Well doesn't that depend on the definition of "long range" and the type of center fire cartridge used?
My dad and my late grandad swore by lever actions in .30-30 and .44-40 respectively. The late gunshop owner (whose sons now run the place), swore by his Ruger semi-auto in .44 magnum, as does another feller I know, with his lever action in .44 magnum..., and they all go for deer at 100 yards or closer. :grin:
I think it was only after WWII and the wide availability of scopes that the range of effectiveness for rifles got beyond 200 yards. I have 20/10 vision in my shootin' eye, and I can't pick out the proper spot on a deer to place a shot using open iron sights, beyond 200 yards. :hmm: I prefer to get the deer into under 100 yards as that's where my rifle is sighted in.
How many folks have access to properly measured shooting ranges that go more than 100 yards? They are pretty rare here in the PRoMd.
LD