.30-06 compatible cases

[clemens]

I have a win mod 70 in .30-06 been debating on leaving the barrel as is about 22" removing front sight and putting a 3x9 scope or little bigger as long as i can still move around in trees. one that is capable of dialing up elevations. so it can be used as a brush and a possible medium range rifle out to 500yds 600 tops if a scope exists that fair priced $300 or so putting on new barrel of same length maybe 24" and doing the same. Good idea? only rifle i got at this time that is fairly inexpensive to shoot plus make good practice rifle till ready to move up. any suggestions. area where i hunt there are both types of hunting scenarios.

somewhere on this forum was a list of cartridges that was compatible with the 06 case head diameters for the life of me i can't find it. Thought about new caliber all together in the future. anyone have a quick link to a list? Thanks for the input

 

[Catahoula]

I think you are worrying about WAY too much. Put a 3x9 on it and learn how to shoot it. Growing up in the west around cowboys & sheepherders taught me how effective a 30-30 is in the right hands. Just shoot and shoot alot.
Kirk

 

[trebark]

Agree with Catahoula. 30-06 is a great cartridge. Unless there's a problem with the rifle, put a nice scope on it and shoot it. Shoot it a lot.

 

[winmag]

The thread your referring to is a "sticky" now. Originally posted by JE Customs in the gunsmithing section, entitled "Bolt farce diameters". It's near the top when you click on that section.

I just had my ol 22" barreled -06', Win 70xtr turnned into a long action 300WSM with a 26" Hart bbl. for flinging 180's, & 200gr Accubonds. (ya, you have to open up the bolt face to do this).
You can do a lot with an -06', but the possibilities seem endless with a good Winchester Model 70 action as a build platform.

If your gonna keep it as is, I'd recomended a Burris FF-II 4.5-14x42 P/A with a B-Plex reticle for a scope in the $300 range. It'll getcha to 5-600 just fine, ant they're tough as nails.
Also check out craigslist for good deals. I've bought a few used VX-III 4.5-14x40 A/O Leupolds that way, & sent them to the Leupold custom shop for reticles & or turrets. You can upgrade reticles, or turrets etc as time & $ allow if you go that route.

 

[HARPERC]

A Model 70 30-06 will get a lot done. I prefer a bit less magnification on mine, as I consider it my walking around rifle. 2.5-8 Leupold is on there now tough to beat. Note to self get around to shooting drops. I've had 2-7 Leupolds on it that worked well, 2x set up scout style has also worked well enough to say don't rule out a quality 4x, over a lower quality variable.

 

[ShooterMedic]

I have shot a 30-06 for years, and love it. I have a nikon 3-9 with the BDC, it is great in brush, and if i need I have reach out there if i need to. I think the scope set me back $150.00.

Some thing my dad always said "The deadlyest man in the woods is the man who owns one rifle and uses it."

If you are going to go with the BDC system, You have to shoot it and get to know how it functions at the different yardages. But once you figure it out and your limits, the results can be very gratifying.

 

[clemens]

Thanks guys for the info. been throwing ideas around for quite awhile. the barrel that is on it is 22" is pretty stout. do need to to do some work on it. pawn shop special. Has some rust in the area just before chamber but hopefully it will clean up well without new barrel.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Have a competent gunsmith run a borescope down it and see what it really looks like. It may surprise you and look good enough to use as-is. Or, he will confirm that it's time for a new barrel and then you can decide on the caliber.

 

[RMulhern]

If you'd like to learn a little more about the Ole '06...go here:

The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: Accuracy Secrets of the .30-06 - Part 1

 

[clemens]

that was very interesting reading thanks. question I have now is. i assume these match grade hints are usable for hunting which I am sure is the whole point. so what grain bullet would work well for hunting deer and elk from short to around 600yd. Was told 180's would be best but what about 200, 208 amax or 210's. it is only 22" barrel at this time. thinking new stock and possible trigger as well.

 

[trebark]

that was very interesting reading thanks. question I have now is. i assume these match grade hints are usable for hunting which I am sure is the whole point. so what grain bullet would work well for hunting deer and elk from short to around 600yd. Was told 180's would be best but what about 200, 208 amax or 210's. it is only 22" barrel at this time. thinking new stock and possible trigger as well.

For shooting at elk, consider the Nosler Accubonds and the Berger VLDs.

 

[clemens]

shooting VLD's i would need to lengthen throat out correct with custom barrel? or just load them standard length due to factory chamber loosing case capacity do to short chamber? Does that effect there performance any?

 

[trebark]

shooting VLD's i would need to lengthen throat out correct with custom barrel? or just load them standard length due to factory chamber loosing case capacity do to short chamber? Does that effect there performance any?

Depends...with a custom barrel you have the option of a custom throat. As a result, you could throat it long but then you might not be able to fit cartridges into your mag well. For a long range run, typically this is not a problem as single loading is not a big deal.

With your factory barrel or a SAAMI spec custom chamber, you would seat the VLDs deeper into the case. This takes away some case capacity resulting in some loss of velocity.

 

[elkaholic]

Clemens....you are not really talking a long range rifle, as you stated, so I would not worry about long range bullets too much either. At 500-600 yards there are plenty of bullets that will work on elk as well as deer. With a 22" barrel you can exceed 2700' with 180's and still have 1800-1900' at 600 yards. Most bullets with a .5+ b.c. will accomplish this and you can shoot a bullet that you will have no trouble fitting in your magazine......Rich
p.s. By the way, I live outside of rathdrum.