Back to the old 30-06

I would choose the 30-06. If you handload you'll get a bit more out of a 30-06 and that'll separate it from the 308 a bit more. The difference between the two isn't much, but then again neither is the recoil. For just a bit more recoil you get a little more oomph on the other end, which I prefer as do many other elk hunters.

I too have simplified and the 06 is my choice for .308 caliber. Effective, efficient, readily available, cost effective, and not overly abusive to this aging body. Gone are all my super whizz bang ultra boomer "x"s. 30-06, 270, 25-06, 7MM-08... that's my current stable.

168 TTSX in my rifle will single hole out to 300 yards. At 400 it shoots at just 1 inch. Sub moa to my max effective range is all I can ask!

if you are getting one hole groups out of any stock factory rifle at 300 yards, go buy a couple lottery tickets. mine will shoot a single hole at 300 yards if I only fire one shot. no offence intended.

That's optimal conditions of course, range, no wind, and MOSTLY stock rifle (glass bedded and timney trigger added). Yeah I know it's a unicorn and it has a permanent place in my safe.

The 168 TTSX is the only thing it shoots like that also. All weights of AB above 150 spread between 3/4-1.5 MOA. Heavier TTSX also spread out. I haven't tried lighter as I use this as my utilitarian rifle here in Montana. Everything from antelope to elk and black bear.

Hi Guys, (& Gals)
I do love my 30.06 caliber hunting rifle in my Remington model 700 Mountain rifle that weighs only 6 1/2 pounds. I also wanted to mention what a heavenly joy a well balanced "fits like a glove" rifle is when you shoulder it - it just points exactly where you want it to be. Eg. You're walking in a thick forest and you see something so you quickly shoulder it and the crosshairs are lined up on it fast and natural !! Not to mention that I can still hit a dime at 100 yards with that beautiful girl. And let's face it, for North America 30.06 will take any game animal that you need.
I love my 30.06 and will take her to an outdoor party any day.

floyd kittrell said:

Since I do not know how to start a thread Mr. Oldschool , may I ask a question ? I am starting to load my new 06 barrel and wish to know if anyone has loaded the 168gr TTSX over Superformance powder ? If so would anyone share the load data and the net average speeds and did the Superfarmance give any appreciable added velocity over 4350 , 4064 or any of the other preferred powders ? I apologize in advance for asking this on your thread. Thanks , Floyd

Click to expand...

Ill have to get my load data out but this is the powder/bullet combo that my rifle loves, makes one shoot one hole out to 300.Just tag me if I don't get back to you within a week, I am packing to head to elk camp at the moment

the444shooter said:

I also find myself continually looking at the 30-06, fondly. I just picked up a Charles Daly/Zastava/Remington 798 Mauser in 30-06 for cheap, and am excited to play around with it. I already adjusted the trigger to a nice pull, and am looking at a new stock for it. Good luck with yours this year!

Click to expand...

Got you both beat. I am about to re-glass a 1903 A3 -06 with a barrel from August of 1943. I'll take it elk hunting. My son is going to use it. I love the 30-06, and have a semi-custom mauser in it, a Ruger M77MKII and three M1 Garands, including a Tanker Garand in it(two of them are with my elder brother in Lubbock, Texas). I shot the M1 from the CMP that I have here at 500 yards last Monday. It shot to point of aim with 180 grain Speer Bts. I was actually adjusting a Sheuster gas plug so I could shoot IMR 4350 in it without messing up the action. It shot about 2 inches at 100 yards, which is as good as my eyes will do with open sights. I haven't accurized or bedded it.

my two sporterized springfields, a high number 1903 and a 03A3 smith corona. both good shooters with my reloads.

Samesaw said:

Hi Guys, (& Gals)
I do love my 30.06 caliber hunting rifle in my Remington model 700 Mountain rifle that weighs only 6 1/2 pounds. I also wanted to mention what a heavenly joy a well balanced "fits like a glove" rifle is when you shoulder it - it just points exactly where you want it to be. Eg. You're walking in a thick forest and you see something so you quickly shoulder it and the crosshairs are lined up on it fast and natural !! Not to mention that I can still hit a dime at 100 yards with that beautiful girl. And let's face it, for North America 30.06 will take any game animal that you need.
I love my 30.06 and will take her to an outdoor party any day.

Click to expand...

Oh, I agree. I think it is the best balance of recoil-tolerablility, power, accuracy and effectiveness at distance that has been developed yet. And that may be why its still about the number 4 or 5 best selling cartridge in the U.S. and still in the top 10 in Alaska, too. As a matter of fact, Petersen's Hunting lists it in the top two or three in North America. Its been in the top 5 to 7 for the last 90 or so years.

GeorgeS said:

What, pray tell, is a "drinking gun?" Drinking and guns are mutually exclusive; I have never heard the term before.

Click to expand...

If i have to explain, you wouldn't understand

Drinking gun - guns that drive you to drink...

My guess

Ok, let me clarify:
To hang up ones guns: to retire
Drinking : something i am incredible at or terrible at. Depends on whether you ask my bartender or My wife.
Hope this helps.

As much as Rl 19 gets a bad rap. I've shot more sub.2 groups in more 06's than I can name. 59 grns with a 150 is amazingly accurate 58.7 with the 165 gmk and bt have been magic on deer. 57.0 with the 180 gmk and nosler pt has dumped every moose my extended family has shot with an 06. My former cousin in law still shoots the 165gmk load in his 03's and 725. All 5 rifles have shot sub moa with it for the last 30 years

Great thread. The 06' is simply iconic in the hearts and minds of any aspiring or seasoned rifleman. The fact that the OP is "coming back" to the cartridge is really cool, as I can relate, having experience with
03 Springfields, 700s and M1's that sat idle in my safes while I was out chasing greener grass. It has never been disappointing coming back to the benchmark. I don't think it ever will.