Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What cartridge makes a better ***all-around*** cartridge than the .30-06?

Remington’ s belted 7
GreggH

It’s a good one and close but falls short with 200+ grain bullets😉.


PennDog

I have a lot of rifles, in a whole lot of different calibers, and I LOVE to use them all. Lots are smaller than .308, and many are bigger than .308. And that may be the main reason that of all 10 or so 30-06's I've owned, I have only ever hunted one of them, and only killed one critter with it, a big New Mexico bison that fell to a 180 Partition. I've just been too busy playing around with various Gucci calibers to bother with the old '06 in the hunting fields. Because I already KNEW how that was going to turn out. Though I'm far from the most experienced hunter, I have killed dozens of critters, including mule and Coues deer, pronghorn, elk, and the one bison (moose, sheep, and goats are still on the bucket list). So, in my probably about average experience level, the answer to the OPs question is:
Nothing.
I turn 60 next week and am sitting around looking at a pile of rifles, picked up at great deals over the years, that I may never get to hunt with. Two of my 30-06s just got sent to JES to become something bigger and another is going to be rebarreled to .256 Newton. So I'm gonna have even more "Gucci" rifles to hunt with, in my remaining years. I can't say that the 06s are going to get a whole lot more love, but there's not a better cartridge I "need."

All the best,
Rex

.300 Whelen

I used to turn my nose up at the '06 until I was sent one for review.
Bought my own and won't part with it. That and the 7x57 and possibly a .458 are the most useful trio, because I simply cannot find any animal anywhere, for which I am not adequately armed.

Funny. Along with the .277-03, right?

Yup.

That's about where I'd come down. "For North America" most people factor in 'big bears" even though most people will never hunt big bears. Take them out of the equation and it's much simpler.

.223AI

For me anyway.

I agree, I would like to use the same exception and go with a 7x57 mm. If I am forced to hunt big bears with my selection, I have no problem taken a poke at one with a 175 grain Nosler PT. (My backup would be a gun bearer with a "big" 06 - 35 Whelen.)

Interesting question from the op. I am 65 and the amount of bullets from .22 to 50 , lead alloy, primers, powders and BRASS I have accumulated will outlast the time in front of me. I ain't even a hoarder just a normal guy who likes to shoot. I am not rich but got enough of bad women and lonely liquor long time a go so I spend it on firearms/ components. I scored some major deals on this stuff for the last 45 years. I'm proud to say I have not ever run out of ammo.
.I'll be ok on 30-06 stuff till I'm dead but if I was a young guy right now I'd be thinking what I'd need to see me thru the next 60 years. That spells. 223, 308 ,12ga , 22lr, 38 spcl, 9mm lay them in and all the GI brass you can get a deal on. Primers same lot by the sheave(5000) bulk bullet buys of the ones that work for you and multiple 8lb kegs of the powders you need. Sandyhook taught all who would learn that," Days that you could go to whatever mart the evening before the opener and get your ammo are Long F'ing gone", There is no such thing as to much money,or adequate supplies of ammo and components. If you don't reload you mize well give up shooting stay home have your wife tell what the f**k to do. Most people gotta get hosed for$ 30 dollars for a book on what to do and I just gave it away damn if I ain't a philanthropist
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MB

YES, you are.


I'm 70 and will not live long enuff to shoot the components I have--- IF I DON'T BUY ANOTHER 1.


You got it right about Factory Ammo shooters.


Jerry

Have you compared the S D & B C of 175 gr, .284s TO 200 gr, .308 IN same bullet construction.

NO LACK.


Jerry

I only opened this thread to see how many hipsters would show up.

+1. And an '06 for a two rifle battery.

6.5x55

Dang, you had to go and one-up me. I'll see your 7x57 and go 7-08!

Depends on application. The best way to hedge success? Pick the proper bullet for the job, and shot placement.

That said, an 06 'Could' have done anything I have done in the field, assuming the above.

Yet, I have gotten by fine on all my kills using different choices.......using proper bullets + proper placement.

Well 458 WIN ( Phil Shoemaker) says the 30-06 is entirely adequate for Brown bear SO....

The 30-06 is a BETTER all around cartridge.



I already have the 'creed' covered in more ways than 1 --> including 30-06


Jerry

None better. But almost just as versatile
7-08 for old school
6.5CM for the younger crowd