Author Topic: why don't you own a 30-06? (Read 27999 times)

Casull · « **Reply #210 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:20:16 AM »

Quote

You must know alot of really poor hunters....................

Definitely. BTW, if they were lost with the '06, they would have been lost with the 7.92 x 57.

RevGeo · « **Reply #211 on:** April 29, 2012, 08:24:29 AM »

I don't own one because I own a 30-40 Ackley which for all intents and purposes is a 30-06.
The reason I own this rifle, which is built on a single-shot '98 Mauser action is because I inherited it from my father. Since I thinned the herd, as they say, I only own three rifles and one handgun. The 30-40AI works great on deer, elk, bear and moose which are what I hunt.
If something were to happen to the Mauser and I had to buy a new hunting rifle it would be a 30-06. I have owned a few '06 rifles in the past, my favorite was a '03 NRA Sporter with Lyman sights.
In reality I think that any of the cartridges in the '06 class perform pretty much the same on game. I doubt if any animal would know the difference if it were to be shot with a .270, .280, 7MM, .300 Mag or whatever. But there is also the aesthetic side of things. The .308 is an ugly little squat looking cartridge IMO. The '06 case is nicely designed and, well, handsome would be the word, I guess.
History means a lot to me and the older cartidges hold a certain fascination for me that goes beyond such mundane subjects as relative efficiency, 2" of difference in 300 yard trajectory and whether one cartridge kicks more than another. Personally I can tell little difference in the recoil of a .270, .308, 30-06 and 7mmRM.

I have a small block Chevy and I hate apple pie. 'A 30-06 is never a mistake' is a cliche for a reason - it's true.

saddlebum · « **Reply #212 on:** April 29, 2012, 10:19:38 AM »

Quote from: Casull on April 25, 2012, 08:20:16 AM

Quote
You must know alot of really poor hunters....................

Definitely. BTW, if they were lost with the '06, they would have been lost with the 7.92 x 57.

If a guy can't kill a deer quickly with a 30-06 then maybe he should take up croquet and eat vegetables instead. Cuz it ain't the 30-06's fault....................

The 30-06 and .270 were the 'go to' cartridges for elk for about 50 yrs when the big boomers came to the party in the 60s. I have no stats to prove it, but I bet those two cartridges are still at or near the top of the list for most used for elk, with the the 300 mags. keeping them company. I could be wrong but I believe even the 7mm Rem. Mag. is on the decline because people have come to the realization that the blast and recoil from it aren't worth the meager gains in ballistics. Like Hooker posted earlier in this thread, people have their personal preferences, thats fine, but desparaging the 30-06 is just "BS".

nomosendero · « **Reply #213 on:** April 30, 2012, 02:46:23 AM »

Quote from: saddlebum on April 29, 2012, 10:19:38 AM

Quote from: Casull on April 25, 2012, 08:20:16 AM
Quote
You must know alot of really poor hunters....................

Definitely. BTW, if they were lost with the '06, they would have been lost with the 7.92 x 57.

If a guy can't kill a deer quickly with a 30-06 then maybe he should take up croquet and eat vegetables instead. Cuz it ain't the 30-06's fault....................

The 30-06 and .270 were the 'go to' cartridges for elk for about 50 yrs when the big boomers came to the party in the 60s. I have no stats to prove it, but I bet those two cartridges are still at or near the top of the list for most used for elk, with the the 300 mags. keeping them company. I could be wrong but I believe even the 7mm Rem. Mag. is on the decline because people have come to the realization that the blast and recoil from it aren't worth the meager gains in ballistics. Like Hooker posted earlier in this thread, people have their personal preferences, thats fine, but desparaging the 30-06 is just "BS".

Actually, in a very detailed recent survey, 300 Mags are the most popular used for Elk. Doesn't really matter though, as the 30-06 will do fine.

T.R. · « **Reply #214 on:** May 05, 2012, 01:59:56 AM »

30-06 is an excellent hunting cartridge.

But I own a .308 carbine because of less weight and recoil. My handloaded 200 gr bonded bullet compares very favorably with 220 gr bullets for penetration and such.

TR

tacklebury · « **Reply #215 on:** May 05, 2012, 07:16:06 AM »

Because I cannot afford a Garand or a BAR.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #216 on:** July 23, 2012, 04:58:01 AM »

i dont own a 30-06 because i have a 308, 270 and a 7mm rem mag, it just falls in between.

shinjin · « **Reply #217 on:** August 18, 2012, 07:07:55 AM »

Said I would never own a 30-06 but just bought a Rem 700 BDL at a pawn shop for $339. Couldn't pass it up for that price.

Swampman · « **Reply #218 on:** August 18, 2012, 07:14:53 AM »

Great guns and very accurate!

Usmcrip · « **Reply #219 on:** August 26, 2012, 02:38:10 AM »

Because I own a .243 that takes everything up to whitetail, and a .300 wby mag for anything larger than that. Just cant justify an 06 at this point.

rosewood · « **Reply #220 on:** September 24, 2012, 08:51:08 AM »

Cause I just haven't found the right deal I couldn't pass up. I got just about every other caliber and up until about 6 months ago, didn't own a 30-30. I have been an avid whitetail hunter for years and didn't own the 2 calibers that have taken more whitetail than anything else. Shame on me. It is on my to buy list though, even though I really have no practical need for one other than I don't have one.

.270, 7mag, .308, 7-30waters (had this b4 the 30-30), .303, 7.62x54r, .243, 7.62x39, not to mention the .22 bores and pistol calibers.

CBM · « **Reply #221 on:** October 03, 2012, 02:54:25 PM »

I guess get the original question but have not read many of the comments ! I started with a .30-30 I was given, went to a .6mm that I was given, and went to my first rifle purchase of a .270wsm , that I thought was the best thing besides sliced bread, but I watched a friend shoot a deer with a .30-06 in the hind quarter that absolutely blew my mind and changed my thinking. I ended up selling the .270 wsm and hav ehad two .30-06's since. With 168 grain Winchester Ballistic Silvertips , I have flat out dropped more deer than anything I have ever seen in any caliber. I have had one hog run 80 yrds but have not had a single deer make it past 10yrds and that was the only deer that did not drop at the shot. If they were neck shots or something it would be one thing, but I am generally shooting them in the lungs and they drop like a rock !!

shinjin · « **Reply #222 on:** October 15, 2012, 02:16:19 PM »

OK, I didn't own one so when I found one for $339 at a Pawn Shop I bought it, a Rem 700 BDL.
TACK DRIVER! Shoots great but the hard recoil plastic pad left me with a bruise. Took me back to my older brother letting me shoot his 03-A3 when I was 9. Rocked my world and convinced me to stop begging Momma to make big brother take me shooting.
Life is a circle and if you are smart you'll learn to enjoy tight turns

1" Decelerator works wonders, Sims, etc.

mannyrock · « **Reply #223 on:** October 26, 2012, 05:02:50 AM »

Something to consider:

If the .308 Winchester had been invented first, and used for 50 years, and then some gun company had invented the .30-06 and marketed it as a "great improvement" over the .308 Winchester, or called it a ."308 Magnum", I have no doubt that the .30-06 would not have become very popular at all. It probably would have been a flop. I think most people would have said that the extra recoil, the extra length, the extra weight of the receiver, and the extra powder burned by the .30-06, etc. are simply not worth the gain of 10% or so in muzzle energy over the .308 Winchester, or the ability to use 220 grain bullets. And, they would have surely noted that the .30-06 cartridge is not as inherently accurate as the .308.

Mannyrock

rosewood · « **Reply #224 on:** October 26, 2012, 05:14:53 AM »

Yeah, what mannyrock said^^

Drilling Man · « **Reply #225 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:47:34 AM »

Quote from: mannyrock on October 26, 2012, 05:02:50 AM

Something to consider:

If the .308 Winchester had been invented first, and used for 50 years, and then some gun company had invented the .30-06 and marketed it as a "great improvement" over the .308 Winchester, or called it a ."308 Magnum", I have no doubt that the .30-06 would not have become very popular at all. It probably would have been a flop. I think most people would have said that the extra recoil, the extra length, the extra weight of the receiver, and the extra powder burned by the .30-06, etc. are simply not worth the gain of 10% or so in muzzle energy over the .308 Winchester, or the ability to use 220 grain bullets. And, they would have surely noted that the .30-06 cartridge is not as inherently accurate as the .308.

Mannyrock

EXCEPT, that those of us that use our 30-06's for an all around cartridge that includes the "bigger" big game, use and need the EXTRA velocity with 200 grain bullets that the 30-06 gives, and i'm one of those guys.

There's no way i'd trade DOWN to the .308 win. for my hunting rifle.

DM

ironglow · « **Reply #226 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:55:50 AM »

I don't own a 30/06....because I own a .308..

Clint KY · « **Reply #227 on:** December 16, 2012, 01:50:11 PM »

I actually do own one - I just don't shoot it. In my neck of the woods my 7MM-08 will do everything I need.
I only hunt local and the 7MM is fine for coyotes and deer, my two interests.

scootrd · « **Reply #228 on:** December 17, 2012, 04:34:38 AM »

Quote from: Clint KY on December 16, 2012, 01:50:11 PM

I actually do own one - I just don't shoot it. In my neck of the woods my 7MM-08 will do everything I need.
I only hunt local and the 7MM is fine for coyotes and deer, my two interests.

+1

Hung my 30-06 whitetail rig up over mantle a few years ago. 7mm-08 provides all the performance my old '06 did , only in a much lighter ,sleeker , more compact package with less recoil and improved shooter accuracy for me. Made the change haven't looked back.

charles p · « **Reply #229 on:** December 17, 2012, 01:25:13 PM »

I suppose if I could only have one rifle it would be an 06. Fortunately that is not the case. Like the posters above I mostly shoot short action cartridges now in 7mm-08 and 308. I also like my 280 and 270. Seems I have a different favorite every few years, but the magnum days are forever gone. Last trip to Idaho I took my largest whitetail to date with the 7mm-08. I was about laughed off the practice range when I arrived, yet I took the largest deer in camp.
A 30-06 would have been perfect since elk were also on the menu, but this old fat boy wanted a lighter rifle to carry up the mountain.

RevGeo · « **Reply #230 on:** December 18, 2012, 08:03:17 AM »

Quote from: charles p on December 17, 2012, 01:25:13 PM

I suppose if I could only have one rifle it would be an 06. Fortunately that is not the case. Like the posters above I mostly shoot short action cartridges now in 7mm-08 and 308. I also like my 280 and 270. Seems I have a different favorite every few years, but the magnum days are forever gone. Last trip to Idaho I took my largest whitetail to date with the 7mm-08. I was about laughed off the practice range when I arrived, yet I took the largest deer in camp.
A 30-06 would have been perfect since elk were also on the menu, but this old fat boy wanted a lighter rifle to carry up the mountain.

I live and hunt elk in Idaho and with a 7mm-08 with 160gr bullets I would not hesitate to shoot an elk. One of the most successful elk hunters I know shoots an old sporterized '93 Mauser in 7x57mm and he has never had a problem. I would still prefer an '06, but the little 7s are good elk medicine IMO.

evidrine · « **Reply #231 on:** December 18, 2012, 08:20:29 AM »

Maybe one day I will get one but until then my .270 does everything I need it to do and more.

I feel the need to point out that a major point that everyone keeps trying to make is that with the .30-06 you dont need any other gun. But where's the fun in owning just one gun???

tomtomz · « **Reply #232 on:** December 25, 2012, 02:16:46 AM »

Well, I have quite a few nice rifles homebuilt by Grandpa on Enfield or Mauser actions.
And I bought others when I made a little money of my own.

Of all, my first choice is the 257 WBY. Low recoil, and I can follow my shot since the barrel
does not kick up. 9- lug bolt, smooth feeding, excellent stock and beautiful. She's
a ten of ten.

The 30-06 Parker-Hale 98 Mauser is also very nice, and one tenth as expensive
to buy and shoot. I love to reload for it and the brass lives forever. For the
money, an FN Mauser from Browning, Husqvarna, or even Sears' JC Higgins
in 30-06 is a great shooter for about $300, and puts Remington to shame.

I've never understood how anyone could buy a Remington rifle for fun and enjoyment
with so many others to choose from. Every one I've ever shot left me with a
bad taste in my mouth. But if you like yours, good hunting to you.

Swampman · « **Reply #233 on:** December 25, 2012, 02:37:35 AM »

We buy Remingtons because they are the most accurate production rifles in the world. A new Model 700 goes for $400.00 at Walmart. Antique rifles like those you mentioned are cool but are not as strong nor as accurate as the cheapest Model 700.

I have a rare 7mm-08 Model 70 stainless Super Shadow with a Bell & Carlson ultralite stock and have owned several 7mm-08s but I don't care anything about the cartridge. I wish it were a .30-06 or .308.

BBF · « **Reply #234 on:** December 25, 2012, 09:31:11 AM »

Quote from: T.R. on May 05, 2012, 01:59:56 AM

30-06 is an excellent hunting cartridge.

But I own a .308 carbine because of less weight and recoil. My handloaded 200 gr bonded bullet compares very favorably with 220 gr bullets for penetration and such.

TR

IMO that is a lot of bullet for the 308 and bonded probably means high $ per bullet. Winchester loaded a very soft 200 gr. Silvertip many many years ago and dropped it because it wasn't really needed for anything.

Swampman · « **Reply #235 on:** December 25, 2012, 10:06:59 AM »

The 180 grain Core-Lokt is the perfect bullet for deer sized game.

BBF · « **Reply #236 on:** December 25, 2012, 10:33:28 AM »

A 350 lb mulie maybe, I prefer 150 gr something or other.

PS
Ooops my mind wandered to the 308 Win

Swampman · « **Reply #237 on:** December 25, 2012, 11:02:07 AM »

Ruins too much meat and loses velocity at long range. On top of that the 180 will always be much more accurate.

tomtomz · « **Reply #238 on:** December 25, 2012, 05:13:12 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 25, 2012, 02:37:35 AM

Antique rifles like those you mentioned are cool but are not as strong nor as accurate as the cheapest Model 700.

Respectfully, I disagree on both counts.

I looked at one of the WALMART Remingtons on Saturday and the bolt felt like it was full of sand.

Where can I find one that is not rough as a cob straight out of the box? I may buy one just to
prove you right, if they are as good as you say and I'm somehow missing the boat.

tomtomz · « **Reply #239 on:** December 25, 2012, 05:17:43 PM »

Quote from: BBF on December 25, 2012, 10:33:28 AM

A 350 lb mulie maybe I prefer 150 gr something or other.

Here's one. Bring enough gun.