I'd have to route the string through/around something, I still would not want to stand behind it... (no wall/berm behind the benches at the outdoor range)
As for .30-06 loads, my favorite is the 180 gr for deer. My friends gave me a hard time at first "Isn't that a bit MUCH for whitetail??", but I really don't like trying to track a critter in shortgrass prairie in the dark, and most of my best shots are near dusk.
The 180 puts them down, now.
Besides, if you place your shot well, you don't mess up any more meat than you would have with the 150 gr. (which is not much, just a couple of ribs)
I have some of the old Herter's Round nosed ammo for the '06, much heavier than I'd use for anything but bear or maybe moose/elk, and admittedly do not recall offhand exactly what it is, I just put it up. I have not had call to use it, but it will keep...
I never loaded the .308 to the heavy side, with the '06 around I just did not see the need, and so far, I mostly use just it punching paper.
That 2800 is hotter than factory, what load are you using?
There are two versions of the Ross. The earlier model was known for being assembled backward and it could take your face off by not rotating into lock position (it is visually evident that it was not working right when working the action after assembly though). The receiver would crack at the back where the bolt would hit the stop when pulling the action open hard. These used solid lugs on the locking piece while the later one used the serrated lugs. The serrated lugs looked like dirt could jam it easily. I don’t think any of the first versions were used in combat. The later version intolerance to dirt meant they were “lost” by a vast majority of the Canadian troops in the trenches so they could get Enfield replacements. The later version would take stripper clips while the first version had to be hand fed like the Krag. The later version’s flipped down battle sight is set for 300 yards while the lifted sight could be set for 100 yards. A*s backwards in my book.
No expert. Just happen to have one of each at one point.
With a 174, I get about 2700 out of it with the 4320. The bullet is longer and seats deeper, so the case is still full right up, but it's only about 47 gr.
I usually back it off some for target, but even at close-in Georgia ranges for whitetail I want some oomph behind it. Tracking deer at dusk in the woods is not my idea of a good time either. It kicks like crazy, but I never even notice it when I'm out in the field. Too much else on my mind, I guess. First deer I shot, I never even heard the rifle go off, just saw the deer leap and fall.
We didn't have a .30-06 until hubby got one through the CMP. So we're still learning our way around the reloads.