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> For Elk ONLY, USA
For Elk ONLY, USA
@ 11:15 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerLong story short,………1. Had a retina detach 5 years ago while shotgunning. Not from using heavy loads. Laser surgery – all has been fine – back to 20/20 vision. 2. To error on the side of caution, sold my Elk rifle,…..338 Win. Took no joy from that. 3. Planning an Elk hunt, 2017. After very long and serious deliberation, have chosen my 30-06 which is a fairly heavy rifle all up, with a 24.5” barrel. 4. Jury still out on bullet selection but have spent too many long hours doing extensive research from 165 gr to 200 gr including North Fork 165; Swift 180; Barnes 168 TTSX; 200 gr Accubond and Partition. Current top pick for a little more 350 yard insurance (worst case but ethical shot opportunity): 200 gr Partition @ 2,600+ MV. 5. Current range results with the 200 gr Partition, @ 2550 MV are steadily holding 3/4” at 100. My question: if I can keep recoil reasonably close to my 30-06, is it worth considering moving to a 300WSM or 300 Win using midrange loads for a 150 to 200 fps gain at the muzzle? My question applies only to hunting Bull Elk. I have other rifles for other purposes and acquiring another rifle for this purpose is doable. A muzzle brake is not an option. Thank you,..... all comments very much appreciated. |
Replies
@ 01:04 am (GMT) |
Bryan WebsterRe: For Elk ONLY, USAIf you are not trying to shoot an elk past 350 to 400 yards out the 30/06 with 180 or your 200 grain Nosler partition bullets are very good. It is all about bullet placement. I had a pre 1964 Winchester Model 70 that took a lot of elk for me using 180 grain Speer Hot For bullets, and my older son took 5 elk so far as well as a couple dozen moose with his Sako Mannlicher 30/06 with no issues at all. His rifle actually loves cheap factory ammo and he has used the Federal Blue box for much of what he shot. Darned thing shoots under 1 MOA with that stuff. |
@ 06:55 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: For Elk ONLY, USAA 35 Whelen Ackley improved ??? Read about it in the Knowledge Base. .358 |
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@ 02:43 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: For Elk ONLY, USAThanks Bryan.Warwick,......will do. Cheers. |
@ 06:43 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: For Elk ONLY, USAHi Dan, your 06 is quite fine. If you change to the 200gr ELD-X or 208gr ELD-M, there will be no need to chase velocity as these bullets works well at mild impact velocities. Bullet weight will be getting up around that which you enjoyed in the .338. Recoil will be more rolling- very tolerable in a heavier weight rifle. As for which one, let the rifle decide. Test one, see how it shoots. If its no good, test the other bullet.The big thing, is to practice shooting with the rifle set to print 3" high at 100 yards. Learn the ins and outs as per the shooting book and learn to dial for the longer shots. Get plenty of practice and you will be quite fine. If hunting with a guide, he may want you to set the scope say 1" high at 100 yards. You need to be firm and say no. Its surprising how many folk want a flat shooter, but then handicap the rifle with a low trajectory. More surprising still that there are guides who reinforce such usage. |
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@ 10:27 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: For Elk ONLY, USAAnd to you Nathan.I've always told my students, a good confirmation is every bit as good as a revelation. And that you have provided Sir. Much obliged. Will follow through on the ELD's. Best to you & yours, Dan |
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@ 10:31 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: For Elk ONLY, USANathan,......As to the 3" up @ 100, been doing that since the 1960's. IIRC that was O'Connor's rule. Has always served me well over the years. Not sure why more others aren't doing this, especially experienced Guides?? Thanks. |
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@ 12:43 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: For Elk ONLY, USAGood ol Jack.That's good to hear Dan. If you want to try and chase a bit of velocity, do try working with Superformance powder. This will allow you to explore WSM like velocities from the 06, allowing you to experiment with recoil. Consider 57gr as maximum with either bullet, I cannot condone this suggested max load as being safe in any rifle and can only relate my past personal experiences. There is no actual load data for this bullet so please be cautious. Look for sweet spots at 2650 to 2750fps. There should be other posts on this forum regarding this load combo. |
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@ 03:00 am (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: For Elk ONLY, USAI have time. Will do.BTW,.......if you had your choice,....180gr or 200? 400 yards is my self-imposed maximum for Elk based on my limited experience with this rifle/cartridge. Range work at this distance will be a priority. Thanks. |
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@ 03:34 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: For Elk ONLY, USAI would prefer one of these current 200 or 208gr bullets. The 200gr goes well even in the likes of a .308, having good expansion qualities.I would prefer to see you dial past 300 yards and would prefer to see you do this no matter what the cartridge. Even in my Practical which is dead on at 320 yards, I don't like to hold over at 400 yards, so long as I have time. This ensures optimum accuracy and very clean killing. But if you must hold over, then I would prefer to see you shoot a magnum, something with an initially flat trajectory for less holdover (or reticle) error. Most of us have used hold over in the past, but I see no need for this these days, not when we have access to scopes that can be dialed in. And as I said to a friend yesterday, this really is not knew. Not when we think of sliding leaf sights and ladder peeps on the old military bolt actions we used. Many of us dialed these rifles in, so why not do the same with optics. This is a good time for you to play with this and start applying techniques from your copy of the shooting book. By next year, you should be in very good form. 400 yards is a very easy range for rifle, whether loaded to 2600fps or 2700fps. Velocity and BC are the same as the 7mm-08 and A-Max. I have a vast number of readers using this set up with extremely good results. Now we can do the same with the 30-06. If you ran a 178gr, you would gain 20 to 50fps over the 200gr / SF load or 100 to 150fps over a standard load, but would lose .1 BC. |
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@ 02:00 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: For Elk ONLY, USAI hear you Nathan.Thank you and be well. |
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