An accurate, flat-shooting rifle and a good optical sight are essential for making long shots. With the aid of an accurate .300 WSM, 180-grain AccuBond and a good ranging reticle, Greg dropped this fine B.C. billy with a single shot from 602 yards.

Few topics stir up as much controversy among hunters as shooting big-game animals at “long range.” What constitutes “long” varies widely. Some consider anything over 200 yards to be way out there, while others may not bat an eye at anything shy of 400 yards. In my opinion, the variables are too many to reduce the subject to a few absolutes.

Before I go any further, let me digress for a paragraph to say this: You should never shoot farther than you feel absolutely comfortable and confident shooting. Whether it’s 100 or 500 yards, if you aren’t confident of where that bullet is going to go when you squeeze the trigger, don’t squeeze it. A bad hit on a target is one thing, but a wounded and lost animal is inexcusable. Along those lines, refrain from taking long shots, no matter how skilled you are, if you can possibly get closer.

Accurate, long-range shooting requires a good skill-set and the right equipment. For the best results, mix a skilled shooter with an accurate, flat-shooting rifle; quality ammunition; and a quality optic, preferably one with a ranging reticle or target turrets.

Most hunters have different definitions of accuracy. For some, 1.5 inches is plenty good, whereas others are happy with a gun that keeps ‘em in a pie plate at 100. But those who plan to hunt where shots are long should not consider a gun that doesn’t shoot well-under 1 inch at 100 yards. My own requirement is 1/2 MOA or better for a true long-range rig.

A good trigger and a comfortable, stable stock that fits are “musts” on any long-range rig. A bolt-action repeater with a medium-weight barrel of 23 to 26 inches is ideal. Shorter barrels handle great but give up too much in the velocity department with the magnum cartridges I prefer; more than 26 inches is too much of a good thing. One reason I like the WSM cartridges so much is that I can get pretty close to maximum velocity with an easy-handling 23-inch tube.

A long-range hunting rig should be chambered for a cartridge that retains enough energy--1200 ft-lbs is the generally accepted minimum--to do the job at the shooter’s self-imposed maximum range and have a flat enough trajectory to help take some of the guess work out of figuring elevation holds. Though I am a huge fan of the .257 Weatherby for deer and pronghorns at long range, the increased energy and wind-bucking abilities of the .30-caliber magnums make them great choices.

A quality bullet that will perform as designed at a wide range of impact velocities is also essential. Match your bullet to the game and cartridge. It should be tough enough to withstand a close-range impact with a meaty shoulder at magnum velocities but still open up way out there. Hornady’s InterBond, Nosler’s AccuBond, Swift’s Scirocco II, Barnes’s Triple-Shock, Winchester’s XP3, and Federal’s new tipped Trophy Bonded are all excellent choices for big game.

Heavy-for-caliber bullets, regardless of the game you’re hunting, are also a must. They buck the wind better, retain more energy, and actually shoot flatter at extreme range than lighter pills of the same design.