30-06 for Long Range

[Hand Skills]

I have been shooting and hunting with an '06 for a little over 20yrs. Of course I have enjoyed using other cartridges prior to and during this time, but for most of my needs I have found the 30-06 to be adequate.

I have been getting into 'long range' the last few years and have found the right bullet can make all the difference past 600yd or so.

Currently I favor the Berger 215gr hybrid at ~2700fps. It's easily good to 1000 on targets and depending on atmospherics, it should do a fine job on game out to ~800yd.

Hornaday 208gr eldm is another good choice.

 

[del2les]

Here is the 180 Berger Elite Hunter sighted at my Western altitude. You judge.

 

[Laguna Freak]

Recheck his post's barrel length and long throated "06 AI" not standard 06. I've seen longer barreled and throated 06AI's break 3100fps with 180's

I saw long throat. I saw no mention of AI. Also, the OP appears to be referencing common factory hunting rifles which would exclude most 30-06 with barrels longer than 24". Within those limitations, 30-06 cannot even sniff 180-220 grain velocities from a 300 magnum. In no way am I dissing the venerable and timeless 06. I am merely stating real world limitations that exist within the OP's operational parameters.

 

[del2les]

I saw long throat. I saw no mention of AI. Also, the OP appears to be referencing common factory hunting rifles which would exclude most 30-06 with barrels longer than 24". Within those limitations, 30-06 cannot even sniff 180-220 grain velocities from a 300 magnum. In no way am I dissing the venerable and timeless 06. I am merely stating real world limitations that exist within the OP's operational parameters.

"My dads post 64 is getting a new 26" barrel chaMbered with a long throat in 06 AI FOR 180 LRX OR 180 HAMMERS..."

Response of "approaching" 300WM factory ballistics was in reference to his above post.

BTW, the Remington 700 LR in 30-06 sports a 26" tube.

 

[Laguna Freak]

"My dads post 64 is getting a new 26" barrel chaMbered with a long throat in 06 AI FOR 180 LRX OR 180 HAMMERS..."

Response of "approaching" 300WM factory ballistics was in reference to his above post.

BTW, the Remington 700 LR in 30-06 sports a 26" tube.
View attachment 215053

Sorry. I was referring to the OP. You are referring to another member's post.

 

[frostop]

Interesting thread! A 30.06 was my first rifle, I replaced it with another with plastic furniture, still have that one.
I have also gone through 3-300wm(still have one) a 270 a 338 jamison which turned into a 270wsm(still have) and I have a 33 nosler. Point being humans like to play! The 30.06 is very capable, I keep mine in it's light weight barrel configuration, changed the stock to a pillar bedded stock and a timney trigger-it's my woods gun. I have only really shot it out to 400 or so which it does very well, 175 federal tlr at about 2700(haven't chronoed it). There is an old saying, "Beware the man with only one rifle" He probably knows how to use it! There are times that I wish I stuck with the original and just shot it and learned how to shoot it.

 

[Chase723]

With the right twist to shoot modern higher BC projectiles and chambered with a Serengeti reamer it's just fine for legit long range. With an improved shoulder it's even better.

 

[TAZMAN]

I run the 208 A-max at 2800+ with RL26 and a 215 primer in a 22 inch Proof 1-10 twist barrel and it does very well at long range. I also run the Berger 190 Hunting VLD at 2860fps with a similar load. I can push it harder but no need at this time.

 

[yobuck]

Well, that's you and not others nor me. I still use 2 long throated 30-06's that push 165 BT well above 3,000fps and the 180s at 2,900. Neither of those are light loads on game. Having decades of experience using the 30's, I do not have to speculate about it.

How would you feel about my killing deer and similar game at 700-800 yds with my 6mmAI's and 25-06's? (Killed several) As for marksmanship, routinely, I shoot P-dogs at 6-700+ yards. Longest over 1,000.

Well lots of people shoot prairie dogs at 6 and 700 yds, but i doubt many are shooting 180s from 06s @ 2900.
Deep throat regardless, but if you are then go for it.
I have decades of experience also using 30 cal, but i prefer bigger cases than an 06 for the long shots.

 

[User4302021]

Extreme Long Range means that you are shooting into subsonic speed territory.

The viability of shooting ELR depends on the transonic performance of the bullet, and not the cartridge it was fired from.

1,200 yards is ELR for my 223, and for my 308. For my 30-06, 300Win, 338AX...not so much.

 

[longrangebo]

Extreme Long Range means that you are shooting into subsonic speed territory.

The viability of shooting ELR depends on the transonic performance of the bullet, and not the cartridge it was fired from.

1,200 yards is ELR for my 223, and for my 308. For my 30-06, 300Win, 338AX...not so much.

A 30-06 is not and I repeat not a long range cartridge and never will be, even 30 years ago there were many that were better! period!

 

[bdyal1972]

A 30-06 is not and I repeat not a long range cartridge and never will be, even 30 years ago there were many that were better! period!

I guess the Germans, Japanese, koreans, Chinese,etc shot DEAD between 500 and 1200 yards DID NOT BELIEVE THEY WERE LONG RANGE!!!

 

[Chase723]

A 30-06 is just fine for long range. Shooting a 180 Berger at 2800 fps it goes transonic at 1000 yards and maintains ~820 ft/lbs of energy. Is it the worlds best, no. But, from a pragmatic standpoint it's just fine.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

A 30-06 is not and I repeat not a long range cartridge and never will be, even 30 years ago there were many that were better! period!

So a 215 going 2950 is but a 215 going 2700 isn't?

The range is like 200 yards difference.

What is your definition of long range?