OK,Now I'm hooked

[cheapshot]

Just went to a nice range in Missouri with a friend. I fired his gun @ 600 yds and actually hit the target. I was impressed. So now I have to buy a rifle that can do it. My friends rifle is a Sig in .300 winmag w/a Burris scope on it. I have questions about what chambering I should go for.
With his .300 winmag zeroed at 200 yds, I had to raise the cross hairs quite a bit to hit the X ring. Would I have to raise the crosshairs even more to get similar results with a 30-06 or a .308.
As you can tell, I don't know diddly about this long range stuff, and I have a lot to learn, but I definately got a woody when I got a 5 shot, aprox. 10 inch group at 600 my first time. It is a bit hard on the shoulder though.

 

[Steve Smith]

Yes, you would have to raise the crosshairs up more (with the elevation knob, of course, not by raising the rifle) with a .308 or .30-06...however, they won't pummel your shoulder. There is a lot more than "guessing" when it comes to how much you raise the crosshairs. Basically, you start with someone's ballistic chart, so you have an idea on how much to raise the scope at distances x, y and z. Then you go out and shoot at those distances, using the ballistic chart to help you get on target...however, since every rifle shoots differently, the ballistic chart will only be "close." You'll look where you're shooting, and adjust the crosshairs more. Once you're on target, you'll edit the chart to match your rifle and load. Basically, you'll start making your own chart. If you change anything (bullet, cases, powder, primers) you'll have to do it all over again. You'll also want to look into reloading so you can custom tune the ammo for your rifle.