30-06 - The calibre to love or hate?

[Milehighshooter]

I just loaded up some 30-06 test loads today. H4895 slow loads using 130, 150, 165, and 180 grain Hornady bullets. Also some loads when I use my suppressor using 150 gr bullets and Trail Boss. Admittedly I’m doing this because my granddaughter just took her hunters safety course and informed me she wants to try hunting, so I need some potential light recoiling loads. I also have some 100 and 110 grain loads using Unique that have virtually no recoil. I need the next step up from those.
I am a retired engineer, so I have to have something to do between my hunts! Using the 30-06 she gets to shoot one of pappy’s big guns not just a 22LR or 223.

Ridge I hadgood luck with the 130 TSX *not ttsx* in my old colt light rifle. I do believe I was in the mid 50gr range with IMR4064. Can't remember my groups but i took that combo on a timeline velvet mulie hunt and it did the trick. I load the same recipe for my cousins wife in a Ruger mkII, shoots better in hers, but very mild recoil.

 

[Ridgewalker]

So far using Barnes 130 TTSX 5/8” for three shots at 100m is my best full out load. I’m using softer Hornady for these lighter loads, then if accuracy is good, I’ll test them in wet paper stacks to see if I get enough penetration and expansion. I really enjoy playing with this stuff! A lot more fun than designing test equipment!

 

[MAdcox]

Let me preface, I do enjoy the 30-06, and have several. And Sgt Zim this is NOT directed at you personally what so ever, you just happened to repeat my favorite tag line about the ol '06 I love to rag on.

That highlighted comment right there, that one about 110-220 grain. I hear this repeated thousands of times over. But the second you start asking for load data or results with say a 130gr bullet, people jump all over you saying "180 or nothing at all kid!!!" or "if you are shooting 130 just buy a 270!" You can barely get anyone to even use 150's, and 165's must be premium or mono metals or its just going to bounce off a target.

People like to say oh you can load from here to there with this cartridge! But....few actually DO that. Look up in the 375+ forum, someone asks about the 235gr bullet, you get responses about using 250's and 270's. Try asking a question about a 110 gr in a 270 and you'll get told to buy a 25-06 and just use 130/150's in the 270 and be done with it. The whole idea of these very flexible cartridges (which are true) are very UN-flexible in the reality of hunters heads. I find it very funny. 9.3? Apparently no other bullet exists besides a 286. 6.5 120gr? Why? Use 140's for everything.

For the majority of shooters and most hunters this is accurate. Especially as we get safes full of guns.
However for the beginner or first timer with only one or two guns the flexibility is great. My first bolt, scoped rifle was a 270win. I handloaded it for everything. 90gr Speer hp for varmints (screaming, accurate and explosive); 130s for whitetail, and 140gr Failsafe and Barnes X for elk and hogs. Still have that rifle and never shoot anything but the 140s now that I have a 243 and a 5.56. But for 15 years or so that was a my one gun arsenal.

 

[Alaska]

I have and always will have a 30-06. From Whitetail Deer to Alaskan Moose has fallen to my 30-06. Within its limitations a excellent cal for hunting big game in North America. With today good bullets and ammo selections it’s never been so good for the 30-06.

 

[Alaska]

"shoot them till they stop breathing". Larry Benoit, (may have been his son) both carried a pump action Remington. Whichever one said it, it was comical but practical, it was along the lines of "I shoot until the gun is empty, what fun is it otherwise". Both killed some monsters and it was all spot and stalk. Northeastern hiicks, gotta love'em.

Benoit Brothers and senior all used Rem 760 Carbine in 30-06 and were very popular back in the 70’s for big bucks harvested.

 

[BigSteve57]

I started out hunting North American Whitetail Deer with the 30-06. I got that round because it's the caliber shot my my father in-law who taught me to shoot!

The '06 worked great on Whitetails, no surprise there. But then we took a rifle chambered in 30-06 and .375 H&H on our Africa hunt. What amazed me was the power of the 30-06. My first kill was a good sized Zebra; much larger than a 180 lb Whitetail buck! I have friends that have successfully hunted Black Bear and Elk with it. Until you've hunted larger game you'll never know that your round is capable of and the '06 can do a lot.

Oh and another thing. Things get lost. Maybe you forget to pack that extra box of cartridges. You can get 30-06 literally ANYWHERE.

 

[tarbe]

Hi All,

I know I suffer from calibre worship from time to time but the 30-06 seems to be one folks either love or hate.

Some love it because of its avaliability of ammo, projectile weights and ballistic similarity to .375H&H.

Other seem to hate is because its American, not a 308, longer than the shorts and old.

Is there anything actually (and really) wrong with the 30-06?

Ado.

No. Nothing inherently wrong with the 30-06.

Can it be employed incorrectly? Of course. Like any other cartridge.

 

[BWH]

What’s not to love..... name 1 thing?

 

[tarbe]

What’s not to love..... name 1 thing?

Well, to be honest...I wish it had a rim. I'd love a 30-06R in a No1 or a Dakota 10.

Maybe I'll have to do a .405-.308?

Hmmm....310GNR....

Dang 30R Blaser is unobtanium...

 

[BWH]

Well, to be honest...I wish it had a rim. I'd love a 30-06R in a No1 or a Dakota 10.

Maybe I'll have to do a .405-.308?

That’s just being particular.... no reason to discount the sturdiness of what was originally created

 

[tarbe]

That’s just being particular.... no reason to discount the sturdiness of what was originally created

Not discounting anything. Rims are more positive to extract in single shots and break-opens.

 

[BWH]

Not discounting anything. Rims are more positive to extract in single shots and break-opens.

I’ll trust your judgment there.... no experience on those accounts. Just speaking on behalf of bolt actions.

 

[crudeoildude]

whats not to love.If you had all the game in one pile killed in the us with a 06 or a 30-30 it would be one hell of apile

 

[Dr Ray]

The 30/06 is a wonderful cartridge. It’s a versatile cartridge and if you like you can “improve” it. Used a 30/06 for many years (I actually had 2).
The 308 is more compact but the 30/06 is just a bit more versatile. Love the ‘06!

 

[HWL]

Well, to be honest...I wish it had a rim. I'd love a 30-06R in a No1 or a Dakota 10.

Dang 30R Blaser is unobtanium...

I am so happy, that there is non....

Because it does not need one….. not for a break open gun!

.30-06 Springfield in a Heym O/U double and a Merkel 211 combination gun, 12ga shotgun barrel with .223 Remington insert barrel.

All rimless cartridges working flawlessly.


HWL

 

[tarbe]

Yes, I have had break-opens in rimless chamberings.

My point is that the extractor must move in two planes for rimless and the extra complexity makes them less "foolproof".

I am splitting hairs...I understand. But that is what makes it a hobby!

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

One of the best cartridges in my opinion. Many years in Africa I used it in a Sauer Drilling, 165 and 180 gr Nosler Partitions. Only an extremely inexperienced hunter would hate the great 06.

 

[Bruce]

It's a great caliber...I have hunted everything from eland to duiker with my 30-06 and FACTORY ammo, and it performs well in bushveld and more open grasslands alike. Condemning it because it's old???? Can't agree with that.....​

 

[Rickmt]

I have 2 model 70 featherweights. A 270 and a 300wsm. I love them both . Nothing I have ever picked up feels so right .
Six months ago I ordered a 30.06 from Mr Forbes at New Ultralight Arms. I plan on stuffing it with 165 Nosler Accubonds for everything here in Montana. I am excited to be able to carry a lighter rifle in the mountains.
I will take the 300 wsm to Africa with 180 Nosler Accubonds for larger plains game next June.

 

[Alchemist]

My love afair started 46 years ago when I shot my first impala with a 30-06. The first rifle I owned was a 30-06. The 30-06 is the first rifle I pack, when going hunting .