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Max hunting range of 30-06?

It depends on the situation, there are days I have a high confidence in making shots on game at 500 yards and beyond. Then there are days 200 yards might seem like a stretch. We can quote FPS and energy numbers till every one has sore fingers from typing, but it will always be a fluid situation where the shooter needs to recognize when they can or can't stretch it out.
I agree every shot sets its own limits but that wasn't the question from the OP, he wants to know it's capabilities not your personal limits so "We can quote FPS and energy numbers till every one has sore fingers from typing" and give him the answer he asked for.
 
It's a little over 2600 fps with 53gr of RL17. Can take it a little faster but not as accurate. This is with a Ruger American rifle loaded just long enough to run from the factory Mag. Thinking of trying RL26 and see if it will gain a little velocity. That's really what my .300WinMag and .300RUM are for, but the Ruger is a really light and handy rifle. Makes it nice to carry whilst navigating restrictive/severely restrictive terrain.
Also have a load with the 166 Hammer Hunters with 58gr RL17 that is over 2900 fps.
I have a can RL26 just for the 215gr Berger. The problem is no Bergers around lol. I've been tempted to trade for a 26" heavy barreled 30-06. I'm wondering if 2800 fps is doable with RL26 and the 215gr Hybrid.
 
I have a can RL26 just for the 215gr Berger. The problem is no Bergers around lol. I've been tempted to trade for a 26" heavy barreled 30-06. I'm wondering if 2800 fps is doable with RL26 and the 215gr Hybrid.
If I get to testing before you I'll let you know what I get.
 
This depends on many things and will vary a lot. Assuming top performance as your stating....

In a 26" 30-06, I would start with the 215 Berger. loading all the way out to the lands making the most available powder space, 2700-2750 should be achievable with certain powders. We were shooting the Hornady 190 BTSP at 2800 fps out of 24" barrels using H4350 and no pressure signs, so 2700+ with better powders and a little longer barrel should be doable.

Then comes what you consider max potential. Do you consider 1000 ft. Lbs, 1500 ft. Lbs, or the recommended minimum velocity the max for elk?

Then comes where you hunt elk. The 8000 ft + I hunt at would prove to have different ballistic max's than a 4,000 ft hunt somewhere else.

For where I live (and hunt pronghorn) at 7000 ft elevation, this is what I come up with.


Max for 1600 fps velocity, 1210 yards.
Screenshot_20191224-085023_Applied Ballistics.jpg


Max for 1500 ft-lbs energy, 1005 yards.
Screenshot_20191224-085041_Applied Ballistics.jpg


Max for 1000 ft-lbs, 1410 yards, though the velocity is below the threshold where I would feel comfortable.
Screenshot_20191224-085544_Applied Ballistics.jpg

Where I hunt elk at would come up with even farther numbers, as it is another 1000-3000 ft higher in elevation. VASTLY different numbers from the 600 yards that most are posting.

Just goes to show, no one situation is the same, and a simple change of a bullet can nearly double your max effective range. The rest is up to you, the shooter.
 
Let's first stipulate you're hunting elk. And let us further stipulate that you're hand loading your rounds for max performance, bullets, powder, primers, cases, the whole 9 yards.

How far can you push the 30-06 for the aforementioned elk ?

If I built a 30-06 with maximizing it's range potential on elk I would be comfortable going over 1000 yards into the 1100-1200 BUT that is based on very specific criteria, bullets I KNOW will open at that range due to pushing them in a 308 and 300 and having a solid idea that, very, very narrow window.
 
I shoot a 210 Nosler Accubond LR who's minimum expansion velocity is 1300 fps. The range for my rifle at that velocity is 1300 yds. I think given the right presentation for the shot this would be a doable range.
 
I shoot a 210 Nosler Accubond LR who's minimum expansion velocity is 1300 fps. The range for my rifle at that velocity is 1300 yds. I think given the right presentation for the shot this would be a doable range.
Still a difficult shot, not sure if my old eyes and 16x scope would let me see that far lol
Oh to be young again lol
 
Still a difficult shot, not sure if my old eyes and 16x scope would let me see that far lol
Oh to be young again lol
Without a doubt! My scope max is 25x and I would still not want to take that shot without trying to get much closer. If you kill it your going to have to get 1300 yds closer anyway haha! May as well do it on the front end and give yourself a better chance .
 
600-700 yds max, by my book. That is with a hot loaded 190 gr Accubond LR.

That works for me, that is why 30'06 AI is on my short list!
 
A friend of mine killed, a previously wounded (by another hunter) cow elk at somewhere north of 800 yards. However, he would be the first to tell you.....it's "not" an 800+ yard elk cartridge! He "only" attempted the shot to dispatch a crippled elk.....and he had done a "lot" of long range shooting at extended ranges! memtb
 
Lets remember the bullet has a LOT to do with this scenario, the case we use to push them is just that, from there the bullet has to do the work. I can take a legit 1000+ yard rifle and turn it into a 500 yard rifle just with a bullet and the opposite is true as well, take a rifle shootinh a Partition and load a Berger or ABLR and you double your range.
 
I concur, most guys don't understand you can load a .308 appropriately and it can out perform (retained velocity, energy, wind deflection) a 7mm RM out past 500 yards if the 7 is loaded with a "regular" flat based hunting bullet.
Or that a .308 @ 1000 yards and high elevation can do the same to a .300 WM loaded with the same projectiles at sea level. Difference in both those scenarios is drop.
 
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