30-06 long vs short range shooting.

[liviustoica]

Heya fellows. Wondering something. I've got a 30-06 and I'm wondering what the cutoff range limit is for these guns. I mean can you aim confidently at 400 yards or even 500 yards? And what bullet do you all mostly recommend? I like the rammington express core lokt myself 165gr. I dont know just some food for thought.

[ac guy]

You're opening a can of worms here. In a good way though. My loads which are a 150gr Accubond, drop 52" at 500 yds. This is comparable to a .308, .270, and 7mm mag (depending on the load). A lot of people will tell you that 500 yds is too far for an 06, which I believe is hogwash. If you're going to shoot at that distance with an 06, I recommend a good scope and a ton of practice. Before a hunt, I would recommend hitting the range 3 times a week for a month if you really think you need that kind of distance. But don't let anyone tell you the 06 is not capable of being a 500yd gun. I have been pouring over ballistic charts to find a true flat shooter, and I keep going to a 7mm STW. Keep in mind a lot of caliber talk is personal preference, and family tradition. It's all fun though. Also, if you can't aim confidently with an 06, you won't be able to aim confidently with any gun.

[firstcoueswas80]

I have killed a coues at over 400 with my 30-06. Musta worked, as he is on my wall...

[mattobertin]

I shot my coues last year just over 400 yards and had about two feet of holdover with a 30-06, 180 grain bullet. Dropped him like a ton of bricks but I don't think i feel comfortable shooting any more than that again with that gun anyway. But like already mentioned it is a matter of personal prefferance and experience and you can only shoot what you can see through your scope so a quality one makes all the difference.