I don't know how many of you guys actually practice long range shooting, but even with handloads 400 yards is a stretch for a 30-06, the amount of holdover from 350-400 yards changes drastically.
Tacoma Sportsmen's Club has a long range, open to non-members.
I've got two or three spots where we can shoot up to 1000 yards, in the woods on the west side.
At extreme long distances a metal "dinger" is a great thing. You'd need the Hubble Telescope to see bullet holes at 400 yards.
We used a 2'x3' plate at 400, placing it in a dirt bank.
With a lot of practice both wind doping and holdover become more natural, and the rangefinder is less of a necessity.
To the original question, I believe the average 30-06 is way overpowered, and slinging way too heavy of a projectile.
The venerable 30-30 has taken most all of North America's large game, up to bear and moose.
With way less poop than an -06.
Many states allow .22 cal centerfires for deer, and a .243 is more than adequate at the minimum our state requires.
My (.30 cal) rifle was used last fall, to take a large whitetail doe.
It was done using a 123 gr PSP, backed by 47 grains of H4895.
She fell over dead as dead, with one shot.
I ran out of those bullets, letting the borrower get used to it, so I took my buck with a 180gr RN, full strength load.
I killed him way deader than he needed to be.
My brother custom loads, if you don't but you'd like a tailored load, contact me.
It's a bit more than a box of factory bullets, but it's worth it.
He also does "handloading lessons", you go over to his house (in north Seattle) and have his supervision and equipment, to do the job yourself.
We have the dies for dozens of calibers both mainstream and obscure, and have access to more with a bit of notice.
He'll work with you at the range, where the real work of handloading takes place, and use the chronograph so you have a good baseline of data to build on.
Krusty
