what can I do with a 30-06?

[rocknwell]

Ok, so I FINALLY am getting a new rifle. I'm buying it used from Cabela's (though BARELY used). It is a Remington 700 SPS in 30-06 with synthetic stock. I have some questions about what I can do with this cartridge and how much of a "long range" shooter I can make it. This will be-for all legitimate reasons-my first rifle. I have a few questions:

Other than making sure the barrel is free-floating and having quality glass, what are some simple, inexpensive ways I can ensure my rifle will shoot as strait as possible?

over the course of time I want to upgrade all the parts (stock, bedding the new stock, trigger, barrel)...I also would like to know what I can do with this action. Can a 30-06 action be re-chambered for a different caliber? is that something I would want to do to get better ballistics?

what are the ballistic differences between 308 and 30-06? what does 30-06 compare to? what are the pros and cons of a 30-06 cartridge? and lastly, what would be an effective hunting range of big game for 30-06?

I would appreciate any help on this matter! Thank you

 

[SidecarFlip]

Well, most of the old timers around here swear by their 30-06's for deer guns.

Not sure I'd ever buy anything 'used' from Cabelas. I've looked at a few (pistols not longuns) in the library but they were overpriced and well used. I see no bargains, maybe you see better than I do.

Good luck BTW

 

[J E Custom]

Ok, so I FINALLY am getting a new rifle. I'm buying it used from Cabela's (though BARELY used). It is a Remington 700 SPS in 30-06 with synthetic stock. I have some questions about what I can do with this cartridge and how much of a "long range" shooter I can make it. This will be-for all legitimate reasons-my first rifle. I have a few questions:

Other than making sure the barrel is free-floating and having quality glass, what are some simple, inexpensive ways I can ensure my rifle will shoot as strait as possible?

over the course of time I want to upgrade all the parts (stock, bedding the new stock, trigger, barrel)...I also would like to know what I can do with this action. Can a 30-06 action be re-chambered for a different caliber? is that something I would want to do to get better ballistics?

what are the ballistic differences between 308 and 30-06? what does 30-06 compare to? what are the pros and cons of a 30-06 cartridge? and lastly, what would be an effective hunting range of big game for 30-06?

I would appreciate any help on this matter! Thank you

The 30/06 is a fine long range target rifle out to 1000 yards with the 180 class match bullets.
At one time the 30/06 held most of the 600 and 1000 yard records.

For hunting 700 to 800 yards is not a problem with good quality hunting bullets from 150 to 180
grains.

The only thing I see wrong with your rig is the Tupperware stock. buy a good composit or laminate
stock and bed and float it.

The difference between the 30/06 and the 308 with the same bullet is between 200 and 300 ft/sec.

J E CUSTOM

 

[ShooterMedic]

First off congrats on a great gun,

As Rocknwell stated the 30-06 is a great long range gun with the right ammo.

As for how the 30-06 and 308 compare, the 30-06 can be loaded hotter than the 308 due to the fact the 30-06 is larger and can hold more powder.
but the design of the 308 is more effiecent in the way it burns that powder.

As for which is better that is one of the greatest debates of gun the universe.

Now what can you do to make it shoot better.

First off a deep clean!! If you have pits in your barrel use a lapping compound like JB Bore paste, and make that barrel shine.

It you are like Most of us, you dont have a ton of money to go throwing around, so things like a new trigger and such will be a work in progress.

I would take the rifle into a gun smith and have them do a trigger job and work the action over. It will work more now.

Good luck.

 

[rocknwell]

Thank you for the advice. i'm definitely going to make sure it's super clean and also free-floated and that should do for this season. And the rest of these things I should be able to get done over the course of time and make it a really sweet rig. I plan on this baby getting me preficient at shooting long-range. And as soon as my skills can justify a big-money spend, i'll UPGRADE! i'm definitely stoked for this year.

 

[rscott5028]

As with most any cartridge, handloads will be required to achieve best results out past 500 or so yards.

There are many fine cartridges you can switch over to when you decide it's time to rebarrel. But, there's nothing wrong whatsoever with 30-06.

-- richard

 

[rocknwell]

How will i know it's time for a re-barreling? will my groups start getting eratic? Will i notice less defined rifling? will there be abnormal residue coming out while cleaning?

 

[Scot E]

Ok, so I FINALLY am getting a new rifle. I'm buying it used from Cabela's (though BARELY used). It is a Remington 700 SPS in 30-06 with synthetic stock. I have some questions about what I can do with this cartridge and how much of a "long range" shooter I can make it. This will be-for all legitimate reasons-my first rifle. I have a few questions:

Other than making sure the barrel is free-floating and having quality glass, what are some simple, inexpensive ways I can ensure my rifle will shoot as strait as possible?

over the course of time I want to upgrade all the parts (stock, bedding the new stock, trigger, barrel)...I also would like to know what I can do with this action. Can a 30-06 action be re-chambered for a different caliber? is that something I would want to do to get better ballistics?

what are the ballistic differences between 308 and 30-06? what does 30-06 compare to? what are the pros and cons of a 30-06 cartridge? and lastly, what would be an effective hunting range of big game for 30-06?

I would appreciate any help on this matter! Thank you

With hand-loads you will be surprised with what you can do with that gun/cartridge. With the 165-208 gr. class bullets you will have a very valid LR gun to 1/2 mile on just about anything in North America especially elk and under sized game. Be sure to watch the downrange velocity numbers and how they correspond to what you need for proper bullet expansion with whatever bullet you choose.

Simple and inexpensive- I would start with Burris signature rings. With the inserts you can add additional scope adjustment if needed and they hold great and make no ring marks on your scope! A must have IMO!

Shoot the gun as is before upgrading components. I would mess with handloads and see what you can achieve first. You may be really surprised! A tuned trigger and a bedded stock would be my first steps if you don't get the results you want.

Good Luck!

Scot E.

 

[CSCModel70]

I'd see how the gun shoots before doing a lot of mods... I've had new rifles that I had trigger work done on and action work done on, and they really didn't make a groups (which were decent) any smaller. I'd try working up a good load and see how well you can get it to shoot before you really change much, especially if your on a budget.

Most rifle barrels, if treated properly, will last a long time. When it does go your group will open up. But your group opening up isn't always a shot out barrel. Could be copper fouling or just the crown is worn, etc. I'd have a good gunsmith inspect your barrel before deciding to replace anything.

 

[rscott5028]

When you can no longer tune your load to attain suitable accuracy, then it's "shot out" and needs replacing.

"Suitable" accuracy is subjective. You decide.

Proper barrel cleaning is important. There are many threads here that discuss methods.

Barrel life for a hunting rifle is usually gradual and unless you damage the crown with improper cleaning or handling, the throat is what errodes first and degrades accuracy. Sometimes, you can seat your bullets a bit farther out "chasing the lands". But, that's usually a stop gap.

-- richard

 

[rwk]

Almost any thing you want!

 

[roninflag]

How will i know it's time for a re-barreling? will my groups start getting eratic? Will i notice less defined rifling? will there be abnormal residue coming out while cleaning?

your groups at 200 yards will be greater than 2 inches.

 

[rscott5028]

your groups at 200 yards will be greater than 2 inches.

Ron - You just described 75% of shooters with new rifles.

 

[FUBAR]

A lot of great info, but I have picked up a couple of weapons from my local Cabela's, just check it out well, most of the time they will negotiate, and/or throw in some ammo.
Also take it to the guys in the Gun Library, ask them to look at the bore, make a deal to return it if something is wrong.

I would give it a general cleaning and see how it shoots...When you clean the barrel use a brass or carbon cleaning rod

Get a notebook and at least record the brand, weight, bullet type, and the ballistic coefficient.

Also after each shot leave the bolt open, write down the shot number and where it hit ect. This will give your barrel time to cool down

Then clean it for copper fouling and try again

When you change the brand, or grain of your rounds note the changes in group location/size--

Before you decide to change the barrel rent you a good sled to shoot it from and use the rounds that have given you the best groups

Have fun it's a great round....