30-06?

phelpsj · February 20, 2006, 09:59 AM

I am looking for a rifle that would be good for most if not all north american big game. I have seen alot of pepole say that the 30-06 can take all of the north american big game species. I would just like to see how many of you think that this is true and get sugestions on what you think could do this task. Thank you for your help.

maximuss · February 20, 2006, 10:01 AM

If you want a rifle to do all, I would go for 300 win mag.

stevelyn · February 20, 2006, 10:19 AM

The .30-06 will do everything that needs doing in North America. More available commercial loads than any other cartridge from 125 to 220 grain bullets. Can be found in any backwater general store that sells ammo.
If you think you need more power, Federal High Energy and Hornady Light Magnum loads turn the '06 into a .300 H&H. If you handload you can comfortably get into this territory.
Most big game (all species) in Alaska are taken with the .30-06.

**Rich Lucibella** · February 20, 2006, 11:03 AM

+1 for all the reasons stated by stevelyn.
Rich

Art Eatman · February 20, 2006, 12:04 PM

And handloaders can load down to squirrel loads and plinking loads as well as the 110-grain varmint bullets.

I got into the .30-'06 habit in 1950. Just never really been able to break that habit.

But it was all my daddy's and my uncle's fault. They got me started on account of that's what they used.

And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Art

publius · February 20, 2006, 09:17 PM

The '06 will kill anything in North America, and will do it well.

riverrat66 · February 20, 2006, 10:13 PM

I'm just wondering as I know very little about this subject but isn't the .308 and .30-06 almost identical in ballistics? I see so much surplus .308 ammo available for plinking & target practice it seems that might be the way to go. I own a .270, .308 & .300 win. mag. If I could only choose one I'd take the .300 win mag. But it would be a lot cheaper to shoot the '06. In my opinion you can never have too much gun!

BIGR · February 21, 2006, 08:09 PM

It would be hard to find an all around rifle that does a better job than the 30 .06. The wide range of bullet weights and availability of the ammunition for it makes it hard to beat. Yea there are bigger, louder, smaller, weaker calibers, but the 30.06 has the right stuff and gets the job done. It has proven itself over and over in the great outdoors on many successful hunts and has put meat on the table of starving hunters.

**Rich Lucibella** · February 21, 2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

I'm just wondering as I know very little about this subject but isn't the .308 and .30-06 almost identical in ballistics?

Yes and No. Modern loads provide .308 rounds that are very much equivalent to classic .30-06 offerings. But, then, modern .30-06 have been equivalently upped past .308 limits.

Personally, I don't own a 30-06, only because I have so many rifles chambered in .308 and I prefer the short action. But for overall breadth of loadings, availability of store bought ammo and parts and sheer kill value, I never look down on the .30-06 hunter. They generally know from whence they speak. "Sexier" US game loads exist; but none more practical.
Rich

riverrat66 · February 21, 2006, 09:17 PM

That's why I tell my wife I need at least one rifle in each caliber!

Art Eatman · February 21, 2006, 09:51 PM

For starters: The .308 in factory laodings is loaded to around 55,000 psi. The factory '06 stuff is loaded, typically, to around 50,000 psi. With 150-grain bullets, this equalizes the two.

The .308 cartridge case is more efficient than the '06. It works just fine with a 20" or 22" barrel. The '06 is a slightly overbore case, and works better with 24" or 26" barrels.

Because of the setback of a 180-grain bullet into a .308 case, the decreased room for powder means that '06 velocities cannot be achieved.

So: For one who does not handload, and who doesn't need to use bullets above 165-grains in weight, the .308 is superb. And, with the inexpensive ammo, it's less costly to develop one's shooting skill.

For a handloader who doesn't mind the weight of a long tube, and who tends to want a 180-grain bullet at great effectiveness, the '06 is better.

My own pet rig is a Weatherby Mark V with a 26" barrel. With scope, sling and six rounds of ammo, it weigs 9.5 pounds. I've put in many an eight-hour walking-hunting day with it. Yeah, it's fatiguing, somewhat--but it's a really nice Ma Bell critter. I grant that I don't do all that walking anymore, and have gone to a much lighter weight rifle, but I'm not really a spring chicken, either.

Art

BIGR · February 21, 2006, 10:53 PM

Art always has great information and you can believe what he tells you, because he has alot of experience in this area.

ART YOU ARE THE MAN......

formerflyer · February 22, 2006, 05:53 PM

What Art said, too.

john in jax · February 22, 2006, 10:38 PM

Here's another thumbs up for the .30-06.

H&H,hunter · February 22, 2006, 11:03 PM

Another one who agrees with Art.

The 06 works. PERIOD.

JMag · February 23, 2006, 12:54 AM

It has been true for 100 years!

loggerhead · February 23, 2006, 08:24 AM

ARTs got it right! I got three of um and I know they will kill anything on the north american continent that walks, creeps, crawls, flies or slithers.

mikejonestkd · February 23, 2006, 03:28 PM

Another vote for Art!!!

The .30 -06 will do whatever you need it to do.

22-rimfire · February 24, 2006, 07:13 PM

At normal ranges, 30-06 does it all. IF you are thinking out to 300+ yds, I'd lean toward a 300 win mag. You just have to accept that it will have more recoil.

biglabsrule · February 24, 2006, 07:56 PM

'06 is a great all around round... as they mentioned you can get all different types of loads depending on your needs... I read a book about Hathcock the best sniper we had in Nam, he would often use an '06 model 70 (winchester).. I myself own a remington 7400 with a 3-9x50.. great gun and grt load be it in my brushy woods of upstate NY or anything up to say 500 yards.. anything over that id go with like a 270 personaly, and wouldnt be using my autoloader.. just my 2cents

Hello123 · February 25, 2006, 12:59 AM

The 30-06 is just so boringly effective.

Jseime · February 27, 2006, 06:13 PM

I think that you never even needed to ask the question (but we're glad you did anyway). Just look at the history of the cartridge, anything thats been around for 100 years and can still be found everywhere that they sell ammunition right along with the .22lr cant be too bad.

If you arm yourself with a .30-06 youll be set for any animal North America can throw at you (even the two legged kind). Just make sure you can put the bullet where it needs to go and you picked the right bullet.

February 20, 2006, 09:59 AM	#1
phelpsj Member Join Date: January 26, 2006 Location: denver Posts: 19	30-06? I am looking for a rifle that would be good for most if not all north american big game. I have seen alot of pepole say that the 30-06 can take all of the north american big game species. I would just like to see how many of you think that this is true and get sugestions on what you think could do this task. Thank you for your help.

February 20, 2006, 10:19 AM	#3
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	The .30-06 will do everything that needs doing in North America. More available commercial loads than any other cartridge from 125 to 220 grain bullets. Can be found in any backwater general store that sells ammo. If you think you need more power, Federal High Energy and Hornady Light Magnum loads turn the '06 into a .300 H&H. If you handload you can comfortably get into this territory. Most big game (all species) in Alaska are taken with the .30-06. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

February 20, 2006, 11:03 AM	#4
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	+1 for all the reasons stated by stevelyn. Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

February 21, 2006, 09:17 PM	#10
riverrat66 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2004 Location: Western New York Posts: 394	Which caliber? That's why I tell my wife I need at least one rifle in each caliber!

February 22, 2006, 05:53 PM	#13
formerflyer Member Join Date: November 7, 2005 Posts: 28	What Art said, too. __________________ Draw quickly, shoot carefully. If you can get closer, get closer. If you can get steadier, get steadier.

February 20, 2006, 10:01 AM	#2
maximuss Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 246	If you want a rifle to do all, I would go for 300 win mag.

February 20, 2006, 12:04 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	And handloaders can load down to squirrel loads and plinking loads as well as the 110-grain varmint bullets. I got into the .30-'06 habit in 1950. Just never really been able to break that habit. But it was all my daddy's and my uncle's fault. They got me started on account of that's what they used. And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Art

February 20, 2006, 09:17 PM	#6
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	The '06 will kill anything in North America, and will do it well.

February 20, 2006, 10:13 PM	#7
riverrat66 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2004 Location: Western New York Posts: 394	I'm just wondering as I know very little about this subject but isn't the .308 and .30-06 almost identical in ballistics? I see so much surplus .308 ammo available for plinking & target practice it seems that might be the way to go. I own a .270, .308 & .300 win. mag. If I could only choose one I'd take the .300 win mag. But it would be a lot cheaper to shoot the '06. In my opinion you can never have too much gun!

February 21, 2006, 08:09 PM	#8
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	It would be hard to find an all around rifle that does a better job than the 30 .06. The wide range of bullet weights and availability of the ammunition for it makes it hard to beat. Yea there are bigger, louder, smaller, weaker calibers, but the 30.06 has the right stuff and gets the job done. It has proven itself over and over in the great outdoors on many successful hunts and has put meat on the table of starving hunters.

February 21, 2006, 09:51 PM	#11
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	For starters: The .308 in factory laodings is loaded to around 55,000 psi. The factory '06 stuff is loaded, typically, to around 50,000 psi. With 150-grain bullets, this equalizes the two. The .308 cartridge case is more efficient than the '06. It works just fine with a 20" or 22" barrel. The '06 is a slightly overbore case, and works better with 24" or 26" barrels. Because of the setback of a 180-grain bullet into a .308 case, the decreased room for powder means that '06 velocities cannot be achieved. So: For one who does not handload, and who doesn't need to use bullets above 165-grains in weight, the .308 is superb. And, with the inexpensive ammo, it's less costly to develop one's shooting skill. For a handloader who doesn't mind the weight of a long tube, and who tends to want a 180-grain bullet at great effectiveness, the '06 is better. My own pet rig is a Weatherby Mark V with a 26" barrel. With scope, sling and six rounds of ammo, it weigs 9.5 pounds. I've put in many an eight-hour walking-hunting day with it. Yeah, it's fatiguing, somewhat--but it's a really nice Ma Bell critter. I grant that I don't do all that walking anymore, and have gone to a much lighter weight rifle, but I'm not really a spring chicken, either. Art

February 21, 2006, 10:53 PM	#12
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	Art always has great information and you can believe what he tells you, because he has alot of experience in this area. ART YOU ARE THE MAN......

February 22, 2006, 10:38 PM	#14
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,177	Here's another thumbs up for the .30-06. __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe

February 22, 2006, 11:03 PM	#15
H&H,hunter Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 504	Another one who agrees with Art. The 06 works. PERIOD. __________________ Velocity is thrilling, But diameter does the real killing.

February 23, 2006, 12:54 AM	#16
JMag Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2004 Posts: 284	It has been true for 100 years!

February 23, 2006, 08:24 AM	#17
loggerhead Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Location: Right of the Mississippi but South of the Mason Dixie line Posts: 132	ARTs got it right! I got three of um and I know they will kill anything on the north american continent that walks, creeps, crawls, flies or slithers.

February 23, 2006, 03:28 PM	#18
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	.30-06 Another vote for Art!!! The .30 -06 will do whatever you need it to do.

February 24, 2006, 07:13 PM	#19
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	At normal ranges, 30-06 does it all. IF you are thinking out to 300+ yds, I'd lean toward a 300 win mag. You just have to accept that it will have more recoil.

February 24, 2006, 07:56 PM	#20
biglabsrule Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Location: Adirondack Park, upstate NY north of Utica Posts: 385	'06 is a great all around round... as they mentioned you can get all different types of loads depending on your needs... I read a book about Hathcock the best sniper we had in Nam, he would often use an '06 model 70 (winchester).. I myself own a remington 7400 with a 3-9x50.. great gun and grt load be it in my brushy woods of upstate NY or anything up to say 500 yards.. anything over that id go with like a 270 personaly, and wouldnt be using my autoloader.. just my 2cents __________________ got me a little lady, the gun buying has come to an end, sigh

February 25, 2006, 12:59 AM	#21
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 571	The 30-06 is just so boringly effective.

February 27, 2006, 06:13 PM	#22
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	I think that you never even needed to ask the question (but we're glad you did anyway). Just look at the history of the cartridge, anything thats been around for 100 years and can still be found everywhere that they sell ammunition right along with the .22lr cant be too bad. If you arm yourself with a .30-06 youll be set for any animal North America can throw at you (even the two legged kind). Just make sure you can put the bullet where it needs to go and you picked the right bullet. __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.