It could often be more gun than required for a particular job, just as it can give up some to 33/35 stuff on the same or shorter cases, for other jobs. Need has beans to do with caliber choice for rifle looneys. My love/hate for the '06 revolves around it's versatility: I have to constantly tell myself that it's a compromise, so I can shoot something (arguably) better matched to the job at hand. If I had to walk out the door and consider that any critter in the lower 48 might pop up out to 500, I'd hope I had really hot-rodded one of my .358s with some accubonds, or just grab a damned '06 and some 180s.
I find it remarkable we are still talking about this subject.
I have hunted solely with a 30-06 for the past 12 years. Whitetail, pronghorn, Mule Deer, cow elk, bull elk. I aim my 30-06, pull the trigger, and go retrieve the animal.
Is the recoil too much? I don't know, I shoot 180s mostly at 2775-2800 fps. In my 7.5 lb (scoped) rifle (6.75 lbs bare) it is reasonable. I shoot it a lot too, not just 2-3 rounds a year. I once put more than 100 rounds through in a range session, but I mostly shoot 40-60.
I have a few rifles in my safe. I have another at my gunsmith's. The truth be known that 30-06 is still my favorite rifle. Thinking about some hunts this Fall (if my back is up to it). My 06 is all I need.
I have a few rifles in my safe. I have another at my gunsmith's. The truth be known that 30-06 is still my favorite rifle. Thinking about some hunts this Fall (if my back is up to it). My 06 is all I need.
It will out live all of us.
Good man Randy...
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
I love the 30-06 classy with history. I currently only have 2 in the safe a Kimber 84L Classic Select and a Tikka 695 Hunter. Both are consistently sub MOA shooters with 150 thru 180 grain bullets I haven't tried lighter or heavier. I don't think its too much rifle for deer I prefer to call it power to spare. A 30-06 in my hands always just feels right.The only problem I can see with it is its popularity.The average few shots a year hunter does some research and decides the 30-06 will cover anything they plan on hunting and purchases one and they have made a great choice.The problem comes when its time to shoot it.The 30-06 just has too much recoil for the occasional shooter most wont admit it because do to its popularity they must be a wimp if it is kicking them silly.
JOHNW; Hate to disagree with you but,....wait. No I don't. There are too many reduced loads offered by ammo manufacturers down to the .30-30 level for there to be any argument that the -.06 is too much cartridge. In addition, there are reduced loads in manuals which are even further down on the scale. No reason whatsoever to not own an -.06. WILL.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF:......IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF! D@MN; I miss my meds. THE WINDS OF TYRANNY HAVE SHIFTED. BETTER TIMES AHEAD.
Does a 30-06 recoil too much? Is that the sorry state of shooters today? That sure seems to be different than when I was a kid. Could it be more of a reflection of the fact that most of today's shooters do so almost exclusively from the bench than from field positions. And from the bench, almost anything bigger than a .243 can on occasion deliver a sharp rap to your shoulder.
I have 3 30/06s at present,and am having another built this summer.
I never owned one that didn't shoot 180gr bullets very well. Even a 12 twist Mark X.
Gimme an Otter6 that shoots a good 180gr pill into little bitty groups,and I could finish out my days in blissful ignorance of all other rounds. (if this M700 build goes well that's just what will happen)
Respectfully,Otter6.
"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Growing up under the influence of Jack O'Conner writings in "Peterson's Hunting" magazine I opted for the 270 win. Whitetail deer was the only big came I would be hunting and as a tall skinny kid the 30-06 was more cartridge than needed on the front end and back end. The .270 always worked.
Not too much; as others have said, just right for a "good enough for everything" rifle. That's why, when I came back to hunting after college, I bought one.
On the other hand, as a rifle loony I head afield with my 257 AI every year... As well as my 06, my 6-250, 7x57, 223, etc, all of which do nicely.
No, especially if its your only one. Its pretty much the measure for other cartridges. Shootable bullet weights, velocity, recoil, and powder used doing it. Kinda like vanilla ice cream. I would rather shoot prairie dogs all day with a 30-06 than bear hunt with a 223.
We have soooo many choices of calibers and rifles I have to wonder how they made something so good as the 30-06 so long ago.
I do not think this discussion would be possible if it wasn't for the 30-06 and the freedom it has protected.
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
Too much gun is only a minor sin compared with too little.
Couldn't agree more. Sure the '06 is more than I need for the deer and hogs I shoot. But when I pull the trigger, I'm absolutely confident that if the animal doesn't die within 10 seconds it sure ain't the gun's fault.
Good stuff. Mackey - don't you shoot a Springfield short?
To the point on longevity n history, it is not by chance the 06 has downed so much game, yet part of the fact surely is a matter of how many of them are used afield.
My use was mostly w a Ruger laminate w hard pad. As well as a buddy's FN w same. Both using top loads in 165gr.
Yes various loads are had in light bullets for loaders and reduced factory. Yet I pose the question for factory ammo. Having driven a .277 150 PT neck to ham on a Mulie I cannot imagine it not busting bone. I also ran ballistic tips often in 150. I know the 140 fail safe loads were said to also dump elk readily.
