Range Report new to 500 yd ?

[fastbs]

Searched but not finding anything helpful.

What kind of group is fairly respectable at 500 yds? 5"-6"ish?

Slowly been working up my shooting distances and have been pleasantly surprised until the 500yd mark.

set up is remington 700 varmit sps 26" barrel/action(completely stock other adjusted trigger), b & c A3 medalist stock, egw 20 moa heavy base, burris tac rings, and nikon monarch 4-16x42

At 300 yds i'm getting 2.5"-3" groups consistantly with factory Amax. i grabed this target out of the trash from a couple days ago. maybe it tells yall something it doesn't tell me. i flinched on shot 4 it's over to the right but over all maybe this helps.

now i jumped out to 500 yds (skipped 400) and am lucky to get 5 shots on 12"x12" paper.
Tried 3 different hornady factory loads and did come up with some pretty neat info.
dialed in the scope for 168gr BTHP shot 5 for 9" group

next the 168gr AMAX printed an 12" group POI was 5" higher than the 168gr BTHP. The Amax group was only 2.5" vertically but 11" horizontally.

last i tried the 178gr BTHP (first time i ever tried it) not sure of the group size cause a couple went over my target but POI was about 8" higher than the AMAX.

here's the range gonna have to work a little to get out over 500.

What gives at the 500yd mark?
I have not been figuring for wind yet but it was a little gusty playing at 500 yds. Does about 7-8 mph wind throw off much at 500 i figured if i aimed at the same spot POI would stay fairly close regardless of wind but could gusts of wind throw POI off that much?
any other thoughts or suggestions?

In the mean time i'm gonna go try this again and see what happens.

 

[Guest]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

Just a few thoughts:

As you will find out: wind, the reading of and allowance for is what separates the men from the boys.

Wind is not always constant in gusts, speed and direction. It will probably also differ in the void between you and your target. I'm not saying the wind is your problem, but it certainly is something you need to acknowledge and learn.

Also, one thing that came to mind. Are you measuring your ranges with that wheel? If so, you may wish to look into a range finder. I remember trying to measure out field plots with those and they were inaccurate as hell much past 100y. I would not be at all surprised if you think you measured out to 500, but where anywhere between 450 and 550.

Equipment wise, are you sure your scope tracks correctly with the larger adjustments. I've had one or two that would do just fine out to the 250 or so, and struggle to get on much past 350 or so. Thus anything after 400 was a wild guess.

Finally, make sure the indian behind the arrow is working properly. I know quite a few guys that I would consider to be good shots at the 100 and 200 yard mark, but put some distance between them and the target, and they start concentrating so hard on that teeny tiny target that their fundamentals go to shit, and they can't make the hits or groups they are theoretically cabable of.


Just some thoughts. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[fastbs]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

thanks for the words of wisdom pointbalnk, i fall into your last paragraph and your first
Do have a rangefinder but it seems to hit blades of grass and crap between me and the target(targets were only 2.5-3 ft off the ground and the grass is only about 5" tall so i'm sure grass isn't the issue) so the wheel was my instrument. Guess i could set something up higher so the range finder could catch it easier and read accuratly.

I havn't cranked on this scope alot just up and down to get on paper. Wind will be next learning experiance.

Here's my 500 yd targets
the box had been shot at before so i circled the groups.
middle is the 168gr BTHP 9" (shot between targets was already there.
left is 168gr amax cranked the scope 4 clicks down from the 168gr BTHP. 12"
right is the 178gr BTHP i cranked the scope down another 4 clicks, it was still way high.

 

[JeffinTX]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

I would say that your rifle likes the 168 amax more than the other two. Good elevation, but lots of spread horizontally from wind. You may try some wind flags to help, especially if you're new to shooting at this distance. Some of the colored plastic survey tape works well as they are easy to see from a distance. It takes time and dedication to learn what you'd see from flags, mirage, and other field changes to correlate that to what it will do to your bullet.
Yes, there is a lot of difference in what the wind will do between 300 and 500-600 yds. I shoot hipower and see that routinely. Thats part of the challenge.

 

[Guest]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

FWIW,

I would invest in a Kestrel wind meter (it need not be the most expensive) I would take mine to every range session (even if I were just shooting AR's, pistols, shotguns, etc.), long walks, and various other places.

I've seen too many people judge the wind in their immediate area and ignore what's happening downrange.

Just spend some time with it and you'll gain a feel for it.

 

[vman]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

My opinion is that those 168gr amax are shooting best in your rifle.

You have very little vertical spread from what I can see, and it looks like wind is what had you all over the place on that target.

Not sure if they are factory loads, or handloads, but whatever they are, from that target I would say its safe to assume that load is producing good accuracy in your rifle.

Now, you need to practice on the wind aspect. It is by far the biggest player in long range shooting.

Get some material on the subject matter, maybe even a book dedicated to just wind and its relation to long range shooting. Also, invest in a kestrel and some wind flags. Place the flags down range and observe how wind can differ in different areas between you and the target.

These is a basic summary of what you need to do

- Determine the wind direction and therefore its value (full value, half value, 7/8 value)
- Determine the wind speed
- Observe flags and modify accordingly

For example, do you know what to do if the wind is gusting at your position but non existant at the target?

What if its calm at your position, but clearly swaying tree branches near your 500 yard target?

These are the sorts of things that once you learn will make you a better shot.

 

[Clark]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

Hunting started for me on Oct 23, but I got there a day early for long range target practice. I used to use a huge target stand, but now I use a small target on a cardboard box up on a hill and start at 100, then 200, and 500 yards.

7mmRemMag Ruger #1, 1.75x6 scope, turret on elevation, Harris bi-pod, sling, 11 pounds of rifle to carry.

180 gr VLD hunting, 70 gr Re22, 3025 fps muzzle, 2321 fps at 500yards.

200 yard zero 6.5 moa elevation adjustment on the turret for 500 yards:

.82" 3 shot group at 100 yards = .8 moa

8) 500y 6.5" high 3.5" right
9) 500y 2.5" high, 7.5" left
10) 500y .5" high 1" right"

That is an 11.7" 3 shot group at 500 yards = 2.2 moa
That big group told me that 500 yards was my outer limit of range.

This the furthest shot I took, at 380 yards.

It seems like every year I find out that my limit is 500 yards.

 

[vman]

Re: new to 500 yd ?

Clark maybe you are just having uninspiring range trips.

I just had one today is thats of any help.