WisBorn
Contributing Member
I'm surprised that the wind drift wasn't a little more.
Thanks for the info. I don't know if I will ever make it elk hunting with a rifle (I use a camera now). If I do it will be with my 7rm!
Upgrade from 30-06 or use what I have
- Thread starter sabbfan
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Thanks for the info. I don't know if I will ever make it elk hunting with a rifle (I use a camera now). If I do it will be with my 7rm!
This is one of the reasons I mainly stuck with the 30-06. The variety of bullets this caliber will accommodate is extensive. I had a barrel made about 30 years ago with a 1/12 twist that I could interchange with the factory 1:10 twist. The 1:12 twist allowed me to shoot the lighter calibers more accurately at over 3000 fps and using a 26" barrel for me was key to getting maximum velocities with either light or heavy bullets. Also it was easy to exchange barrels being that it is a Savage. Nowadays factory 30-06 rifles come with 22" barrels, I personally would order another barrel at 26" adding almost 25 fps to 50 fps per inch in velocity.
citizenconn
Member
I think the .30/06 is plenty adequate for elk to 500 yds with the rifle bullet. But I see a lot of shooters who are not.
Now I will always agree that yes, getting another rifle is the correct answer! A couple of years ago when I was looking at .30 cal magnums I decided on the .300 PRC over the .300 Win Mag as well as the other .30 cal magnums. The PRC is a more efficient case design, can use heavier bullets than traditionally designed .300 WM barrels and is easier to handload for. I was not already invested in dies and brass for the .300 WM either so it was an easy choice for me.
I also picked up a couple 6.5 PRC rifles and that round is a good option for elk and is much easier on the shoulder than the .300 PRC or .300 WM. You can probably find it in a lighter rifle as well.
I don't have a 7 PRC yet simply because my rifle makers of choice don't built a model I like.
I think the 6.8 Western is also a good choice, possibly better than the 6.5 PRC with heavier bullets available, but again my rifle makers of choice do not build for it yet and I doubt they ever will. There are a number of manufacturers who say they are not interested in getting into the 6.8 Western business.
I would also look at a .300 WSM as an alternative to the .300 WM. Good luck hunting for both rifles and elk. As someone above answered, .30/06 is never the wrong answer.
Now I will always agree that yes, getting another rifle is the correct answer! A couple of years ago when I was looking at .30 cal magnums I decided on the .300 PRC over the .300 Win Mag as well as the other .30 cal magnums. The PRC is a more efficient case design, can use heavier bullets than traditionally designed .300 WM barrels and is easier to handload for. I was not already invested in dies and brass for the .300 WM either so it was an easy choice for me.
I also picked up a couple 6.5 PRC rifles and that round is a good option for elk and is much easier on the shoulder than the .300 PRC or .300 WM. You can probably find it in a lighter rifle as well.
I don't have a 7 PRC yet simply because my rifle makers of choice don't built a model I like.
I think the 6.8 Western is also a good choice, possibly better than the 6.5 PRC with heavier bullets available, but again my rifle makers of choice do not build for it yet and I doubt they ever will. There are a number of manufacturers who say they are not interested in getting into the 6.8 Western business.
I would also look at a .300 WSM as an alternative to the .300 WM. Good luck hunting for both rifles and elk. As someone above answered, .30/06 is never the wrong answer.
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Vern Humphrey
Member
What you're doing here is planning next year's hunt. You don't need a new rifle, you need a new PLAN.
Sit and think: Where did those elk come from? Where were they going? How can you get there next year BEFORE they get there?
Answer those questions, and you'll have your elk next year.
Sit and think: Where did those elk come from? Where were they going? How can you get there next year BEFORE they get there?
Answer those questions, and you'll have your elk next year.
Crosshair
Member
I'd keep the 06 and spend the money on ammo and, if needed, upgrading your scope.
Maybe you should consider a Laser Rangefinder that you can insert the information for your cartridge, so it reads "hold-off" directly when you laser a critter.
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,371
I think the prospective long-range hunter would be far better off spending the money on a good long range riflery school than on fancy new equipment.
illinoisburt
Member
I am an enabler of outdoor sports and certainly not one to discourage new equipment. Regardless whether you get a new rifle or not, shooting at 500+ yards in the field is going to require a lot of practice. Spend the money on good glass and rangefinder whichever way you decide then get plenty of shooting until you feel confident with a cold bore. Don't let folks tell you 30-06 doesn't have sufficient umph to get the job done.
Roverguy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2021
- Messages
- 891
I wouldn’t shoot an elk at 500 yards with anything because I don’t think that I’m a good enough marksman to ethically make such a shot. But if I were, I would happily use the 30-06. Classic elk round. Very effective. 500 yards well within its abilities. It’s my go to elk cartridge and remains a very popular one among Colorado elk hunters.
Stick with .30-06. Just upgrade the rifle, either better glass, a chassis, or barrel. But practice with it often, out to the ranges you plan on hunting with it. Get yourself dialed in to know where your bullet drop will be and how it will react to the wind. Least then it will be less guess work while hunting.
citizenconn
Member
I agree with you to a point but I recently looked into one of these classes here in Texas as a possible birthday gift for my father, and I about choked on my buffalo jerky when I saw the cost.
Long range shooting is not rocket science (well maybe some of the math is), and unless one really just wants to take one of these classes there are several good books available on the subject and lots of good online sources as well including instructional videos. Probably the biggest obstacle for a lot of folks will be finding a range where they can shoot to extended ranges to put the theory they learn into practice.
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Captcurt
Member
I am in Hunter's corner.
If the rifle and scope will group good at 500 I would use it. Knowing the bullet drop at different yardage and using a good rangefinder will work just as well as a super mag. Maybe better because of less recoil.
If the rifle and scope will group good at 500 I would use it. Knowing the bullet drop at different yardage and using a good rangefinder will work just as well as a super mag. Maybe better because of less recoil.
Not gonna argue that!
The proper equipment (rangefinder, optics with decent turrets or graduated reticles, field deployable and expedient rests, good notes (mental or otherwise) on drop/drift etc.) and practice, especially practice shooting in the wind from field positions, make for both confidence and a healthy respect for what's possible and what's probable.
I will say that for a given caliber, the same bullet driven faster hits harder and does more damage up to the point where penetration becomes more limited.
A heavier bullet driven at the same speed penetrates farther and gives you more weight to shed.
If you can get both (Staying with the 30 cals, the magnums can) you increase your wounding potential.
Is it necessary? Hopefully not, but it might be.
The same can be said for rounds that offer higher BC bullets of the same weight, at about the same velocity. Will those few inches less drift matter? Hopefully not, but if they do matter they will likely really matter.
Now is that worth dealing with more gun weight, a muzzle brake, or increased recoil? That's really dependent on the shooter.
redneck2
Member
Suppose you are involved in PRS type games. You need to hit basketball sized steel plates at unknown distances out to 500 yards. The plates are thick steel and must be knocked over. AFAIK, guys that shoot these matches don’t typically pick .30-06. They shoot 6.5’s or 7’s, sometimes.30’s with heavy for caliber bullets.
I have a BPCR in .45-90 set up for 1,000 yard contests. But it sure wouldn’t be my first choice if precision was required
I have a BPCR in .45-90 set up for 1,000 yard contests. But it sure wouldn’t be my first choice if precision was required
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Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I would keep the rifle you already have and buy a set of shooting sticks. Practice with them at the range until you can hold a pie plate at 500 yards. That should do the trick. If you are looking for an excuse to buy another gun you have it but I am a fan of using what you have. 30-06 is more than capable of taking elk at that distance.
Skeptic13
Member
No matter which cartridge you choose to go with taking an effective shot on an elk at 500 yards will require a lot of practice and a good understanding of drop and drift. Buying a new gun will not change that.
OP
OP
sabbfan
Member
I fully understand a lot of practice is needed for a 500 yard shot, and hopefully a long shot is not needed. I plan on putting in a lot of practice between now and my next hunt which probably will not be for a couple of years. It sounds like my 30-06 is enough rifle. I bought it several years ago in anticipation of last years hunt and put in a lot of practice out to 300 which is as far as I could shoot. I wasn’t going to gamble on a ballistics calculator without verifying it personally on a target that’s why that bull walked away unharmed last year. I’ve also upgraded my scope since that hunt, I already have and use a rangefinder, it also gets used at home for whitetail with my 350 legend (Iowa rifle caliber restrictions so the 30-06 doesn’t get used on game at home) Now that I’ve found a range that goes to 500 I’m looking forward to sharpening my skills further.
Got strong opinions on this. The rifle is enough but at 500 yds is your load sufficient to have enough energy and are you good enough to be sub 2 moa at 500 yds? I believe in a one shot one kill philosophy and a very humane kill. Yes, things happen and more than one shot needed sometimes . But knowing your capabilities is the most important in my opinion. Gun hobbyists are more in tune than your average hunter imho. Actually, average hunters are a problem as my experience is they don’t know what they should about ballistics and think they are a better shot than they are and don’t focus on humane kills. Lots of people out there just thinking of filling the freezer and don’t care much about the process to get it there. Not saying this is you, just relaying my experiences and opinions.
A guy I used to work with, said he shot at a white tail buck, maybe 400 yards away. He claimed the bullet went over it. I asked him where he aimed, he said right at the chest. He said his rifle was zeroed for 150 yards. I told him that the bullet had dropped into the ground before it even got to the deer. At 400 yards, the bullet drop is about 30". Man was he embarrassed when I told him that.
At 500 yards, bullet drop is going to be about 55" or so. I would definitely get a decent laser range finder to give you an idea where to hold at if need be. If 300 yards is where you are more comfortable at, your bullet drop is about 13".
Oh my. Yes, you have experienced the same thing. I will say too that if one is taking shots that long for hunting, you typically have time to use a range finder and dial in your scope. If I am hunting elk in the clear cuts, I set to 200yds and can adjust for bullet drop if needed but if he is 300+ away, I usually can take my time.