Mule Deer,Body Height, for Sighting In,No Range Finder

[dancermatt]

My son and I were successful drawing a tag for the very first time and you all know how exceited we are. We'll be hunting area 10/late. We can't affored a range finder and want to start practicing with our 7mm rifles on home made targets that are close to the body height of an "average size" nevada mule deer. My plan is for us to practice range finding using our scope reticle to judge distance. I've had some correspondence with some of you last yaer and would appreciate your help and/or advice. We plan on driving as far as we can and then back packing in 2 to 4 hrs tops for this first hunt. Stalk and Glass throughout the day and then going back to base camp. We're a little uneasy about backpacking in and staying in the mountians overnight. We will be prepared to stay overnight with day packs. Any help public or private would be appreciated. I want so much to get my boy his first deer. Thanks, Matt

 

[two7D]

I've always heard that from the bottom of the chest to the top of the back measures 18". Last year I took some measurements on some dead deer and found that on average a 1.5-2.5 yo deer has a chest depth of approx 16" a slightly older 'medium' sized deer will have a chest that is 17" deep and a mature buck will have approx an 18" chest. Of course deer size will vary depending on where they come from. I hope this helps.

 

[bucktaxi]

two7d is pretty accurate in his measurements. A skinned mature buck will generally measure 17" top of back to bottom of brisket. They will look bigger with hair though, especially long hair.

 

[dancermatt]

That's great you guys. I'll make my practice dear 18" to take in acount the look of the dear with hair as you mentioned. It will make for good practice getting to know our rifles that much better. If I can find a good used range finder between now and then, I may get it since it's so important. I realy appreciate the input fellas. Matt

 

[Edpre]

When is your hunt?

edpre

 

[JACO]

To be honest, I don't think you need to worry about range, unless you are shooting really far (500+ yards) in which case I would recommend getting closer. 7mm is a flat shooting gun, that's what I use for deer and elk. If you think it is over 300 yards, just put your crosshairs higher up it's back. Some target practice at your "close to the body height of an 'average size' nevada mule deer" targets at long yardages will help you get a feel for how much the bullet is going to drop.

That is my advice, take it if you want it. To be a successful hunter does not require having all the latest technology and top of the line equipment, despite what the hunting magazines and DVDs want us all to believe. There is no substitute for knowing the capabilities and limitations of your weapon. Good luck on your hunt!

Nocked N Loaded

 

[dancermatt]

Jaco, you're right about knowing your weapon/equipment well and we will be practicing est. yardage and shooting up and down hill and with cross winds. We're doing a lot of study of deer migration and habits and will be focusing our efforts in and around the Harrison pass areas noth and south of there. What make and grain bullet would you recomend?

 

[dancermatt]

We have the late hunt and we're going late Oct to end of season. Focusing on Harrison Pass area, north and south of there depending on weather pattern that week. Any ideas? Matt

 

[Igottabigone]

+1 on what Jaco said. The 7mm is a very flat shooting gun. To give you a start, I would recommend a 150gr. bullet. Nosler Partitions, Ballistic Tips, and even Core loks are very good. Sight your gun in at 25 yards and then you should be zeroed at about 300 yards. Your bullet will only rise 6 inches at most within the 300 yards and only fall about a foot at 400 yards. These numbers are only ballpark. There are some good ballistic calculators on the web that will help alot. A 400 yard shot is long shot for most hunters whether they admit it or not. Anyway, if your 7mm is zeroed for 300 just put the cross hair on the critter and don't worry about the other stuff.

 

[slobow]

Just a reminder that some shots across steep canyons look farther than they really are. I know you said purchasing a range finder is out of the question but they can be found on your local craigslist or ebay used for fractions what they cost new. Lastly, if you both don't feel comfortable 4 plus hours from the trailhead go prepared especially if this is your sons first time. Good luck.

 

[NotNew]

Use 18" as you already know.
You need a dead solid rest and a broadside not moving deer and about 30 seconds to use the reticle for range finding but it works great.

Make sure you set it up for your maximum magnification on your scope.

The method I use is I put the scope on maximum power then start walking away from the target. When I get to where the 18" target fits perfectly in the reticle, either half or full reticle depending on your scopes maginification, which ever suits my needs better, then I write down the yardage. I try to set it up somewhere between 250 to 300.
Then I sight in dead on for that yardage.
Then in the field if the animal is smaller than the reticle he is farther away than my sighted in distance so I hold over an appropriate amount.
If he is larger then he is closer and I can hold dead on or low if necessary.

 

[JACO]

I use 140 gr Core Lokt ammunition and sight it in so that it is hitting 1-2 inches high at 100 yards.

Nocked N Loaded

 

[dancermatt]

Jaco, Notnew, Slobow, and Igottabigbone...thanks you guys for all the great suggestions. You're not going to believe this but there is a well known member on this sight who is mailing me a range finder to use! I don't know who this person is but his trust and kindness is unbelievable. We're going to still practice as though we don't have a range finder to get to know our rifles better as far as windage, up or down hill scenarios. You guys gave me some great ideas and I realy appreciate it. Since were going last week of Oct and will be in higher elev. we're probably not going to venture too far from truck 1/4 to 2-3 miles off roads depending on weather patern. My 2200sq.in. back pack will be set up for over night stay just in case of emergency. Food,Water,Shelter,SPOT,TV,DVD,Xbox...LOL, Matt