RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
I'm sure Federal and other ammo mfg. companies have this on their websites. I pulled from a CD Federal gave out at last years "Game Fair" near Anoka MN.
See the ballistics of your caliber and slug weight. If I could get the whole table on the page, it show the bullet drop at various yds., too. That's very important for you to know, as well as what the speed and energy at the distance is.
If you look at .30-06 180 gr out at 400 yds the bullet has dropped nearly 2 ft. at 500 yds. it's dropping over 4 ft. I'd say you'd really be taking a chance at shooting at an Elk at those distances. I'm sure it's been done. But their tough enough to take down even at much closer, why chance it?