Ethical to shoot past 400 yards at elk w/AR15 based rifle? Yes/No

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm just still wondering why he keeps bringing up the skills of a novice shooter when the thread was started for the purpose of discussing the capabilities of the firearm

[BULLBLASTER]

I'm just still wondering why he keeps bringing up the skills of a novice shooter when the thread was started for the purpose of discussing the capabilities of the firearm

It's easy to grasp at anything possible when you are obviously proven wrong with facts and real world experience.

[bobcat]

Okay, I don't see where anyone  was "proven wrong." As someone else already said, this is not a black and white kind of topic. Let's try not to take it too personal.

[Karl Blanchard]

Okay, I don't see where anyone  was "proven wrong." As someone else already said, this is not a black and white kind of topic. Let's try not to take it too personal.

  AR will kill an elk past 400 yards, very effectively I might add (topic of this thread).  This is fact. Bringing the personal skills of the shooter into the subject has no bearing on the lethality of the firearm itself.  A poor shooter is gonna make poor shots regardless of caliber at those distances.  Compensating for lack of ability by using a larger caliber is in my eyes, the unethical action.

[jasnt]

The right caliber and bullet choice along with good bullet placement it could be done.

Of course it "could be done" if by that you mean could you kill an elk at north of 400 yards with it.  What I am asking is: is it ethical to attempt to do so?

Ethics is something I won't apply to others.

If you feel comfortable doing it and have the skills...Go for it!

 
I can't tell you what your ethics should be.

[bobcat]

How much past 400 I guess is the question. If you have the right optics and knowledge to shoot that far a 30/30 would kill an elk at 400 yards. But still not the best cartridge for the job.

Personally I would only ask WHY? Why would someone choose an AR for shooting elk at extreme long range when a standard bolt action rifle chambered in 30/06 with a basic 3-9x scope is superior.

[BULLBLASTER]

How much past 400 I guess is the question. If you have the right optics and knowledge to shoot that far a 30/30 would kill an elk at 400 yards. But still not the best cartridge for the job.

Personally I would only ask WHY? Why would someone choose an AR for shooting elk at extreme long range when a standard bolt action rifle chambered in 30/06 with a basic 3-9x scope is superior.

Your saying a 30-06 with a basic 3-9 scope (taken as no tactical or long range type dials) is superior than a 6.5 ar built for long range and having a scope built to be dialed and specifically set up for that?
Is personally take a 6.5 with confirmed dope for a 400-500 yard shot than a 30-06 with Kentucky wind age for a shot at an elk at 450 yards. As I feel it's more ethical to use a gun proven at that range than holding what looks like 14 inches above the target and hoping it's correct. 

My 06 shooting 180 interlocks is dropping drastically at that range. 22 inches drop at 400 and 47 inches at 500 yards.

[Karl Blanchard]

How much past 400 I guess is the question. If you have the right optics and knowledge to shoot that far a 30/30 would kill an elk at 400 yards. But still not the best cartridge for the job.

Personally I would only ask WHY? Why would someone choose an AR for shooting elk at extreme long range when a standard bolt action rifle chambered in 30/06 with a basic 3-9x scope is superior.

Your saying a 30-06 with a basic 3-9 scope (taken as no tactical or long range type dials) is superior than a 6.5 ar built for long range and having a scope built to be dialed and specifically set up for that?
Is personally take a 6.5 with confirmed dope for a 400-500 yard shot than a 30-06 with Kentucky wind age for a shot at an elk at 450 yards. As I feel it's more ethical to use a gun proven at that range than holding what looks like 14 inches above the target and hoping it's correct. 

My 06 shooting 180 interlocks is dropping drastically at that range. 22 inches drop at 400 and 47 inches at 500 yards.

[bobcat]

So put a different scope on the 30/06. My point is it launches heavier bullets at higher speed than any AR cartridge. Why choose an AR for a long range elk rifle? Makes no sense to me.

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

So put a different scope on the 30/06. My point is it launches heavier bullets at higher speed than any AR cartridge. Why choose an AR for a long range elk rifle? Makes no sense to me.

With that logic why stop at the 30/06? There are tons of calibers bigger and faster. As said earlier some people just enjoy and are more familiar with ar platforms.

[BULLBLASTER]

So put a different scope on the 30/06. My point is it launches heavier bullets at higher speed than any AR cartridge. Why choose an AR for a long range elk rifle? Makes no sense to me.

Hell a 50 launches a bigger bullet than a 06. Why not pick a 50?
Different strokes for different folks.
I agree a 06 has more power. But a 6.5 at has plenty of killing force which has been proven in this thread.
A bad shot with a 06 isn't much better than a bad shot with a 6.5. Still a bad shot

[bobcat]

I agree- bigger than 30/06 is even better. But the 30/06 is a nice standard cartridge that most people can shoot well.

[Karl Blanchard]

I agree- bigger than 30/06 is even better. But the 30/06 is a nice standard cartridge that most people can shoot well.

I disagree.  Lots of small frame shooters out there that absolutely can't shoot a "standard" chambering like the 06'.  For a small framed shooter, calibers like .243, 7mm-08, anything 6.5, .257 Bob are all better suited FOR THE SHOOTER.  A comfortable shooter is an accurate shooter.

[jasnt]

This would do it
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=asBjqOx1txY

[bobcat]

I agree- bigger than 30/06 is even better. But the 30/06 is a nice standard cartridge that most people can shoot well.

I disagree.  Lots of small frame shooters out there that absolutely can't shoot a "standard" chambering like the 06'.  For a small framed shooter, calibers like .243, 7mm-08, anything 6.5, .257 Bob are all better suited FOR THE SHOOTER.  A comfortable shooter is an accurate shooter.

Yeah, that's why I said "most people." The 30/06 with a 150 grain bullet at 3,000 fps really doesn't kick that much.