30-06s.... Love/Hate/Re-evaluate
- Thread starter WhelanLad
- Start date
If a person uses the ballistic recoil chart, one can see that the 308, 270, 280, 30/06 all of the same weigth, stock design, barrel length, bullet weigths, and brand that only a few lbs of recoil makes up the difference.
Some folks use words like huge difference, superior to, and not even close.
Yes that the 30/06 can shot the 180 on up to 220gr'ers,,, the 270's normally stay in the 150gr category,,, we know there are 160's out there for them.
The 308 & 30/06 are pretty close, sure the 0-6 has a small fraction over the 08, but it's minimal.
I reload, so this gives me the option to change my load.
I keep both of my 30's at the same ft-per seconds.
If the 06 is to much for deer, then change bullets.
Not enough for Elk, change bullets.
I don't need to do this since I use Hornady ELD-X 178gr'ers.
I use match 178's for predator control since they poke a nice little hole.
Yes, the 30/06 is not the crown and Jewel even though it is still the longest serving military cartrage running to date. 1906 to the end of 1969 and served in the Gulf War.
It holds alot of world recorded since its been around a long long time,, and has most likely gathered more critters in its 117 years since its introduction.
Yuppers, nothing out standing at all.
The old school boring / bland 30/06 has nothing to offer that other cartrages can do better.
But the 06 is far from coming to its end.
There isn't one sporting goods store that doesn't stock 1 to 7 30/06's at a given time.
It is still one hot selling unit just like the 308 & 270.
Both of them will be around for years to come.
Reporting from 30/06 Western Canada Don. LOL.
Some folks use words like huge difference, superior to, and not even close.
Yes that the 30/06 can shot the 180 on up to 220gr'ers,,, the 270's normally stay in the 150gr category,,, we know there are 160's out there for them.
The 308 & 30/06 are pretty close, sure the 0-6 has a small fraction over the 08, but it's minimal.
I reload, so this gives me the option to change my load.
I keep both of my 30's at the same ft-per seconds.
If the 06 is to much for deer, then change bullets.
Not enough for Elk, change bullets.
I don't need to do this since I use Hornady ELD-X 178gr'ers.
I use match 178's for predator control since they poke a nice little hole.
Yes, the 30/06 is not the crown and Jewel even though it is still the longest serving military cartrage running to date. 1906 to the end of 1969 and served in the Gulf War.
It holds alot of world recorded since its been around a long long time,, and has most likely gathered more critters in its 117 years since its introduction.
Yuppers, nothing out standing at all.
The old school boring / bland 30/06 has nothing to offer that other cartrages can do better.
But the 06 is far from coming to its end.
There isn't one sporting goods store that doesn't stock 1 to 7 30/06's at a given time.
It is still one hot selling unit just like the 308 & 270.
Both of them will be around for years to come.
Reporting from 30/06 Western Canada Don. LOL.
The 3006 isn't nearly appealing as it used to be. If you want an all around 30 caliber catridges, the .308 fills the role, as do the 300 magnums. I think people are still buying 30-06's for thier "all around rifle" because they don't know any better. 
The 3006 isn't nearly appealing as it used to be. If you want an all around 30 caliber catridges, the .308 fills the role, as do the 300 magnums. I think people are still buying 30-06's for thier "all around rifle" because they don't know any better.
If they are in doubt they can buy the annual "Old war-horse still gets it done" article in blasting and mayhem magazine when they pick up their annual box of boolits. The ought six crowd needs that little assurance, and the gun rags need the sales.
The 3006 isn't nearly appealing as it used to be. If you want an all around 30 caliber catridges, the .308 fills the role, as do the 300 magnums. I think people are still buying 30-06's for thier "all around rifle" because they don't know any better.
If you reload, the 30-06 can do everything the .308 or .30 magnums can. Really is the only caliber you need.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I like the 30-06 but it doesn't come that close to a 300 win. If you are shooting animals at what people call normal hunting distances then sure no need for a 300 but stretch that out to 600-1200 yards and there is no way the old -06 can hold a candle to the 300.
Shooting 200-208gr from an -06 at 2550-2600 is no slouch but when a 300 can shoot those same bullets at 2950-3000 there is a big difference in energy delivered. The min load for the 300 is the same as the max load for the old -06.
Fixed it for you
but of course, anything goes in a pink tutu
I started with a 1970's Model 70 Winchester 300WM. As a young hunter I tried to become proficient with open sights. Quickly departed that adventure...then a Husqvarna 30-06 came my way, well scoped I enjoyed many wonderful seasons with that rifle.
Understanding the ballistics of the .30-06 and the highly touted .308, I now enjoy the necked down versions of each, a .25-06 & a .243. Both complete my requirements for white tail deer in a very efficient manner.
That said the .30-06 still has me respect and admiration. Perhaps a caliber which just goes about its business with little fanfare...but does it well....
Understanding the ballistics of the .30-06 and the highly touted .308, I now enjoy the necked down versions of each, a .25-06 & a .243. Both complete my requirements for white tail deer in a very efficient manner.
That said the .30-06 still has me respect and admiration. Perhaps a caliber which just goes about its business with little fanfare...but does it well....
There are calibres that shoot flatter than 30-06, there are cartridges that are more powerful, and there are calibres with less recoil.
A specific caliber might be best for a specific task and one can own many specialized hunting rounds. Or they can own one do everything cartridge like the 30-06 or something with similar characteristics.
However, where you live in canada may effect your personal choices .... a do all gun in hand is great when you might need it too do more than one thing on a single trip like a small caribou, a large Alaskan moose, or some of us that might have an unplanned and unwelcome meet up with a grizzly. Sure, I might carry something bigger for a grizzly, if that’s what I was specifically after, but that do all rifle will handle even that, if necessary.
Many hunters inherit an old hunting gun from a father, grandfather, uncle, or older friend ..... any do all rifle caliber will do just find and in those cases, I don’t see any reason to purchase yet another safe occupier.
A specific caliber might be best for a specific task and one can own many specialized hunting rounds. Or they can own one do everything cartridge like the 30-06 or something with similar characteristics.
However, where you live in canada may effect your personal choices .... a do all gun in hand is great when you might need it too do more than one thing on a single trip like a small caribou, a large Alaskan moose, or some of us that might have an unplanned and unwelcome meet up with a grizzly. Sure, I might carry something bigger for a grizzly, if that’s what I was specifically after, but that do all rifle will handle even that, if necessary.
Many hunters inherit an old hunting gun from a father, grandfather, uncle, or older friend ..... any do all rifle caliber will do just find and in those cases, I don’t see any reason to purchase yet another safe occupier.
I have shot a few 30-06 but yet don't/won't own one. With a properly fitting stock and recoil pad the kick isn't a big deal. I have no dislike for it. It's fine. However, the 308 offers pretty much the same performance with a bit less kick, so I'm sticking with that. Not being a "to the max" hunter, a 308 and or 7-08, is good for any hunting I'll do till 300 yards. To mix it up a bit, I might even choose to take a 30-30 or .243 for my deer hunting.
What I really like about the 30-06 is the long history it has, kind of like a 1911.
What I really like about the 30-06 is the long history it has, kind of like a 1911.
I agree, I don't know any better along with lots of other folks since we live life in the bland Ought-6 world.
Ho Hummmmm.
It's lonely in the middle.
To big for small critters, to small for large game.
Hits Deer to hard, not enough for the thick skins.
To much recoil for Harvesting, not very good at Extrem long range past the 100m mark.
They burn way to much powder compared to a 308, and the cost of Lapua brass is threw the roof.
Boring and bland, out-dated.
It's tuff being a 30/06 dude.
Can't be hip, no chance of being part of the Yo Yo Yo club.
Guess our hats are to tight. LOL
Yes'er. Life is hard in the middle grounds.
Lonely with no friends, the 243/270 crowds laugh at us because we are walking around in the bush with a tank.
The 300/338 dudes look at us funny since we don't have enough gun when a 2 ton Grizzly Bear comes charging.
Yes indeed.
Purhaps it's time we sell those 30/06's off and return to the mighty 303 British,,, not sure if many folks know this, but the world record Bull Moose taken to date was with the old Lee Enfield with iron sights and factory corrosive ammo. Ha.
I wonder if life for them is bland and boring. Guess I'll find out soon enough. LOL
From don't know nothing Don
Ho Hummmmm.
It's lonely in the middle.
To big for small critters, to small for large game.
Hits Deer to hard, not enough for the thick skins.
To much recoil for Harvesting, not very good at Extrem long range past the 100m mark.
They burn way to much powder compared to a 308, and the cost of Lapua brass is threw the roof.
Boring and bland, out-dated.
It's tuff being a 30/06 dude.
Can't be hip, no chance of being part of the Yo Yo Yo club.
Guess our hats are to tight. LOL
Yes'er. Life is hard in the middle grounds.
Lonely with no friends, the 243/270 crowds laugh at us because we are walking around in the bush with a tank.
The 300/338 dudes look at us funny since we don't have enough gun when a 2 ton Grizzly Bear comes charging.
Yes indeed.
Purhaps it's time we sell those 30/06's off and return to the mighty 303 British,,, not sure if many folks know this, but the world record Bull Moose taken to date was with the old Lee Enfield with iron sights and factory corrosive ammo. Ha.
I wonder if life for them is bland and boring. Guess I'll find out soon enough. LOL
From don't know nothing Don
If you do this enough, you realize it's all on a sliding scale power/lethality vs weight/recoil.
Yes the 300 win will reach out further in the right hands, but it also comes in a heavier package or kicks your shoulder harder, both of which are a detriment.
There is no better, certain clamberings in certain rifles are just better for specific tasks.
One would never argue that the sledgehammer is inherently better than a ballpeen. They both have things they do well. Gun guys will continue to fight the fight though.
BeaverMeat
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanaimo, B.C.
I looked at five popular cartridges: 30-06, 308, 300wm, 270, and 7mm Rem. I opted for the 30-06 because I can use bullets from 110gr up to 220gr. with no sacrifice in performance. Ammo is less expensive to purchase in quantity compaired to magnums. Plus you can have a fairly light rifle.
