30-06 for Long Range

[elwskw]

Does any use the old reliable 30-06 for Extreme or Long range hunting? How far have you been successful with it?

I really like this cartridge! I don't reload but I can find just about everything I need for variations of ammo to hunt with.

Thanks for the help.

 

[willfrye027]

I've shot steel out to 600 quite a bit. I have as good or better hit % than my buddies 7mm mag at that distance...probably more to do with equipment and practice but it does say something about the capability of an 06.

I'm shooting lapua scenar 155gr at about 3050fps. Light recoil and .75 in 10 shot groups. My twist is slow (Tikka) so I cant really use the big long .308 bullets. Haven't killed anything with those bullets but supposedly they work on game.

 

[del2les]

Decades ago and for sometime, I and others used the 30-06 on the 1,000 target line with success. Also, I've shot the NM Garands in 30-06 and the 168-173's in standard NM Courses and the 1,000. Before LRH became "a thing" and the magnums began to dominate, I used 30-06's and 270's on game out to 800 or so yards. At the time and regardless of my abilities with it on the 1,000 yd line, my self imposed limit was around the 800 mark.

WITH THE RIGHT BULLET AND A PROFICIENT MARKSMAN, the 30-06 is very deadly at long ranges. If you could, just ask Carlos Hathcock and vets of WWII and Korea.

 

[TennJed]

Decades ago and for sometime, I and others used the 30-06 on the 1,000 target line with success. Also, I've shot the NM Garands in 30-06 and the 168-173's in standard NM Courses and the 1,000. Before LRH became "a thing" and the magnums began to dominate, I used 30-06's and 270's on game out to 800 or so yards. At the time and regardless of my abilities with it on the 1,000 yd line, my self imposed limit was around the 800 mark.

WITH THE RIGHT BULLET AND A PROFICIENT MARKSMAN, the 30-06 is very deadly at long ranges. If you could, just ask Carlos Hathcock and vets of WWII and Korea.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[cosmicmuffin]

Some 40 yrs ago i hung up my bow and decided to try rifle hunting. I wanted to buy the perfect big game rifle! All my readings at the time led me to the .06. Since then I believe I have shoot every big game animal in N, America. None have lived through my experience.However none have been over 300yds.

 

[30BR]

I've shot steel out to 600 quite a bit. I have as good or better hit % than my buddies 7mm mag at that distance...probably more to do with equipment and practice but it does say something about the capability of an 06.

I'm shooting lapua scenar 155gr at about 3050fps. Light recoil and .75 in 10 shot groups. My twist is slow (Tikka) so I cant really use the big long .308 bullets. Haven't killed anything with those bullets but supposedly they work on game.

An aside... BIB bullets used to make a flat base 185 that stabilized fine in my 12 twist.

 

[yobuck]

With all due respect to our brave snipers like Carlos Hathcock, a hit anywhere on a human target is all thats necessary.
He would have had higher kill numbers also as the modern snipers do had he been using a 300 Win.
With modern scopes getting the bullet to the target isnt the issue.
Hitting the target and hitting it in the right spot is however especially when hunting live animals.
I personally wouldnt hesitate in using an 06 for long range hunting, but id be very carefull how long long was.
For me probably about 600 yds, which is why mine sits in the safe.

 

[del2les]

With all due respect to our brave snipers like Carlos Hathcock, a hit anywhere on a human target is all thats necessary.
He would have had higher kill numbers also as the modern snipers do had he been using a 300 Win.
With modern scopes getting the bullet to the target isnt the issue.
Hitting the target and hitting it in the right spot is however especially when hunting live animals.
I personally wouldnt hesitate in using an 06 for long range hunting, but id be very carefull how long long was.
For me probably about 600 yds, which is why mine sits in the safe.

Well, that's you and not others nor me. I still use 2 long throated 30-06's that push 165 BT well above 3,000fps and the 180s at 2,900. Neither of those are light loads on game. Having decades of experience using the 30's, I do not have to speculate about it.

How would you feel about my killing deer and similar game at 700-800 yds with my 6mmAI's and 25-06's? (Killed several) As for marksmanship, routinely, I shoot P-dogs at 6-700+ yards. Longest over 1,000.

 

[del2les]

Here is a quick ballistic print of one of my 30-06 180NAB loads at my sighting altitude.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

Factory ammo, I would look at hornady superperformance 165 grain or so bullets...in the 30.06.

 

[bdyal1972]

06 with 180 core lokts or 180 power points have taken dozens and dozens of mulies, black tails and elk between 500 and 700 yards for 50+ years in my family!!!!

My dads post 64 is getting a new 26" barrel chaMbered with a long throat in 06 AI FOR 180 LRX OR 180 HAMMERS...

IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT

 

[HARPERC]

With all due respect to our brave snipers like Carlos Hathcock,......had he been using a 300 Win With modern scopes getting the bullet to the target isnt the issue.

.......I personally wouldnt hesitate in using an 06 for long range hunting, but id be very carefull how long long was.
For me probably about 600 yds, which is why mine sits in the safe........

I don't know what long range means to you, like yobuck I think 600 yards is a good limit for the .30-06 in my safe. Carlos had a system, that the .30-06, .50 BMG or .308 was just a part of.

Factory ammo is very good these days, but still lacks the consistency I require for stretching the distance. Basic kit requires a good chronograph verifying ammo works within pre-determined parameters, and range finder to verify exactly what distance we're working at. With those 2 things 600 yards is approachable, if not cut that in half at best 300 yards would be my limit.

Other items will be needed for success, but as a start those will get you started.

Good custom ammo is available shift your rifle to one of the custom load outfits such as Hammer, or the others around the site.

I leave in the morning, the year has sucked in terms of preparation for me, I've dialed my expectations down a bunch. For this season it's time to run what you brung, within whatever your current system offers.

If you want to increase your systems range limits, next year starts now, for this season enjoy what you have.

 

[del2les]

06 with 180 core lokts or 180 power points have taken dozens and dozens of mulies, black tails and elk between 500 and 700 yards for 50+ years in my family!!!!

My dads post 64 is getting a new 26" barrel chaMbered with a long throat in 06 AI FOR 180 LRX OR 180 HAMMERS...

IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT

That combo with proper handloads will allow him to approach factory 300WM vels and energy.

I think far too many people have basically discarded or ignored calibers and rifles they never really learned to use at extended ranges. We've seen this trend for many years, and with the magnum and new type mania among the shooting world, old calibers/cartridges are considered, well, old. Not modern, flashy, latest n greatest, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love the magnums I own and use them well, but sometimes, there is not a lot of real world difference in a few of these than a well developed handload in the older cartridges. Modern powders and bullets have definitely improved the old friends performance over my loads from 40 years ago, but even then, we used those loads well.

When I think of all the game, varmints and targets we olders have shot at MR/LR through the decades without all the latest n greatest, I have to wonder.

 

[Mustang72]

I used to feel like I needed more fun if I didn't have a 300wm or 7 mag in my hands. Now days I wish I would have just stuck with an 06 and shot it more. I still like my mags but for hunting my 06 does everything I need it to without pounding my shoulder or the need for a brake, not to mention less powder and cheaper brass. I have a couple more targets to bio to finish my 1000 yard range. I am looking forward to banging steel with the trusty 06 at 1000. I am running 165 s at 2950ish and 180s at 2825ish out of a 22 inch barrel.