Specifically, I'd like to know what a realistic maximum range is.
The basics of this can use calculated ballistics for simple to understand data or limitations. However, the hard part becomes 'what are your capabilities?' Not all men (hunters) are created equal, so there will be variations as to just what distances they are capable of achieving. This is then compounded by the bullet specifications and the load with which it's propelled to the target. I know it seems like this is an answer which dances around your question but this is how I see the predicament.
More to the point, I built a .270 WSM at the request of some fellow shooters who knew I was not a fan. They goaded me into it. But true to my word I built this rifle just like I build all of the rest. Originally I had intended to use something along the lines of the 140 or 150 class bullets but Berger released the 170 grain Elite Hunter so on a whim I switched over to the heavier for caliber bullet.
Given my load work up using this bullet over 3 different powders through a 24" barrel, I was able to get repeatable, accurate groups easily. At 2950 fps. approximately, the numbers I ran gave me 1,100 ft./lbs. at 1,000 yards and 1,500 ft./lbs. at 750 yards. The area we hunted allowed for uninterrupted 600 yard+ shots so we were GTG in my opinion.
The meadow we hunted was long and led to a small pothole a little over a mile away. The elk would come down to the edge of the meadow to graze then amble off through the wooded edge for water. Fate was with us as a bachelor herd came down for breakfast. There was a surprisingly large fork horn bull a little further out away from the main body. As this was a meat hunt, the hunter who owned the .270 WSM singled out the young bull and fired. He was quartering away slightly but not moving when the shot entered slightly back in the ribs but angled towards and into the heart. He hunched up, turned to walk away, took one step and fell over. The nicely mushroomed bullet took out the top chambers of the heart and wound up just in front of the opposite shoulder blade from 565 yards approximately. This hunter was very conservative and practiced field position shooting all year, just in case.
Now what are your limits? What are the parameters of the bullets you want to try? what are your loads capable of producing both for accuracy as well as velocity?
Regards.
