Xtrmecat, I totally disagree about the 30-06. Ballistic wise a typical 30-06 round (165 grain @ 2,900 fps) still has more energy at 400 yards than a typical 30-30 (150 grain @ 2,100fps) round has at the muzzle. So you would be saying you couldn't kill an elk at point blank with a 30-30. The 30-06 stays supersonic out past 1200 yards. And that's not a "hot" load by any means. You can shoot much heavier bullets as well.
Now if you are talking about the accuracy of factory ammo at those ranges then yes you may have trouble hitting said target but so will any of the newest super magnums. Much better to work up a load for that particular gun.
Keeping in mind anything over 300 yards that you should be dialing with elevation turrets and not "holding over", know the difference between a first and second focal plane scope(which is why ballistic most reticles are used incorrectly), have a rangefinder, plus angle, pressure, etc. to calculate a shot. The gun is plenty capable.
Sorry to hear the hunting has gone downhill so bad. Same for my buddy in Idaho. We are dealing with the drought
You would do much better to get super proficient with and 308,30 06 or 270 than to buy a bigger gun that you flyich all over and can't hit sh#t with... Accuracy is always more important than power. 22 rimfire between the eyes beats 300 win mag in the dirt any day of the week.
I was shooting heavy metal targets with a 240gr 44mag that couldn't knock them over.
Then I switched to a Thompson Contender with a 10" barrel in .30-30
It did the trick knocking them over, but I didn't even go through the first box of ammo, and doubt I'd even try it in .45-70
I have a Sharps Quigley in .45-70 with a 34" barrel, but am still looking to get one with a 25 lb barrel when they do a run this summer. Should be more bearable.
I've had a Browning high grade carbine in .45-70 (bought from the estate of Mike Baker) but fear to shoot it, likely knock me on my ass.
Istalled the "Slidefire" stock on my AR-15 this weekend and took it out for a test....Holy mother of Moses...worked perfectly...not even a learning cruve...It dumps a mag in about 2 seconds...Need to break out my BETA C-mag next time out and try not to cook the barrel. Raised a few looks from other shooters nearby. Maybe bring some tannerite and really make some noise next time.
Thanks for the responses to my question. I will be doing some more research. Hunt will be in Northern NM. I will definitely practice but cant imagine hazarding a shot more than 200-300 yards. Thoughts on a guide? Necessary?
Good marksmanship and personal experience with a given system is far superior to bigger and louder.
I'm searching for the right optic for my long range .243 because I am very comfortable with it....been shooting it for 26 years.
I'll still pack my model 90 30-30 in the sticks, even backpacking, if bears are a concern. It's solid and I'm very good with it, despite it's weight and size.
Thanks for the responses to my question. I will be doing some more research. Hunt will be in Northern NM. I will definitely practice but cant imagine hazarding a shot more than 200-300 yards. Thoughts on a guide? Necessary?
If you don't know anyone out there already or aren't planning on going with a local, a guide makes a lot of sense. More for just maximizing your time than anything else. They can also advise you on the typical ranges you're likely to be shooting at. I don't know much about NM but a lot of the terrain out West opens up pretty fast... Long range really often is 400+ yards...
Yeah, here in NV there are a lot of opportunities to shoot across canyons in sage country that are 4-500 yards. Sometimes it takes a ton of work to get any closer. I won't shoot those distances myself; but there are plenty of other people who are comfortable with that range.
Ron, I'll try to get by over there if possible. Haven't heard of Vortex. I have a friend who's looking for his 7mag, I don't have one.
A game of Russian roulette ended with the death of a Southern California teenager, who shot himself in the head early Monday, authorities said.
The 17-year-old boy fatally shot himself inside an apartment in the West Carson community, an unincorporated area near Torrance, just after midnight, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Let us know!