falldowngoboom Clark, what kind of accuracy are you getting that lets you shoot out to 500 yards?
I have a ballistic chart from Quickload that is based on being zeroed at 200 yards. That means I need to be 1.5" high at 100 yards.
If I set up my car hood at 100 yards and get it right on 1.5" high, then when I back up to 500 yards the group is all close enough to the point of aim that I know I can hit deer in the forward 1/3 of the body, in a broadside shot.
This year I took 7 shots and killed 5 deer:
1) 350 yard doe broadside with 8mph wind in her face. I aimed straight for the forward 1/3 of the body with no wind compensation. I hit high and in the middle. It was a bang flop liver shot.
2) 400 yard doe broadside with 13 mph wind at her rear. I aimed straight for the forward 1/3 of the body with no wind compensation. It was a clean miss, but she pulled up her head and looked at me.
3) I fired again, at the middle of the body, and hit the very front and low. It was a heart shot, and she ran 50 feet with no heart.
4) 350 yard 1x2 buck broadside with no wind. I shot for the front 1/3 and got both lungs. It was bang flop.
5) 350 yard 13x4 buck broadside with no wind. I shot for the front 1/3 and got both lungs. He rand 50 feet.
6) 510 yard doe broadside with little wind. I shot for the front 1/3. She went down with all 4 feet up in the air. I started walking and did not look for another shot. All I found was hair and blood and the starting point, and a blood trail the faded out. I gave up after a few hours search.
7) 350 yard doe broadside with no wind. I shot for the front 1/3 and hit the brain. I can't tell if it was bang flop or run 50 feet. It was just getting light and my bi pod was not long enough for the shot.