400 yards is a chip shot for a 30-06. Since when is a 165 grain 30 caliber bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2800-2900 fps marginal at that distance on Elk?
30-06
- Thread starter Spruster
- Start date
400 yards is a chip shot for a 30-06. Since when is a 165 grain 30 caliber bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2800-2900 fps marginal at that distance on Elk?
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
If it's what you have available, yes it'll work just fine with a quality partition, bonded or mono bullet. If you're looking to buy/build a purpose built elk rifle then the added downrange energy of the 30cal+ magnums would be worth considering.
Bullet quality and shot placement are always the major factors to consider over cartridge and caliber.
Bullet quality and shot placement are always the major factors to consider over cartridge and caliber.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Shot placement is crucial with any cartridge. The 30-06 will easily take an elk at 400 yards. Depending on the load the bullet drop should only be 20-22" low with a 200 yard zero and should have
close to 1700 ft lb energy left at that range.
close to 1700 ft lb energy left at that range.
180 grain in both the '06 and the 308 Norma. Shoot the 220 A-Frame in the 8mm Mag.
The 30-06 is capable, no question. I just like a bit of insurance
on elk, since if they manage to go a bit, they will choose the
worst possible place to die. 400 yards is a pretty good poke. Dave.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Perhaps the more relevant question is "Are you a 400-yard shooter?"
Exactly. I've made some long shots, missed some short shots. Get closer.
mmm, making me miss my 3006 LOL.
it is almost winter so will be dusting her off shortly pun intended
i think most people believe that point an shoot is what determines the guns usefulness- hence magnums are best powerfulest ever.
an that everything else isnt.
an that waytoo many dont read up on enough regarding what the projectile is actually all about.
it is almost winter so will be dusting her off shortly
pun intended i think most people believe that point an shoot is what determines the guns usefulness- hence magnums are best powerfulest ever.
an that everything else isnt.
an that waytoo many dont read up on enough regarding what the projectile is actually all about.
Perhaps the more relevant question is "Are you a 400-yard shooter?"
Most relevant to the conversation!
The question" Are you a 400 yard shooter" is a very valid one, since about 75% of
those hunting should be limiting themselves to 200 - 250 yards, maximum.
They do not practice from field positions, nor at distance, simply assuming that
since their particular load shoots sub-moa at 100 yards off bags on the bench, that
it will still be OK out at 400.
I am now 78 years old. I have hunted since before i became a teen. My goal has
always been to make a quick, humane kill on any game animal I shoot at.
This means knowing how far the animal is, and being confident that you can make
a clean kill on it, considering all the other factors present. [wind, animal's presentation,
something to rest on, distance, etc]
The suggestion to get closer if at all possible is a sound one. I subscribe to that, but
there are times when it is not possible to close the distance. Now one must decide.
Dave.
those hunting should be limiting themselves to 200 - 250 yards, maximum.
They do not practice from field positions, nor at distance, simply assuming that
since their particular load shoots sub-moa at 100 yards off bags on the bench, that
it will still be OK out at 400.
I am now 78 years old. I have hunted since before i became a teen. My goal has
always been to make a quick, humane kill on any game animal I shoot at.
This means knowing how far the animal is, and being confident that you can make
a clean kill on it, considering all the other factors present. [wind, animal's presentation,
something to rest on, distance, etc]
The suggestion to get closer if at all possible is a sound one. I subscribe to that, but
there are times when it is not possible to close the distance. Now one must decide.
Dave.
Yes, aren't You ? The question is actually about the cartridge
When I posted "Are you a 400-yard shooter?" I didn't mean "are you willing to take shots at 400 yards?" but, instead, "are you a good enough field-condition marksman to keep all your shots within the vital hit area on an elk at an honest 400 yards in typical rough elk-country terrain?" Not everyone is, and the field conditions often encountered in elk hunting--usually in rugged, often alpine, territory—generally make finding a solid rest for your rifle difficult. Instead, you often have to be effective from prone, sitting, kneeling, or, worst of all, standing in uneven, unsteady, sometimes rocky, terrain while being out-of-breath and excited and with mere seconds to get your shot off. At least that’s been my experience in elk hunting. If you’re not confident you can keep your shots within, perhaps, an 18-inch circle at that range (equivalent to a 4.5 inch circle at 100 yards) under rough conditions, then whether or not the 30-06 will produce enough velocity and energy with its bullet at that distance is irrelevant. That is what I meant. As with many who have commented, I’d want to be within 300 yards or, preferably, much closer.
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again the question is the cartridge - and it appears you don't know . You wanna keep turning it at the shooter , not in this thread ! I told you I can shoot to 400 already ..... and obviously u can't and that explains your direction and thought
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Strange thread... I agree that the question about the shooter is a very valid one.
Most folks capable of consistently making an ethical shot on big game at 400 yards do NOT need to inquire about the capabilities of one of the most popular big game cartridges ever.
Sorry OP - not speaking to your shooting, just saying you have to expect these types of responses to this question.
Most folks capable of consistently making an ethical shot on big game at 400 yards do NOT need to inquire about the capabilities of one of the most popular big game cartridges ever.
Sorry OP - not speaking to your shooting, just saying you have to expect these types of responses to this question.
Be grateful, Grasshopper, for all the wisdom and secrets shared with you in this temple….
I have taken big game with larger and faster cartridges. Not the 30-06.. so was looking for any feed back about the 30-06... not the cheap way out and say get closer ..if you don't know stay away .... The " are you a 400 yard shooter" on this thread is silly .. think about it ..please stay with the thread
There is nothing silly about it! Every body know that the 30-06 as all it needs to take an elk at 400 yards, just look at ballistics and trajectory and energy and you have your answer! But the shooter, is responsible for that shot and if he thinks he can then maybe he shouldn’t…
" Every body know " lol " just look at the ballistics and trajectory and energy " is that what you do is look at the paper and go hunting ? keyboard expert . So you learn something new today , energy does not kill . And the question is still the same , about the cartridge , NOT the shooter. If you and South Pender wanna start another thread,have it .
