These are truly awesome gametaking cartridges in the right hands. They require more than a " passing aquaintance" with long range shooting skills. As long as you have access to a range with 600 to 1000 yard lines, are willing to spend both the time and money, and can tolerate the recoil for the required practice....they are indeed great! (It sounds as if at least a couple of the above members have done that....GOOD!)

Unfortunately, many people buying these rifles probably shouldn' t be trying to shoot " live game animals" at 300 yards with a .30-06! For those of you that indeed do it properly....I am NOT talking about you. Actually it is both stimulating, interesting, and challenging.....to shoot at long range...and do it well. But for many average gunners...they should NOT be doing it. Most can' t even tell you how wind velocities, (from differing " clock positions" ) will affect their shots at any range....let alone long range. Not to mention the effects of mirage, altitude, uphill/downhill slopes, game movement, (before we even mention intervening - unseen vegetation). And as long as we make these distinctions, lest the uninformed become the merely misinformed, we are doing our sport justice! But please, let' s make it clear when we discuss these things.....so those without experience do NOT misunderstand!

Also another consideration that should be mentioned. The superior constructed lighter bullets that do a wonderful job on most game....should probably not be used on large dangerous game. Yes the bullets will penetrate well and kill swiftly on unsuspecting, unwounded, game. And for most hunters, (when backed up by a professional with an appropriate larger bore), they are the only rifle needed. But if you ever need to dive in an alder thicket to sort out either an agitated or wounded Brownie, no .30 caliber is ideal. For one most of these rifles have a minimum of 26" of barrel....not ideal in thick brush....and they rely on bullet velocity for their energy. Even complete penetration doesn' t insure stopping power. Under those conditions a large caliber, premium constructed bullet, that both penetrates and strikes a heavy blow, (ie. bigger hole before expansion), have been proven over time to give dependable results. And I suspect so it will remain until we start using some " pulse energy weapons" , etc.

They are great rifles....and great cartridges.....that offer a superb, experienced, shooter something extra when shooting at long range. But they are not for the inexperienced...(unless they are willing to both put in the range time needed and do a little studying of external ballistics)!

And as an after thought....the Barnes solid copper bullets probably are one of the better choices for these cartridges!

Good luck with your search!