[TheSollyLama]

I'll stir the pot.

Every basic trainee in the Army shoots to 300 meters with nothing but peep sights. These basic training guns are the worst guns the army has- often shot out, beat up, one step from the scrap heap. I did basic in 1991 with an A1 model that was probably as old as me and rattled like a can of nails.

Now I grant that the E-Type target is far larger top to bottom that the vital area on even an elk. So I am conceding that.
However remember these guns are crap, loaded with cheap, mass produced ammo, and shot with peep sights, not a 12x magnification that shows the ticks on an elk's hide at half a click.

So I find it hard to believe people consider 300 yards/meters a long shot. On a sandbag and prone unsupported a crappy old M16A1 did that easily with peep sights.

Another thing I concede- it's easy to kill people, elk are tougher, yes. But I think you all get my point.

Having said that- I try to stalk closer if possible. Killed a deer with an SKS with cheap russian ammo standing off hand at 200 meters, dead when he hit the ground.
I also have limited mobility so if I can shoot something one hill farther away, that is one hill less for me to try to stalk over. So I actually prefer a longer shot. Beats stumbling around the woods on bad knees.

Just picked up a .257 Wby Mag Vanguard Deluxe that I got specifically for it's long range capability. I'm an experienced shooter comfortable with extended shooting.

It's just that in my experience with deer, I just run into them at closer ranges. But I'm looking forward to some pronghorn hunting next season, where long shots are the norm.