A somewhat relevant article in August's Field & Stream. Four hunters/authors set up 4 trials, one of them being a set of long range targets. The others were a tower shot, a snap shot, and a running shot. They were using "regular deer rifles" (their words) and "up to 300 yards we were a real threat to deer. But our best at 400 yards was more misses than hits."

One thing I've noticed is the different perspective most "Western" Elk/Muley have vs "Eastern" Whitetail hunters.

I know Whitetails are smaller and hunting them can be night and day vs Elk/Mulies, but I rarely hear of anyone taking long shots for them. I grew up in "big country" in Wyoming and we all took very long shots at game. This is still very common and everyone I know practices it. If a monster bull/buck is out there at 500 yds the lead flies. Plain and simple, nobody even questions it. I'm curious if I'm the only one who grew up in this type of country or not? I'm still comfortable shooting long ranges today, but try to avoid them and get closer (if possible).

I simply do not practice enough at extreme distances to feel like I can reliably take a 500 yard shot on game. I sight my rifles to give a point blank range (+-3 inches) of about 300 yards. At 400 yards I know I can hold at the top of the back on an elk and hit the vitals or just over the back on a mulie. At 500 yards three feet of drop is just more that I want to try on a live animal.

Besides, I have never had to shoot over 150 yards at any animal. Where I hunt the terrain simply does not allow too many 400 or 500 yard shots. A few here and there but not many.


Also judging distances accurately in some of our terrain with out he use of electronics can be extremely deceiving.

Around 250 yards. I don't practice enough at 300 yards to be absolutely sure at range and I'd hate to bungle it.

BowElkFreak, Yes there are a few that have grown up like that...Around here if you see a legal bull elk you better be shooting at it because if you don't someone else will, usually no matter what the distance. I'm not saying ppl take outrageously long shots (800 yards) (though I have seen it, lol) but if it's the closest you can get and it's still 500 yards then like you said, the lead starts flyin' and no one questions it like you said as well.

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.

No more than 400.........just my .02

With an '06 I would limit my shots to 350 yards. That's when the '06 starts to give up too much ground to the Mags. Use a stout bullet designed to penetrate, NOT a plastic tip varmint bullet loaded in Big Game Calibers (SST< Ballistic Tip).
Use a Fail Safe, Barnes X, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Swift A Frame, or any BONDED bullet in 165-180gr, and you should be just fine.