If you buy the optics and practice at those ranges you can do it with ease. But to shoot 500 yards you need a good scope with tactical turrets and a range finder that will range a deer at that distance, you will also need a wind meeter. and last but not least a good proven chart and a lot of trigger time. I can hit the base of a pop can almost every time @ 650 yards and if i don't hit it, its within an inch or two. But I shoot almost every day and I compete in long range matches all the time. you have to have the equipment to be constant at those ranges. And believe it or not the rifle is the least important part of the whole deal. if you want to shoot that far you just need to learn what it takes. The 308 is very susceptible to wind, but they all are to a degree. I just don't think the 308 is a good choice for a long range hunting rifle. there are so many others that are better. You wont hardly ever see a 308 in a match anymore because they are so easy for the wind to push around. And they don't pack a god punch way out there. a .308 has about 600 ft.pounds of muzzle energy at 1000 yards, my 6.5-06 AI has about 1150 ft.pounds and way less wind factor. It takes 1000 ft.pounds to constantly kill a deer....... What would you use??????? I'm not bashing the .308 its a good target rifle or a short range rifle. I just know there are way better choices for long range so I'm letting you know what I know. Hope this helps. And for the nay sayers of long range shooting, thats only because of their limits that they say its bad. Most anyone who shoots long range will shoot better at 600 yards than they do at 100 yards. Its all about equipment and time on the trigger. A 200 yard shot would be less ethical for some guy that pulls old Maggie out once a year to go shoot Bambie than an 800 yard shot made by someone who knows what he is doing and well practiced. So dont let the jive get to you. Just learn what you need get it and learn how to use it. practice practice practice.....