Long Range Pursuit | S3 E16 200 Inch Mule Deer with Mossback

Published on December 18, 2017
Duration: 21:56

This episode of Long Range Pursuit follows Chad on a mule deer hunt in Utah's Pahvant Plateau, guided by Doyle Moss of Mossback Guides. The hunt highlights the challenges of locating and harvesting a large trophy buck, emphasizing the importance of accurate long-range shooting. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a technical demonstration of how altitude, temperature, and shot angle affect ballistic calculations, specifically windage holds, showcasing the advantages of modern rangefinders over fixed turrets.

Quick Summary

Modern rangefinders offer superior accuracy for long-range shooting by calculating ballistic corrections that account for altitude, temperature, and shot angle. This is crucial because these environmental factors significantly alter air density and bullet trajectory, making traditional fixed turrets unreliable outside their calibrated conditions.

Chapters

  1. 00:33Introduction to the Hunt
  2. 00:47Target Buck Description
  3. 01:58Initial Buck Sightings
  4. 04:02First Evening Encounter
  5. 05:09Day Two Morning Search
  6. 06:33The Shot
  7. 07:28Rifle Performance
  8. 07:43Ballistics Demonstration Setup
  9. 08:35Zeroing the Rifle
  10. 10:27High Altitude Shooting Spot
  11. 10:50Windage Correction Test Groups
  12. 13:57Target Analysis
  13. 15:19Importance of Accurate Correction
  14. 18:03The Harvest
  15. 19:10Buck Description & Guide Praise
  16. 20:53Post-Hunt & Credits

Frequently Asked Questions

How do altitude and temperature affect long-range shooting?

Altitude and temperature significantly alter air density. Thinner air at higher altitudes or warmer temperatures reduces air resistance on the bullet, causing it to travel faster and drop less. This necessitates adjustments to windage and elevation holds to maintain accuracy at extended ranges.

What is the advantage of a modern rangefinder for long-range shooting?

Modern rangefinders, like the BR2 mentioned, can calculate precise ballistic corrections by factoring in environmental variables such as altitude, temperature, and shot angle. This provides more accurate windage and elevation solutions than traditional fixed turrets, which are only calibrated for specific conditions.

Why are fixed yardage turrets sometimes inaccurate for long-range shots?

Fixed yardage turrets are typically calibrated for a specific set of environmental conditions (altitude, temperature). When shooting outside these parameters, or at steep angles, the ballistic trajectory of the bullet changes, making the fixed hold inaccurate and potentially leading to misses.

What factors influence windage correction in long-range ballistics?

Windage correction is influenced by the actual wind speed and direction, as well as environmental factors like altitude, temperature (affecting air density), and the angle of the shot. These variables alter the bullet's flight path, requiring precise adjustments for accuracy.

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