Max effective range for the 30-06?

[bchris2146]

I'm planning an elk hunt in about 2 or 3 years. I really like my 30-06 and shoots good out to 300 yds. I've never shot further than that. I have a 300 wby mag. but its heavy and the muzzle brake makes it extremely loud. Can anybody share their max effective range for the 06? Whats the best "elk bullet" for the 06?

 

[bpl]

Just based on energy values and using a well constructed bullet, it looks like a 165 or 180gr bullet from a 30-06 carrys enough energy to 500 yards and beyond. This is using a 1500 ft/lbs floor. Hornady's standard loads, for instance, have over 1800 ft/lbs of energy at 500 yards. The Light Magnum loads have even more.

 

[bpl]

Whether you could or should make a shot at 500 yards is another question, however!

 

[Liberty1776]

personally -- I like the 180 gr Nosler Partition. I used to shoot my Garand in NRA Hi-power competition at 600 yds, but doubt I would try an Elk over 300...

 

[Art Eatman]

Until you've practiced a bit, and have learned to figure the wind, I'd have to say that the '06 is effective farther out than you are. It's much less about the cartridge than it is about the actual location of your hit.

If you're really serious about distances beyond 300 yards, I don't care what cartridge you use: A laser range-finder is the difference between a clean kill and an uh-oh. And knowing the trajectory, of course.

I zero an '06 for 200 yards. That's two inches high at 100 and six inches low at 300. About two feet of drop at 400 and four feet at 500. Interpolate in between. Since the majority of all hunting shots are no more than around 250 yards, it's merely a case of, "Point it and pull; Hell ain't half-full."

 

[skiking]

I wouldn't push the 30-06 past 300 yds for elk. I shoot Nosler Patritions out of my .270 Win, and I shoot Nosler Accubonds out of my .300 Win Mag. If you aren't pushing distances past 300 yds I would go with the Partition.

 

[bpl]

I have to correct myself - looks like Hornady standard loads only carry over 1500 ft/lbs out to 400 yards. The Light Magnum loads do carry 1500 ft/lbs out to 500 yards, however.

 

[bchris2146]

Thanks for the advice friends!

 

[Slamfire]

Can anybody share their max effective range for the 06? Whats the best "elk bullet" for the 06?

I have a friend who hunts with a 308. His max effective range is based on how far he can keep his shots on a dinner plate.

Which is about 300 yards.

He is not interested in spending all day chasing down a wounded animal.

Just because you can shoot over the horizon does not mean you should.

 

[saturno_v]

The Hornady 180 gr. SP Light Magnum out of a 24" pipe carries 1533 ft/lb at 500 yards....

Double Tap Nosler Accubond loads out of a 22" barrel (tested on a Remington 700) at the 500 y mark carry 1656 ft/lb for the 165 gr., 1768 ft/lb for the 180 gr. and 1883 ft/lb (yep, almost 2K!!) for the 200 gr.!!!....yes the good old 30-06....that looks like decent elk energy level to me.