My son and I spent time at the gun club this morning, checking our hunting rifles. I wanted to try the 30-06 ammo I'd loaded with the 130 grain Barnes TTSX bullet. That's light for a 30-06, but it's a proven hunting bullet because of the all copper construction. This is the tipped version. With a top charge of Varget it's doing over 3200 fps and shoots quite flat to 300+ yards. A real change of pace for me, and for the old 30-06 Springfield rifle!

Shooting it at Gavin's UR ranch last week:




Today at the gun club, 100, 200, 300 yard berms:




The first two were just about touching, I dropped the third one a bit low. Didn't have a lot of this ammo loaded, so I didn't shoot more groups, just adjusted the point of impact to the bullseye and shot steel at 100, 200 & 300 yards.




I'd say it's good to go! Headed out this afternoon for a bear hunt with my son, first time we've been able to get out so far this season though it opened August 1st. I'll take the predator call. No baiting or hounds allowed here in Washington. Going to a favorite hunting area of mine, not far from home.

It's very satisfying to see Dad's old rifle, sporterized after WWII by his father, shooting so well. There's no bedding, the action is just screwed into the full length stock. I don't remember it shooting this well in the past, but until recent weeks I hadn't shot Dad's rifle since the 1970's. I remember buying that 2-7x Redfield for him, in the 70's as well. Apparently the old barrel likes Barnes bullets.

Regards, Guy

That's a pretty darned cool blend of old and new Guy!

That load floating at 3200 is a zinger.. Be cool to see how you do this season with it!

Always had a weakness for full stocked rifles. Have a few currently and have owned many more, but a full stocked 03 has always eluded me. If I weren't so danged old, I'd bed my current 03 in a full stock.

Congrats on the cool rifle with a cool heritage. If you kill something with it and those loads, be sure to give an update on the bullet's performance!

Thanks guys. It's great getting this "family rifle" back in the field. My son and I are headed out soon for an evening predator hunt, hoping for black bear, but I admit that any coyote showing up is in trouble.

With it shooting so well, I'm going to load up more of that ammo and probably use it for mule deer hunting as well this season.

Lots of nostalgia associated with the old Springfield. First centerfire rifle I ever shot, nearly 60 years ago. It was a bit much for me then! Hunted with it a few times in high school, no scope on it then, used a nice Lyman rear sight and a thin blade up front. Young eyes worked great with it. I'm glad that Dad kept it in good shape all these years.

Guy

Dang, I was hoping to see some target pics at 200 and 300 yards too, since you mentioned shooting at those distances. Like I do out to 400 sometimes with the new rifles I test. Cool old rifle though. Looks like it’s going to work well enough. That TTSX should do a number on a bear. Good luck!

Thanks! My bad on the downrange targets. Only shot steel at 200 & 300 and didn't go check the steel plates. Was content to hammer 'em.

Will try to put something in the freezer with the old Springfield.

Regards, Guy

Very nice!

Looks like the 130TTSX turns the ol' '06 into a pretty fair 270!

Awesome Guy!

Can’t wait to see your fall harvest pictures!

That's great speed from a 20" barrel!