30-06 inappropriate to hunt sheep

[Pheroze]

For those of us who shoot a lot we all know with a 250 yard zero there just isn't enough difference to even worry about much "difference" when sub 400 yard shots are a concern.

With a high BC monometel 150 at 3k? Or a lower BC pointed soft point it won't make a damn bit of difference on any sheep or goat.

The grouping is probably more import once you know your trajectory?

 

[Red Leg]

Jack's old rule of sighting a rifle "about three inches high" at 100 yards is very roughly a 250 yard zero. Both give you point blank range out to 350 yards or so with an '06/ .27o/ .280 class rifle. That makes for a pretty darned effective mountain rifle. They have been using the same sort of rifle on the Continent in the 7x64 for a long time.

 

[JES Adventures]

My first hunting rifle was a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 and I've hunted with it on 4 Continents including Asia. As Brickburn said Confidence in your rifle and abilities is what it's all about. I would shoot prarie dogs with it in West Texas for practice. It wasn't "original" though I fitted it with a stainless select match grade barrel (shot too many prarie dogs over the years) Kevlar stock and Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56 scope. Of course, as the years went on I bought an Ultra Mag but still believe in my old '06 - it's just an extension of my right hand.

My Blue Sheep taken in Nepal with the 30-06 some 20 years ago. BTW - went on to China after this hunt and took Chinese Blue Sheep, Gansu Argali and Tibetan Gazelle with the same rifle.

 

[Pheroze]

My first hunting rifle was a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 and I've hunted with it on 4 Continents including Asia. As Brickburn said Confidence in your rifle and abilities is what it's all about. I would shoot prarie dogs with it in West Texas for practice. It wasn't "original" though I fitted it with a stainless select match grade barrel (shot too many prarie dogs over the years) Kevlar stock and Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56 scope. Of course, as the years went on I bought an Ultra Mag but still believe in my old '06 - it's just an extension of my right hand.
View attachment 155705
My Blue Sheep taken in Nepal with the 30-06 some 20 years ago. BTW - went on to China after this hunt and took Chinese Blue Sheep, Gansu Argali and Tibetan Gazelle with the same rifle.

All taken, I presume, without the benefit of a high BC monometal bullet?

Jack's old rule of sighting a rifle "about three inches high" at 100 yards is very roughly a 250 yard zero. Both give you point blank range out to 350 yards or so with an '06/ .27o/ .280 class rifle. That makes for a pretty darned effective mountain rifle. They have been using the same sort of rifle on the Continent in the 7x64 for a long time.

That's good to hear because I have read some fairly onerous requirements for zeroing the rifleman point blank ranges, but 3" high with 250 yards sounds very reasonable.

 

[JES Adventures]

All taken, I presume, without the benefit of a high BC monometal bullet?

If my memory serves me, I shot Sierra spritzer boat tails in those days. Probably was a better bullet out there but they performed just fine.. On thicker skinned game I used Nosler partitions 180gr.

That's good to hear because I have read some fairly onerous requirements for zeroing the rifleman point blank ranges, but 3" high with 250 yards sounds very reasonable.

 

[Red Leg]

All taken, I presume, without the benefit of a high BC monometal bullet?



That's good to hear because I have read some fairly onerous requirements for zeroing the rifleman point blank ranges, but 3" high with 250 yards sounds very reasonable.

To be clear, 2.5 - 3 inches high at 100 is roughly equivalent to a 250 yd zero.

 

[Longwalker]

My only sheep to date was a Yukon Dall taken with a modest .308 win. using 165 grain bullets at a mere 2600 fps. The range was 350 yards. The sheep died.

 

[tedthorn]

I've killed 18 different species of game in Africa and the North American continent with the 30-06

I don't doubt it's just like many good cartridges in that its only limited by the operators capabilities

 

[IronCowboy]

I've had a love/hate relationship with Craig - or at least his writing - for most of my literate life. Meaning I hate that I love reading his work. I indeed have kept subscriptions with magazines only because of his content, and I've bought a number of his books over the years. More often than not, I'll enjoy his writings, but also more often than not, I'll find some expressed opinion here or there within a work which rankles me. But I suppose that attribute has played a part in his success over all of these years.

Naturally, the frustration comes when we read a statement like that from a guy like Craig who should readily recognize that a 130grn pill out of a 270win has the same SD and approximate energy as a 168grn from a 30-06, only ~ 5-7" less drop at 500yrds, and only about 2/3 the TKO factor at 500yrds. If a 270win can do it, a .30-06 can and will do it, and do it harder... You'd also expect he recognizes both will have the same rifle length and weight for packing as well, and only a fractionally appreciable difference in recoil... One thing to say he prefers the 270 over the '06, but to recommend one as sufficient and one as deficient isn't logical.

I haven't killed sheep with an '06, but I've killed elk between 300 and 500yrds with them, and whitetail & mule deer past 700yrds. If I had to reach farther, I know I'd want a 168-180grn pill, regardless of the speed and trajectory difference, instead of a 130grn pill.

 

[BWH]

The 06 would be fine in my opinion. I have buddies that go, that swear by their 25.06 & .243's. I think if it shoots flat, accurate, lightweight.... your are good.

 

[Odinsraven]

The Blonde took her 7x64. Formally my rifle ........to Africa this year everything from Springbok to Blue Wildebeest went down and stayed down ..........

I honestly believe I have wasted too much time and treasure over the years debating and figuring out X v Y BT v SP .....time spent on the range or reloading bench is where it is at .............

If I had to do it again .223 7mm 375 and 416 job done ................ Ohh an an 8mm remington magnum ...... and a 8x68. Ohh shit here I go again

 

[Nyati]

I have only hunted two Mouflons (Corsican Sheep), and used a .338 WM with Winchester 200gr SP, range was around 250/300 meters.

Overgunned, maybe, but I like to play it safe.

 

[sestoppelman]

Maybe a little but more is better than less and the .338 Win is a great round and with that lighter bullet it shoots very flat. My own .338 weighs about 9.5# loaded so not one I would care to drag up the mountains.

 

[thi9elsp]

When I went to buy my first hunting rifle in the mid-90's I asked my brother what to buy - he is now a retired USFWS Field Agent and had hunted many years by then. He told me a 30-06 would kill anything I would hunt except Brown Bear and Moose (although it would kill those, not recommended). I agree with others. Go with it. And, if you want to spend some money, spend it on optics and / or getting a custom load developed that fits optimizes your rifle's accuracy.

John

 

[lcq]

weight is why I took a light rifle to hunt reedbuck and sheep is more physical. A good rangefinder and a calibrated reticle or turret will make the 3006 more than capable out past where most of us feel comfortable shooting.

 

[johnnyblues]

The 06 will be fine with all the modern Ammo you have to choose from. I personally favor the 270. As it shots very flat and with 150 gr noslers I've killed 2 different species of sheep, mtn goat, thar and chamois in the mountains at ranges from 80 yards to 300 yards. Most importantly is shoot what you have the most confidence with that is key!

 

[Red Leg]

The 06 will be fine with all the modern Ammo you have to choose from. I personally favor the 270. As it shots very flat and with 150 gr noslers I've killed 2 different species of sheep, mtn goat, thar and chamois in the mountains at ranges from 80 yards to 300 yards. Most importantly is shoot what you have the most confidence with that is key!

150 gr .270 and 150 gr 30'06 have essentially identical trajectories out to 450 yards. Beyond that, most people aren't shooting - they are praying.

 

[CAustin]

I read the question but hadn't even thought about the weight of the rifle.
As far as the round I can't think of a reason it wouldn't be fine. Now hiking around with a real heavy rifle doesn't make me smile.

 

[LivingTheDream]

30-06 will kill a sheep everytime it is hit properly. If you can shoot it and have confidence in it, then go with that and don't read another article on the perfect rifle. If you really want to be productive read articles on your smart phone while walking around with a pack on.

 

[sheephunterab]

150 gr .270 and 150 gr 30'06 have essentially identical trajectories out to 450 yards. Beyond that, most people aren't shooting - they are praying.

Ballistic reticle scopes or those with hunting turrets have changed the rules beyond 300 yards. Trajectory means little any more.