Outside of varmints, Alaskan Brown Bears, and African Game of the Dangerous variety, the .30-06 does it all. With a 180 grain (very ordinary) bullet if your game doesn't go down, you can only yourself blame yourself for being a bad shot. No fuss, one bullet, one load, all big game.
A .30-06 poll
- Thread starter Dustin
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Prosper,
The heaviest .270 bullet commonly found is 160 grs. I haven't seen a 180/.270 in 30 years, and I doubt if there are many left. A 160/.270 has a SD of .297, which is roughly the equivalent to a 200 gr .30 caliber bullet. Yet .30 caliber bullets are commonly found up to 240 grs. The heavier bullet has more core to expand to form a larger frontal area and the larger the frontal area the larger wound volume. Therefore, on very heavy game, the '06 outperforms the .270.
I'd have no problem going after a bear in the willows with a .30/06 loaded with my handloads, but I would not be happy with a .270 in similar circumstances. A big advantage that the '06 has is that its velocity is less prone to result in bullet failure on heavy game. This is the one area where a premium is a good idea in the .30/06, but after having extensively tested premiums for close range performance, I believe 2500 is the limit. The 240 gr Woodleigh has a MV of about 2400 fps from the '06 and is designed to upset fully at the '06's velocity.
The .270 has been touted as a very good long-range medium game cartridge, and it is. But load the '06 with a sleek 150 gr .30 caliber bullet at 3000 fps and it will take care of business with no more gore than the .270's 130 at the same velocity, provided that bullet construction and point the of impact are similar. A .270 loaded with a 150-160 gr bullets can harvest elk and moose effectively and humanely. The same can be said for the .30/06 when loaded with 165-180 gr bullets. .
In terms of trajectory there is no real difference between the .270 and the .30/06. If we use the highest BC bullets and load to equal pressure in both cartridges, it's a wash.
The '06 is certainly cheaper to load than a .300 Winchester. If each round uses 15 grs less powder per cartridge, that's 15,000 grs per 1000, more than 2 pounds of powder in just a couple of months! I don't know about you, but my powder isn't cheap. But while we are on the subject of magnums, even if brass costs the same, I bet I'll get double the reloads from a .30/06 than I would from a .300. I'll get good performance on game with regular bullets where the .300 should use TSX's. The '06 looks cheaper all the time.
I grew up on the '06, and long days at the range ate up great deal of ammo. 100 rounds in a day from prone when I was shooting long range wasn't difficult. I'm not any tougher than anyone else, so if I can do it, and my wife can do it, anyone can. The point I was making about the .460 is that it is specialized. It does one thing particularly well, but because it is so specialized it is not as versatile as a cartridge designed for general purpose. Lesser cartridges are friendlier to shoot than is the '06, but they won't do what the '06 can, and that's why the '06 is special. Yes there is a do everything rifle. A broad range of .30 caliber bullets make that possible, and this range of bullet weights, or more properly this range of sectional density is available in no other caliber. The .308 is nearly as good, but doesn't handle the heavy bullets particularly well. The various .300 magnums and ultra magnums are long-range wonders, but they move the recoil threshold from almost bearable to intolerable. They over drive many bullets structural integrity with MV's at times well over the 3K range.
So the .30/06 can handle game as light as pronghorn to as heavy and dense as buffalo. It can mimic the trajectory of one of our very best long-range cartridges. It can do so economically and with moderate recoil. Sounds pretty versatile, but why is that important? After all, as you say, you could just carry the right tool for the job. Well, one answer to that question is cost. Many hunting rifles are sneaking up to well over $1000.00 and then you have to dump another bucket of cash on a scope, but to me that's not the big reason. The big reason is that you might be holding the wrong specialized rifle at the wrong time. The .257 Weatherby with the 12X scope is just about useless when a whitetail jumps out at 15 yards. The .45/70 is just about useless when the moose appears 350 yards down the power line. Yet under the right conditions, these rifles are better than anything else we might carry, but on those occasions neither is as good as a .30/06 with a fixed 4X scope.
The heaviest .270 bullet commonly found is 160 grs. I haven't seen a 180/.270 in 30 years, and I doubt if there are many left. A 160/.270 has a SD of .297, which is roughly the equivalent to a 200 gr .30 caliber bullet. Yet .30 caliber bullets are commonly found up to 240 grs. The heavier bullet has more core to expand to form a larger frontal area and the larger the frontal area the larger wound volume. Therefore, on very heavy game, the '06 outperforms the .270.
I'd have no problem going after a bear in the willows with a .30/06 loaded with my handloads, but I would not be happy with a .270 in similar circumstances. A big advantage that the '06 has is that its velocity is less prone to result in bullet failure on heavy game. This is the one area where a premium is a good idea in the .30/06, but after having extensively tested premiums for close range performance, I believe 2500 is the limit. The 240 gr Woodleigh has a MV of about 2400 fps from the '06 and is designed to upset fully at the '06's velocity.
The .270 has been touted as a very good long-range medium game cartridge, and it is. But load the '06 with a sleek 150 gr .30 caliber bullet at 3000 fps and it will take care of business with no more gore than the .270's 130 at the same velocity, provided that bullet construction and point the of impact are similar. A .270 loaded with a 150-160 gr bullets can harvest elk and moose effectively and humanely. The same can be said for the .30/06 when loaded with 165-180 gr bullets. .
In terms of trajectory there is no real difference between the .270 and the .30/06. If we use the highest BC bullets and load to equal pressure in both cartridges, it's a wash.
The '06 is certainly cheaper to load than a .300 Winchester. If each round uses 15 grs less powder per cartridge, that's 15,000 grs per 1000, more than 2 pounds of powder in just a couple of months! I don't know about you, but my powder isn't cheap. But while we are on the subject of magnums, even if brass costs the same, I bet I'll get double the reloads from a .30/06 than I would from a .300. I'll get good performance on game with regular bullets where the .300 should use TSX's. The '06 looks cheaper all the time.
I grew up on the '06, and long days at the range ate up great deal of ammo. 100 rounds in a day from prone when I was shooting long range wasn't difficult. I'm not any tougher than anyone else, so if I can do it, and my wife can do it, anyone can. The point I was making about the .460 is that it is specialized. It does one thing particularly well, but because it is so specialized it is not as versatile as a cartridge designed for general purpose. Lesser cartridges are friendlier to shoot than is the '06, but they won't do what the '06 can, and that's why the '06 is special. Yes there is a do everything rifle. A broad range of .30 caliber bullets make that possible, and this range of bullet weights, or more properly this range of sectional density is available in no other caliber. The .308 is nearly as good, but doesn't handle the heavy bullets particularly well. The various .300 magnums and ultra magnums are long-range wonders, but they move the recoil threshold from almost bearable to intolerable. They over drive many bullets structural integrity with MV's at times well over the 3K range.
So the .30/06 can handle game as light as pronghorn to as heavy and dense as buffalo. It can mimic the trajectory of one of our very best long-range cartridges. It can do so economically and with moderate recoil. Sounds pretty versatile, but why is that important? After all, as you say, you could just carry the right tool for the job. Well, one answer to that question is cost. Many hunting rifles are sneaking up to well over $1000.00 and then you have to dump another bucket of cash on a scope, but to me that's not the big reason. The big reason is that you might be holding the wrong specialized rifle at the wrong time. The .257 Weatherby with the 12X scope is just about useless when a whitetail jumps out at 15 yards. The .45/70 is just about useless when the moose appears 350 yards down the power line. Yet under the right conditions, these rifles are better than anything else we might carry, but on those occasions neither is as good as a .30/06 with a fixed 4X scope.
What's more versatile, recoils about the same and costs about the same to load?
The 7mmRemington Magnum.
No doubt it shoots flatter than the 30-06, and doesn't give up anything in power.
You can load it up and down and every which way- the same as a 30-06
Anythign the 30-06 can do to an animal, the 7RM can do too, just with a little less hold over
The 7mmRemington Magnum.
No doubt it shoots flatter than the 30-06, and doesn't give up anything in power.
You can load it up and down and every which way- the same as a 30-06
Anythign the 30-06 can do to an animal, the 7RM can do too, just with a little less hold over
I don't have one and don't want one.
I live in one of the counties in Southern Ontario with a calibre restriction so it's a .270 Winchester for me. It's enough for anything I'll shoot although if hunting big bears I would definitely acquire something more modern than the .30-06.
It would be a .375 H&H. I think those extra 6 years might make a difference.
I live in one of the counties in Southern Ontario with a calibre restriction so it's a .270 Winchester for me. It's enough for anything I'll shoot although if hunting big bears I would definitely acquire something more modern than the .30-06.
It would be a .375 H&H. I think those extra 6 years might make a difference.
I have had one or another since I was 13-14 years old. So around 20 years now. I have the most confidence in the .30-06 BECAUSE I have shot it and shot it and shot it and shot it. I know where that 180 grain bullet is going to be along its flight path from muzzle to destination. There are many calibres or cartridges that will "match" the .30-06 performance and beat it as well. But none of that matters because I CAN PUT THE BULLET WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. That is what really matters, right guys?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
What's more versatile, recoils about the same and costs about the same to load?
The 7mmRemington Magnum.
No doubt it shoots flatter than the 30-06, and doesn't give up anything in power.
You can load it up and down and every which way- the same as a 30-06
Anythign the 30-06 can do to an animal, the 7RM can do too, just with a little less hold over
Gate, if you had said .280 Remington or Ackley I might agree with you, except that there is a better selection of .30 caliber bullets than there is for the 7mm. One of the problems with the 7 mag is the rifles. I don't recall seeing one with a 20"-22" barrel, (Sako carbine??) so the magnum would fall down when it came to quick handling in thick cover. The 7mm mag didn't get it's following by accident, and it is a versatile cartridge, although not so versatile as the '06.
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
I currently own two 3006's and will probably buy or build another when my current project is finally complete.
This seems like one of those mid winter threads that exists for people to express their opinions, fair enough.
I like the 3006. I have shot it for many, many years. I can, and have, taken game with it from rock throwing distance on out to 400 yards (paced not GPS or laser rangefinder) and never needed more than one shot. Mine is a Winchester bolt with a lowly 4x M8 Leupold on it.
As far all you 7mm, 308, 270, 300 fans out there - good for you. They will all get the job done if you do your part and Bambi or Bullwinkle will never know the difference.
Be happy and competent with what you carry.
This seems like one of those mid winter threads that exists for people to express their opinions, fair enough.
I like the 3006. I have shot it for many, many years. I can, and have, taken game with it from rock throwing distance on out to 400 yards (paced not GPS or laser rangefinder) and never needed more than one shot. Mine is a Winchester bolt with a lowly 4x M8 Leupold on it.
As far all you 7mm, 308, 270, 300 fans out there - good for you. They will all get the job done if you do your part and Bambi or Bullwinkle will never know the difference.
Be happy and competent with what you carry.
Try a bow.
What's more versatile, recoils about the same and costs about the same to load?
The 7mmRemington Magnum.
No doubt it shoots flatter than the 30-06, and doesn't give up anything in power.
You can load it up and down and every which way- the same as a 30-06
Anythign the 30-06 can do to an animal, the 7RM can do too, just with a little less hold over
This caliber has always been at the back of my mind. It is a superb round for all the game one would ever encounter!
Problem for me is, as soon as you say magnum you are talking a heavier, longer rifle (and a little more recoil and muzzle blast than the '06) and one less round in the magazine. That's the trade off for a slightly flatter shooting and slightly more powerful rifle that does nothing more than what the '06 does already on game.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Like I said, the 30-06 is a sacred cow amongst the shooting community, and they don't tolerate anyone even questioning it's authority. Why think? The answer is the 06, obviously!
Intolerant? You threw out a challenge to support why the '06 was special, I responded and supported my argument. If you refuse to accept my arguments that's cool, folks have to learn for themselves. That's what makes the world go round and is why we have so many great choices at the gun shops.
