30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

We have ben having a decussion about elk loads....how far would you take a shot at an elk with a 30-06? What to you think about a 300-350 yard shoulder hold???
Thanks J

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

no problem, if you feel comfortable shooting at those ranges the 06 will work for you without a dout, i shot my last moose with the 06 and it ranged at about 400yrds. i say go for it

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

I would say as long as you can hit a pie plate 10 out of 10 times at that distance and still retain 1,000 foot pounds of energy. Please practice shooting after you have ran a ways, so you can work on your breathing at those long ranges.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

The 30-06 will kill elk farther than most pepole can shoot efectivly,first rifle was 30-06 Rem Modle 7600,it killed elk as long as I did my part.
BBJ

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

It runs out of energy beyond where you run out of accuracy.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

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?

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Here is the 2nd page, if you can follow the line of the ammo # your considering, you can find the bullet drop if zeroed and 100 or 200 yds.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Of course the trajectory tableonly applies if your rifle produces the exact velocity listed by the manufacturersand the barometric pressure is the same as that used by the manufacturers,and your ring height is also exactly the same as listed by the manufacturer.In other words,it is very common for the trajectory of the load used in your rifle tovary by several inches from the tableatdistancesof 300 yards or more.The only way to know the actual point of impact of a given loadat agiven distance, in your rifle,is to actuallyshoot the load in your rifle.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

This is a good question.

I looked up the round I'm using, Winchester Accubond (data below). What's the difference between Short & Long Trajectory in the chart below? For 300 yds it shows -13.5 " in short and -7.9" for long.

http://www.winchester.com/products/c...symbol=S3006CT

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Just looking at the charts,it shows a 100 yard zero for short and a 200 yard zero for long.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Thats what I initally thought, but the delta drop from 100 to 300 yds is different. For the 100 yd its 13.5", but for the long its 9.5". Doesn't seem to add up.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Picture a trajectory curve.With a 100 yard sight in the bullet is already in the falling part of the curve at 100 yards,and it continues to drop all the way to 300 yards.With a 200 yard sight in,it is stillin the rising part of the curve at 100 yards.Thebullet will be in the falling part of the curve for a much shorter distance so thedrop from 100 yards to 300 yards will naturally be less.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Your right, if you think of the plot or graph of the trajectory it makes sence. The scope diled in at 200 is accounting for some of the drop seen at 100. Thanks.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

I try and put my bullet 3"high at 100 yardswhen I hunt elk andI don't have to even think about it out to 300 yards, just put it on the bullseye and pull the trigger. Have to hold high at 400 yards, but a smarter man than meonce told me "always hold on meat, if you miss, he was too far." Translation: with any decent elk cartridge the highest you should ever have to hold is on the top of the back. Anything higher is beyondMY capability to shoot accurately.

To answer the original question, and it has to be a personal answer,MY max is 400 yards for an elk. Never shot at one over 250 though.

Here is another good ballistic calculator website: http://www.handloads.com/calc/

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Obviously it would depend on the load and the amount of powder you used. As a rule of thumb I have always said that350 yds is about the max for an 06 energy wise and using a 180 grain bullet. Beyond that the odds start to really tip out of your favor.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Although a few hunters can place a shot well under field condition at 300 yards every time, Its not many. If you can't do it evety time then better shorten it up to where you can. The energy of the 30 caliber bullet most likely won't be the determing factor. The hunters ability to judge the range, factor the wind and know his trajectory will make much more difference. The 30-06, energy wise is capable of 400 yard clean kills given good placement.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

300-350 max with 180gr blts.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

A 30-06 with 180 grain bullet such as a Nosler partition won't run out of enough energy to cleanly kill elkuntil you get well beyond 500 yards.

This is assuming you are getting close to published velocities with your ammunition.

Wether or not you have any business attempting a 500 or 600 yard shot is another thing entirely.

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

The (physics of) ballistics doesnt take into account the word 'premium'. Thas a marketing/advertising/NewYawk kindaword thing. I could go on this subject for days.

The reality is that a 30-06 165 gr Sierra BTHP ( the world standard for 30cal a long range shooting bullet) is good energywise for 900 yards if shooting at a AlQuaida man. ( yeah yeah yeah I know a 06 will shoot 6 miles). I would cut that in half (450 max ) if shooting an elk. If you are using a 300win mag or 300 Wby then maybe longer shots are more into line with what we can do as the CALIBERShave increased velocity/energy.Of course we usually dont hunt with BTHP Sierras. 450 isa looonng way, offhand or with your shooting stick thingys. And I wouldnt do it to an elk with our 06's even if we did buy premium bullets.

The old standard for a 30-06 was a 220 gr round nose for the big stuff, grizzlers moose and heavy game stuff. Lots of energy but the range was limited to the 250yrds that the old 2.5x scope were designed. Todays USArmy sniper rifles are 300winmags with 10x scopes ( scientific reason for that too) for the increased ranges needed for shootin towelheads.

Old gun writers say 'buy the best ammo you can afford'. Its still true today. But I guarantee you the guy with the 13.99 green box of 30-06 Rem CoreLokt 150's that he got at WalMart is definitely NOT undergunned.

Be that as it may, the science is real, the rest is what we 'choose' to believe. Get yourself a good ballistics chart, turn OFF the tv, and study the numbers a few weeks.

Have a great day hunting. :)

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

Guys thanks for the info....I'm not a guy that is going to spray lead at every elk I can see through my scope.....What our descussion was would you take a 300-350 yard shoulder shot on a bull with an "06".
My father uses an 30-06 & didn't think it would be a shot he would take....But I think its plenty of gun for the job.....(I shoot the 300 win myself)

RE: 30-06 with premium bullets...where does it run out of energy for elk???
 

I would recommend listening to your father. He's likely had plenty of experience and knows that a shot on the far margins of killing range is just that, a marginal shot. Your probability of a clean kill at farther than 300 yards certainly for .30-06 and goes down more than proportionally to the increase in distance. The many factors of bullet accuracy and reduced force to do the damage it needs to become more pronounce at those distances. Better to work to get a closer shot you have confidence in making it count than to risk wounding an animal you may or may not be able to find/stop.