.30-06 effective range

[Echo]

I’m looking for some advice on effective range for a .30-06 and whether I should just consider a 300 win, instead.

for context, I live in the west and primarily hunt between 5000 and 7000 feet. I would be equipping this gun with premium ammo and a Leupold Vx3hd 4-14 cds scope. I already own a nice .30-06 (Tikka) but have considered trading it for a 300 wm

I don’t shoot all the time, but I’m also not inexperienced. I suspect my max range for a live Elk would be 400 yards, in good conditions. The core question I have - will the .30-06 get the job done at this range? Or, should I just consider a jump up to a .300 WM.

thanks I’m advance for the replies!

 

[willfrye027]

Absolutely the 30-06 will get it done. At 400 yards nothing special is needed. Beyond that choose your bullet wisely and send a few hundred of them down range to practice at those distances to determine what YOU are capable of. Your gun/caliber is capable.

 

[bpctcb]

The reliable 30-06 will absolutely get it done out to 400 yards. Any extra power from a 300 mag wouldn’t be worth the recoil inside 400 yards.

BP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WillyR089]

As we go through this ammo shortage, do y'all think practicing with a lighter grain ammo and saving my heavier grain for the hunt will hurt me at all? I've found one box of 180 and have I think 4 or 5 boxes of 150. I feel that getting shots down range are better than none.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

As we go through this ammo shortage, do y'all think practicing with a lighter grain ammo and saving my heavier grain for the hunt will hurt me at all? I've found one box of 180 and have I think 4 or 5 boxes of 150. I feel that getting shots down range are better than none.

Never a bad idea to focus on shooting fundamentals. Just be aware that your group size may not be as good as well as actual numbers for dialing for distance may be different.

I periodically use "old" ammo just for practicing fundamentals with some of my rifles. This could be ammo that I grabbed to season the barrel (ex: CoreLok), ammo that I tried to see if my rifle liked (but didn't), etc.

 

[manitou1]

Your -06 is fine for that and farther. Like many cartridges, pick the right bullet and load combo and they are good for a long way.
As long as you have the speed at impact to mushroom the bullet (generally 1800 fps for most non-L.R. bullets) and enough fpe (1400-1500 ft lbs is generally accepted) you are gold. The 30-06 can accomplish this in spades out to 600 yrds+ with the right loads.

 

[Laramie]

I have harvested a pile of elk with a 30-06- some at close to 500 yards. Imo, out to 500 you do not need any more gun but I do recommend plenty of practice. 500 sounds easy when you hear guys talking about 1000 yard shots but in reality a guy has to have good fundamentals to consistently hit at 300+.

 

[Echo]

Thanks for all of the replies - this is real helpful. What do y’all recommend for bullets and weights?

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I practice with my hunting load. However, due to ammo shortage practice with what you have.
I have a 30-06 and a 300 WM. I always grab the 30-06 and it does just fine. I don't feel under gunned.
Lighter animals I shoot 150 grain TTSX and on larger game 175 grain Edge TLR which apparently now is the new and improved terminal ascent.

 

[Packin_packout]

It will do 400-500 but you need to spend some time shooting before going that distance. You start getting out at that distance wind starts to be a big player...I'm down 45" at 500 yds and have 17" drift at w/ 10mph from what I remember. Running 180 accubond from a t3 at something like 2700 if I remember correctly. So you need to understand what you are dealing with or you can end up gut shooting something which is not cool. Practice until you know you can do it or get closer. Nice thing is that at least on my load it works out at 3,6,9 moa for 300,400,500....

Have a solid range finder so you know your distance!

The downside of that distance is that they may just hunch up even though it is fatal shot. You need to be solid enough to spot your hits and judge response. Dropped two cows and a bull in that range so far w/o issue but I always get another one in and make sure they go down. At that distance I have seen the accubonds pass through both ribs...but if you crowd the shoulder it will not exit.

 

[Rich M]

Check the energy for 165 and 180 gr loads. I think I'd focus on 165s personally.

Remember that the long distance bullets are just long cup & cores that will about explode if you take a 50 yard shot.

I'd focus on the long range game and carry the bullets for that. Walk around with a heavy duty bullet in the gun in case you get a 50-100 yard shot.

 

[Laramie]

Thanks for all of the replies - this is real helpful. What do y’all recommend for bullets and weights?

I hunted with 180s for many years but switched to Hornady Interbond 165s about 10 years ago. They have performed very well out of my rifle. Either grain will be fine. I recommend bonded lead core bullets. Accubond, Interbond, Partitions, etc...

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Thanks for all of the replies - this is real helpful. What do y’all recommend for bullets and weights?

Most premium bullets will be fine.

I prefer monos for lighter weight bullets, such as 150 grain TTSX, for deer and pronghorn.

Monos need velocity and the 30-06 doesn't push heavy bullets as fast which would limit my range. In heavier weight offerings, for elk, I switch to 175 grain Edge TLR which is bonded and has 90% weight retention. Great design based on Trophy Bonded Bear Claw which is known for great terminal performance.

History: Federal designed Trophy Bonded Tip based on the tried and true Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. They improved the Trophy Bonded Tip (still make) and came out with Edge TLR. Edge TLR has since been discontinued and was upgraded to Terminal Ascent.

 

[Bearsears]

I’m looking for some advice on effective range for a .30-06 and whether I should just consider a 300 win, instead.

for context, I live in the west and primarily hunt between 5000 and 7000 feet. I would be equipping this gun with premium ammo and a Leupold Vx3hd 4-14 cds scope. I already own a nice .30-06 (Tikka) but have considered trading it for a 300 wm

I don’t shoot all the time, but I’m also not inexperienced. I suspect my max range for a live Elk would be 400 yards, in good conditions. The core question I have - will the .30-06 get the job done at this range? Or, should I just consider a jump up to a .300 WM.

thanks I’m advance for the replies!

I shoot a .30-06 Tikka T3 lite stainless. I shoot cheap old Remington core Lokt PSP 180grains out of it. I dropped a buck at 360yards with it two years ago off a tripod rest. I have no intention to change my setup. I think you are fine to 400.

 

[Echo]

Thanks all, this is really great info!

 

[C.patterson]

I’m glad I found this thread. So much knowledge!

 

[tntrker]

180gr and I'm comfortable out to 450yds with my 06. 300wm 215gr for longer just due to the ballistics. I shot every weekend, until ammo shortage, for practicing and grouping info. Practice makes confidence out past 300 yrds...

 

[Newtosavage]

I’m looking for some advice on effective range for a .30-06 and whether I should just consider a 300 win, instead.

for context, I live in the west and primarily hunt between 5000 and 7000 feet. I would be equipping this gun with premium ammo and a Leupold Vx3hd 4-14 cds scope. I already own a nice .30-06 (Tikka) but have considered trading it for a 300 wm

I don’t shoot all the time, but I’m also not inexperienced. I suspect my max range for a live Elk would be 400 yards, in good conditions. The core question I have - will the .30-06 get the job done at this range? Or, should I just consider a jump up to a .300 WM.

thanks I’m advance for the replies!

I considered my '06 a 500-yard gun last year, based on the dope I worked out, the bullet BC and environmental conditions at the altitude I was hunting (9k +) It still had well over 1500 ft. lbs. of energy and was over 2200 fps. with a 168 grain TTSX.

 

[Newtosavage]

I hunted with 180s for many years but switched to Hornady Interbond 165s about 10 years ago. They have performed very well out of my rifle. Either grain will be fine. I recommend bonded lead core bullets. Accubond, Interbond, Partitions, etc...

Those 165 Interbonds shot really well out of my '06 last year as well.

 

[MallardSX2]

168 Grain Green tip noslers shoot really well out of my 30-06 out to 300 yards with no troubles. For the longer range stuff I step up to my 300 WSM. But truthfully, when compared to my 300 wsm the 30-06 isnt far behind. Its a great caliber that I use 95% of the time.

Having said that I wont shoot at a deer sized animal past 500 yards. Too many variables in the field to push it further than that IMHO.