RE: Longest range?
With premium bullets I would limit my shots to 300-yards.
IMHO The 30-06 is the jack of all trades, but master of none. I think the 30-06 makes a great "parent case". I like the 25-06, 270, 280, 338-06 & 35-Whelen. I just never did build a bond with the 30-06.
The only two rounds out of this case I would elk hunt with are the 338-06 & 35-Whelen. I prefer to hunt elk with my 300-win mag.