Alright guys,
This forum doesn't have this back and forth BS.
Take it somewhere else.
This forum doesn't have this back and forth BS.
Take it somewhere else.
I would think the 30-06 would be sufficient. But long range hunter isn't my thing. That said I think you can get a bit better velocity numbers than what you listed with a little trial error from reloading. 2850 fps with a 180 grain bullet is more than doable with a 24" barrel and the right load if it shoots accurately. Better yet possibly the new Nosler ALR 190 grainers at 2800 even would be a great option as well.
Some long range hunters have used the 180 grain accubond as a go to bullet in their 300 win mag. Launching that bullet at 3000 fps will net you 1375 fps and 755 in energy.
Take a 30-06 shooting the new ALR 190 grainer at 2800 fps and at 1000 yards it will be going 1500+ fps and over 955 ft/lbs of energy. So as you can see even if the BCs are 100% correct, velocity is far from everything when it comes to long range shooting. I've played around with these numbers quite a bit back when I thought I wanted to get into long range hunter. Then I realized I'd rather go hiking than spend my days at the range and other such places trying to get proficient at it. Would just rather have to stalk closer and have perhaps have an animal or two get away during my stalk from 700 yards to sub 300 then put in the time, money, and effort to get good at that.
All that said I think the 30-06 is a great cartridge very capable of long range shots. Yep not as flat as a 300 RUM or 338 Lapua but a very capable cartridge none the less.
Sorry to double up on some of Luke's points, he posted while I was typing. I will mention that I have loaded for a number of 30-06s, and getting to 2800-2850 with 180-plus pills is tough out of a sporter, IME.
Easy with 58-grs of Hunter or 61-62 grs RL22, but you do not have the energy past 600 yards!
Easy with 58-grs of Hunter or 61-62 grs RL22, but you do not have the energy past 600 yards! Most do not (Including me who shoots regularly) have the skill to shoot consistant in a hunting environment to humainly shoot at animals that far. Get closer and quit watching Long Range Pursuit, etc on TV.
Luke that's because your scope only goes to 4 power!
The magnums are the real flavour of the day these days, but I do not know too many that shoot them well, they seem to develop a flinch simply because magnum is stamped on the barrel. At 400 to 500 these flinches completely negate the pro's of the cartridge.
I have a 22" barrelled Rem 700 in 338/06 shooting 200g accubonds at around 2760 using ADI 2209, an Australian powder that you can actually purchase cheaper in the States than I can here, maybe give it a try.
Use a reasonably adequate caliber within its energy and trajectory limits, an appropriate bullet and most of all get that bullet into a vital spot!
I may have been misunderstood so allow me to retort: I would not be posting in the "long range hunting" section of this forum if I thought that long range hunters have issues. I admire long range hunters.
If you look back at the original post you will see that I said that many people will say the .06 lacks sufficient power for elk at 1,000 yds. What I should have said is - if you cant get within 500 yds of an elk with a 30.06 then you have some issues. I am not looking to wound game or be judged as unethical, just looking for the best load for a 30.06 for shots longer than 500 yds. I would never take a 1,000 yard shot by choice, or even a 750 yd shot. But if conditions were perfect and I had the training and it was the only choice, I am looking for the best option to be able to press the envelope for my particular caliber. Its pretty simple if you ask me.
gelton,
You have quoted Hawks a couple of times