400 yards isn't all that far.

But, without looking at the ballistic's chart, which would probably be almost identical between the 30/06 and the .308. I would have to say that I would be more comfortable using the 30/06 than the .308 at that distance. Even though the ballistics might be the same. More powder in the case = more power down range in my opinion.

Because a deer is a majestic creature in my book, it deserves a little more consideration than just throwing lead at it and praying that you might hit it.

I once took a 300 yard shot at a 12 point buck at the bottom of a field with my 35 Remington and I even managed to wound the deer before it got away. Since I only took two clips with me - because the only time I had to hunt was after work. I worked at a local University and one of my co workers told the story of that particular deer being in his back yard that morning.

Only he didn't hunt, so he didn't have any reason to lie about it.

I on the other hand believed his story and went to his neighbors farm and asked for permission to hunt and after a hour of beating the bush, I kicked that deer out and wouldn't even noticed it - if it wasn't for the fact that I looked back when I went to cross over the farmers wooden fence between the fields.

Even then, I aimed 12 inches over the deer's back, thinking that the rifle had a tremendous amount of drop at that distance. I since then learned that you shouldn't ever hold more than at the top of the body on any deer.

With two bullets left in the gun, the deer came right to me broadside - 125 yards away and I took a shot, again aiming high and I hit the deer and one of the neighbors came down through the field with his 4 wheeler and scared the deer away. I went to track it, only the farmers kid had other plans, and kicked it out of it's bed and it got up and ran away.

We tracked it for a mile and I never got the deer.

I imagine that one of the other neighbors got that deer sometime later that year or found the rack while small game hunting.

If I would have had my 7mm Remington Magnum or my .300 Winchester Magnum - we wouldn't even be having this discussion because I would have had that deer by the second shot.

Even the 30/06 would have been more than enough rifle to get the job done.

The only thing you have to have is confidence in yourself and in the rifle that you are using. Know the ballistic's of the ammo that you are using and make sure that the wind is in your favor.

If you can shoot a groundhog at 400 yards with a 22-250 or a 220 swift, why can't you shoot a deer with a 300 winchester magnum?

At least witha deer, you have a target that is 30 times bigger than the groundhog.