Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting ?

Are there many using the 30-06 for long range hunting ( elk )? My comfort is 600yards. But would think it should be capable of further. No???







Take care, Willie

601?

600 1/2?

With the right setup, little doubt about it. Lots of doubt about my ability, and no interest whatsoever in shooting at game at such a distance, even if such opportunities presented themselves here, which they don't.

Any big game animal that far away is none of my business.

If memory serves, some western states suggest a minimum of 1500 F.P.E. as a guideline for elk. Run the numbers with your bullet/velocity. Will give you a ball park for distance with your 06. Then practice.

I don’t go by energy, I usually use velocity (1,800 fps is a common velocity prescription to deform most soft nose hunting bullets) to determine if the bullet is going to have sufficient speed to deform the bullet into a mushroom on impact. I just ran a number through my little ballistics calculator and it returned that at an elevation of 5,500 ft above sea level and 40deg F, a 178gr Hornady ELDx launched at 2,780 fps should be above 1,800 fps out past 700 yards. So I would say, yes, a 30-06 is adequate for killing an elk at 600 yards providing that you’re using a similar BC bullet and getting a similar muzzle velocity.

Cross

This^

Yup, it is important to try to stay in the performance envelope the manufacturer recommends for proper expansion....

Thanks, I've been reloading for almost 20 years. And started the topic more for conversation. Wondering how many dedicated guys continue to use the ole work horse. Being so many get wound up in the latest greatest.





Take care, Willie

Would you lung-shoot an elk at 150yds with 170gr factory cup/cores from a 30-30? Impact speed is around 1,600fps. I imagine most would take that shot. A well-tailored 30-06 load should be capable of delivering that kind of performance at 600.

when i was learning to hunt, i started with a 8x57 sporter. talking to the old hands in the family, most of whom used 30-30s and like (one renagade with a m-99 300 sav)
i asked about holdover on long shots. the answer was that if you had to figure trajectory, you were too far away.

eastern woods hunting.

Interesting point JPro. I stopped hunting with a 30-30 35 years ago so I’ve never looked at the ballistics on it but you’re absolutely right. As a kid, I wasn’t concerned with the down range energy of my 30-30 and I would definitely have taken a shot at an elk or deer at 150 yards. I guess I still might if I found myself afield with a 30-30 but I’ll probably just stick with something bigger.

Thanks for your comment.

Cross