Poor Cartridges for Long Range Hunting - The Real Gunsmith

[@TheRealGunsmith]

Thanks for the overwhelming response to this video, as well as our other videos on The Real Gunsmith Channel! We appreciate your comments and questions. Due to the volume of the comments and questions, some which would take some time to answer, we just don’t have the time to respond to them all. However many of the questions will be answered in future videos. Our first priority is to our paying clients. Writing out long answers would take time away from that, and I won’t put them “on hold” to post long answers here. If you have questions about getting gun work done or a custom rifle built, contact us at [e-mail]. I have a wide range of prices for custom rifles so even the “average Joe or Josephine” can get into a custom package, just as accurate as the higher end rifles. For our detractors, we appreciate your difference of opinion, too, but I stand by my decades of experience. To all of you, thanks again for your overwhelming support. Stay tuned! God bless you all. Randy and Cathy +JMJ+

[@robhill3378]

Thank you these people have no idea about trajectory and energy. My dad was a gunsmith and I believe it takes 1200 ft pounds of energy to suffiently kill a deer.

[@travisoverdorf8624]

Can you talk about the 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag.

[@TheRealGunsmith]

@@SuperSynoptic From Cathy, The Real Gunsmith's Wife: I am the channel monitor. If I don't pin the comment, above, that I wrote, the majority of those posting comments would not see what I was saying. I am not sure how many are reading it anyway. It would go to the bottom of, at this time, 895 other comments. If you approve, thanks. If not I am not sure why you have a problem with that. In the meantime, Good shooting and Happy New Year.

[@craigmackay7691]

I'm over all these flavour of the the month cartridges, I'll stick to my .270win and .30-06sprg

[@jeremylaxton8639]

Thanks for the information. Even at the range, you hear people boast of making such shots with their Walmart savage with 1"tube 3x9x40 Simmons scope. I know they're full of it. You don't have enough hold over to see the target on a 1" tube. It ends at about 600 for most calibers. Light bullets have no downrange power. Please make more videos. God bless

[@bobgordon1754]

A retired African professional hunter that knew his business once said that if an animal was further than 300 yds he used an ancient technique, stalking. Good advice from one who knows.

[@mqa1963]

I agree. Iv only hunted deer as far as big game . And I have taken a lot of deer. Stalking. . Iv stalked them as close as 15 yards . Never knew I was there . That's hunting to me. The longest shot I ever took was about 125 yards . All with a model 94 in 30 30 all but the longest shot . It was with a 50 cal. Black powder rifle.

[@bobgordon1754]

@@mqa1963 your experience is about like mine. I've never shot a deer with a center fire rifle beyond 100 yds. I've killed several deer between 100 and 125 yards with modern black powder rifles. That has always struck me as strange because I own several good accurate centerfire rifles. Most of my kills are at bow ranges

[@tallen4520]

@phdfxwg Fischercat Mine ambushed me, out of a tree, with an ugly gun.

[@seanwhite304]

Yeah 300 yards is my max for taking game .

[@nielrossouw7831]

Bob gordon If you hunt the Kalahari in South Africa you are not likely to take shots within 300m. Same goes for hunting plains game in certain parts of the Free State province where it is sprawling grass lands with very little cover to stalk. We have to cull at night when the herds of roaming Springbuck pass through the pans as you are not likely to get within 1km of them. So, unfortunately, sometimes we have to take long shots at game animals.

[@jshaff3216]

A simple video, with an old timer talking, and doing the math. This is the wisdom and experience that we need to think about. Respect the game. Plain and simple.

[@DaBellyMan318]

Preach

[@benhoward7006]

I was playing the long range game beginning more than 30 years ago, long before people started thinking that you can kill big game animals beyond 500 yards on a regular basis. I shoot about 7,000 rounds a year from high powered rifles at steel targets out to 1200 yards. I know my sh..! Randy is 100% correct in every way and thought. For every animal recovered at these distances, I promise you that 3-4 times this many are cruelly wounded and lost. Most people do not even remotely understand how good you and your gear have to be to hit the kill zone with enough lethal energy beyond 400 yards let alone 1,000. I laugh at most people who claim that they kill game at these distances. Most of them also don't know how long 6" is either......

[@nelloagostini4389]

All true, too many arm chair snipers. FYI I've switched to metric my ^" is now 15cm.

[@IHWKR]

Social media has promoted these practices as people praise hunters for their abilities, which, although impressive it still unethical and shouldn't be promoted. Glorifyong these practices perpetuate the problem further. Instead, people should promote hunting at practical distances with fair play stalk and hunt. Otherwise, it's synonymous with shooting fish in a barrel.

[@michaelmckinney401]

Target shooting is one thing ,hunting a live animal is entirely different. Just because I can hit a steel 12x12target at 12'13 hundred yards that doesn't mean that killed that deer or elk..a twelve hundred lb bull even if you hit the vitals it'll run off and suffer showing off long range shooting skills is for matches and target shooting and, in right circumstances a sniper who really needs to try and take one out..but not in the taking of game of any kind

[@Mt.Man1700]

Thank you “ Real Gunsmith “ for touching on this!

[@joebillmoad3436]

I appreciate your honesty and experience. I am a fan of the .264 magnum which will do everything a creedmore can and swallow it. Even with the slow burning powders we have now is not a 500 yd. kill gun. You are right! 300 and under gives a man a chance of recovering big game effortlessly.

[@larrybassett5559]

Agree completely, I am a long range rifleman, but my long range exploits are at targets, not game. Respect the animals and be a better hunter. Keep it up Randy!

[@edl7454]

There is no respect for Game anymore , Animals are just #'s and $'s anymore. I love watching some of these videos where the clowns celebrate killing an animal like its some sort of NFL end zone celebration.

[@wildcat_reloading]

I'm south african and I believe in the fact that the closer you can get the better hunter you are

[@mattedwards4533]

You are right trying to shoot an animal over 300 yards is animal shooting not hunting.

[@deltatango5086]

South Africans... Especially the older generations... are Hardcore!

[@wildcat_reloading]

@@mattedwards4533 depends on the situation as on American in the mountains the average shot might be +- 500m but then it's the hunters responsibility to have made the right choice on a suitable cartridge, asweel as prepared by training longer range shots But if the situation allows it, don't be lazy, most animals only notice you within 100m radius

[@mattedwards4533]

@@wildcat_reloading Most of the hunters in my area would rarely if ever get a shot at 500 yards.plus? Each hunter is a free moral agent and has to make his own decisions. I am no judge and jury on what is right for others but I am aware of how much energy bleeds off a bullet as it travels down range and I have seen to many dead animals that were shot and not found.

[@progradepainting3755]

Truth

[@januslottering5775]

Always pays off to listen to your elders. Thank for finally putting it out there. With new scopes and funny calibers everyone turned into snipers overnight!

[@bobgordon1754]

They think.

[@bigtoad45]

95% of the hunters today have no business shooting at anything beyond 300 yards and 200 is even more realistic.

[@DeezCheez69]

True. Alot of people now hunt squirrels with a shotgun which requires little to no skill. Just point and pull.

[@richardfutch6185]

@@DeezCheez69 I've hunted squirrels with the same 410 single shot stevens for 37 years.

[@DeezCheez69]

@@richardfutch6185 ok

[@rikertvonfulton16]

I think what he is saying is there is no magic bullet.

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

Amen

[@michaelrichter8973]

Let me tell all you long range shooters out there a scrary story,some years ago i got a new 25_06 in a 700 heavy barrel reminton 700 bdl,my buddy and i went up to somerset county.here in pa to try some really long range groundhog sniping,we took a few out to about 450 yds but w ere wanting a longer shot thrn as we sit there glassing for groud pigs one came out around 750 yds i missed it ,it went down the hole,after about ten to twenty minutes my buddy spotted one running along a fench line at the top of the field try it he said when it stops,i scoped it but something didnt look just right ,hold over about 2 more feet and srnd it my buddy said no said i dont like it ,isant clear enough i dont know this area either i dont know where my bullett will go ,go ahead he said i think its ok ,i refused ,about that same time it started moving again along the fench line then where there was a dip in the terrain out came two kids riding bycycles all that showed was thier heads because an old roadway worn down from many years of use was below the fenchline but just five feet behind it,I think i was white as a ghost,i know ky buddy was,oh my god we both said together if i would have taken thzt shot what might have happened?Murphys law says i would have connected!To this day it mskes me sick to think of it!,,,this is a true story leonard upton is my freinds name hell verafy it Weve hunted together many times we are both very carefull hunters but that story has been told by both of us a lot........Guys be carefull of long shots espactaily where you dont know the terrain!!!If you dont shoot long range at game youll be better off

[@bobbyhaney522]

I completely agree know your Target and what's behind it . It is hard as hell to tell what's behind a Target at 1300 yards

[@vincef5832]

I shoot in PA often.For long range I would never even look at a target that was not at a designated facility. I would have to be on a giant farm to even think about it. Long range shooting should be done out west where there is vast open territory. In the northeastern states urban sprawl and larger populations dictate you better be in a designated long range shooting facility- most of the time. I'm sure there are quite a few places you still could shoot without the situation you ran into,but I'd have to be shooting into a mountain with a superior all around view or just not risk it at all. People have been popping up in the most unexpected places when I am out in the deep woods these days. I guess they are not so deep any more-lol. After all that is why some states don't permit centerfire cartridges for hunting isn't it? Heck when I go out on opening day in the Poconos and the trigger happy buckaroos are blasting shots all around I just say if today is my day to go then it is my day to go-lol. I've gotten used to it. In the 80's (Catskills,NY) I had permission to solely hunt private land. I almost got shot twice. Needless to say I stopped hunting that property. It wasn't fun when the boulder next to me just had a bullet ricochet off of it. The second time was the bark off the edge of a tree 10 feet away from me. I guess you all get the picture. Know exactly what is behind the cartridge's full range please.

[@MattChat56]

My heart just skipped a few beats reading this. Glad you had the fortitude to control yourself.

[@greybone777]

Thanks for your words of wisdom 🙏

[@johnmead8437]

East to do if the chances line up. What's a serious concern is thermal equipment and the people who use it that are a risk shooting in clear daylight due to imagination and excitement.

[@jgvermeychuk]

This man speaks the truth. Hunting is all about getting closer and getting steadier. Respect the hunt, respect the game.

[@oby-1607]

I won't target anything of game past 550 yards. I use the 7 rem mag and don't expect clean shots past that. I have competed many times at 1000 yard matches and this rifle has brought home the trophy a couple of times. But, that is on paper not game. Anybody telling you to shoot out to 1300 yards for game is an idiot.

[@lexwaldez]

I shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I try to keep it under 350 yards. At that range it's a sure kill. Man's gots to know his limitations.

[@ssearl3231]

Thank you for your honest and knowledgeable opinion. I happen to agree with you 100% I use my Winchester 270 at no more than 300 yards because of the zero factor because I know at that distance or closer I will have a clean kill as long as I do my part correctly

[@allenlewis8333]

I absolutely agree, I’m disappointed that the military has dropped the 308 , there has been so much testing and development with the 308, and incredible amount of information on reloading . Than you Sir for speaking the truth!

[@henrywilson5204]

I own a 7mm Rem mag. I've modified the rifle to suit me. I love it. I couldn't agree with you more. Sure, I can hit something over 1,000 meters but don't trust it to humanely kill it, if it kills it. I always get as close to the game I'm after as possible which is usually less than 400 yards. I live in Arizona. Thanks for your wisdom and advice.

[@MrBUBBAKY]

Yes, a deer or similar game at or over 300 yds, for heart/lung shot, is a very small target.

[@jamesmoore768]

You are giving people common horse sense and a few don’t want to here itbut it is sound advice! God Bless You sir!

[@millardpayne914]

Thank you for this video. I think there are tons of unethical hunters out there trying to take game at extreme range cause they are not good enough or want to put the work in to get closer to the game.

[@Slick263]

That's one thing I'll give to bowhunters. And bow hunting in general, it teaches you good field craft so you can get close to your game in order to make an ethical shot.

[@keithlucas6260]

Just think about those who go out and do that savage spear or clubbing hunt.

[@keithlucas6260]

@Evilstorm11 ....there's a guy in our church who can. Even taking a bullet thru it's heart, a deer is going to run itself out of blood and then drop dead. I've shot hogs clean thru the heart with my scoped AK-47 at 30 yards and had to follow the trail of blood for another 15 where they dropped dead as a doornail. My dad's family shot the deer in the head as who cares about "trophy mounts" and chasing them down.

[@joshua_J]

@Evilstorm11 you sir are not or have never been around a good Archer. My wife and I both hold state records when it comes to competition archery which we use to hone out hunting skills. I can ethically take any big game you mention out to 60 yards. If you don't believe me let me know where you live and I will come hunt and you can run video. After we can talk about it while you eat humble pie. Archery hunts pour their souls into the pursuit of game and my bow will cut a 2" hole through the animal while you are relying on .300 of an inch. I have taken many deer with bullet wounds because people think that their gun will always kill. Shot placement is the key

[@sgtsnuggles9112]

We have deer so calm around my area I've gotten about 15 yards away from about 4 of them one time (I didn't end up taking the shot, but I did watch them for a few minutes). Its not impressive to most, but it was an amazing thing for me to do. I've always been a proponent of not taking shots over 250 yards. I generally use a 30-30 or a 243 and I would like to be about 150 yards away when I take the shot. It all but guarantees the deer will give one jump and die before it hits the ground. Clean kills and less tracking. Taking a shot past 400 yards is stupid to me. Long range shots are a waste of time and have no advantage over close shots.

[@AbBowhunter]

Evilstorm11 You don’t see “instant” kills with archery equipment because an arrow kills differently than a bullet does. An arrow with a broadhead is meant to cause massive hemorrhaging, not hydrostatic shock. An animal shot through the heart/lungs with archery equipment is going to bleed out within seconds. No they won’t usually drop on the spot - although I have seen it happen - but they aren’t going to move very far. Most deer I have taken with shot placement in that area drop within sight. A liver shot is just as deadly, although they won’t expire as quickly. But comparing archery to bullets is apples to oranges. Completely different.

[@markkev105]

Finally a man stands up and speaks the truth about shooting and hunting cartridges. I bet the advertising guys are freaking out about now!!! Thanks Randy.

[@johnnylewis2468]

This man talks with common sense everyone who hunts should listen to him.

[@byb-bangforyourbuck2353]

He's Obi Wan Kenobi

[@mattedwards4533]

He talks real calm and easy which is easy to do when you are right!

[@titomish5914]

He’s ld and arrogantly talking a bunch of crap

[@unbalancedredneck5778]

when I hear them talking about how far their rifle can shoot. My question is always the same. How far can you shoot? It’s been my experience that when you take people off a bench most will struggle to make first round hits even at 200 yds. I’m also seeing these large magnum rifles with big brakes on them causing flinch in shooters. I’m glad to see someone calling them out on the BS. It’s great to hear someone talking about bullet construction, energy and sectional density over ballistic coefficient. Not to mention most guys don’t have proper twist rates to even shoot those crazy eld bullets. Sorry to ramble

[@TheRealGunsmith]

Ramble on!! Thanks!!

[@billa7571]

That's the truth not very many people can shoot there rifle even 400yrd most of the people that say that can shoot past 400yrd and do it are full of horse sh*t just saying that your exactly right for sure

[@f.mbarnabythelatest6068]

I've only tried it once past 400 with a 270 mostly buckfever..mostly under 200yrd shots.excelent video

[@Bullzeye1000yds]

@@TheRealGunsmith Yes Sir. Thank you. I recently went to .308 and at target shots, yes, I can hit at 1000 yds. off a rest. But, to shoot at an elk at 1/2 that range with this cartridge is ludicrous. Thank you for highlighting ethics in hunting.

[@IdaHowitzer]

Uhhhh- this crack doesn't once mention BC, sectional density, twist rates, etc. Also sectional density over ballistic coefficient? You do realize high sectional density is a contributing factor to high B.C.? They are no in opposition.

[@hawk270leadflinger9]

Man I’d love to have a pinky finger full of the knowledge you have collected over the years. Much wisdom. Thank you for educating me on some things even my own common sense had no knowledge of. Can’t thank you enough.

[@Nello353]

What I like about the 6.5 cr is that it is a great deer size cartridge delivering good knockdown power at 300 yes with noticeable less recoil Than the larger calipers,if less recoil delivers better shot placement,it becomes a desire able asset,if recoil is not a problem use the larger calibers. An ethical hunter should make every attempt to get as close as possible to his prey and always shoot to his ability and not beyond.

[@oldArmyVet]

300 yes but he is talking about 600 to 1000 plus yards wich is obviously ridiculous to do.

[@JJGuccione]

Your VDOs should be a Boy Scout badge. You truly are the Real Gunsmith. I’ve learned more from you than any other single source.

[@carterthiessen2664]

I love long range shooting. Its extremely fun and teaches you alot about what happens to your bullet at those extended ranges. I also love hunting. Does long range shooting help you be a better hunter, accuracy wise? I'd say yes! It taught me that I have no business shooting at God's beautiful game animals further than 400 or so yards. My 6.5 creedmoor stacks bullets into 3 to 4 inch groups at 500 yards. But when I'm hunting game, ill take my 270 and still limit myself to 400 or so on whitetail sized game.

[@robertjude5030]

Does not matter how powerful a cartrage is. lf the person cannot place the shot in the vitals they have no right. Taking the shot.

[@nebraskaman8247]

Biggest deer I ever saw, I was having issues being able to see him in time on this path he was taking everyday. I had been waiting daily for over a week, and every time I saw him I was too slow to get the cross hairs on him. Decided I would come back later the next week, and try to get him. Came back a week later, and found out some douche gut shot him. I was kissed bc I could of done that way earlier, and chose not to for obvious reasons.

[@barryiwashita6352]

I also agree with your insight …seemingly these 6.5 Creedmore lovers that put it on a pedestal above all else ( got a bunch here too 😳) ignore the brilliance of effective cartridges of the past…I’d even take a 7mm08 before a 6.5…but my .308 does just fine…bottom line is shoot within reasonable distances …great vid 👍🏼

[@Brain_quench]

I know this is a serious video but let's take a moment to appreciate this majestic beard!

[@earlyetman5588]

All hail the beard!!!

[@russellowen4543]

Thank you sir for your time and efforts in trying to pass on your knowledge and wisdom to future shooters/hunters, I hope they listen.

[@toddlane4086]

I agree, I own a 7mm Mag and a 30-06, there is a choice, based on terrain and how far you are expecting to shoot. I primarily hunt East Texas, 30-06. I have hunted West Texas, i bring both but normally have 7mm in hand.

[@richardnear4160]

I took two deer this season on opening day with a 30/40 Krag. Took both from the same area, about 30 yards from me while sitting against a tree.

[@mknewlan67]

Richard Near I had a Krag, man I miss it. It started bulging the brass when firing it. I found out that was a common problem with them. I don’t hunt just target shoot.

[@theprimalexperiment504]

I am an avid LR shooter. Love to stretch my rifles legs to 1200 yrds. At paper or steel, an animal. 400 yrds is where I draw the line while hunting. I will work to get them in as close as possible. It's not contemplatable or negotiable. Glad I found this channel. Thank you for you time sir

[@johnwilburn8319]

I commend you sir!400 yards is max for me.

[@blackhawk7r221]

Thanks for calling out Hornady’s BS marketing for the 6.5.

[@kentac1911]

True words coming from a lifetime of experience! Thank you for posting!

[@DieseNuesse]

its so great to see how social media can bring the wisedom of older folks to the world. thanks for your contribution

[@johnmead8437]

Such a miniscule proportion of content though

[@goozmooshak]

You speak the truth. I was forced to leave the country of my birth 35 years ago and even as a kid living in Iran, I dreamed of tall pine trees and the mountains of the west. I am today absolutely astonished to see how people just do not care about the wild life and the wild places that is a treasure for us living in this country. Thank you for educating people about hunting eventhough some people are not fixable and they will still do what they think is ethical hunting.

[@gunwrites6222]

I get one or two elk every year Most have been with .270, several with .308, and two with .30-06. But then I've never shot an elk past 115 yards and most are 80-100 yards. I've only to step out my shop door to get my elk and sometimes have to put my slippers on. Don't say it, I know I am spoiled! The 6.5 Creedmore doesn't do anything I can't already do with one of my .270s. I recently bought a Ruger RPR in .308WIN. So many commented I made a mistake not getting a 6.5 but every gun in my collection has to earn it keep by bringing home meat for the family. Next year's elk(s) will be with that RPR and I wouldn't even think to do so with a 6.5. I made the right choice, as a hunter, and as a rifleman. When the 6.5 has proven itself for 50 years then it may find a place in one of the safes. Until then...

[@aitornavarro6597]

When it comes to hunting 500 yards is furthest I'll ever go out to but I'd say about 90% of my deer kills are within 300 yards anyways. I shoot 7mm-08.

[@montieluckett7036]

More people need to discover the attributes of the 7mm-08rem. The ballistics are as near to .308win as to be almost indiscernible. Find it to be a great round for youth and beginners to start out with. If your gonna learn to shoot starting with centerfire cartridges instead of air rifles and rimfire, this is the caliber.

[@fbswampfox]

Great caliber great distance. No BS. Hell, if some one can’t get within 309 yards of game in most situations they’re not a hunter to begin with

[@knight9925]

I've spent 35 years hunting Alberta deer, mostly with a .308 Win and have never had to shoot anything out past 300 yards. Normally between 75 yards - 250 yards, averaging around 150 yards. Bow hunting in my early years I've been as close as 7 - 10 yards. "Long Range hunting" is not hunting it's target shooting at live animals. The 7mm-08 is a great deer round, in recent years I've switched to 6.5 x 55 SE - using a sweet grouping 140gr hand-load in a modern Tikka @ 2750fps. Easy accurate shooting and plenty energy for any full bodied deer at hunting ranges.

[@joeditz48]

By far my favorite short action cartridge! 🤙🏼

[@crunch9876]

@@montieluckett7036 I got a 7mm rem mag so I’m thinking 7m-08 or 280 for my next. So reloading would be more simple. Which do you recommend? I’m leaning 7m-08. Do you think I can build an ar-10 in 7-08?

[@joshsegich5815]

A lot of truth here. Another aspect to this is WIND. It's one thing to miss your wind hold on steel. It's completely different to miss it on a animal.

[@waynematheson9746]

Excellent show! Thanks for taking the time to share the knowledge which took decades to accumulate. So happy that I found your KZbin channel! You are a wealth of information.

[@mtnhunter5578]

This man knows what he is talking about and obviously has a wealth of knowledge ( not from the internet but from real world experience ), it would be time well spent to watch his videos and LISTEN.

[@TheRealGunsmith]

Thanks! Good shooting!

[@mtnhunter5578]

Yes sir keep up the outstanding content!! Do you have a website or something I can look at you're gunsmith services?

[@bryonworthen8247]

randyscustomrifles.com

[@donweb9689]

I see myself bingeing this channel tonight , we need a video on your top 5 favourite hunting calibers !

[@mattholland8966]

I agree 100%. I use my 30-06 out to 400 yards on white tail. I love to shoot longer ranges but only at targets. I've had good success with 150 bronze points or 165 boat tails. But my average deer shot Is less then 200 yards. Some tell me I'm using too much gun, but I'd rather have a little more than I need, then need a little more than I have.

[@micstica]

Ive been hunting for close to 50 years. I am in agreement with your message. I am sadden to consider that these " long range" hunters are indeed not ethical. I will continue to call this by what it is, animal cruelity. My shots are taken, when I am sure, I am as close as possible to a one shot kill at a distance I am sure the round can deliver. Period.

[@davidsignor7931]

Alot of these people have never shot at paper over a hundred yards why do they think that they can kill something at a distance that they have absolutely no idea where their bullet is going to hit. I shoot on paper out to 500 yards I know where I am going to hit that being said doesn't mean that I am going to shoot at game at that distance there are too many variables wind being one that you don't have any control over.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

I'll keep my 270 and you can have the creedmoor . I never shoot past two hundred yards at anything.

[@lardallardal2536]

yaap why walking 1300 yards? long walk and gamblig with an animals life and so on:) regards hunter from norway

[@BigRedPower59]

Benjimen Franklin The 270 for mule deer, the 243, 7mm-08 or 6mm Remington for white tail or pronghorn and the 30-06 for elk. I take all of my shots at 300 yards and in. I feel I’m pretty well equipped. I picked up a beautiful, 1974 vintage M77 in 7 Rem Mag from a fun shop in Wyoming about 6 months ago. I thought I’d be well outfitted for the elk hunt I’d like to take, someday. Now, I’m having some buyers remorse. Man, that’s a lot of blast and recoil to do something my father in law did with his 30-06 for 25+ years and with great success. I’ll never sell the M77 but I doubt I’ll ever use it, either.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

@@BigRedPower59 I had a 300 Winchester Magnum but it's way too much gun for anything. Unless you hunt the power lines. I have the 270 and it does fine . The only other thing I use is the 35 Remington in heavy bursh . That's all you really need in Alabama. There's nothing here you can't kill with the 270 except maybe zombies then I break out the 870 and slugs .

[@dhern2613]

@@BigRedPower59 funny you mention the recoil. I have a Remington 7600 .308 with a muzzle brake. And it has more recoil and does more damage to my shoulder than my Howa 1500 fluted .30-06. I hate using the 308 because of the recoil. Not to mention it is heavy and has a really clunky action. I shot a .300 win mag and fell in love, but after I did my research, the .30-06 is only fractionally behind it, but for half the price for ammo

[@johnkendall6962]

It's not the 308 its the gun. The 30-06 has more power but weight and stock design has a lot to do with felt recoil.

[@fedup3582]

I personally feel 400 is extreme range, and 300 is far enough. Amazes me how someone will say s 30-30 is worthlesd, while their 7 mag is a 1000 yd lightening bolt.

[@bobgordon1754]

The 7mm Remington has less thump at 1000 yards than the .30/30 does at 150 yards. Good hunters a hundred years ago killed many Grizzlies and elk with with the 30/30. I'm not recommending the that caliber for big bears and elk but skillful hunters get by with what they have and idiots get mauled or cripple game no matter how powerful the gun is. Jack o'Conner s book the hunting rifle has an excellent chapter on the .30/30.

[@larryclark9380]

fed up I use the overkill metric of requiring 1500 ft-lbs for a large white tail. 7 mm mag: At 500 yards the remaining energy is 1710 Ft-Lbs using Norma 150gr Scirocco with a muzzle velocity of 3117fps and a ballistic coefficient of 0.536. 30-30: Hornady’s current Evolution offering utilizes a 160-grain bullet that leaves the muzzle at 2,150 fps and retains more than 1,000 ft./lbs. of energy at 300 yards. I would not use a 30-30 over 200 yards. Better 150 yards. Great cartridge. Know your limitations.

[@HoneyBeagle]

And yet people kill them with pointy sticks...... weird

[@MM_405]

@@larryclark9380 just goes to show you how versatile this cartridge is with a Nosler 175gr Accubond bullet it really takes the 7mm rem mag to a new level with 1838lbs of energy @700yards and 1520lbs of energy @900yards ballistic statistics are directly from Nosler web site. I would definitely say taking an elk with 1800lbs of energy would definitely be viable but I for one know my limitations and dare not even attempt it. That is why I dare not get behind a 700hp car and think you can drive it like it was your daily driver because that thinking right there will get you wrapped around a telephone post.

[@larryclark9380]

@@HoneyBeagle Goal is to kill it. Not wound it.

[@corybartlett7551]

Wish i could sit at the camp drinking bad coffee and listen to this legend share words all night

[@oper12m]

I am not a hunter and am new to shooting, I admire your respect to the animal on the other end of the barrel. I am fascinated with bullet ballistics and will be getting in to reloading soon. If i ever do get into hunting I will try to keep your advice in mind.

[@garyewing5450]

Mister Randy you are a great asset to the shooting world. You are very astute complicated and beneficial to the understanding of what is happening. Keep it up.

[@jerrysmith8186]

The longest shot I ever took was at a monster mule deer. It was at 500 yards and I trailed it all day. It wouldn't let me get any closer. It also had been wounded by someone else. I fired one round and hit in the heart. And I did it with a 257 Weatherby magnum. And that is the longest shot I ever made or will ever take at any game. Ever!

[@ericwiitala5407]

Yes!!! That's what I've been saying since day one once the 6.5 creedmore came out! I have a 30-06, shooting 165 gr (cuz that's the grains it shoots best) using quality built bullets, keeping my shots 300 yards and under. Great honest video. I like it.

[@barry7413]

Ditto! I've always used Sierra 165-grain SPBTs in my -06 and they've all been DRT shots out to 300 yards. Deer to caribou. To paraphrase Col. Cooper, if your shot is more than 300 yards, GET CLOSER!

[@DeeMoback]

30-06 shines with 180 grain and up

[@DeeMoback]

@David Larcher yup...guns are different and ammo is different....my 30-06 loves 220 grain..... I have found though that Hornady brass seems to be thinner so I avoid it in my 06 but shoot that 160 in my 3030...... as far as factory ammo I shoot mostly white box..... but that's just my opinion..... worth about 2 cents

[@bobbyhaney522]

Long live the 30-06!

[@jackscott2594]

My how’s 3006 loves 168and180grn projectiles but never beyond 300 as I was taught as a kid that I had a responsibility to the animal I was aiming at

[@johngarrie2633]

Thank you Randy for all the good information on translating and introductory to the bullets in the planning world I back you up 100% on that you always need a big en

[@OldRichieBoy]

When you speak as you have done in this video, you are truly a real champion.

[@badcrockett57]

Thanks for the great discussion on appropriate ammo for hunting. I think a lot of people could answer their own question on what is a good round to use for the game they are pursuing and at the range they expect to be shooting at. The formula for determining the kinetic energy of a bullet (ft lbs) at any point in flight so long as you have an accurate velocity of bullet and its weight (grains) is as follows: the formula is: Kinetic Energy in ft.lbs = (wv^2)/450,436 It's down and dirty but it puts you well in the ball park. w= weight in grains v^2= velocity squared 450436 is a coefficient that is kind of dubious. For the longest time this value was set at 450,400 and it seemed to work well. Anyway look at the numbers on your ammo carton and use both of these coefficients and go with the lowest energy level, then knock of 10% and the number you have should give you a fair assessment of how much energy you have at your disposal to humanely take game with. The minus 10% gives you a some room for error in the event your shot didn't quite go off as planned. Just a little insight from an old fart who hunted a better part of his life. Hunting is taking game at 300 yds or less. A good hunter takes his game at 200 yds An exceptional hunter takes his game at 100 yds. But a highly skilled hunter takes his game at 50 yrs or less. A .308 Win or a 30-06 Springfield are great rounds for hunting any game with on the North American continent. Since you are shooting at 300 yards or less you have more than enough energy to take ANY game. Let's say you are shooting a 190 gr Nosler AccuBond Long Range bullet and at 300 yds you have it skidding across air at 2,340 fps, you should have about 2310 ft.lbs of energy. Knock off 10% and you have an honest energy total to work with: 2,079 ft lbs. For elk I believe you need 1,200 ft.lbs to take him out humanely. For a moose, 1,500 ft lbs. Of course, this assumes that you are shooting a .30 cal. these values should work OK down to a 270 Wiin. however, I wouldn't go lower than that. After all is said and done, you can send your package to the critter and not have a sore shoulder from a 300Win Mag, WSM, Weatherby, H&H...you get the picture. At 300 yds Max, it isn't worth the additional recoil. Besides, you are only gaining an extra 100 yds with a win mag. The 300 Win Mag costs substantially more than a 30-06. Shooting a traditional bolt action hunting rifle, you also lose magazine capacity. Finally, your barrel will not last as long...depending on the barrel and ammo used about 1500 - 2000 shots. BTW, if push came to shove, using the same bullet, you can easily take an elk or moose at 500 yds. However, if you are sighted in at 200 yds, you will have somewhere around a 42" of drop to compensate for.

[@npc0168]

I am quite comfortable out to about 1500 yards with larger magnums like the 300 RUM, I will never take game beyond 400 yards. It only takes a small mishap to make it a miserable death for a critter out farther than that. Not so much the terminal energy argument, but error margin in the hunters precision capabilities when the heart is racing and the nerves get the best of you. A gut shot is a horrible thing to witness. Everything you said is spot on.

[@garyewing5450]

You are--great honest expert, and fine gentleman.

[@michaelrichter8973]

It refreshing to hear you speak,you tell it like it is no bs,i myself know guns and cartridges and i get so tired of the bs,keep telling it true!!

[@darylhelms9359]

this man has a lot of hard earned wisdom.wish the next generation of hunters would see all of his videos.i have never met this man in person but it would be a great honor.keep it coming RANDY

[@chrisschilling9432]

I value your videos and experience so much, Randy! This is a breath of fresh air to hear compared to all the marketing gimmicks we hear lately about the “latest and grestest” most capable cartridges. I’ll take your 55+ year hunting experiences with guns and game over any 30 second commercial about a cartridge that was never needed to begin with. God Bless!

[@richardpetty1000]

Very well stated. Thank you for your knowledge & wisdom, Sir.

[@jimmurphy6797]

My old model 70 300H&H does the trick every time ,just because it's new doesn't mean it's better.

[@matthewkyle2534]

There is nothing wrong with loving the cartridge you have. But to say others are not as good or better because it’s not what you love or prefer is silly. Just because it’s old doesn’t make it better either.

[@gsa1876]

Wonderful classic cartridge that still gets it done

[@medicropper]

If you know anyone that has any model 70s for sale, please let me know. A close family member of mine is a collector.

[@Foxxy11256]

@@matthewkyle2534 what's better than "does the trick every time"?

[@matthewkyle2534]

megadon357 well depends. Better would be better ballistics, better terminal performance, tighter groups. There is always better. Something can be awesome but it could always be better. Always.

[@GaMt13]

Buffalo Hunters used a Sharps 45/70 at extreme ranges. I love the versatile 3006. It was used since the early 1900’s as a hunting, sniping and combat round. My opinion best all around. I live in the south and the 3030 has probably taken more white tail than anything. Go with what you have confidence in but a 70 cent round will kill the same as a $4 round in the right hands.

[@CSSVirginia]

Exactly friend. .30-30 is still.king of Eastern deer rounds.

[@mandyspencer3774]

That's the truth if I've ever heard it thank you for putting some realization on the table !!

[@rodrickkilhore2433]

Thank you for sharing your expertise in guns, rifles,reloading, bullets, hunting, etc. Love you for telling it like it is. Rod Kilgore

[@ryanwilhite8239]

I have shot four antelope. Three of the four I shot under 100 yards. This gives me a much greater sense of pride then if I had laid my monster truck gun across the hood of my truck and tipped one over at whatever long range. You are right on the money here.

[@robertdennis5888]

Some people are ammo sexual their 6.5 creedmore identifies as a 338 lapua

[@varanid9]

LOL

[@joshua_J]

Okay you win the comment section on this video

[@kitcarson7987]

Like this one here

[@nmelkhunter1]

One of the best comments I’ve ever read on KZbin! Period!

[@robertdennis5888]

That term was created by a black man named Colion Noir he's cool as hell

[@danielcrawford7315]

Its really not hunting at all past 500yds, in my opinion, its sniping. It's a whole entirely different thing to target shoot at 1000yds and 1760yds. The paper or gong or bottle isnt a living creature. That said a 6.5Xxx at 1000yds is a viable option for targets, but dammed sure not for game harvesting. My opinion is that if one simply must take game at 1000yds, of deer or larger size, it should be done w nothing less than .338 lapua or .338 norma minimum and the 375 cheytec 408 cheytec 416 berrett. There again in my opinion there's just not very much need to be a game sniper in today's world. We are simply not going to starve to death over winter if we dont take that 1200yd elk. Just one old man's opinion though. Blessed day ya'll, Crawford out

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

300 Winchester magnum is fine fir deer sized game at 1000 yrds.

[@TheRealGunsmith]

Sniping, not hunting. And the chance of error, a wounded animal never recovered goes up exponentially. Can it be done? Sometimes. Should it be? No. Live animals aren't targets, there is no respect for the animal taking sniper shots, just ego wanting to inflate.

[@waynerobinson2301]

Daniel Crawford over ninety percent of my kills are about thirty yards max rarely further . I hunt higher country and lots of time visibility is restricted . This year will be first year to hunt and plan is for son and grandson to go. Seems certain my grandson will have to work tho .We all know how life goes .

[@timr4362]

@@TheRealGunsmith for the same reasons you said in your video and in comments now. I have and will continue to teach both of my young boys to hunt with iron sights. I am a bow Hunter so I do understand the true meaning of fair chase.

[@easttexan2933]

Tim R., do you use a compound bow for hunting? If so, then you would need to drop down a notch to a recurve for it to be "fair chase." Fair chase is in the eyes of the hunter.

[@andyfloyd1590]

i like the the 6.5 creedmoor for whitetail deer just keep it in its proper range lite recoiling good for young hunters and people who are recoil sensitive more effective than 243

[@petebentley3156]

Yes it will frank,the 6.5 creedmoor will do it at 1000 and beyond now!!!!!

[@williambader1425]

Good to hear this. The 308 has been our family's dominant round. In 30 years we got many nice elk none have been over 400 yards.

[@dpcustom1]

Thanks randy this is the best information iv seen... as a wy resident i cringe every time i see a ad for 1000 yard gun out of the box..in my career of hunting as a meat lover i have never had to shoot a animal over 400 yards and dont wish to..i love shooting metal and paper at long distances but the game deserved better...thank you for sharing of your vast knowledge and expertise...

[@ericmiller5527]

I use my 6.5 cm for exactly what it was designed for. Ringing gongs and making little holes in paper while having fun at the local range. When I hunt its typically with my old 3030 Winchester and try to keep all my shots under 100 yards.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a much better hunting round than .30-30

[@HikeHuntHaul]

Hey Randy, I ran across this video and it’s reassuring that you stand behind ethical hunting. I recently bought a 300 Win Mag rifle to hunt deer and elk. Also because of the loads I can get within ethical range for hunting. Great cartridge for hunting big game all the way down to small deer if need be. Plus, it not too shabby on brown bear. I can only imagine someone walking in the Rockies with a 6.5 creed more rifle weighing 125 grain saying I’m going to take elk with this. Maybe but ballistically I’ve looked at the numbers and your dead on when you project out foot pound of energy along with muzzle velocity of the cartridge. Heck, even a 300 Winchester magnum slows down past 500 yards considerably. Oh and if hunters out there think your going up into the Rockies with a 6.5 rifle to hunt elk and your ok if you happen by a brown bear; you’d better think twice. Great video! Thank you for the knowledge. God bless!

[@gearhead682010]

I really like your video, I personally used a Savage Model 110 chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum and I could stretch bullet holes at 200 yards with it and it was extremely accurate and flat shooting so to speak but in all honesty I wouldn’t shoot anywhere near 600+ yards at anything living and breathing. Targets are one thing to me but ethically I cannot risk an animals life at ridiculous distances

[@edwray0able]

Excellent advice from someone that knows!

[@craiglacount89]

Phenomenal message Randy, you are so right on! Here again we find the greedy manufacturers, companies that we all have come to rely on for accurate information being the ones pushing this crap! It disgusts me to no end.

[@scotthanson7888]

Where you hit them is more important than what you hit them with. IMHO long range is the distance you can keep your shots in a 12 inch circle from hunting positions. For most people that is less than 300 yards. One time this guy was running down my Remington 721 in 270, weaver K6. My grandpa gave it to me, I have been using it since i was 14. 35 years by that time. I know how to use it. He had one of those brand new stainless steel 340 mag beasts with a German scope that was bigger and more expensive than the hubble telescope. He could not see how a 270 could kill a deer. I bet, my truck vs his gun, 5 rounds each at a 12 inch target, 20 total. 100 yards, 200, 300 and 400 any field position. Greatest number of total hits wins. 2 things of note, 1 he missed with all 20 shots, 2, he had the greatest flinch ever. The guy was terrified of his gun. I traded that Weatherby for something useful.

[@Bwanar1]

Good story Scott, I have many similar. We use to say, beware the man with only one gun! :-) You need to make one adjustment in your thinking though. Your fixed 12" won't serve you as well as if it varied with the kill area of your game. A 12" circle is a big miss at 1-200yds on smaller game like a prairie dog, or even some smaller deer.

[@easttexan2933]

Hilarious Scott. I frequent a gun range here in Texas usually once a week and I see all kinds (shooters) at the bench. Trigger jerkers, eye shutters, arm jerkers, too long aiming at the target, etc. And most of these have the large caliber cartridges with muzzle brakes on the rifle. 300WM, 300WSM, 300Weatherby Mag, and even 338WM. And these guys are "deer" hunters. Texas deer are not large deer I might add. I always sneak a peak at their targets when I discover one of these guys and most targets have 3" or worse groups at 100. $1000 scopes. It is quite hilarious. Don't get me wrong though, I have also seen sub MOA groups from guys with the same equipment but it is rare. I have 3 rifles. Winchester Pre64 Model 70 in .270, Marlin 336XLR in 30-30, and my go to rifle, a customized Swedish 1896 Mauser in 6.5x55. Been shooting the 6.5 for 20 years and never missed or lost a deer but I also have never shot at a deer further than 175yds either. As Inspector Callahan famously said, "a man's got to know his limitations." The 6.5 is a MOA shooter. $1000 scope? Hardly. 4.5-14x44 Pentax that I picked up at a gun show for $100. The Winchester is topped with a Bushnell 6-18 at $130. And the Marlin is topped with a Nikon 3.5-10 at $225 new. The point of all this is that one doesn't have to spend great sums of money to be a successful hunter. By the way, I'm 72 years old.

[@trailblazer632]

Absolutely. I used to hunt with 40s vintage marlin 336 in 3030 most of the time. Never took a deer past the 75yrd mark with it. But won a hell of a lot of bets putting those bullets on target at 200yrds+ on a range. Im sure as hell not taking a 200yrd+ kill shot with it though.

[@levlev.1028]

Lol yeah. I beat a guy with a 300 win mag that cost 1800 dollars with my tc compass 243 at 600 yards. If someone can handle the 300 it is actually worthy of hitting an elk at 600 but when the grouping is the size of a truck door...

[@levlev.1028]

@10 Acres oh boi this guy is on to rifle too. How's your triax holding up? Now in the winter that there's indoor target leagues you are shooting like 240 I'll bet

[@vansantsam]

Many years ago I remember my dad telling me to limit my range based upon the group size of 4 inches or less.. (even if your rifle has enough energy for further distances), So, if your rifle groups 1 inch at 100 yards then at 400 yards the best you can expect is 4 inches, that is your limit based upon your a rifles accuracy and your ability.. He always said that there was a chance to get closer and if not then there was always another day.. I have shot many deer with a bow and arrow so there is always a way to get closer.. If I don't shoot a deer on any given day I can always go to the market and buy some food.. Dad always said that hunting was about hunting and not about killing, it is a test of your ability as a hunter to get close for a humane kill, If you are not 100% sure of a kill then don't take the shot.. I have shot deer as close as 8 yards and see no reason for even 300 yard shots.. I am 72 years old and have been hunting since I was 10 years old and my furthest shot has been 150 yards, and I shoot 175 grain from 7mm Rem Mag (over kill some claim), but I have always managed to get closer with the majority of shots being under 50 yards (I did shoot a woodchuck for a farmer one day at 350 yards, that is my longest shot ever).. When I pull the trigger they stop moving.. I enjoy the hunting more than the killing, to pit my wits against their instincts.. I have even passed up on shots so as to not end the season and be able to go out another day.. Now I hunt exclusively with a crossbow and limit my shots to 60 yards for the challenge.. With a compound bow I limit my distance to 30 yards.. Again for the challenge.. Have not even hunted with my 7mm Rem Mag or muzzle loader in over 15 years (there is no challenge with a rifle and the challenge is in the hunt and not the kill).. I also don't hunt moose or bear anymore - too much darn work to get them out of the woods.. lol What I enjoy the most is shooting my PCP pellet rifle and shooting bottle caps at 50-100 yards or tin cans filled with water at 100-200 yards and watch them explode - ya I kill those suckers all day long.. hahaha I can go out and shoot for a few hours and do 100-200 rounds for less than $10 in pellets.. My ex told me one time that I was so ugly that I had to sneak up on a glass of water - well I can sneak up on bottle caps and tin cans filled with water pretty easily... hahahaha

[@juanh168]

Muchas gracias. Thank you very much. I too will follow his father's advice.

[@ericolson1854]

What an amazing man thanks for the talk friend I appreciate it.

[@rik4369]

Thank You! For sharing your wisdom and REAL WORLD experiences to enlighten us. I have killed a few deer and hogs and very rarely shoot past 100 yards. My stand placement and stalking abilities are more important than " The Gun & Bullet " of the month. Your a much needed voice for the Hunting and Weapons world. Many people I talk converse with have no idea what WIND does to round at 300 yards let alone 1000 yards. I finished 11th at the 1000yd Match at The Interservice Shooting Match in Quanitco VA. I had a 198 out of 200. Both 9's were at 3 oclock and 9 o'clock. Both were missed wind changes. I was shooting 173 or 174 matched grade 7.62× 51. Of course this was a controlled environement with full shooting gear. In the field environment most would be lucky to see an animal at 1000 yards. Appreciate your wise words and keep providing TRUTH ! SEMPER FI

[@normanmallory2055]

I must say i agree with you on the 6.5 Creedmoor ctg.. It has become popular here in the NW where i live and several gun shops have said that for black bear and deer the best selling chambering was the .308 Win for a long time .. But today the 6.5 Creedmoor is the best selling ctg.. I don't know of any hunters here in the NW that has ever hunted Elk with the 6.5 and with good reason.. Good solid advice for hunters , you have been there for 54 years and done it yourself .. I use the same chambering as my father did after he worked his way through 30-06 and then on to the fine .270 Win. And he settled on the 7mmX57mm ctg for NW deer and black bear...My father never hunted Elk with that ctg as he said it's not an Elk ctg.. well said

[@ratedredneck96]

Look up the video of 6.5 elk hunt. I commented the link and i think they removed the comment because itd make ol real smithy look like an idiot. A guy took a lung shot on an elk at 603 yards and it was a complete pass through and the elk didnt go 100 yards and dropped, it may have went 50 yards and turned around and ran another 20 then collapsed. It is an effective hunting cartridge and if it passed through an elk at 600 itd pass through a whitetail past 700 id say for sure. If you have to have 400 lb ft of energy to kill a deer with a pistol then thatd make that an effective kill energy the 6.5 superformance 129gr expands to about a 10mm and if that is the kill number then 6.5 is still cooking around 725lb ft out to 1000 yards so with all that being said if you have comfortably taken 1000 yard shots and know your surroundings and the conditions then you could probably take a shot on a deer at 1000 just as long as you can hit lungs or a shoulder blade to send bone shrapnel into the lungs and heart. 6.5 holds its energy so well, even though it has a lower muzzle velocity as some rounds like the 30 06 and the 300 win it holds its energy to be more effective than 30 06 and 300 win at long distance where they drop off and slow down the 6.5 simply doesnt nearly as fast as 30 06 and 300 win. Its better, it may not hit as hard up close but even in close at like 100 yards i watched steve from the hunting grounds drop a deer in its turd pile at like 110 or so yards. It just dropped where it stood, i have seen a lot of bigger calibers not even be able to do that.

[@Putuj_Igumane]

Amen! I can sign under every single word you said here! Greetings from Norway

[@sugargoldy]

Good video sir well said and God bless you and I hope you have a lot more years left in you to do what you enjoy

[@TheRealGunsmith]

Thank you Darrin! We sure hope so! God willing and the crick don't rise, as the saying goes. [And for the grammar police, yes, I KNOW how to spell "creek" but in the saying, as both of us have heard it all of our lives it's pronounced "crick", the colliquial form of the word. ;) ]

[@leykeyes3261]

People think they're snipers these days. Lots of delusion now.

[@keithlucas6260]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[@jimjones813]

Some of us are though, Afghanistan showed who actually could be a total sniper. From field movement, terrain choice, hide position, exfil routes, then the real work. Putting the 750 AMAX BMG round downrange effectively.

[@MrJtin69]

Facts

[@jamesashford6111]

I was a real sniper. Good times! 🙂

[@jimjones813]

@@jamesashford6111 same here.

[@dinot71]

Great video! I am not a hunter not am I a rifle expert but you wisdom is enlightening and I look forward to seeing your previous videos in the near future.

[@rogerparker3558]

I have learned a lot from watching your videos, I highly respect the knowledge that you have. Please keep making videos they are helping people, because a man such as you with the time and experience you have in guns and hunting is needed to pass on to people like me because iam learning things. Thank you Sir.

[@appalachianstillhunterll9766]

I agree 100% ! I would much rather brag about how CLOSE I shot my animal at than how far.Put the hunt back in hunting! Long range shooting is a wonderful thing on targets, not game animals.( Exception made for something already wounded,obviously)

[@jeffhelferich9521]

I'll take real life wisdom over a manufacturers claims every day of the week. Great video.

[@TPWDpr3]

Where I live in TX. it's so brushy I have to use a 30-30 to get through it. Also I have never shot a deer in this area farther than 50 yard's.

[@TheSpekkel1]

Here in Finland, they actually made a study about shooting distances, at moose and bear and came to a conclusion that, about 90% shots taken, which hit well and ended the animals life, were taken under 100 meters (109 yards) and out of that 90%, 75% were taken under 70 meters (76yards) Obviously terrain makes a huge difference. Where I live, it's so high up north, that trees don't really grow here, to block the view and terrain is full of hills and elevation changes, so shooting distances can grow a bit longer. Most far shot, i've ever taken on game, was little under 400yards with 7.62x53r and I would not shoot further, even that 400 yards is pushing it, to be honest. I do shoot long range, to 1km or so and consider myself pretty good shot, but taking game, at long distances, can go wrong in so many different ways, that I view it quite unethical. Most expanding bullets, cease to expand properly or at all, when the bullet slows down enough and those bullets are required by law here, for big game. Don't know if this the case, over the pond in the US, with bullets needing to be of expanding variety.

[@geraldb4201]

im in maine and most animals are shot at well under 100 yards yes we do have a few longer shots out of my 45 years of hunting i have only shot 1 deer at over 300 yard 1 moose was taken at 40 yards and the 2nd moose was shot at 175 yards

[@michaelguerin56]

Makes sense to me. Thank you for this video and the one about ‘Rifles Made To Hunt’. I took people for their firearm licence here in NZ for over 16 years and emphasised similar points. I do not have your level of experience but I made sure to point the licence candidates towards quality literature in book and magazine article form that reinforced these issues. I also told them that we were not trying to tell them everything they needed to know but were pushing them to use common sense.

[@MrHuntermikey]

Smart fella. Glad to see someone tell it like it is. Thanks Randy

[@benjaminbenedict7779]

Absolutely correct on the energy levels. There's a lot of "hunting roumds" qthat are down to less than 1000 ftb at 400-500 yards.

[@Kmecha84]

30 nosler does the trick at 500

[@stevewagg2378]

CUDOS Randy it is so nice to have someone such as you cut through the BS. I taught Hunter Safety in Ontario Canada for 25 years. I taught each and every student what you are promoting. Right caliber for the game you are hunting. Keep up the good work we can only defend hunting by our ethical behavior and treatment of our game.

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

270 good enough for me.

[@highplainsdrifter9631]

Good enough for Jack O' Connor = good enough for everyone. The perfect gentleman's cartridge, especially in a Winchester Model 70.

[@Porty1119]

@@highplainsdrifter9631 I love mine. Great balance of terminal ballistics, trajectory, and recoil. Remington 7600 for me.

[@brianbumgardner8704]

I love my Remington 700 in .270, but I will not try anything over 300 yards.

[@Porty1119]

@@brianbumgardner8704 Totally fair. I'm willing to reach out a lot further on paper or steel targets than on game animals.

[@jerrynewman1380]

I've taken all the big five African game with a sling shot useing b.b.s for the ammo..I am the greatest sling shot Hunter ever made up in my own mind. I took a 90000 pound turkey with a b b gun..then I woke up and my mommy told me I was the greatest Hunter ever lived..

[@bobgordon1754]

The first deer I shot with the 6.5 creedmoor was shot at about 25 yards with perfect shot placement. The Winchester factory deer season load shot completely through the deer and bullet action was excellent but the deer ran 75 yards. An elk shot exactly like that would likely run 200 yards, but you never know. Sometimes animals just don't respond to being shot the way you think they should.

[@dnnyshdy5189]

I shot a big doe with a 6.5 Creedmoor at 250 and it went about 20 yds and died.

[@paulvanreenen6986]

Thank you for preaching the truth about 6.5 Creedmore. If ever we have a wounded animal we're looking for here on the ranch.... It's been from an ill advised hunter with a 6.5. Personally I have killed a number of Kudu in my native South Africa with my beloved. 308. But never take shots beyond 300m. It's about the margins of failure & respect Sir. Come visit us here in the Texas Hill Country. We'll sip some coffee and just listen to your wisdom. Kind Regards.

[@daveknepp7718]

You make some excellent points. Thank you.

[@lrshooterofnh7843]

I own a 6.5 creed that I built my self on a savage action. Very accurate rifle. The 6.5 creed is nothing magical, but it is a good cartridge that is easy to load for in my experience. I only hunt whitetails and black bear where I live. I've shot my 6.5 out to 1454 yards with good success on TARGETS. I would never shoot at an animal over 600 yards with any cartridge because I know that's my max distance where I can make a first round hit everytime. I own a 7mm rem mag that I generally hunt with most of the time, but have taken deer and bear both with the 6.5 with 140 grain bullets and it does a wonderful job. I shoot out to 1350-1450 yards to get practice and make those shorter ranges seem alot easier. I shoot almost 1,000 rounds a year between my 6.5 and 7mm. Cant stress enough that you must have alot of trigger time and you must know your rifle if your going to take any game at any distance. I personally believe the 6.5 is just fine for whitetails out to 600 yards. 7mm rem mag will definitely smoke whitetails at much further than that. The issue is alot happens between you and the target when you get out past 600 yards. Know your limits and stick to them. P.S. I've never shot any deer past 200 yards. I just shoot long range for the thrill of hitting a target that far away and it makes the shorter shots easier.

[@daltonv5206]

Well said. I agree that for whitetails a 6.5 or 7mm-08 are all you need. 300 is my limit, it's the furthest the local range goes. And that's further than 99% of the shots I'll have.

[@DeeMoback]

screw the 6.5 creed....just shoot 260 or 25-06 .... done

[@johnt4060]

garrett phelps Exactly! the 6.5 was developed to be a long range cartridge with a very high ballistic coefficient. Never meant to be a game getter at long range. Target shooters don't care how much energy it has at 1,000yds. They just want a flat trajectory, low recoil cartridge that's accurate enough to hit at 1k. That's it! and that's all the 6.5creed offers.

[@johnt4060]

Jay Thomas Reset 25-06 is a jewel of a cartridge. 257rob "quarter-bob" is one of my all time favorites. But personally, I'll stick with my trusty old 30-06. The caliber has been killing things for over 100 years and still one of the most popular hunting cartridges in America. 🇺🇸💥😎 God bless

[@johnt4060]

David L I have a 30-06 that'll get me to 1000yds. But that doesn't mean I'll be killing whitetails at that range. My rifle is factory certified to shoot 1/4 MOA and the military claims a 150gr 30-06 is deadly out to 800. But, that doesn't matter. If I'm going to kill a deer it's 400yds or less

[@MrKornhole]

Thanks Randy for taking the time to try and straighten out some of these misinformed people about long range hunting Wisdom such as yours should not be wasted. Listen people this guy knows what he is talking about.

[@jenpsakiscousin4589]

I don't deer hunt much anymore but when I do I still use my model 94. Where I hunt the longest shot possible is maybe 100yds but usually inside 50. The 30-30 and aperture sight work well enough for me.

[@chadjones5659]

I am a young man around 30 and I approximate your wisdom and agree with you 100% hunting is about ethical shots.

[@bobgordon1754]

I totally agree but something as positive as good hunting ethics can go too far. A friend told me of a video of a man that had a good whitetail buck come inside twenty-five yards turn around giving every shot angle possible and then allowing the buck to walk off. He then turned to the camera and said ' I didn't have an ethical shot'. If that transpired that way that man has no business hunting.