What is the max distance for a .30-06 with 40 objective scope on deer.

Shot one last year in Kansas at a lazered 410 yds. Dropped him in his tracks. Held about two inches over his back.

First of all, the objective size influences the amount of light that can enter the scope, but has nothing to do with the maximum effective range of the rifle it's mounted on except perhaps in low-light conditions.

I think that you may have magnification confused with objective diameter. To give you an example, if you have a 3-9x40mm scope, the 3-9x indicates the magnification, where the 40mm is the objective size. The scope power is a much bigger factor in affective range, because a higher power scope allows more precise aiming at longer ranges.

As far as the distance that a 30-06 can effectively take deer, given the proper bullet, should be 400 yards or more IF, and only if, you can put the bullet in the right place at that range. Most people can not, under field shooting conditions, confidently shoot that far. Therefore, the max range YOU can shoot at a deer in whatever range you have practiced at enough to become proficient and confident in your ability to make a clean shot.

Mike

The gun has more ability than 99 percent of the shooters to perform at 400+ yards.

In most circumstances, the maximum shot distance is determined by the shooter not the rifle. If you have the confidence, experience, and ability, a 400 yd shot on a whitetail with a 30-06 should not be a problem.

As the the old saying goes .......... "It's the Indian not the arrrow"

I've used the 30-06 on targets out to 600 yds and the caliber is well capable of shooting that distance . But not all guns are and very few shooters has been my experience to be honest about it . Getting the right gun ,getting it set up right ,then practice all you can . Then just when you think your good practice some more . Maybe then you will be ready for 400 yard shots on deer . Hal

I agree with most of you. You must be proficient at the longer ranges. The max effective range should be where your energy is around 1000 ftlbs. I believe with a 180 gr '06 average load, that may be around the 350 yd mark. Don't have a ballistic chart in front of me however so don't quote me.
Roger, I have a question for you. What is your scope sighted in for at 100 yds.? I figure if you were using 180 gr bullets you must be about 3" high at 100 yds. Or else you just got real lucky. I'm curious.
Cause I shot a mulie this past year at 438 yds with my 270 which shoots just slightly flatter than an '06 (130 gr Nosler @ 3000 fps) and my hold over was 3 feet with a sightin dead on at 100 yds. (I was using a Burris Ballistic Plex reticle scope).
My friend heart shot an antelope at 350 yds holding the horiz. crosshair on the back. He was using 180 gr handloads wighted in at 2 1/2" high at 100 yds.

Bronko, my Savage 116 is sighted 3" high at a hundred and I got a little lucky also. Was in a ground blind with a real steady rest or wouldn't even have attempted it.

I've got a Tikka 30-06 and have shot caribou as far as 600-700 yards with a 180gr. and it fell there on the spot, but hey I hunt several months a year. I've had it for 15 years now and it rocks.

As James B put it the gun is not the limiting factor here. If you really have it sighted in well, use the porper load, you can make a hell of a shot. The question is, how much do you practice and at what ranges. If you tell us you are hitting good tight shot groups at 3 or 4 hundred yards then you have your answer. If you can't hit the paper but 1 in 3 then you need to be closer.