Sheep Shot Distances

[Brambles]

Just in the process of setting up some rifles and I have a question for the more seasoned sheep hunters.

What shot distances have you taken your rams, or lined up to shoot and either they weren't legal or something else happened?

Its a private poll so no names are attached to the votes so be honest.

Also let us know what power scope you guys are using

Thanks

Brambles

[sheep.elk.moose fanatic]

only shot one and under a hundred yards ....Boone and Crockett Leopold

[kootenayelkslayer]

I've only shot at one sheep personally (330 yards...initially). But I can say that the majority of sheep I've been on are under 300 yards, several around 350, and only ever let one guy shoot over 400. Plenty have been taken under 150 yards, including several archery sheep. I know of a few 'long-range specialists' that have taken sheep with us at over 600 yards.
So to some it up...pretty much every range possible.

Are you making a 3lb gun for an upcoming sheep hunt?? :D

[Gilmore]

Only one kill shot and it was ranged at 415 yds, but I also missed on 2 different occasions at less the 225 yds. I think the area and species of sheep you are going to be hunting may affect the poll.

Edit: 3-9x40 Leupold.

[325]

I shot mine at 30 yards, my partner shot his at about 85 yards.

[kayjayess]

90 yrds. Leopold 3-9 x 50mm

[Bighorn hunter]

45yrd stone. 250 Cali. 187 rocky. And 160 cali

4.5-14 Leopold vx3

[stoneguide]

Been on 40 or so sheep kills and most have been 200yrds or less. A couple around 300-350yrds. And only 1 over 400yrds.
SG

[Sitkaspruce]

Most of my mountain animals have been between 200-250, give or take a few.

Sen more animals missed at 100-150 than over 300....buck fever when they see the hunter and are watching what they are doing......?

Scope, old B&L Elite 3000 3x9x40.

What guns are you setting up now???

Cheers

SS

[bighornbob]

Bighorn at about 40 yards
Cali at about 130 yards.

Had a group of Cali's in my cross hairs at about 350-400 yards across the Fraser (inch too short)
Four bighorns at about spences at about 50 yards (inch too short).
Two bighorns in the timber at spences, one at about 50 yards. Called the other one into <15 yards (both a inch too short).
Another bighorn in the timber in the koots <10 yards. (could not tell legality before het took off).
2 Groups of Stones, both about 200 yards

As you can see it really varies on distance depending if you are hunting in around timber or wide open places.

I use a Leupold VIII 3.5-10. I like it that you can turn it down if hunting in the timber or crank it up if in open country. It is a 40mm objective. If you were solely looking for a sheep scope you could easily get by with a 36mm or a 33mm (I think) on one of the light weight scopes. You dont need the large objective for light gathering as all the rams I have been close too are always at least an hour from sunrise or sunset.

Look for one with a varible magnification and a smaller objective, if its going to be used only for a sheep gun.

BHB

[guest]

In their Beds at 30 yards, Vari X 111 Leupold 3.5 to 10. 300 Win Mag.

CT

[Brambles]

I've only shot at one sheep personally (330 yards...initially). But I can say that the majority of sheep I've been on are under 300 yards, several around 350, and only ever let one guy shoot over 400. Plenty have been taken under 150 yards, including several archery sheep. I know of a few 'long-range specialists' that have taken sheep with us at over 600 yards.
So to some it up...pretty much every range possible.

Are you making a 3lb gun for an upcoming sheep hunt?? :D

OH I think 3lbs might be tough..:twisted:...JUST sold the Little Titanium today....... I finally weighted it naked on a digital scale today and it was 4lbs 3 ounces. Stock weighted 12.2 ounces. I'm really sad to see it go thats for sure, but it pays so I can plays.

[d6dan]

Only one sheep. Leupold VII 3x9

[Alpine Addict]

was on a kill at 484 yrds. That being said, he put a bullet through the horn.

[Brambles]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, keep em coming, it really important information for guys who like to build lightweight rifles, really defines the boundry's of whats important and what isn't.

I often hear sheep hunters not wanting to pack a big magnum on trips because of weight and recoil and the only reason they do is for grizz protection and guys that pack the short action standard cartridges like 7mm-08 , 260 and even a 270 win feel a little under gunned when it comes to grizz defence.

I got some idea's and I'm gonna run some numbers

[snareman1234]

Bighorn at about 40 yards
Cali at about 130 yards.

Had a group of Cali's in my cross hairs at about 350-400 yards across the Fraser (inch too short)
Four bighorns at about spences at about 50 yards (inch too short).
Two bighorns in the timber at spences, one at about 50 yards. Called the other one into <15 yards (both a inch too short).
Another bighorn in the timber in the koots <10 yards. (could not tell legality before het took off).
2 Groups of Stones, both about 200 yards

As you can see it really varies on distance depending if you are hunting in around timber or wide open places.

I use a Leupold VIII 3.5-10. I like it that you can turn it down if hunting in the timber or crank it up if in open country. It is a 40mm objective. If you were solely looking for a sheep scope you could easily get by with a 36mm or a 33mm (I think) on one of the light weight scopes. You dont need the large objective for light gathering as all the rams I have been close too are always at least an hour from sunrise or sunset.

Look for one with a varible magnification and a smaller objective, if its going to be used only for a sheep gun.

BHB

Seems like an inch too short is a common problem in your life... ;)

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Rocky was ~340 and windy (ranged later on)
Cali was ~225 uphill
Stone was 211 VERY steep downhill shot
BCrams 2010 Stone was ~330.

Scope is 3x9 VariXII

SSS

[kevan]

This is a very excellent thread and quite informative.
Virtually all contributors use a variable, what would everyone think of a fixed-power scope.... say a 6x40 or 42 for instance ?
Good idea or bad ?

[gerrygoat]

My only one, a Stone at around 125 yards 3.5-10x40 Leupold. These days I might want a fixed 6X instead.

[Rattler]

My one and only ram was shot at 375 yards (Slope distance) on a very steep downhill shot. I would estimate the horizontal around 320yards. Used 270 with a fixed 6X Leupold.

[fireguy]

Stone 25 yards
Stone 300 yards
Cali 100 yards
All with 300 win mag with leupold 3 x 9

[olharley guy]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, keep em coming, it really important information for guys who like to build lightweight rifles, really defines the boundry's of whats important and what isn't.

I often hear sheep hunters not wanting to pack a big magnum on trips because of weight and recoil and the only reason they do is for grizz protection and guys that pack the short action standard cartridges like 7mm-08 , 260 and even a 270 win feel a little under gunned when it comes to grizz defence.

I got some idea's and I'm gonna run some numbers


Howdy, count me in on the Grizzly scene when sheep hunting unless it was at Spences Bridge area. LOL Happened once-big mistake on my part but got lucky at about 20'0 ft.

300 Winchester Mag. Now a 1.5 x 4.5 scope - was a 4x12 power that just about made us into mincemeat.

5 - Stone/Fannin all under 75 yds.
1- Dall

Later

[porcupine]

Approximatley 200 yards - no range finder - Leupold VariX III 3x9 scope, 338 win mag, 225 trophy bonded bullets

[bcmulie]

I'm not sure what to vote on this poll. I've shot 3 sheep, at 100 yards, 333 yards and 325 yards. I was also there when my dad shot his ram at about 50 yards. So the average is just over 200 yards, although none of the rams was shot at anything close to that...

bcmulie

[Brambles]

I'm not sure what to vote on this poll. I've shot 3 sheep, at 100 yards, 333 yards and 325 yards. I was also there when my dad shot his ram at about 50 yards. So the average is just over 200 yards, although none of the rams was shot at anything close to that...

bcmulie


Vote 4 times please, thats the only way we can get accurate numbers

[fireguy]

Vote 4 times please, thats the only way we can get accurate numbers

I tried to vote 3 times but it only allows for one vote so I have one at 0-100 yards in for a vote. I guess if I was counting I would have a few spotted and not shot in the 200-300 yard range as well.

[bridger]

The rams I have taken were at various ranges---from 50 ft too just over 600 yards. Hunting stones on the east slope most times you can get a shot under two hundred yards using a little patience. In my view the choice of calibre and scope are not as important as being able to maintain your cool when you are about to shoot and being able to make tough shots at extreme angles or in windy conditions. A good range finder is important also as judging distance in the mountains can be a challenge

[Hunt'n Guide]

All the rams that I've been involved in have been in the 45 to 450 yard range. Mostly between 100 and 200. The couple of longer (400+) shots in the bunch started out as about 350 or less but the rams moved away instead of closer before the client could get a shot that was acceptable.

[Brambles]

I tried to vote 3 times but it only allows for one vote so I have one at 0-100 yards in for a vote. I guess if I was counting I would have a few spotted and not shot in the 200-300 yard range as well.

That sucks, could have sworn I put it on multiple choices...maybe if you go in and out of the thread it might let you submit again.

[Brambles]

nope that didn't work.....ah shit

[mfarrally]

420 for stone and 415 for my dall. Sometimes ya just can't get any closer. I was shooting a tikka t3 in 270 wsm with a bushell 6500 on it. Sure helps having someone watching through a spotting scope at that distance.