"a 30-06 is all you need"

Dake21

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So one day I went at walmart and met an old guy at the walmart sports counter looking at ammo and we started chatting about firearms and hunting. I told him I don't hunt, but own 4 firearms and like to shoot them at the range. He was saying that I shoud sell all the guns I have and buy a 30-06 instead because "it's all you need, even for rabbit. Just shoot 'em in the head!" I know the 30-06 is one of the most versatile caliber and you can take down anything in north america with it, but rabbits?? Isn't that overkill? and in my opinion there are other great caliber you can hunt with, but since I have no hunting experience I wanted to know what you guys think about this.
 
30/06 will reliably kill anything in North America, with the proper bullet. But it's not a small game round.
A 50 BMG will handle anything in the world, including rabbits, but it's definetly not an ideal bunny popper.;)
 
Sure, a 30-06 will do about anything you need to do with a rifle/chambering, but how is that any fun??
There are so many interesting choices out there, and the 30-06 is amongst those choices.
Some hate the old '06 [probably because of it's commoness], Others love that chambering [count me in]
But to limit oneself to one chambering, because it will do it all is not my way of doing things.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
So one day I went at walmart and met an old guy at the walmart sports counter looking at ammo and we started chatting about firearms and hunting. I told him I don't hunt, but own 4 firearms and like to shoot them at the range. He was saying that I shoud sell all the guns I have and buy a 30-06 instead because "it's all you need, even for rabbit. Just shoot 'em in the head!" I know the 30-06 is one of the most versatile caliber and you can take down anything in north america with it, but rabbits?? Isn't that overkill? and in my opinion there are other great caliber you can hunt with, but since I have no hunting experience I wanted to know what you guys think about this.

Sadly he's right. Maybe throw a .22 in the mix and you've got it all covered.
Like the Hank Williams song goes..."I've got a shotgun,a rifle and a four wheel drive and a country boy can survive"

Clearly the man is not a gun nut,just as 95% of the public that own a hunting rifle. Totally utilitarian in nature for guys like him.
 
You bumped into an exceptionally stingy Nova Scotian that is ignorant of local game laws. Last time I looked, NS hunting regulations forbid shooting rabbits with anything other than a rimfire rifle or a modern shotgun with light shot or archery equipment. Perhaps a muzzleloading shotgun as well.
But no to centrefire rifles AFAIK.
Also he left out the tasty flying thingys that make for really good table fare.
Obviously he is not aware of his own jurisdiction's game reg's! lol......
 
I forgot to mention I was in QC city that day, not in Nova Scotia. Anyway, I have to admit I kinda dislike the 30-06 because of the "its's all you need" utilitarian point of view. Why would I content myself of one gun and caliber when you have so many choices and nice gun out there? This guy was hunting with a 300 mag and said it was like the 30-06 but better. I really like the look and action of a levergun (I have a 30-30) sure the effective range is not over 200/300 yards but I really hate it when people look at me like I am shooting junk.

a 30-06 for goose...just shoot 'em in the head! lol
 
I really like the look and action of a levergun (I have a 30-30) sure the effective range is not over 200/300 yards but I really hate it when people look at me like I am shooting junk.

The beginning of happiness is when one learns to not give a carp about what others think about your choices and preferences. :)
 
If you hit a rabbit in the head with a .30-06, you will have to clean it. If you shoot the front shoulder, you only have to scoop out the guts and peel the hide from the back legs and back straps. There is little meat on the front shoulders anyhow, but that is completely gone.
 
I have a '57 Win 94 in .30-30. If anyone called that junk, I would introduce them to the unforgiving steel buttplate. Who cares what anyone else thinks. If YOU like it, then that is all that matters. Keeping up with popular opinion is a slippery and disappointing slope....
 
All this apologizing go'in on, eye too must say a sinful sorry to ye all.
Never shot a terdy awt ### before.
Never had the inclination to do so.
I didn't feel I had to.

So there, I said it.....errrr, typed it.
 
A lot of older hunters grew up where limited incomes did not allow for multiple rifles so they picked one ( where i grew up it was 95% .303 Lee Enfields). This idea has stuck with some and is harmless but I'd be bored silly with just one.
 
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