I have never owned a 30-06. I have owned but don't currently only a couple 308s. I load for more than 30-06s and 308s than all others combined. My friends whole hunt camp (8 guys) shoot nothing but aught 6. They range from 23 to 83 years old. there is still a lot of 270s out there too. the Creed and the 7 mag had moments, but the 308 and 06' and .223 will ALWAYS be the majority.
Has the 30-06 died along with the .308 ???
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Sanford338
Well-Known Member
Have a SAKO mdl 85 in 300 win mag. Probably my most favorite to shoot next to my 257 wby... for a "standard factory rifle" it's one of the most accurate rifles I own. It to loves the 180 accubonds and 180 ballistic tips... SAKO makes some mighty fine rifles..
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Currently working up a load with Berger 155 over 50gr RL15. Down to 1MOA at 100yds but have to head back out to tweak. Currently .140 off L/G. This rifle was my first. Purchased used in 83.
Those old girls ('06 and 308) may not be the hottest bimbo bullet, but they are the ones you take home to family events and spiritual annual deer season with pride, and with which you build memories. She's the one in all those cherished moment pictures. And, when I do stray and take a bimbo bullet out for a fling, that ole' '06 will still faithfully deliver when it really counts in deer season. I have safes full of flashy hotsy totsy rifles in gotta have bimbo bullets..........even the newest Barrett MRAD MK22 Deployment Kit in 300/338NM.......OH MY, look there's still that ole 308W caliber conversion in there too. .I've hunted with an Interarms Mark X in 30-06 for 40+ years. Taken well over a hundred deer with her, numerous wall hangers. She's the old girl I want there when that last hunt comes to a close. Probably the one rifle/cartridge my son will really keep and most cherish. That '06 is my choice. No apologies. She's the one for me.
Ward Thurman
Well-Known Member
See the photo? 30-06 Enfield did that cow in. 100 year old rifle. Shoots quarter sized groups with 180 gr Partitions ahead of 59 grs of 4831. I'd take that gun on any big game hunt anywhere except for maybe African dangerous game.
We have 3 rifles in 308. One has killed so many deer that if you had put a notch in the stock for each one, there wouldn't be any wood left on that old Savage Md99F.
We have 3 rifles in 308. One has killed so many deer that if you had put a notch in the stock for each one, there wouldn't be any wood left on that old Savage Md99F.
Double Dropper
Well-Known Member
Selected handloads really open up the optics behind the classic 06, Berger 190 grain and RL-26 @ 2850 fps vs the 6.5 CM with a Berger 140 trajectories are slightly better with the 06 out to 800 yards (about one inch) and velocities are very close out to this range. The energy of the 06 is 400 pounds higher @ 700 yards....something to consider. Recoil always comes into play but considering suppressors and muzzle brakes it s a mute point. Properly loaded the 06 is superior ballistically. Yes its highly subjective but to suggest the round is dead? Load it up right. The above load was worked up in a Remington 700 and a Winchester XPR both with 24" barrels.
Ward Thurman
Well-Known Member
Oops. The photo for my icon is the cow elk. The above is the Savage 99 in 308. This shot was from just over 150 yards. Morgan rested the rifle on a fence post. One shot. Deer dropped within inches. 150 gr Partition pushed by 42 grains of 4895. 1.25" groups consistently.
ralphjunius
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Not particularly responsive to the rhetorical string heading but using a near Hodgdon max load of CFE 223 in my 26" 308, 200 grain Nosler Partitions clock 2602 fps which is consistent with Hodgdon data for a 24" barrel. Went to Africa and made one shot kills on 7 animals from Impala to giraffe. Animals ran less than 50 yards.
Even less responsive: Took a 375 H&H loaded with 270 grain TSX's and all 5 animals dropped at the shot.
Nice punchy, passionate heading that got a lot of response!
Even less responsive: Took a 375 H&H loaded with 270 grain TSX's and all 5 animals dropped at the shot.
Nice punchy, passionate heading that got a lot of response!
zb338
Well-Known Member
The good old 30/06 will kill anything in North America. It also killed a load of enemy
soldiers back in WW2. Just remember, everyone isn't shooting metal at a 1000 yards.
They are hunting game. When I was in the army I put a 30/06 round through a plastic
helmet at 500 yards. I'm not bragging the good old '06 is up to it.
Zeke
soldiers back in WW2. Just remember, everyone isn't shooting metal at a 1000 yards.
They are hunting game. When I was in the army I put a 30/06 round through a plastic
helmet at 500 yards. I'm not bragging the good old '06 is up to it.
Zeke
WYO300RUM
Well-Known Member
I had a Ruger M77 Mk I from early 80's in 30.06. it was a shooter. Bought same rifle in 7mm Rem mag a year later. Never shot the 30.06 after that and sold it. Shot barrel out of 7 mag. Sold it and bought a M77 Mk II stainless 7 mag. Bought a Rem. 700 300 Rum. Don't shoot 7 mag anymore. I miss the old Ruger 30.06 and is one of the guns that comes to mind first when you think about ones you wished you didn't sell. Only 30.06 I have now is an old 1903 Springfield and I don't shoot it.
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30calyooper
Well-Known Member
Pretty hard to beat the good old '06 for respectable performance without a lot of punishing recoil. Most of us on this website are pretty active shooters so we don't always think about others who for one reason or another are not quite as in tune with handling the real kickers...Over the years it has been my observation that the 300 WinMag is sort of a line in the sand. Lots of men (and nowadays ladies too!) find that recoil up to the 30-06 is manageable, but that next step up takes them right out of their comfort zone.
So - is the '06 dead? NO WAY! I have a buddy who kills everything from antelope to moose with his good ole '06. And as far as handloaders are concerned it's still pretty much one of the easiest and most flexible cartridges out there, & great for new handloaders to learn with too. Plentiful components, lots of choices. Definitely all pluses.
Enough of my opinions...try 55.0 of good old Win760 powder with a magnum primer in R-P brass behind any 180-grainer you care to pick. Personally I like the 180 Nosler B-Tip for deer and the 180 Accubond for elk...might have to tweak your COAL for the right bullet jump in a particular rifle but generally not much of an issue. Both of these loads seem to print a consistent 1/2 MOA in every bolt gun I've ever run them through, and did the same in a old Rem 760 pump plus a Browning BLR. If your an autoloader fan you might have to tweak it a little more, though one friend's Browning BAR does fine with it. Not a big fan of the sporting autos for longer range shooting but hey everyone gets to make their own choices.
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
With my model 70 extreme weather, 22 inch barrel, I'm pushing a 200 gr Sierra Gamekings at 2685 ft/sec over I believe 55.5 gr of RL-16. This is over sierras max but gives me no pressure signs and I imagine their data is capped for 03's. This load arrives at 500 yards with 2000 ft/lbs of energy at or above 5000 ft/ASL. The 200 gr game king has a pretty nice form factor. Sometimes there is no replacement for displacement
