Long Range Hunting - Noobie

[.284]

Here is a bit more info on Berger bullets expansion

Our tests have indicated that we have been able to confirm as low as 1,800 fps and still get the three to five inches of penetration and then the aggressive expansion of the bullet. The following article link of http://www.bergerbullets.com/article...er-bullets.pdf will take you to an article written by John Barsness from when he had accompanied us to New Zealand for detailed testing of our Match Hunting VLD bullets. This is an interesting article that many shooters have found to be very informative. We hope this will as informative for you, and the others!

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[Mystic Precision]

Sooooo, you have to decide the type of shots you will take or not and the level of penetration you need to get the job done under the worst presentation.

A rear quartering shot on a large Elk demands a whole lot more penetration then 3 to 5" before the bullet grenades. But may be perfect on a broadside shot.

As I said, there is no 1 perfect solution from any bullet. It is always a range of compromises but hunters have access to so much more info about bullet performance from the bullet manf.

Best catalogs are from Nosler and Hrn. Just see how each bullet style expands over velocity. See how much different the velocities are for bullets that look the same after impact. Choose the bullet that works best for you over the impact velocities you will encounter.

Match what is important to you and then choose the tech that will get it done.

Odds are, it will be 2 bullets...

Jerry

 

[Ganderite]

Your initial question was well set out.

I have a lot of long range shooting experience and some hunting experience and only one "long range " hunting experience . (Moose at 425 yards with a 308)

First, I like what he said:

Short answer, No
Long answer, Not without an equipment upgrade. I would go to a 300 win mag or a 7mm mag or bigger to hunt elk at 600 yards. Your 30-06 is running out of power fast at those distances and unless your handloads are making really tiny groups, you're using premium bullets and you're having a great day and you place that shot perfectly you may just end up on your first long wounded animal chase.
The 30-06 can definitely get a bullet out there but what does it have left for knock down power on an animal as large as an elk that far out?

I have never shot an elk. My understanding (based on Elmer Keith's writings) is that an elk needs more killing than a moose. The 425 yard moose was shot with a 308 and the 180 gr bullet did not expand at all. Luckily, it punctured both lungs. The moose lay down immediately to think about the strange experience. And died.

Based on this, I would say 400 yards would be max for a 3006. You don't ever want to wound an elk. They don't run towards the highway and your pick up, if you get my drift. If you can get to 400 yards, or closer, keep up the good work with your 30-06. If you absolutely have to shoot at 500 yard, I would suggest a 7 rem Mag or a 338Mag.