why don't you own a 30-06?

[searlock]

I don't own a 30 06 because I currently own two. A remington 700 bdl and 760 bdl. I think I like the 760 best. I have owned in the past a 1903 a3 and a m1 garand. 06 is not all I own but it is as good as it comes in its class. I would not feel undergunned with them with just about anywhere in the usa.

[AtlLaw]

Ya know, in 2006,  what with everybody talkin about the cartridge being 100 years old and all, it dawned on me that I didn't have a 30-06 sporter.     Plenty of rifles for that round in military gard, but the last sporter I had was a Springfield I had redone into my beloved 338-06.

So I went on a quest.  Figured I'd get a CZ since I didn't have one of those rifles.  But at a gunshow a young feller had a table with a Remington M-700 Mountain Rifle laying there.  It went home with me.

After a good cleaning it looked almost new so I put a scope on it and loaded up some rounds.  At the range I used 2 rounds to zero and put the next 3 into an inch!  That just kinda defines the 30-06...    Okay Swampy... AND the M-700!   

[teddy12b]

My first rifle was a Remmy 700 30-06,traded it for the 270 and never regretted it............I might, just might, buy a  30-06 barrel for my Rossi Wizard so you will like me.........

Victory!!!  We have a man on the road to recovery!  We like you.

I understand why didn't like your first rifle in 30-06.  That's a remington thing, and whole different can of worms.  I'm a Savage guy so I can poke fun at the remington guys all I want because my rifles will outshoot theirs.  I made the mistake of buying a remington bolt action once.  Won't do that again.  I like their shotguns & the 750 though in 30-06!

[poncaguy]

Yep, I do love my 870.......

[Daman]

I own 4 currently, but will never buy another unless my child wants one. I am in the market for a smaller deer round now. I have had or do have most any common centerfire caliber on the market. Some I loved, some I hated. They were all adequate to kill the 150lb deer we have in Alabama. My next will probably be a 260 (6.5-308 A-Square). If you want to talk wildcats, give me a 308 parent case any day, but that is a personal thing about powder usage.


I will say that if I could only keep one, it would be my Remington Model 6 30-06 w/ Weaver K6 or Browning BAR Safari II w/ Nikon Monarch.

No replacing the 30-06 for the best all-around cartridge in my book.

Daman

[Swampman]

If you think a Savage will out shoot a Remington, then you need to wake up and get out of bed.

[teddy12b]

If you think a Savage will out shoot a Remington, then you need to wake up and get out of bed.

Any range, any time sir. 

[scootrd]

If you think a Savage will out shoot a Remington, then you need to wake up and get out of bed.

Any range, any time sir.  

I'll let you and Swampman hash out which is more accurate. I have shot both and both probably can shoot better than I could shoot them in more capable hand. No complaints with either . But I gotta be honest from an aesthetics point of view , the Remmy every time .
My next purchase (wish list) will be a 700 Remmy CDL SF , unless they come out with a Mod seven CDL SF.

[v-man]

What a great thread. After hearing the '06 bashed on forums and magazines lately it is good to see so many who respect it for the great,(maybe greatest) round that it is. When I thinned the herd I sold my Garand and my 742 bit the dust and wasn't worth the cost of repairs so I sold it "as is". And even though I huunt in the swamps with handguns and Guide Guns, and at times shoot a .375H&H just for kicks (literally), I still can't foresee ever parting with my Mod 70-'06. Too perfect!

[mrussel]

ask myself the same question. so, i went and bought one. not as flat shooting as my 257 weatherby, kicks a little more.  it will take anything on this earth. it will be my grizz gun loaded with 220 gn. round nose. the 165 gn will take every thing else.

 Because back in the late 1800s through the middle of the last century,every country made a gun that used a cartridge that was "about like a 30-06". I have Mosins in 7.62x54R,military Mausers in 8mm Mauser and a Steyr M95 in 8x56R. I guess if I found a rifle I liked in 30-06 I would buy it. Its a great cartridge,no doubt. This year though,Im leaning toward using either ex-sniper Mosin,with a repro PU scope or the M95 with a reflex sight mounted to the rear sight base. The M95 is a really handy little carbine,so Im really leaning toward it.

[no guns here]

Got two of 'em... a 700 SS and a Garand.  The 700 was the first big game rifle I ever bought.  I bought it because I knew I could hunt just about anything with it.  If for some reason I were forced to sell off all the other ones... the '06 is the one I would keep.  More than accurate enough, more than enough power for deer, hogs, elk, moose, black bear and in truth anything except the biggest DG.   I won't pull a Swampy and make an absolute statement of the '06's superiority but in my opinion the '06 has nothing to apologize for; others make do just as well, but none are so significantly better as to make me get rid of my '06's.

NGH

[Swampman]

But I gotta be honest from an aesthetics point of view , the Remmy every time

That's for sure.....

[Sourdough]

I carry an 06 everywhere I go.  Even when I am out with the Weatherby for shooting long distances, an 06 is on the 4-wheeler as back-up.  I load three bullets.  Speer 125gr TNT, Sierria 165gr HPBT, and Nosler 180gr Partitions.  With those three loads I am ready for anything from Foxes to Grizzlies.  I would not hesitate to shoot a Grizzly with either the 165gr or the 180gr.  Both will do the job.  I have killed a Moose with the 125gr TNT load, Tho I would not recommend it.  Everything was just perfect that morning, and the shot went off text book perfect.

My son talked me into loading up a box of 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, and a box of 165gr Nosler Accubonds.  We are going to test them on Wolves here in two weeks in the 40-mile country.  Who knows we may even take a Cariobu or two.  Sure to see a few Grizzlies as well.  Want to see what the Accubond does for a Grizzly.  I'll let you know if we are able to get close enough to one.

[Walks with Fire]

I am just a whitetail deer/varmint hunter and I am 5'8" tall and a bit overweight. I have 22" barreled 7-08 and .243 Browning x-bolt and a-bolts. I don't need or want more weight or power.

[Swampman]

I tried the 7mm-08 for a season.  I sold it as soon as I could.

[Daman]

I am just a whitetail deer/varmint hunter and I am 5'8" tall and a bit overweight. I have 22" barreled 7-08 and .243 Browning x-bolt and a-bolts. I don't need or want more weight or power.

Nothing wrong with that. If you are comfortable and confident with your choices, by all means shoot away. From experience with both I will say that when the trophy of a lifetime walks out and stands just behind a small patch of bush, you will be wanting a 200 grain round nose something or better a 250 grain round nose.

Love both calibers, have both --- been disappointed more than once that I was toting one of the 2 and not my 35 Rem or 30-06.

Shoot em straight and pick your shot, any caliber will kill a deer.
Daman

[yooper77]

I am just a whitetail deer/varmint hunter and I am 5'8" tall and a bit overweight. I have 22" barreled 7-08 and .243 Browning x-bolt and a-bolts. I don't need or want more weight or power.

Nothing wrong with the 243 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington for deer.  I use my 243 Winchester with any 100 grain bullets with IMR-4350 and it delivers nothing but one shot dead kills. I can’t say enough about the 7mm-08 Remington, but use any 140 grain bullet with IMR-4350 and you will be a believer.  I never felt under gunned carrying either. Both are proven game getting perfection.

Yes the 7mm-08 Remington is fully capable for taking Elk.  I would select a 150 grain bullet for the job and yes IMR-4350. This is a recipe for Elk steaks.

yooper77

[mrussel]

I carry an 06 everywhere I go. 

 I assume its stainless so it wont rust in the shower?

[Sourdough]

No, but it's not blued either.

[scootrd]

I tried the 7mm-08 for a season.  I sold it as soon as I could.

I Tried the 7mm-08 for a season , switched from an '06 as soon as I could.
I agree with Yooper77 , 7mm-08 Remington, 140 grain bullet  = Deer in the freezer every time when shooter does their part.
very accurate deerslayer , in a lighter compact package with less recoil than '06 an a shorter throw.

Whats not to love, To each his own.

JMHO with a 7mm-08 you have the near perfect whitetail package.  Of course if your into creating
bigger holes, tearing up more tissue, or crushing more bone that need be on whitetails stick with an '06.

If you need the use of heavier bullets for larger game , cant beat an '06.

[Mac11700]

I am just a whitetail deer/varmint hunter and I am 5'8" tall and a bit overweight. I have 22" barreled 7-08 and .243 Browning x-bolt and a-bolts. I don't need or want more weight or power.

Nothing wrong with that. If you are comfortable and confident with your choices, by all means shoot away. From experience with both I will say that when the trophy of a lifetime walks out and stands just behind a small patch of bush, you will be wanting a 200 grain round nose something or better a 250 grain round nose.

Love both calibers, have both --- been disappointed more than once that I was toting one of the 2 and not my 35 Rem or 30-06.

Shoot em straight and pick your shot, any caliber will kill a deer.
Daman

Ahhh yes..the old brush busting theory and if you have a heavy round nose bullet just shoot at it through cover...Sorry..couldn't help myself on that one

I've owned (2) 7-08's before and really never cared for the round. If I was going to go with a 7mm non magnum..it would be the one based on the 30-06 case...the 280, There isn't enough recoil difference to amount to much and the added case capacity is there if I want to reload to higher pressures. Not saying the 7-08 isn't a good deer round..or you couldn't take an Elk with it because it is and you can..but it is already maxed out and lags behind from the start as compared to the larger cartridge.

Mac

[the jigger]

I've been watching this thread since the first day. I have read every response.
No one can deny the capability of the 30/06. That said, here is my answer to the original question.
First, I am a 25 nut.
Second, I have no need for anything larger than 25.
Third, Deer here in Florida are under 150lbs.
Back in the 60's I had a 1903A3 Sporter That I thought I had to have to efficiently take whitetail deer.
It would do that. I sold it for more than I had in it and did without a rifle for several years.
When I got back into rifles a gunsmith friend recommended a combination varmint/deer rifle.
Thus began my love affair with the 25/06.Since that time I have acquired:
another 25/06,257Roberts,250/3000, and built a 250/3000 Ackley Improved(on a Ruger#3 action)
So the lack of need and the lack of love are the reasons that I don't own a 30/06.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[scootrd]

Ahhh yes..the old brush busting theory and if you have a heavy round nose bullet just shoot at it through cover...Sorry..couldn't help myself on that one

I've owned (2) 7-08's before and really never cared for the round. If I was going to go with a 7mm non magnum..it would be the one based on the 30-06 case...the 280, There isn't enough recoil difference to amount to much and the added case capacity is there if I want to reload to higher pressures. Not saying the 7-08 isn't a good deer round..or you couldn't take an Elk with it because it is and you can..but it is already maxed out and lags behind from the start as compared to the larger cartridge.

Mac

Would love to try a 280, but would probably never purchase one. Looking at Chuck Hawks recoil table for example : Note : I don't reload.

280 Rem. (140 at 3000)    8.0lb rifle   17.2 recoil energy   11.8 recoil velocity
30-06 (150 at 2910)         8.0lb rifle    17.6 recoil energy   11.9 recoil velocity
7MM-08  (140 at 2860)    8.0lb rifle     12.6 recoil energy   10.1 recoil velocity

Short Range Trajectory
280
Premier® AccuTip™   140gr   0.1@50   0.6@100   zero@150    -1.8@200    -4.8@250    -9.2@300
30-06
Premier® AccuTip™   150gr   0.1@50   0.7@100   zero@150    -2.0@200    -5.4@250    -10.3@300
7mm-08
Premier® AccuTip™   140gr   0.2@50   0.7@100   zero@150    -2.0@200    -5.4@250    -10.3@300 (interesting same as 30-06 with less recoil)

Long Range Trajectory

.280
Premier® AccuTip™   140gr   2.5@100   2.9@150   2.1@200   zero@250  -3.4@300 -14.8@400   -33.0@500
30-06
Premier® AccuTip™   150gr   1.7@100   1.5@150   zero@200 -2.9@250  -7.4@300    -21.5@400   -43.7@500
7mm-08
Premier® AccuTip™   140gr   1.7@100   1.5@150   zero@200 -2.9@250   -7.3@300   -21.1@400   -42.5@500

For an all round Deer cartridge in various terrain, I'll stick with the 7mm-08 (Since all my shots are well within 300 yards there is just not enough difference for me to consider a change) and the milder recoil from the 7mm-08 makes it a pleasure to shoot.

For larger critters I'd probably stick with an '06

[scootrd]

one interesting side note , Using Horady  7mm-08 139GR SST (which I still haven't fired yet but lookin forward to ) Comparing velocity and FT lbs of energy you come quite a bit closer to matching .280 Rem. and put a bit more distance between the 7MM-08 and the '06  in  Energy FT lbs out past 300 yards. I guess as with everything else Cartridge and Bullet Selection is Key. (enter the re-loaders ) Someday when I can afford the equipment. As of right now I'm using off the shelf.

Velocity                  
         Bullet  muzzle  100      200     300     400     500
280
Premier® AccuTip™   140   3000   2804   2617   2437   2265   2099
7mm-08
Hornady SST      139   2950    2757    2571    2393    2222   2059
0-06             
Premier® AccuTip™   150   2910   2686   2473   2270   2077   1893

Energy FT-LBS

280
Premier® AccuTip™   140   2797   2444   2129   1846   1594   1369
7mm-08
Hornady SST      139   2686    2345    2040    1768    1524    1308
30-06
Premier® AccuTip™   150   2820   2403   2037   1716   1436   1193

Still love the 30-06 , Just love my 7mm-08 more.  

[mrussel]

Because there are .308 Winchester, err,  7.62 NATOs....

 I thought 7.62 NATO was a different cartridge,like 223 vs 5.52NATO. My understanding is that the pressures and dimensions are slightly difference,and that while the initial dimensions are pretty much the same,the chambers have different tolerances. Ive also been told that the pressure in 308 is has a max of 62000PSI vs 50k for the 7.62. The commercial cartridges max pressure is close to the proof pressure for a 7.62 and the proof pressure for 308 is over 80K PSI!.

[Bowjack]

the .30-06 is the last rifle I would ever give up, and I will probably have it buried with me.  From bumble bees to brown bears, the '06 does it all quite well. 

I have spoken to western outfitters who have stated that they would prefer to see guys from the east with their deer hunting '06 on elk than those who show up with a super magnum because the .06 guys usually can shoot 'em much more accurately than more powerful cartridges.  A well aimed .06 will put an elk down for the count, whereas an inaccurate .300 RUM has potential to lead to disaster if the shooter is over gunned or not familiar with it. 

I am sure that I am preaching to the choir by endorsing placement over caliber. 

My father used it in WWII and swore by that round.  It is all he ever endorsed. 

[teddy12b]

A well aimed .06 will put an elk down for the count, whereas an inaccurate .300 RUM has potential to lead to disaster if the shooter is over gunned or not familiar with it. 

I'm a classic example of a guy who's never been elk hunting but bought a 300RUM based on reading chart and ballistic tables.  That was almost 10 years ago and the trip never happened.  Now thankfully I'm a little older and a little wiser and I don't have the 300RUM anymore, but I do have 3 30-06's. 

My first 30-06 was an encore single shot and I took my first deer with it, so it can never be sold.  The next 30-06 was my college graduation present to myself and it's a heavy barreled savage that I use at the range out to 1000 yards and have taken bear hunting.  My latest 30-06 is a Remington 750 that's leaving to go bear hunting tomorrow morning.  The 30-06 comes in many flavors, and they're all good!

[Mac11700]

the .30-06 is the last rifle I would ever give up, and I will probably have it buried with me.  From bumble bees to brown bears, the '06 does it all quite well. 

I have spoken to western outfitters who have stated that they would prefer to see guys from the east with their deer hunting '06 on elk than those who show up with a super magnum because the .06 guys usually can shoot 'em much more accurately than more powerful cartridges.  A well aimed .06 will put an elk down for the count, whereas an inaccurate .300 RUM has potential to lead to disaster if the shooter is over gunned or not familiar with it. 

I am sure that I am preaching to the choir by endorsing placement over caliber. 

My father used it in WWII and swore by that round.  It is all he ever endorsed. 

You are actually...

And a inaccurately placed bullet from 30-06 will wound a critter too. I know people who shouldn't shoot anything above a 22 rim fire..and yet they continue to blast away with their 30-06's..It's sad really..

Mac

[teddy12b]

It's a good point, but I think it's generally accepted among shooters that for most people the 30-06 is probably at the upper limit of cartridge power before most people start to have recoil issues, like flinching.

[mrussel]

You are actually...

And a inaccurately placed bullet from 30-06 will wound a critter too. I know people who shouldn't shoot anything above a 22 rim fire..and yet they continue to blast away with their 30-06's..It's sad really..

Mac

 I suspect many of those would do just as badly with the 22 rim fire.