400-500 yards max i would say ....and yea, it would be for hunting out west, or just seeing how many chunks i can blow out of coyotes...i definitely plan to go hunting out west once im out of school though, so ide like to get a gun for it....wont be purchasing for awhile since i just bought my new .17hmr, but just researching options....ive been leaning towards .30-06, but you guys know more than i do