Is 30-06 basically a lost cause?

phatns2pid said:
I don't think there's a huge reason not to, but .308 is very similar to 30-06, and it is both cheaper and more ubiquotous.
Click to expand...

A .308 more ubiquitous than an ought-six? I'm pretty sure that the 30.06 is the single most popular round among hunters... for reasons of accuracy and versatility already stated, but also because of it's easily available. One of the considerations I had when purchasing my Win. Model 70 was the fact that I could get factory 30.06 ammunition from Happy Valley to Prince Rupert.

But don't take my word for it:
"If rifle, cartridge, and reloading die sales, along with hunter opinion mean anything, the .30-06 is still the most popular big game cartridge in the world. Which is saying a lot when we consider that even after close to a century of trying, we still haven't come up with a cartridge that comes close to threatening it popularity.

Developed and introduced by Springfield Armory in 1906, the .30-06 is a slightly shorter version of the earlier .30-03 cartridge. Its development as a U.S. military cartridge was inspired by Germany's development of the 7 x 57mm and 8 x 57mm Mauser cartridges. In addition to serving as the primary U.S. battle cartridge until 1952, the .30-06 has established a track record on target ranges and in the game fields that has yet to be equaled by any other cartridge. Other cartridges have now set more accuracy records and many hunters now choose more powerful cartridges for big game, but no cartridge has served both roles better than the .30-06.

When one takes a close look at the .30-06, the reasons behind its success become quite clear. To begin with, the .30-06 is about the most powerful cartridge the average shooter can handle without suffering discomfort. To end with, the .30-06 shoots flat enough for long range shooting of deer and pronghorn and it hits hard enough for most of the world's big game. As a bonus, a good bolt action rifle in .30-06 is accurate enough for varmint shooting even though it is far too much cartridge for such a task.

Hunter opinion on the best bullet weights for the .30-06 differ, but the 150 grain for deer size game and the 180 grain for everything else still makes a lot of sense. When all is said and done, the handloader with IMR-4350, IMR-4064, H4350, H414, and W-760 sitting on his powder shelf needs to look no farther."


Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
 
I'm a total NOOB when it comes to this precision rifle stuff but I have a Winchester Model 70 XTR Feather Weight 30-06 with a Bushnell ScopeChief VI Wide Angle (4X I assume) with BDC and it shoots pretty good. I went 3 bucks with 3 bullets in 3 years. They weren't that close either. I've shot quite a few running shots and have rarely needed a second. For hunting it's a good gun.
 
Last edited:
droid1963 said:
A .308 more ubiquitous than an ought-six? I'm pretty sure that the 30.06 is the single most popular round among hunters... for reasons of accuracy and versatility already stated, but also because of it's easily available. One of the considerations I had when purchasing my Win. Model 70 was the fact that I could get factory 30.06 ammunition from Happy Valley to Prince Rupert.

But don't take my word for it:
"If rifle, cartridge, and reloading die sales, along with hunter opinion mean anything, the .30-06 is still the most popular big game cartridge in the world. Which is saying a lot when we consider that even after close to a century of trying, we still haven't come up with a cartridge that comes close to threatening it popularity.

Developed and introduced by Springfield Armory in 1906, the .30-06 is a slightly shorter version of the earlier .30-03 cartridge. Its development as a U.S. military cartridge was inspired by Germany's development of the 7 x 57mm and 8 x 57mm Mauser cartridges. In addition to serving as the primary U.S. battle cartridge until 1952, the .30-06 has established a track record on target ranges and in the game fields that has yet to be equaled by any other cartridge. Other cartridges have now set more accuracy records and many hunters now choose more powerful cartridges for big game, but no cartridge has served both roles better than the .30-06.

When one takes a close look at the .30-06, the reasons behind its success become quite clear. To begin with, the .30-06 is about the most powerful cartridge the average shooter can handle without suffering discomfort. To end with, the .30-06 shoots flat enough for long range shooting of deer and pronghorn and it hits hard enough for most of the world's big game. As a bonus, a good bolt action rifle in .30-06 is accurate enough for varmint shooting even though it is far too much cartridge for such a task.

Hunter opinion on the best bullet weights for the .30-06 differ, but the 150 grain for deer size game and the 180 grain for everything else still makes a lot of sense. When all is said and done, the handloader with IMR-4350, IMR-4064, H4350, H414, and W-760 sitting on his powder shelf needs to look no farther."


Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
Click to expand...
Well I was referring to in total rather than just for hunting. Being a standard (previous standard) military cartridge tends to have its benefits. And if I am indeed incorrect in that assertion, it's still cheaper to shoot. ;)
 
Being VERY new at this forum and precision rifle matches/shooting in general, is the dia. the factor that the .30 has a lower ballisic co. than the 7 mm?
Not to hijack this thread, but if one wanted to move from the hunting to the pr matches with a rechambered 06, what would be the general consensus?
 
Why are most production rifles chambered for the '06?, because it is the most popular big game cartridge in the world.

When Roy Weatherby produced his first magnum rifle with all the new weatherby magnum calibers he still offered it in the 30/06. Why?, because he didn't want to lose sales to people who wanted this caliber.

I have 4 hunting rifles, all are in the '06. why should I bother stocking a bunch of different ammo when this one will do it all.

Also remember what jack O'Connor's favorite caliber is ? the 270, and what is a 270, a 30/06 case necked down to .27 inches. These two calibers are so ballistically similar, there is really no difference between them.

and remember what year this is, 2006, the 100 year anniversary of the 30/06, so it should be celebrated , not critized.
 
Obtunded said:
I wrote "not readily available". It's not generally in demand and is not stocked locally by the Lap. rep. here.
Click to expand...

If the Lapua rep you are talking about is the old fella that lives on Pleasant St, they aren't in stock because I bought them all.
 
kell2784 said:
Being VERY new at this forum and precision rifle matches/shooting in general, is the dia. the factor that the .30 has a lower ballisic co. than the 7 mm?
Not to hijack this thread, but if one wanted to move from the hunting to the pr matches with a rechambered 06, what would be the general consensus?
Click to expand...

Yep, in essence, a long bullet has a higher BC than a shorter, stubbier one. Europeons were ahead of the game in bullet design with the 6.5 and 7mm's, as they were up to 140gr in 6.5mm and as high as 180gr in 7mm when farther west they were just learning about the 150gr .30 spitzer. Your '06 will do nicely in the target role (if rules allow), are you go to .30-06AI?
 
I should also add... .30 cal is not without benefits, the larger basal area makes for more effecient velocity generation for a given volume of powder over smaller bores, simple hydraulics, and with the now readily available Lapua Scenar 154gr with a BC of about .500 things "get moving". An '06 will push that pill plenty fast, and that BC's nothing to scoff at, that rig would have some serious reach.
 
I recall reading somewhere that the largest Alaska Brown on record was brought down with a single /06 round. Doubtless shot placement would be a contributing factor, but the results speak for themselves.
 
This reminds me that I have an Obermeyer 30-06 match reamer at Sam Adams gunsmith shop. Would be an interesting project. Definitely would go with Lapua brass and it would be a an accurate as possible hunting rifle, as Fullbore is all .308W. and in F Class the 6.5s are hard to beat. Even have an unfired Win M70 with Lothar Walther barrel with a match chamber in 6.5X55SE. Just put an IOR M1913 base and Farrel aluminum rings and 1.1-4 IOR scope on it. Had to shorten some Lapua factory match ammo, so now we can see how it shoots. Pressures will go up a bit, but this cartridge is loaded mildly.

Peter Dobson
 
20 Gr of 2400 under Lyman 311291 GC cast bullet yielded a .483 in. three shot group at 100 yards from a rest out of my Huqavarna Husky. Bushnell 4x 12 scope.

Not to bad for an old cartridge that turned 100 this year.

Take Care

Bob
 
mr00jimbo said:
I have not outshot my gun yet. But I'm asking if it's the wrong foundation to build on.
Click to expand...

I have been asking that same question recently. The answer is always that, in the 1000-yard shoots, all other things being equal, the '06 can't compete with the 6.5s and the 7.62s (308 Win). Most of the guys who have told me this have actually competed (I haven't, yet), so I guess I know they're right. But I can't seem to take the step to something else. Maybe it's the 30-06's history, maybe it's the hunting effectiveness, maybe it's the versatility, maybe it's the availability of reloading components. Maybe it's just fear of the unknown. I don't know. It's irrational.
That being said, this spring I will be trying to work up a new load for my No. 1chambered for 30-06, using 200 gr spitzers (Speer). I may even try IMR 4350 instead of my usual H414. I doubt it will outshoot my load for Hornady 168 HPBTs, though.
As you may have guessed, I do not deal with change very well.
 
The '06 will do everything a 308 can do. Just 100 to 200fps faster. This means that it is a better case for the heavier bullets like the 178gr Amax and 210gr VLD's.

F(TR) shooters are pushing the 308 super hard with 210gr VLD's to try and reduce wind drift at 1000yds. The '06 will do it a much easier.

Neither is ideal when compared to the 6mm to 7mm mid size cases.

An improved 30'06 like the 300Gibbs run at elevated pressures will come within spitting distance of the RSAUM using 155gr to 168gr bullets. Within 100fps with bullet weights from 180 to 200gr.

That's not bad for an old work horse.

Jerry
Jerry
 
the 06 is great at long range...but if I had to use a Long action it would be with the 300WM,7mmRem,Mag or???the 06 if you have one stick with it shoot it out and go bigger later but you are not out guned in any way

Jamie
 
What kind of groups are generally obtainable for say, under 250 yards? A modest range for real precision rifles, but an out of the box 30-06, what's it expected to group at a range like that?
 
What kind of groups are generally obtainable for say, under 250 yards? A modest range for real precision rifles, but an out of the box 30-06, what's it expected to group at a range like that?
Click to expand...

My best so far is 2" @ 200 m with 168 gr Match .
That's in a Parker-Hale Safari with a Fixed 4x scope.
Pretty sure better optics and work on my part will let me get it down farther.


IM000066.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom