moose drool
Member
I'd like to use mine for 500+ using the Berger VLD bullets. It's a stock Rem 700 ADL.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Is the .30-06 a good long range caliber?
- Thread starter moose drool
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liltank
Well-Known Member
In short.... Yep! It will do what you need it to out to 800 to 900 yards depending on what bullet you use. Run a 185 Berger in the 2700fps (+/- 20fps) and you are good to go. Tune up a hand load and let it go. Pushing a 175 to max velocity will get you to 800 easy.
Tank
Tank
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
At one time the 30-06 held most of the 1000 yard records.
So the answer is yes.
Don't get hung up on one bullet though because your rifle may not like a certain bullet.
I recomend using different bullets to fine the one your rifle likes.
For the 30-06 I would recomend the 168grain Match King for paper and for hunting the
165 Accubond. Velocity will be good with this weight bullets and performance on game
will be very good with the Accubond and consistant.
The heaver bullets do well but the velocity will be low and bullet performance on game
at longer distances will be inconsistent.
Just my opinion.
J E CUSTOM
straightshooter
Well-Known Member
+1 on the above. The 30-06 is also cheap to practice with so you can get proficient at those longer shots. I would not feel under gunned shooting at elk sized game with a 30-06 out to 500 yards. Long range shooting is all about practice!
moose drool
Member
Thank you for the replies. Between the '06 and the .270Win, which would you prefer for game from black bear to elk at the mentioned ranges?
Any other "stock" calibers to think about?
Any other "stock" calibers to think about?
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
The only other caliber that comes to mind is the 280 Rem (A necked down 30-06 that uses
7mm bullets).
Where the 30-06 has the weight advantage the 280 is flatter shooting and also has a
good selection of high BC bullets.
J E CUSTOM
highridge1
Well-Known Member
I woudn't choose either a 30-06 or a .270 for 500+ yrd shots on elk and bear. Will they do it? Sure but they are definitely not the best choice. 500 yard plus shots on game I am thinking 300 mags with 200 gr bullets,338's with 225-300 gr bullets. They just simply do much better in trajectory,energy retained and killing power.The reason I say this is because you say Elk and Bear ,not just deer antelope etc.
moose drool
Member
Yes, I'm hoping for the "do it all" cartridge for the game we have in Oregon.
IF there is a thing!
liltank
Well-Known Member
I know it was a hunting show, but a guy stalked a grizzly and shot it dead with one shot at 538 yards. He used a 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet. Don't remember what the bullet was.
Tank
I am currently experimenting with a Remington 30-06. I must say that I am getting excited about it too. The brass is very available. They are not super powder thirsty. The 168 grain Matchkings are shooting well and are are scooting right along at 2929 FPS. Even though I plan to use this initially as a long range practice rifle, I would agree that on game larger than Mule Deer need to be limited to 500 - 550 yards. Deer and smaller probably out to 800. Not to say that it can't be done just not the first choice for me. I watched a friend kill a small Muley last year with a 223. He was shooting a speer 50 grain hollow point. The deer died with one well placed shot. However, it is not what I would recommend. Same principal with the 30-06 at extended ranges.
the 30-06 is an excellent long range cartridge. go to riflemansjournal.com . both of my 06's are very light , rem 700 mtn , and a rem 700 titanium. they both have lower powered scopes than my heavier long range rifles. i shoot a 168 berger with 50.6 grain of varget , lapua brass. 2820 fps in the 30-06. my 7mm mag is 2920 with a 168. not a real big difference. i have had a harder time personally "holding " the light weight rifles. one shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. technically that should translate into better groups than i have bee able to produce at the longer ranges. your adl is ever so slightly heavier. adjust the trigger. load up some good stuff at see what it will do. another good bullet is the 168 balistic silver tip. roninflag
moose- i shoot competively out to 1000 yards. one year i shot 2000 rounds of 30-06. besides targets i have shot a quite a few elk and deer too. i have several remington 700s sporter weight. they are easy to carry for hunting. for longer shots i use a sendero in a magnum. and 6.5-20 scope. for longer shots on elk and bear a big round like a 300 wm at least. the 300 wm i have found is a very forgiving cartridge to load for too. the last two elk i shot with a a 30-06 were 11 and 26 yards. for the long shots of 500 yards+ the scope, rifle and ammo combo needs to be really really good. originally i thought you wanted to see what your 30-06 would do by loading some vld's . your "do all" round for 500 yard shots on elk and bear : get a sendero in a magnum round , a really GOOD SCOPE, and practice.
One doesn't necessarily need to use heavier weight bullets as in the past for long range on target performance due to the newer bullet designs ( ie bonded core, etc). If traditonal bullet designs are used I'd say yes go for higher weights, but a new design lighter-weight bullet will perform as well or better on target while shooting flatter with higher velocities.
But it depends on the design and the intended target. Berger VLD hunting bullets are better used for deer and antelope since they open up abit faster and shed weight. I'd use a different design (bonded core) for elk.
The 30/06 is my favorite and most used.
My .02
But it depends on the design and the intended target. Berger VLD hunting bullets are better used for deer and antelope since they open up abit faster and shed weight. I'd use a different design (bonded core) for elk.
The 30/06 is my favorite and most used.
My .02
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