30-06 versatility

[MOGLEY]

I have read many forum topics on many different calibers and the load work up on many of them and what they were worked up for. wether for target or varmit hunting. I have not seen a whole lot on the 30-06. I am wondering if it overlooked or taken for granted. I have a NEF in 17 mach 2, 17 hmr, 410 and the latest a 204. I am looking into another barrel (s).. As so many, I have a difficult time choosing. I ahve been told what a great caliber a 30-06 is as it can shoot anything from accelrator loads to 200 grain rounds. Has anyone tried the relm of weight bullets in this cartridge to know if it is in fact accurate in all weights or just a certain range? So far I have heard the 110 grain bullets don't have the sectional density to perform that well but above that??
For comparison and case in point, My 204 shoots both 32 and 40 grainers fine but the caliber itself does not lend itself to much above or below and some say theirs only shoots 32 gr bullets but not 40.......   I reload and like working up loads. If the 30-06 does indeed shoot many weights very well, I will get that one and fill any gaps in my rifle needs.
Any experiences would be appreciated.
I should mention I was at a gunshop today that had many NEF in stock. 38-55,204,22 hornet, 30-06, 308, 22-250, 30-30, 45-70.........all at $235.00 ea. AND I WALKED AWAY!!! Will power was definetly stressed

[greg916]

one of the most versatile calibers around. factory rounds can be found with bullets from 110gr up to 220gr. you can do even more with it if you reload. 

[mitchell]

yes its very versatile


but look at it this way use a tool for what its for . you have a 204 so your set on varmints out to 300 yards (i've killed them alot farther with mine)the 30-06 makes a great long range varmint get one load it up a 175 matchking and some rl-22 and you'll be set for have from 300-800 too . you can load it with light bullets but thats not where it shines and you already have  gun for the ranges that you would use the lighter stuff at

[quickdtoo]

I've handloaded 200gr Nosler partitions for my 30-06 Ultracomp, accuracy is superb with Rl22.

Tim

[Dillohide]

The 30-06 may be taken for granted but it's certainly not forgotten. If I'm not mistaken it is still the number one selling deer rifle cartridge and for good reason ... it works. The 30-06 has fathered or grandfathered more modern hunting calibers than any other cartridge. I don't think you could get a more versatile rifle. That's why I have two 

[andrewtheelder38]

Ah yes, the vaunted and hard to find 30-06 ultra rifle......I found one at a gun show in maine last year and never had enuff money either at that show or the next two shows after that to grab it and by the end of the third show when i did have the money, it was of course...Gone!

Have the .270 and love its weight and balance and good looks

it carries the most expensive optics i have ever sprung for, a bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40 and i love that scope!

[Buckman]

I have a handi in 30 06 and love it. I'm still working up handloads for it but if that doesn't work it shoots 1MOA at 100 yards using Winchester Xpert power points!  It's all you will ever need for any game on this continent!

[Cabin4]

Likely the most versatile cartridge in existence. Ground hogs to Grizzly bears and everything in between.

[Sourdough]

The most versitale guns I got, are all 30-06s.  I only own seven 30-06s. For my Handi, I load 125gr Speer TNTs, 165gr Sierria  HPBTs, and 180gr Noslers, both the Partition and Ballistic tips.  I have tried Nosler 200s, and 220s, but I think the range is a little short for them.  I have also loaded the Barnes 250s, but they did not group like I want them to.  I use my Handi mainly for wolf and varmit hunting, it's usually on my snow machine or four wheeler all winter.  I also carry it in the truck most of the time.  With the 165gr loads I won't hesitate to take a shot from 50 to 500 yards. The only limitation I have experienced is while I can hit animals at 600 and 700 yards, the cartridge lacks the energy at that range to make clean kills.  My Handi seems to like IMR-3031 with the 165gr Sierria bullet.  I killed one Caribou, and two Moose with it last year. (one Moose was a proxy)  I started loading the Barnes solid last year to try and prevent pelt damage.  So far I have not found the right combination yet to make them shoot well.  I've tried both the 125gr and the 165gr bullets, just don't seem to like them.


Just got back from the range sighting in a new 180gr Nosler Partition load for my 30-06 Handi, and the Encore. Fairly hot load this time.   Lost it (the gun) a week ago in the Chatanika river, fell off the raft.  Fished it out after two days and brought it home.  Rust city, NEF does not do the best bluing job.  Cleaned it up with brake fluid and steel wool, oiled it, but it still rusted again after a couple of days.  Cleaned it  again, this time I removed the scope and totally disassembled it.  Cleaned it up, reassembled it,  and took it to the range.  Two shots at 50yds, two at 100yds, with scope adjustments.  Then a three inch five shot group at 200 yards.  It's back ready for action.  If the rust comes back I'm going to paint it Camo.

Took a shot at a small (about 4 1/2 to 5ft) Black Bear Saturday evening.  Actually I got off two shots, but he was running at both shots.  First shot was at 250 yards, second was at 300, I just plain missed both shots.  Yes, I sometimes get excited too.  Them little suckers are hard to hit when they are running through the brush.

[Cabin4]

I only own seven 30-06s.

  Key word here being "only". Your a dedicated man to the 30-06 to own 7 of them. It is a great versatile cartridge... can't blame you one bit.

[AKbuilder]

As so many, I have a difficult time choosing. I have been told what a great caliber a 30-06 is as it can shoot anything from accelerator loads to 200 grain rounds.

I seem to remember someone said the accelerator loads are not as accurate as they should be, something about barrel twist or was it the bullet never engages the rifling.  Feel free to give them a try, there is even a website with reloading data.

Thanks,
Paul

[rex6666]

i can remember a time when ever a new bullet/cal. hit the market, the first question
asked was how does it measure up to the 30-06
now seems like we have every thing over lapping each other
i have always heard that to 06 was built around a180gr bullet, don't know
every 06 I've had or have seemed to shoot the 165 best

[Lucky Joe]

I learned it this way.

"Ain't nothing in life can't be fixed with a $20.00 bill and a .30-06."  It's been around long enough to stand on it's own.

[dw06]

I reload and like working up loads. If the 30-06 does indeed shoot many weights very well, I will get that one and fill any gaps in my rifle needs.
Any experiences would be appreciated.

Hi MOGLEY,The 06 is a fine cartridge and as Lucky Joe said "Its been around long enough to stand on its own" and I still have two rifles chambered for it as its my favorite!Its a great cartridge to reload for as its not very fussy and many powders work well in it.A few years back the only rifles I had were an 06 and a 308,so I used the 06 for everything from varmints to deer and mule deer.I have loads that use 125gr,150gr,165gr,168gr,180gr,and even dabbeled with 200gr.I got them all shooting under an inch at 100 yards for 3 shot groups.Many will do half inch.So give one a try,you can knock yourself out reloading for it and you will never regret having one!

[MOGLEY]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have a custom made 30-06 bolt action my father recently gave me. It was made for him the year before I was born (1963). Growing up I used accelerators in it and had great luck vaporizing woodchucks with it. I have gotten into reloading in the past 10 years. Shotguns at first and now for rifles. This past year I have gotten a 204 and did a lot of work up on it and more with my cz 527 222. It sounds like my next venture will be the 30-06 barrel for my 204 frame. Hopefully my uncle can do the trigger work on my rimfire and centerfire NEF in the next few weeks.
  I learned a lot shooting the 204 loads. Case stretch per shot. Powder and seating preferences. I was able to find a recipe that worked better than the rest but still not a tight group. I am convinced it is the 700lb lawyer happy trigger pull weight.   ( not that the lawyer was 700lbs......) is the culprit for hte rest of the grouping issue. I like to find calibers that are versatile with different weights lending themselves for dual purpose and, I might add, scopes that can accomodate easy range changes, finger turrets etc. I have the bug for the long range shooting thing. 400 yard stuff. 100 yards seems so easy once the long range shooting starts. I have been impressed with the 243 reviews and have seen what a buddy's gun is capable of with the 75 gr v-max bullets. I just loaded him up 3 different series of 55 gr spitzer rounds to start experimenting with....................  Maybe I'll get 2 barrels................. after ( while) my wife is on vacation.................?  Somebody help

[Airsporter]

Big Mortie liked green box 

[Mac11700]

Yup...It is a very versatile cartridge...Truth be told...97.% of the hunting in the world can be done with it...ammo is available from in about the same percentages of places in the world...Others may come and go...but the o6' will always be around...Most o6's will shoot good no matter what kind of action it's in...Find all the loads it will shoot good...and enjoy...

Mac