This 500 yd crap is just that, crap. Should you get a shot exactly at 500 yds, just imagine your out hunting and get a 500yd shot. No problem, just use the appropriate gizmo in your scope, hold right on and in theory drop the animal. Good for you. How many shots do you think you'll get at exactly 500yds? What if it's 533 yds and you don't know it? Let's say its 533yds and you know it because of your range finder. So how much hold over with the right 500 yds hash mark in your scope to cover the drop from 500 yds to 533yds? Anybody go that right off the top of their head? Between 500 aand 533 yds, how far will your bullet drop? How about between 458yds and 500yds or maybe 400 and 458 yds? All the gizmos in the world won't help you much at the in between ranges! Practiced sniper's are simply that, well practiced sniper's, damn few hunter's are in that class!
You might notice that bad word holder has showed up with your ultra modern expensive scope. Will your $2000 Night Force tell you what you need at 533 yds?
With todays range finders, quality bullets / powders, ballistics calculators, scopes The shots mentioned above are not hard for guys who practice on regular basis out to those ranges. While BDCs work great if you know your rifle. I wanted more precision and I have slowly moved away from them and either have a custom CDS dial or have my charts handy to dial. I practice to 600 yards on 8" gong and there are times I am 3 for 3 and times 1 for 3. So, I know my limits and obviously conditions in the filed have to taken into consideration.
Guys or gals who only shoot once a year to make sure their rifles is sighted in at 100 yards do not apply to this longer range stuff. And it really is their responsibility to make judgement. Just like it's your call not to make long distance shots.
All of them do something better than the 30-06, but none of them do everything as well.
