Extending the range of a 30-06?

[Dansk]

What is the longest 'point blank range' factory loaded 30-06 cartridge for medium sized game (deer, antelope, sheep)?

I usually shoot Fed Prem w/Barnes TSX in 165- thought some of you might know of a different bullet in a better factory load that would maximize the '06 PBR.  I started hunting Montana a few years ago and will start WYO this year for antelope.

I'm debating buying another smaller/flatter calibered rifle (leaning to WBY .257), but thought id check to see how far i can stretch the '06's PBR before I lay out some more cash.

(I like to keep it simple and avoid calculating holdover in the field- i'm just not that proficient yet.)

Suggestions?

[deerslyr]

Get a scope with a ballistic redicle...

[bobcat]

I think I'd look at something like the Nosler Accubond in a 165 grain, or maybe even 180. The heavier bullets have a higher ballistic coefficient, which means they will retain their velocity better, even though they start out slower. The 180 will still have slightly more drop than the 165 but the wind will affect it less.

[hoyt2002]

getting a new gun is the best way. 300 rum maybe?

[sakoshooter]

Shooting a 150gr bullet out of your ought 6 will increase your MPBR but only slightly because of increased velocity. When you're talking MPBR, you're really splitting hairs when considering slightly different bullets weights and even different rifles. Are you talking about a MPBR for deer(6" circle) or elk(12"circle)?

[Dansk]

Shooting a 150gr bullet out of your ought 6 will increase your MPBR but only slightly because of increased velocity. When you're talking MPBR, you're really splitting hairs when considering slightly different bullets weights and even different rifles. Are you talking about a MPBR for deer(6" circle) or elk(12"circle)?

MPBR for deer/sheep/antelope.  6" circle.

[Bob33]

Federal has some "High Energy" loads with more velocity than standard loads.  I've shot some 180s that hit around 2870 over the chronograph.  Hornady also has some "Super Performance" ammunition with velocities that exceed standard loads.  If they shoot well in your gun, and you like the bullet selections, that's one option.

If you think your 30-06 will ever approach the flat shooting trajectory of a 257 Weatherby, it won't get close.   A 30-06 may drop 16 to 20 inches at 400 yards, while a 257 will only drop 6 to 8 inches.

However, with a good rangefinder that becomes less of an issue.  Also, don't forget you can always try to get closer, or heaven forbid pass up a shot.

[satchel3006]

you could try these http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=875

[CP]

A 150g boat-tail bullet @ 2900fps gives a MPB range (6") of about 365 yd.  You need more?

[jackelope]

What ranges are you worried about shooting with your 30-06?
I can't wait to buy another .257 Weatehrby but have you seen the price of ammo? I used to own one so I know what to expect...$65 a box of 20 is for the cheap stuff.
 

Also, don't forget you can always try to get closer, or heaven forbid pass up a shot.

 

[Dansk]

What ranges are you worried about shooting with your 30-06?
I can't wait to buy another .257 Weatehrby but have you seen the price of ammo? I used to own one so I know what to expect...$65 a box of 20 is for the cheap stuff.
 

Also, don't forget you can always try to get closer, or heaven forbid pass up a shot.

 

My current MPBR is about 270 yds with a factory 165gr round, and drops dramatically very quickly.  I've had presentations between 300 and 400 for deer in MT and have read that I should be able to comfortably shoot between 300-400 yds for Antelope, Sheep, and goat.  A 100gr Wby .257 is something around 340 MPBR- hold at high shoulder  between 350 and 400  and I've got much more 'instant' range before the need to calculate holdover or use BDC reticle. 

I thought there might be a lighter bullet/hotter cartridge factory load suitable for above animals that can get my 30-06 MBPR into the mid 300yd range.


per Chuck Hawsks:
The regular .30-06 factory load for the 165 grain spitzer, regarded by many as the best general purpose bullet weight for the .30-06, gives a MV of 2,800 fps and ME of 2,872 ft. lbs. At 200 yards the figures are 2,283 fps and 1,909 ft. lbs. That load has a maximum point blank range (+/- 3") of about 273 yards.

[Dansk]

A 150g boat-tail bullet @ 2900fps gives a MPB range (6") of about 365 yd.  You need more?

...hmm.. maybe I'm not looking at the right balistics (??)- I've researched and a 6" MPBR (3" high to 3" low) for my load is about 270yds.

[Bob33]

A 150g boat-tail bullet @ 2900fps gives a MPB range (6") of about 365 yd.  You need more?

...hmm.. maybe I'm not looking at the right balistics (??)- I've researched and a 6" MPBR (3" high to 3" low) for my load is about 270yds.

I can't see how that can be.  Any 3006 bullet at 2900 ft/sec that does not go more than 3" above the line of sight would be much lower than 3" at 365 yards.

You should just go buy a Weatherby 257.  You can get an ugly Vanguard for around $400.  They have a very good reputation for accuracy.

[Dansk]

you could try these http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=875

Ooh... that's what i'm talking about...

I ran the comp- I can get the same trajectory as a 270 Wby mag 130gr (barnes didn't have 257 listed) with a 3006 110gr barnes.

Question then is what's the lower energy limit for mulies - i'm giving up alot of ft lbs at distance with a 110 bullet.

[Bob33]

Well, as they say there's no free lunch.  If you back into the ballistic coefficient of that 110 grain bullet using Federal's data, it's about .31.  That's pretty low.  Here's an approximate ballistics chart with a 3" high maximum rise, which occurs at about 157 yards.  The zero range is 275 yards, and a 3" MPBR is about 320 yrds.

110 grain bullet,  BC = 0.315         
Yds   Drop   Ft / Sec   Ft / Lbs
0   -1.5   3400   2823
100   2.4   3093   2337
157   3.0   2925   2090
200   2.6   2801   1917
250   1.2   2661   1729
275   -0.1   2592   1641
300   -1.6   2524   1556
325   -3.4   2457   1474
350   -5.6   2391   1396
375   -8.2   2325   1320
400   -11.3   2261   1248
425   -14.7   2197   1179
450   -18.6   2135   1113
475   -22.9   2073   1050
500   -27.8   2012   989
525   -33.1   1952   931
550   -39.1   1893   875
575   -45.7   1835   823
600   -52.9   1778   772

[Jingles]

MPBR for Sierra 180gr SBT 5inches above or below line of sight being pushed by 58.5 gr IMR 4350 @3000fps is 370 yards zero set at 310 yards

[bow-n-head]

A little different direction... find an accurate load that you could trust. There are many good ones. Then hit the range and practice out to... well I try everything out to 1000 yards until I can hit with consistency. Just get out and burn some powder.

[sakoshooter]

MPBR for Sierra 180gr SBT 5inches above or below line of sight being pushed by 58.5 gr IMR 4350 @3000fps is 370 yards zero set at 310 yards

Just curious how you're getting 3000 fps?

[Gringo31]

My experience is that most antelope are shot under 300 yards.   

[CP]

A 150g boat-tail bullet @ 2900fps gives a MPB range (6") of about 365 yd.  You need more?

...hmm.. maybe I'm not looking at the right balistics (??)- I've researched and a 6" MPBR (3" high to 3" low) for my load is about 270yds.

I can't see how that can be.  Any 3006 bullet at 2900 ft/sec that does not go more than 3" above the line of sight would be much lower than 3" at 365 yards.

You should just go buy a Weatherby 257.  You can get an ugly Vanguard for around $400.  They have a very good reputation for accuracy.

MPB is usually stated in radius - I gave data for +/- 6" not +/- 3". 

[CP]

Here's a site that you can pull in all your variables:

http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi

[Curly]

Well, as they say there's no free lunch.  If you back into the ballistic coefficient of that 110 grain bullet using Federal's data, it's about .31.  That's pretty low.  Here's an approximate ballistics chart with a 3" high maximum rise, which occurs at about 157 yards.  The zero range is 275 yards, and a 3" MPBR is about 320 yrds.

110 grain bullet,  BC = 0.315         
Yds   Drop   Ft / Sec   Ft / Lbs
0   -1.5   3400   2823
100   2.4   3093   2337
157   3.0   2925   2090
200   2.6   2801   1917
250   1.2   2661   1729
275   -0.1   2592   1641
300   -1.6   2524   1556
325   -3.4   2457   1474
350   -5.6   2391   1396
375   -8.2   2325   1320
400   -11.3   2261   1248
425   -14.7   2197   1179
450   -18.6   2135   1113
475   -22.9   2073   1050
500   -27.8   2012   989
525   -33.1   1952   931
550   -39.1   1893   875
575   -45.7   1835   823
600   -52.9   1778   772

I haven't ran the numbers, but I'd assume that light bullet with low BC would be affected greatly by the wind.  And it is harder to compensate for wind drift than effects of gravity.

The 30-06 should be fine for goats, but I think the OP now has a good reason for a new rifle.  Probably .270 WSM..........   It's always good to talk yourself into a new gun.

[Bob33]

A light bullet is more prone to wind drift, but that is compensated for somewhat by the fact that is faster and thus wind has less time to act on it.  Out to 400 yards it's probably neck and neck with a heavier, slower bullet.  As the distances get longer, it's a hare and tortoise show with the heavier bullet being the tortoise.

[Special T]

I think many people would like to think they can shoot well out to/past 400 yrds but that is not the case. I agree with Bow-N-Head. shoot what ya have until you are proficient. Many people i know who are awsome shots just have one rifle... At the Warden Coyote round up there was a life sixe steel target at an unkown distance... It was 450 od yards there were only 2 or 3 payouts with people shooting EVERY kind of caliber. The use of a range finder and practice will do more for your shooting than anything else. 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Get a rangefinder that will work out to 600 yds on non-reflective surfaces, or greater.  Then, practice.  I have a 7STW and a 30-06, and do not feel any negatives using either one, other than I like the stock on my 7STW more.  A 3006, can push a 165 around 2900-2950.  Very close to a 7mm Mag with a 160, and almost similar BC.  Don't let the MAG word fool ya, an 06 is about the most perfect western rifle.

[gutsnthegrass]

One other thing to think about, take it to a gunsmith and have him turn it into a 30-06 ackley.  You will have to reload for it but you should be able to get close to 300 WM ballistics and its not that expensive to have done.

[bobcat]

Going to an Ackley only gains you 100 feet per second, or slightly more. Not worth it, in my opinion. That's not enough increase in velocity to make any noticeable difference in your trajectory.

[Bob33]

I think the bottom line is this: a 30-06 can probably get you to a MPBR of around 285 yards, using a 3" radius (+/- 3").

Everything being equal, a 257 Weatherby can extend your MPBR out to around 345 yards: a gain of 60 yards.  That's about as flat a factory caliber as you can get.

You can certainly get by fine with a 30-06.  You need to understand its ballistics, and practice at longer distances if you intend to shoot at them.  A 257 is clearly faster and flatter shooting.  You will not need to hold over as much.

I have both.  I love my 30-06, and use it probably more than any other caliber. However, for antelope and long range deer, the 257 gets the call.