a lot of cost and gear - going higher in magnification wouldn’t benefit me much as 300 yards is about as far as I feel comfortable taking a shot. I initially went with a standard 3-9x, but realized that extra magnification just wasn’t needed for 300-325 yards or so.

[@brunoterlingen2203]

I fully agree with the opening and closing statements: most people overestimate their own ability.

[@Timberdam]

Truth !!!

[@Gunnut10mm]

I appreciate this because it really shows how difficult this is, I can sympathize with 1 MOA being kinda small but it's offset by no other restrictions on time and equipment. And the simple fact of the matter is that at 750 yards that plenty of people think they can shoot at game you have to shoot and hit MOA to make a good shot on a deer. I think many of these rifles are also starting to run a little low on energy at that range. Probably okay for a broadside shot on a deer but questionable for harder angles. But only the 300 norma guy has any business shooting at an elk at that range. I would love to see a 2 or 2.5 moa challenge at 500 with some constraints on time and maybe equipment. I know in Idaho the rifle setup can weigh a maximum of 16 pounds or it's considered illegal to hunt with. I don't know exactly why this is in the regulations but it is.

[@barthettema3727]

300 is really pushing it for me. I have a Burris Eliminator range scope on a 30.06 and I still wouldn’t do it.

[@kenanderson8443]

Honestly for most people buying guns straight off the shelf I think 300 is a pretty good max distance

[@brandonboyd2500]

Definitely!! I have 10 years of long range target and hunting experience and I don't recommend 70% of hunters to go past 300. I dropped my moose last year 400y under the right eye. But I took a huge chance on that.

[@lyndeen]

My first few hunts I limited my range on the deer to about 150. I feel comfortable out to about 300 might push to 400 depending on the rifle.

[@CplSkiUSMC]

I hunt with a Steyr Pro Hunter in .308 Win with hand loaded 178gr ELD-X grocery getters. It's a 3/4 MOA rifle but I do like the fact that it does not have a POI shift on the cold bore shot. That cold hammer forged barrel will wander a little as the barrel heats up but the cold bore can be counted on. I would take a 500 yard shot on a muley under good conditions... but conditions are rarely good here in Wyoming. I have a 6" gong that I will have to take out and give this challenge a go under whatever the conditions happen to be. I would also use the same equipment I use in the field... no bipod, no rear bag, just prop the rifle on my pack, settle in, and take the shot.

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

My area is central Texas to midwest Arkansas. The "longest" firearm I would use is a .25-06 Ruger 77 varmint barreled and a Leupold 6.5-20x scope. All circa 1982. With hand-loaded Sierra 117 gr. spitzers @ 2,900 f.p.s. zeroed at 200 yards the longest shot I would take would be 300 yards. And that with a very solid benchrest. Being threescore and ten I don't go prone.

[@SammyMoore-tg5gs]

Sounds like a solid MPBR “fudd” setup.

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

@@SammyMoore-tg5gs I am a Fudd. I wear that red hat proudly. I remember when Remington 'legitimized' the .25-06 and the .22-250. But I'm always trying to keep up with you whippersnappers. So, what is a MPBR?

[@suprakillavr4]

@@JohnSmith-dh4gw Max point blank range. he's saying it's a good rig that you're not dialing in drop for, a true classic hunting rifle where throughout your intended range of use the rifle POI is within your known zero.

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

@@SammyMoore-tg5gs It certainly is. I like to accumulate "Father-in-Law" rifles. Those are some of my favorites. If you don't know what that is just ask.

[@hackaboom]

simular to the 22 250, my buddy has one blessed by the barrel gods. Id be willing to make a pretty big bet that I could be successful in this challenge with his gun. ive shot alot of random peoples rifles in alot of different calibers and that ruger of his is probably the most fun, its just a freaking laser 17 hmr is alot of fun too but they slow pretty fast.

[@nvrdwn3140]

As a hunter I think what I'm about to explain is a good idea for hunting. When you hunt pretty much all shots are cold bore. So, shoot a three shot group to make sure your gun is zero'd. Wait 15 or more minutes until the barrel is cool again. Shot the target and based on the impact adjust to hit where your shot hit. Wait another 10-15 minutes and do another cold bore shot. Eventually you'll get that scope zeroed for a cold bore shot. 🤟

[@pinhigh1]

Love it! Super fun to watch video. I wish you could do it weekly.

[@craigguinn5423]

I have a Cooper 30-06 with a Swarovski 13. I built a 3/8” load and practiced 500 rounds or so for 9 months moving out to 600y. I was able to put 10 rounds in 6” pretty consistently. Took a nice mule deer at 490 in WY. Hit within an inch or so of where I was aiming, calm wind mid-morning. He dropped without a step. I calibrated for distance and altitude and just dialed up to match the rangefinders. Probably shot within 30s of hitting the ground. Definitely my best memory. Heading to Scotland for Stag next month, distances will be significantly shorter. Interesting video / challenge.

[@Mattjamieson-k2c]

I would like to see this in a more real world scenario. Half to one mile hike with 10-15lb back pack to a specific location but not allowing the shooter the exact location of target. And 1-5 min time limit to find target get into any comfortable position and shoot. And I like the 1MOA target. Because a wound a 500 is a lost animal. Tracking to it and obtaining a blood trail at that distance is a whole next level skill few possess. Really love watching these challenges, and would love to see more variations.

[@DirtFever]

I’m in Wisconsin, pretty tough to even have an opportunity at 500 for most hunters mid state and north. I hunt the southern part, lots of open country and we’re up about 300’ above the farmland, can see well beyond a mile. In the off season we would practice off one point of the bluff to 600 yards and I did take a whitetail at 504 yards with a 270 that year. Currently shooting a Fierce Mountain Reaper 7prc, it’ll be in Wyoming for elk this year but I have not shot it beyond 460 yards yet. Taking it out Wednesday I’ll see how it does. The guys I whitetail hunt with though should not be shooting beyond 200 yards. The guys I elk hunt with are capable of 500-600 yards in good wind conditions. I would say 98% of the hunters I know haven’t got a clue what it takes to be accurate at even 300 yards let alone 500. They also never shoot other than just before deer season and the average shot is within 150 yards. I do believe that videos like this is opening the eyes of the deer hunting weekend warriors though and getting people interested into your game of target shooting. I know it’s struck my interest and thank you for the videos!

[@chriswilson2880]

I used to hunt with a Browning A Bolt Medalion with Adjustable BOSS (before I knew of EC Tuners) thumbhole stock, heavy barrel and a Bushnell Elite 4500 scope, and a bipod. It weighed 16 lbs loaded!! I packed it for years because the gun was way better than me. I now hunt with a .300WIN Bergara Wilderness Terrain with Adjustable cheek piece, bipod etc...scope etc... both were heavy but I like accuracy and stability.

[@joecasatelli4825]

Eric, Thanks for what you do

[@Rico11b]

"His wife said no"... OMG I melted out of my seat when he said that. Dang that was funny! For me personally... Regardless of how large a Whitetail deer is, I'd consider 6 inches as being the MAXIMUM size of the kill zone. So I think 5.235 inches at 500 yards is perfect for what you're doing here. So, if you only have a 1 MOA gun you shouldn't attempt a shot on a whitetail beyond 500 yards. If you want to try at any ranges further than 500 yards, you better have a consistent half MOA rifle to even consider it.

[@kevinorr4444]

99 % of people would miss a 350 yard shot with a hunting rifle much less 500 yards

[@jasonshults368]

Cool. I'm in the 1%! I've made lots past 350 yards. Got a coyote last week at over 400 off the rail of my deck.

[@RandyReed-o3v]

Erik I really like your Ethical Hunter Challenges. Where I hunt in the Texas panhandle getting to an animal at distance after a shot can be difficult anyway. Also getting a hit exactly where you want can be difficult because animals move. I am way to soft and do not want to see an animal suffer. I want to see it drop in its tracts and DRT. My max distance for a shot is 300 yards. Great videos!

[@brucegillespie654]

Yes I would bring one of my budget build Savage Model 12 or elite precisions in a 6 BRA ,6 xc or a neededmor . I would make a 500 yard shot on an animal with at least my 6.5x .284 Norma or custom .30 - .338 . I unfortunately am not in the USA . Great work showing us how critical it is to know your stuff when hunting for ethical shots . Thanks as always

[@BorealEDC]

Awesome series. I was really cheering for the 300 Norma.

[@lanceledet883]

When i was younger and hunted with my dad if the deer was far he would creap up to it to get closer. So in other words if it was 500 yards he would creap 100 yards from it then shoot it he was good at doing that. The guns and equipment we had was not good for long shots. Nice Video!! Thanks

[@jdodd06]

I have not attempted a 1moa cold bore at 500 but will be doing so shortly. Great series.

[@remusredbone1214]

Good stuff Erik! I think you made it very clear the challenge was to hit a one MOA spot to simulate the potential area of the kill zone that would be “accessible” with a shot from 500 yds, and NOT that the 1 MOA spot was the only area that would yield an ethical kill. It seemed clear that’s not at all what you were demonstrating to me, but some are still arguing an impact one inch from the spot would still be an ethical kill. Of course it would be, but I know that wasn’t the point of the video. Perhaps you can explain it again in one of your next videos….

[@onealjones9039]

Thank you for doing this! Personally, I have no business aiming at any living thing past 100yds. 🤷‍♂️

[@dustinfisch2997]

My Western hunting rifle of choice is a Springfield 2020 Waypoint in 6.5 PRC. I have taken a mule deer at 450 and a whitetail at 515. The whitetail was perfectly broadside standing still though. This is also with a lot of data and load development.

[@thor777mx]

Did he say RL33 is easier to find than retumbo? I wanna live where he lives. Quite literally impossible to find both of those. Finally someone with a big caliber👏🏻

[@youtubejunkie8053]

16:00 Now that’s a straight good ‘ol boy!!! Nice shootin slim, we win some, we loose some.

[@X-ForceBro]

1:31 1" MOA is fair you should be able to hit that if you're hunting long range

[@jimyeats]

13:29 Our boy Nathan here was on Texas Plinkings 1000 yard challenge as well. I think he hit the target on the last shot if memory serves.

[@InsaneGeraldo]

I use a Remington .270 win I've had for over 20 years, and shoot 145 grain ELD-X, the optic is an old Nikon Buckmaster 3x9 40mm. I know the drop at 500 yards with this rifle is just around five feet, which is about the height of two bucks at the shoulder. I would never take that shot though, I just wouldn't feel comfortablen and over think it. Besides if you call yourself a hunter you should be able to stalk a deer to within 300 yards.

[@danielrobey1759]

It'd be interesting to see this done with common off the shelf rifles and typing hunting cartridges. I don't think that there would have been nearly as many successful shots but who knows, the critical part is to get out and practice with the rifle and ammo you plan to use at the ranges you want to shoot or else be willing to do the ethical thing and reduce the range you're willing to shoot.

[@user-pm7xn1dj7i]

I really enjoyed watching this challenge, although I think the 1 MOA kill zone is not realistic for hunting, since the average deer has an area of approximately 14x 16 kill zone. I hunt out west and my hunting partner consistently kills dear shooting from the prone position with a harris bipod at 350 to 550 yards with a factory browning A-Bolt chambered in Remington 7MM with a 350 dollar Nikon scope. I have never seen one of his deer go more than forty yards after being hit and if he shoots he hits them. 139 grain barnes-X going 3250 ft per second

[@williamgaines9784]

Your introductory monologue was excellent. The rules are the rules. I like the ways the shooters give the rundown on their rigs just like guys/gals do their cars at the races and shows. Where the 300 Norma dude hit is nearer my typical aimpoint. I have not hunted anywhere that has an actual shot over 250 yards. When my lease was freshly cut over, some 400ish views exist, but trying to make a recovery through that trash would be beyond a reasonable(unless one has a helicopter in their back pocket) endeavor, so I put those in "view only" restriction. The HARVEST is why I hunt with firearms, so NOT taking a marginal shot is rule 1.

[@mrh6825]

The gentleman with the 300 Norma genuinely put a smile on my face. That 300 Norma is a cannon!

[@jeremystyron9721]

Hey, man really enjoy your content Really like the 500 yd challenge you put on.. The only thing I want to add to your 1MOA challenge, majority of all the guns People are shooting for the challenge, not very many hunters, actually use in the field with the exception of a creed Moore or a 300 Norma, all of those other calibers You don't see in the hunting community taking long shots hunting. What you see are 7 mag 300 win mag 300 PRC 6.5PRC. 7prc Would like to see more guys on this. Challenge using actual calibers that are hunted within the field. Maybe you should put it out there for real world. Hunters to come and try this MOA challenge at 500 yds and see what happens. Until then, God bless you and your family.God bless america

[@kentuckywindage222]

I may be different but if all I can see a 5 inch diameter of hair, it isn't my shot. That from Kentucky which has itself some thick cover. My longest shot with a .243 Win. and good 100gr bullet is 425 yards. I took that shot in a place where distance was known and shot targets there. Clear open field, taking rest from the top of an old locust fence post. That rifle was set up MPBR. The shot was about 75 yards beyond max so I held just below top of back. Two steps and down. I wouldn't have taken that shot but my friend had just shot and missed with his 7mm Remington Magnum and the deer was getting ready to bolt over the fence. It never made it over the fence. Horsepower is great but putting the projectile in the right spot is more important in my humble opinion. Nice job by all. Keep'em coming Eric!

[@The_Judge300]

Yes, I could make that shot for sure with two of my guns every single time with a cold bore if there was no wind at all or if I for sure knew how the wind was. The guys in this part had a huge advantage of having a very good idea about how the wind was from the shooters before them. Something you do not have when hunting. The two rifles I can make that shot with are both what you would call normal hunting setups. One is a Winchester M70 post 64 action with a stainless steel Shilen match grade barrel with no muzzle break or suppressor. It has a standard stock profile and no bipod as I use other types of rests or no rests at all when hunting. It has a Zeiss Victory FL Diavari 6-24x72 T scope on it and the cartridge is a 6.5-06. It shoots sub 1/2 3-shot groups with multiple different bullets. My main hunting bullets are 120 grain Barnes TTSX for normal ranges and 127 grain LRX for longer shots, but I never shoot at deer past 550 yards and it needs to be zero wind for me to do that. I usually keep my shots inside 300 yards. I am not so desperate to kill an animal that I take shots that I do not feel are 100%. I have killed a deer at about 780 yards with one shot with this gun, but that was to kill a deer that another hunter had wounded and a shot I never would have taken on a healthy deer. I have killed more than 300 deer and LOTS of other critters, including 4 moose with this gun. The other rifle is a standard factory Tikka T3x Superlite stainless fluted in 7mm Rem Mag with a Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30x50 scope with no bipod and I both use it with and without a suppressor. I use a 140 grain Barnes TTSX for normal ranges and 139 grain Barnes LRX for longer shots and the gun shoots 1/2 MOA 3-shot groups with both bullets. I keep my hunting shots inside 550 yards with this one as well. I have shot 17 deer and some other critters with this gun so far. This is a factory rifle I highly recommend, no matter what cartridge you choose it in. It is light to carry, very accurate and at a very decent price. I am planning to buy one in 6.5 Creedmoor for my 15 year old daughter.

[@OmegaRed048]

I shoot LR benchrest (concrete bench, joystick rest, and rear bag - about the most stable platform you could create). The gun has a 3" forearm, 55x NF scope, 1.5 oz trigger. On a day with good conditions, the gun shoots 1"-2" 5 shot groups at 600 yards. At the conclusion of our 600 yard matches, we have a clay shoot where a singular clay pigeon (110mm - 4.3") is put adjacent to the target for each shooter. This is after a day of shooting 600 yard paper targets. The clay shoot happens within 5 minutes of the last target being shot. Even with all of those things in the shooter's favor, the hit rate is less than 20% on average. Food for thought...

[@jasondelawyer4620]

Yes. Bergara B14 HMR .300 wm with a Leupold Mark 5 5x25x56. Ammo 220 gr Hornady ELD-X.

[@steveflock6147]

My long range rifle is a Kelbly SA, 22” Rock Creek Carbon 1-8 twist, chambered in 7 Sherman Short Mag, bedded in a AG Composite Adj Alpine Hunter, TT Trigger at 1.75# with Hawkins bottom metal, Thunderbeast Ultra 7 Gen 2 with Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56. Shooting 180 Berger Hybrids with RL26 at 2808 fps with single digit ES. 11.75 pounds with Atlas bipod.

[@a14kjem]

Very good, I enjoyed watching. My repeat comment would be I would like to see something like this with hunting rifles, cartridges.

[@bdf1996]

And true hunting people

[@ErikCortina]

My guess is you’d see a lot of misses. 🙈

[@hstone-kf7su]

Any rifle is a hunting rifle.

[@WillHenrysWorkshop-gunsmith]

I enjoy the videos. I sort of agree with those who say the 1 moa target is not real-world hunting requirement, but given the equipment being used, it's a reasonable expectation. When shooting metallic silhouette, we shoot the rams at 500m. Most of us, when sighting in, are hitting within 1 moa, but seldom on the first shot. In the hunting rifle class, the rifles weigh under nine pounds and are recognizable as a rifle. With a hunting rifle, from a field position, that 1moa target is going to be a 50% proposition, at best. Even 1.5 moa would be tough. Anyway, great video. WH

[@chrisgunsandguitars1403]

From Jack O’Connor’s book “The Hunting Rifle”: extensive testing done on various game animals to determine the actual size of the vital zone. * Useful when using Maximum Point Blank Range in your rifle. * * Pronghorn antelope = 8.5"-9" * Small deer = 8.5"-9" * Medium size deer = 10"-11" * Large deer = 11"-12" * North American wild sheep = 12"-13" * Mountain goat = 13"-14.5" * Caribou = 14.5"-15.5" * Elk = 14.5"-15.5" * Moose = 18"-21.5" * NOTE: vitals on black bear are 6” behind the shoulder. This challenge of Eric’s is still a very good information finder.

[@mattphelps7049]

I'm a distinguished CMP shooter open sight high power service rifle. With a hunting rifle my limit is 300 to be ethical. Could make a longer shot, sure but not reliably. Great video Eric!

[@bigcliffadventures]

I think your great man. I am old now and it's hard for me to keep up with new things but I learn from you so much to and you're brakes and tuner work great too. I save my money to get 2 more tuners now, too. Sometimes, it's hard to live on my S.S. the government pays me, but I get buy anyway. Thank you and God bless you and your team too.

[@RJBiteanerd]

That 300 Norma rocked that dude. That's a nasty flinch he's developed.

[@Eggomania86]

It's definitely a training issue. It's a lot easier to train with a small cartridge than a big magnum. It's easier to be more proficient and consistent with a smaller cartridge, too. If you are going to step up to something like that, you need to work your way up to it. That takes time and practice. I'm not saying it can't be done. It's just more difficult to do it.

[@RJBiteanerd]

@@Eggomania86 completely agree. I've never shot a 300 Norma or a 338 Lapua but I have a braked 300 win mag that I've worked my way to. Crazy to see someone just go to that with that bad of mechanics.

[@somebrains5431]

We know why hes shot that rifle 4x this year and its almost September. Definitely a gun that needs a shooting mat to keep the debris down.

[@travissmith8132]

@@somebrains5431 he's confused. He shot the same rifle 10 times in another Texas rifle challenge on KZbin posted a month ago. I love these guys who will drop a bible verse on someone and then lie right to their face on how many times they have shot said rifle in the last 12 to 18 months.

[@baitammo4652]

@@travissmith8132 He did NOT say 4 shots! He said that he shot it 4 times! He may have fired 30 rounds on one time. Perhaps he's not such the hypocrite that you make him out to be!?!?

[@stephenpaquet]

I have only ever once attempted a long range shot. Hunting moose in northern Ontario shooting across the lake. It is roughly 1 mile across according to topographical maps. I had no idea the exact range, but it wasn’t at the widest point. I was I was thinking it was somewhere in the range of 750 yards, but I’m not sure. My hunting partner was yelling at me shoot shoot shoot as I was the one with the tag. I kept telling him my crosshairs are covering the entire moose, it’s too far. The rifle I was shooting was a Heym rifle in 7 mm Remington Magnum, scope was a Schmidt & Bender, straight six power. Having never fired that far before I put the crosshairs on top of the mousses back said a small prayer and touched it off. The bullet landed on the rocks just underneath the bulls belly. As he had his head in the water, he didn’t hear a thing and my friend yelled at me. Don’t stop now. So I jacked another one in and held what I considered to be. A half a moose high touched it off, and the moose fell in his tracks. I swear I will never shoot that distance again I am not a long range shooter, but I was egged on by my shooting partner. I do consider 500 yards too far for the average shooter, which I consider myself to be. I have gone to the range and shot that far, but not enough to be confident. I feel like I got lucky, very lucky.

[@bdf1996]

Totally unethical I would never hunt with that partner again that would encourage somebody to take an unethical shot, and you should be ashamed of yourself for being overcome by peer pressure

[@mrgabriale]

@@bdf1996tone it down mate. The guy is admitting he stuffed up.

[@robertagusti3712]

​@@mrgabrialevery honest I congradulate you .

[@ColtonLively-q5v]

Being the guy in the green shirt I can assure you that nobody knew we was shooting the deer target or I would of brought my hunting rifle to give it a shot when we was giving a interview it was about the KYL rack challenge and I was saying I’ve shoot out to 800 yards I live in East Texas most places I hunt 200 yards is all you gonna be able to shoot I don’t have time to zero my rifle before I left home but I knew it was close enough to hit the 12 inch target so I wasn’t really all that worried about hitting the kill zone on the deer I used as my cheat shot to get my dope right lol by

[@waynemayle865]

That 300 norma is a beast i could see myself owning one

[@johngills-vz8ut]

I love seeing the rubber meet the road. Since this is an arbitrary situation designed mainly for showing that success normally requires quite a bit preparation and dedication. Why not set a weight limit. Even F-Open has a weight limit.

[@chaddfry5345]

Great video. I think you should take this a step further and have people shoot from other hunting positions.

[@michaelshuey1614]

I get what you’re saying, it would up the entertainment value. However, by giving these shooters ideal conditions while using race guns, it ultimately should remove all doubt that a 500 yard shot is unethical for 90%+ of hunters who enter the field whether they’re using dad’s old Winchester or a Sako TRG in 338 Lapua. After a day spent freezing in a Midwest deer stand, with snot running down your upper lip, feet that are numb, muscles tight, fantasizing about a fresh cup of coffee and wondering if your flashlight batteries will get you back to the truck, if a buck suddenly steps out at 500 yards with 30 minutes of light left, can you even identify whether he’s a true trophy vs. your imagination let alone make that shot off an improvised rest? Good luck. Erik’s right on the money with this. No adjustment needed in order to encourage others to adjust.🤪

[@Timberdam]

@@michaelshuey1614 and yet after reading the comments some guys still don't get it ! IDK

[@dougjones9750]

Nice stuff Eric, thank you for doing it. I hunt hopefully once a year however my go to gun is my 300 SWM Saco with Barnes TTSX 150grn with h-414 65.5grn at ~3100 fps. Vortex 6-24-50 single focal. I shoot 400 or less to ensure ethical kill. AZ and NM hunts

[@scottquenstedt1]

The 300 Norma is a fine deer rifle. That deer would have been dead before the bullet exited. The neighbors windows are blown out why you crank off, very effective

[@PW-jk3qj]

Erik, when I see a deer at 500 yards, I crawl on my belly, if necessary, for 400 yards and then shoot it at 100 yards and that's if I can't get nearer. We call it deer stalking, not deer shooting, in England. Brilliant challenge!!!

[@jackamelung8705]

long time ago before turret scopes and range finders I had a budget ruger m77 in 300 winmag with a 3x9 scope. To shoot 500 , I sighted in at 100 and learned the holdover from guessing the targets size. The factory ammo I used had very close 34inch drop at 500. I would practice on coyotes that were eating our goats. On long range hunting I never wanted to be near a gut shot so I would target the neck. My only LR shot I took at a mule deer buck was around 30 inches of hold over , which I guessed by antler height , being it was running up a mountain quartering away so I did a 30 inch lead with 30inch hold over, or equal height and lead in front of his nose. My thinking was neck or clean miss. Broke his neck, had several hunters watch the shot so it is not just a story. Was it ethical? Yes a miss would drop below its neck or above. Would he escape wounded? No , the hunters that were with me were above him and to my left they watched the whole scenerio. It was one of my better years of shooting. I had taken several coyotes running that year.

[@colinarmstrong1892]

I don't take a shot over 150 yards and prefer to get within 100 yards. I am old school and use a .308 with 168gn projectile...

[@hinkrakagaming5532]

Tbf, there's really good ballistic options for 308 and 168gn, so you could definitely challenge that 150 meter range!

[@colinarmstrong1892]

​@hinkrakagaming5532 I regularly shoot the rifle at 600 yards and if I call the wind right can keep the rounds within 1.5 moa. Its a Tikka T3 with a heavy 20" barrel. But as to the point of Eric's video, just because I can does not mean I should.

[@hinkrakagaming5532]

@@colinarmstrong1892 That's very true, and if you can get closer for a better shot, you should. The mentality is very good. I just meant that the size/weight of the bullet isn't a good attribute for not shooting longer :P

[@johnbartolomeo5108]

You drove home an important message with a very entertaining and subtle method. I've always said, sportsmen are gentlemen. Jeff Cooper brought a little more blunt force to the subject by writing, "the hunter who boosts his 450 yard kill looses his audience quickly." All Game & Fish Depts would be well served offering this excellent reality check series on their websites. You may consider a follow up series with skilled long range shooters using hunting rifles and ammo. How ugly would that be.

[@usmctattooboy]

I really like this new challenge

[@stephent2243]

I think most of the guys are getting the strong hints you're giving them Erik haha. Love all that you do, but good on you for pushing this cause.

[@Sandman-mk2yd]

Would love to see this same scenario but with off the shelf average hunting rifles.

[@normankaster917]

Yes I do hunt at that range (white tail, mule deer, elk) and yes I will take that shot.... Mauser 98 action, Douglas 26" #4 contour 1:10 twist, Remington core lock tipped 168gr 30-06 ammo, 200 yard zero, Magpul archangel composite stock, Timny trigger, and a Gen one EC tunner break ....I don't have turrets on my Leupold scope but it's a older 4-12x40 and I will be up grading that to a Leupold Mark 4 one day.

[@Isometrix116]

I think really, the scope may be more inportant than the rifle here. Obviously, you need a sub-moa rifle, but you need your scope to make you a sub-moa shooter. I'm thinking about the NGSW scope. If its as good as they say, it'll give you all of the ballistic calculations and atmospheric data you need. I don't think we really have a hunting scope like that, but it is more to illustrate the point. You can also get that type of data from other instruments you can have with you. That data, plus something like 16x magnification will make a massive diffefence vs a basic 6x scope. So, when considering an ethical shot, considering if you have the proper magnification for it and proper information to know what will happen to the bullet will be very, very important.

[@Timberdam]

Great challange Erik ! I'm going to sum it up cuz some people still don't get it ... Even with the best equipment, controlled environment , with experienced shooters 1 MOA is still difficult at 500 yds .. and in field conditions with Hunting Rifles that don't shoot 1/2 MOA 90 % of Hunters couldn't make the shot . Most impotant thing it's THE INDIAN AND NOT THE ARROW " Doping wind is an ART FORM ! I like the comment about Carlos Hathcock !

[@dallasweber7692]

In Combat Which Is Like Comparing Night & Day. A Full Human Silhouette At Over 1200 Yards Is Easy Peasy With .338 Lapua Mag Or .300 Win Mag. However 1 Of My 2 Favorites Is The .300 Norma Mag. Appreciate The Content & Keep It Coming.

[@stevenzagrodnik7243]

I would take shot with my son’s Tikka T3 lite 300winmag and my handloads with Berger 180 elite hunter. Trijicon 3-15x scope. Repeatable cold bore 3 shot 0.5moa @ 300yds. Or buddy's savage 300PRC precision elite rifle w Shilen select match 8T bbl, Nightforce SHV scope, and Berger 245 elite hunter handloads. Tackdriver to 1680yds on steel buffalo.

[@moonbaseryan]

My favorite new KZbin series.. would love to try it with my hunting rifle (300 prc bergara b-14). Hunting is more unknown distance..maybe an idea for later.

[@dougroope8040]

I think every one of these "Hunting" challenges should be done with a "Hunting" rifle. I'm not saying "Anyone can do it" with a custom rifle, or any rifle, because your shooters disprove the theory a lot. But if these shooters won't carry the rifle in the field, not truck it to a stand. It's not a hunting rifle. I'm in no position to come and try this challenge due to restrictive circumstances, but I would love to be able to send you a video. I shoot a 11 lb Savage 110 actioned, Brux barreled 300 Win Mag. Boyd's Tactical stock and 230gr Hornady A-Tip @ 2900 and it shoots clean cold bore at 1/2 MOA on steel. Also have a 11 lb Savage 110, Douglas barreled 6.5-284 with 147 ELDM @ 3020 on the same Boyd's Tactical stock that shoots to POA from clean cold bore also. If I could send video to someplace, these would be my demo rifles. We'll, they're the only 2 rifles I have. 😂🤣 I agree 1000% with your theories on long range hunting. The shooter MUST be ready and able. I have taken nearly a dozen animals, deer and elk both WELL beyond 500 yds. Including 2 cold bore shots from my 6.5-284 at 966 yds. I love your channel and have learned a lot of new things that I can apply to my current "Book of Knowledge" Also, I want to point out, I'm a hunter and not a competetive shooter. I've never shot a 10 shot group in my life. LOL. But I do make sure my rifles shoot consistently every time. Because I like to eat... Keep up the great work. I'll keep watching

[@The-newShooterTns]

Man, that 300 Norma is a beast. It seems to me that the guys who shoot long range a lot had the highest probability of impact. And because they shoot long range a lot, they had the equipment for it. Hence the success rate. Excellent shooting. That 1moa target 🎯 is no joke, but it is fair.

[@theAV8R]

One way to level up this competition with respect to ethics: total yardage as selected by the shooter over eight cold barrel shots with *zero misses*. Any misses disqualify the shooter entirely. Now THAT is a hunting challenge. I'd honestly just take them all at 175 to 250 yards. Even better if none of the shooters know the yardages achieved by their competition.

[@kssgcasper797]

I have taken Deer, Javalina, and Elk out to 500m both elk and the “grey ghost,” Arizona Cous deer, doing so I’ve used both my Muzzleloader as well as several different “hunting” rifles, but the stars have to align and everything needs to be perfect for that shot to be made. That is that the winds are good, light is good, and most importantly that the animal is bedded or standing still or I don’t take the shot. The 1 MOA hit zone is more than fair as if you can’t keep it with-in that in “practice” with nearly unlimited time to make the shot or on a flat range how are you going to do that on a hillside with elevated heart rate and a time limit of while the animal is still? The hunting rifles I use at these ranges were either custom built or tested for accuracy and use specialized hand loads or carefully measured charges in the Muzzleloader with high end projectiles, I take a tripod and even a rear support bag or stick and even with all that kit unless I can get into a rock solid and stable position the shot isn’t made at distance. I think I’ll have to make me up a similar target to try and practice with instead of the normal “deer vital” ones I place out at distance to practice with here at 8,000ft ASL in AZ.

[@LegacyOutdoors88]

Great content Erik! I think it would be fun to do this challenge with a “common” hunting rifle with no custom equipment except ammunition. Show me where to sign up lol. To answer the original question, Would I take the shot in the field? 99.5% of the time no. Too many factors play into it and I’d rather guarantee my kill.

[@ronlowney4700]

😁 THANK YOU FOR BRINGETHOCS BACK INTO OUR SPORT! 👍