new to longer range shooting

[jrock86]

Hey y'all,
This is my first post here. This season coming up will be my first season hunting in Central Texas. I am used to the thicker woods of Upstate New York. I will be using my Charles Daly Mauser in 30-06, with shots in open country ranging to 400-500 meters. I don't have a problem shooting to 300m with government ammo and m-4's, but past that we get into drop and bigger windage. Does anyone have any recommendations about possible good ammo types for texas deer at these ranges? Any info is much appreciated.

Rock

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Any good factory loaded hunting bullet will work at those ranges provided you find one that shoots good in your rifle. A 30-06 should fling a 150gr to 180gr bullet pretty fast at that range with little drop. If you handload There are allot of options for a good Texas Whitetail bullet. I would use the Accubond bullet from Nosler. Texas whitetails can get pretty big but it's nothing the old 06 cant handle at that range.

[jrock86]

Have you ever used the light mags? I here good things but don't know about the advertised velocity, it just seems high for factory loads but supposedly they have "new" powders and such. I have a 24" barrel, do you think they will produce in my barrel? The only handloads I have ever cooked up was on a buddy's rig and they were 220 grain roundnose for blackies, and i don't live near him anymore. I know the good ole 30-06 has the power, I just never really expiremented with the lighter bullets, so far she has been strictly a bear rig, but bears are on short order in Texas.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Try some Federal ammo I know they load the Barnes bullets. 150gr is more than enough for a whitetail at 500 yds from a 30-06. But if you want a bigger bullet go for it. I would not use anything more than a 180gr. Dont get to wraped up it the long barrels and the super high veloicty rounds to start with. The real key is the basics. Find a round that shoots well in your rifle and the practice practice practice.

[jrock86]

I have great faith in the 30-06 and my rifle. It has taken down man a blackie in upstate. But now in the plains of Texas I need to find a place to shoot at range. I hunt on-post, but cannot go there just to shoot. I am figuring a 150 to 165 grain moving at 3000 or so will be the medicine I need. With out a reloader I cannot roll my own, and am looking for a good factory load to produce what I am looking for. Thanks for the input.

Rock

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Fort Sam, Bliss, Hood?

[jrock86]

Been at Hood for a minute now, but have always been deployed or in the field for season.