Mastering Long Range Hunting: Techniques and Equipment Essentials

Looking to up your hunting game?

Long range hunting is one of the most difficult and satisfying skills to develop. However,

Most hunters think they are more long range ready than they actually are.

The ability to make shots at 300, 500, or 800 yards involves more than just buying a fancy rifle and scope. The techniques, the ballistics, the equipment, and everything else must come together properly to make ethical long range shots. When they don't you end up blowing chances or worse…wounding animals.

Thankfully with a proper approach to long range shooting for beginners, you can develop the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently make ethical shots at long ranges.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Equipment you need for long range success

• Techniques that work from the field

• Basic ballistics to figure out what is happening to your bullet

• Practice techniques that build useful long range skills

The Importance of Long Range Hunting

Long range hunting opens up opportunities that you simply can't get with traditional hunting techniques.

Pressure from hunters in more accessible places causes game to move to less popular terrain or force them to be more wary. The ability to make accurate shots at 300, 500, or 800 yards opens up a whole new set of animals you have a chance at.

But what many people don't realize…

Long range hunting makes you a better hunter overall. The accuracy necessary to make long shots forces you to understand and maintain your equipment, practice your skills, and become a better decision maker in the field.

Interestingly, even with all the hype over long range capabilities, 45% of big game animals are still taken at less than 100 yards. This doesn't mean long range skills aren't valuable, it just means that having the skills is always an advantage no matter the situation.

Equipment for Long Range Success

The first building block for long range hunting is having the right equipment. You won't make repeatable long shots with average equipment.

The Rifle Platform

Your rifle is the foundation of your long range setup. Modern hunting rifles need to be capable of consistent sub-MOA accuracy to be effective at longer ranges.

Here are the most important aspects of the rifle:

• Action type: Bolt-action generally provide best accuracy

• Barrel quality: A good barrel is required for precision work

• Stock design: Should provide consistent cheek weld and solid platform

Seekins, Browning, and custom builders all have popular long range hunting rifles. The most important part is finding a rifle that consistently shoots 1 MOA or better with the ammunition you like to shoot.

Remember, a 1 MOA rifle can reliably hit an 8 inch target at 800 yards but only if the other aspects are dialed in.

Optics That Matter

You might be surprised to know your scope is more important than your rifle when it comes to long range hunting success.

An average rifle with high end optics will consistently outperform a high end rifle with an average scope. Long range hunting demands clear glass, precise tracking, and a wide enough magnification range.

Here are the features to look for in optics:

• Variable magnification (3-15x or 4-16x is common)

• First focal plane reticles with ranging capability

• Reliable tracking and return-to-zero

• Good glass that performs in low light

Don't skimp on rings and bases either. The best scope in the world is useless if it is not properly mounted.

Long Range Techniques You Can Master

Having the proper equipment won't make you a long range hunter. To be successful you must also master key techniques that work in the field.

Creating a Stable Shooting Platform

Accuracy at long range starts with stability. Every little movement is magnified at longer ranges so your shooting position must be rock solid.

These are the fundamentals:

• Bipods: Provide consistent front support

• Rear support: Use pack or rear bag for stability

• Body position: Natural point of aim is critical

• Breathing: Shoot at your natural respiratory pause

Most hunters drastically underestimate the importance of these fundamentals. You can have the most accurate rifle ever built, but without a proper foundation you'll struggle to hit targets past 300 yards.

Knowing Your Ballistics

Long range shooting is applied physics. You must know how your bullet performs at different ranges and in different conditions.

Ballistic factors to know include:

• Bullet drop at various distances

• Wind drift and crosswind effects

• Velocity decay over distance

• Environmental factors that affect trajectory

It is easy to get overwhelmed with these concepts. Keep it simple -- start by knowing your bullet drop at common hunting ranges, then gradually expand your knowledge.

Environmental Factors Affecting Long Range Shots

Weather conditions have a bigger impact on long range shooting than most hunters realize. Small changes in weather can turn a good setup into a miss.

Wind Reading Skills

Wind is the biggest enemy of the long range hunter. Even expert shooters struggle to deal with wind estimation and for a good reason…wind is constantly changing.

Wind can move your bullets more than you think:

A 10 mph crosswind will push a bullet several inches at 400 yards. At 600 yards, that same wind can cause over a foot of error.

Learning to read wind takes time and practice. Practice using environmental clues such as grass movement, tree sway, and heat mirage to gauge wind speed and direction.

Temperature and Altitude

Temperature and altitude also play a role in bullet trajectory that most hunters don't understand.

Cold air increases bullet drop due to a change in how your powder burns. Altitude makes the air thinner, which can increase velocity and alter your point of impact.

Minor details to most hunters, but at long range small details make the difference between success and failure.

Practice Techniques That Will Help

Time on the range is important, but practicing the wrong way will not improve your hunting. There are better ways to practice.

Training at Increasing Distances

Start at close range and work your way out. Many hunters immediately start practicing at 500+ yards without perfecting shorter ranges first.

Training should be as follows:

1. Perfect your 100 yard zero and fundamentals

2. Extend to 200 yards and verify bullet drops

3. Move to 300 yards and work on wind reading

4. Gradually extend to your maximum hunting distance

Don't rush the process. You will learn something at each stage that you can take with you to the next level.

Practice Scenarios from the Field

Range practice at a bench will not prepare you for hunting. Shooting from a field rest is required.

Set up targets and practice scenarios that mimic hunting situations such as awkward angles, time pressure, and sub-optimal positions. This is what most hunters fail on when it counts.

Making Sure Your Long Range Shots Are Ethical

Long range hunting also comes with more responsibility. You need to know your limits and never hunt outside of them.

Ask yourself these questions before a long shot:

• Can you consistently hit a 6 inch target at this range?

• Do you have a solid rest and stable position?

• Are the wind conditions within your level of skill?

• Do you have a good understanding of where the vitals are on the animal?

If you can't answer yes to all of these questions, get closer or pass on the shot.

Statistics say 41% of hunters harvest at least one deer per season. With the right long range skills, your odds can be much higher but only if you practice regularly and hunt within your ability.

Final Thoughts

Long range hunting is the ultimate challenge for hunters who take their skills seriously. It requires technical knowledge, quality equipment, frequent practice, and good judgment.

It is also highly rewarding:

• Access to game that other hunters can't reach

• Improved overall shooting and hunting skills

• Greater success rates in tough hunting scenarios

• Personal satisfaction from mastering a difficult skill

Becoming good at long range hunting is a process that takes time. Start with the basics, invest in quality equipment, practice regularly, and always hunt within your proven abilities.

The combination of proper technique and equipment will change you from a hunter who hopes for a close shot to a hunter who is prepared for every ethical opportunity the field offers.