Author Topic: Jack O'Connor Quote (Read 7839 times)

Swampman · « **on:** November 16, 2010, 12:52:42 PM »

On his favorite cartridges...."The .30-06, the .270, the .375, and the .416. Now you're going to ask me 'In what order?' In that order."~Jack O'Connor~

Sweet 6.5 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2010, 07:47:09 PM »

Just to show you we all have our problems, pitty he never got around to hunt
with a 6.5x55. That would have changed his mind.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2010, 08:14:04 PM »

He said that a number of times in writing.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:27:27 PM »

I'll never understand the facination with the 6.5X55 or any 6.5 caliber cartridge.

Canuck Bob · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:44:41 PM »

Ken Waters' pet cartridges were the 257 Roberts, 280 Reminton, 300 H&H, 338Win Mag. His are best considered for North America whereas Jack hunted Africa as well.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2010, 12:09:08 AM »

I would say that the .30-06 (fully equal to those Ken prefered) is the best for North America unless you hunt where there are big bears and then the .375H&H is best.

Sweet 6.5 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2010, 12:10:44 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on November 17, 2010, 11:27:27 PM

I'll never understand the facination with the 6.5X55 or any 6.5 caliber cartridge.

We know.

One Eye · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2010, 07:33:18 AM »

I have read lots of O'Connor's writings. It is pretty ironic that he is so entwined historically with the .270, but he actually loved the 30.06.

Thanks for sharing the quote Swampman.
Dan

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:17:05 AM »

Here's another good one.

"The .30-06 is never a mistake"~Townsend Whelen~

Bowjack · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2010, 03:33:32 PM »

I have to agree. the 30-06 is my favorite too. It has never let me down.

bigshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2010, 05:30:20 PM »

Hard to beat the 30-06 for just about any situation. I am partial to the 338 wm for larger critters when the situation call for it.

simplicity · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2010, 03:25:46 AM »

I have to say if one cartridge had to be chosen to hunt the whole north america. It would be a 338 wm, but also I liked Elmer better then Jack to.

jmayton · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:15:05 AM »

I'm about to split the difference between the 30-06 and the 338WM. I'm having an old, pitted 30-06 bored out to 338-06. Now that's not to say that my good 30-06 will be rendered a safe-queen. This is one of the areas where I agree with swampman. The 30-06 is just about the best all around caliber that you can get. Second to that is any other member of it's family.

Range Rider · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2010, 05:23:20 AM »

There is no special caliber, Game has been falling to the hunters weapon since the beginning of time. I wonder did early man set around the fire and discuss the merits of oak clubs over hickory clubs? Maybe. The only prove we have of a special round was the silver bullet used by the Lone Ranger and some Vampire hunters. We know this is true as it was written in comic books. Now that I think of it most gun magazines have the same flavor as the comic books. Any knowlegable hunter can choose a round that will take the game of his choice. Those idiots that depend on a secret weapon usally wound or miss their game anyway. Just a few thoughts from an old Western guide and life long hunter.

RR

jmayton · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:05:36 AM »

Me think hickory better!

Range Rider · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:18:18 AM »

jmatyon, I like your choice, Hickory. Hell if it fails as a weapon it makes grat BBQ.

RR

jmayton · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:30:58 AM »

Range Rider, thanks. And I completely agree with your analysis of various calibers and their effectiveness. But there are a couple of calibers in particular that show some superior characteristics, at least on an academic level. 6.5's and .338's seem to have very high BC's for their weight and outstanding sectional densities. It just seems that when it comes to extremely long ranges, the 6.5's and .338's tend to out perform all other medium calibers. But, I think where the lovers (including myself) of the 30-06 (probably the most versatile .30) are coming from is if you can't have a 6.5 and a .338, just split the difference and get the .30.

Funny thing on this, a buddy of mine, an old hunting guide and gunsmith gave me some old handloader magazine. One from 1956 had an article discussing whether or not the 30-06 was becoming obsolete. It read like it could have been written in 2006. Any cartridge that stands the test of time and continues in popularity deserves our respect.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:46:03 AM »

check out the bc for a 220 seirra in a 8mm mag sometime. Now theres a mag round that should have been popular. More bullet weight then the 300 mags and just as flat shooting and flatter shooting then a 338 and just as hard hitting. Id take my 8mag up against anything with a 200 nos partition loaded to 3000 fps.I know if i was going on a once in a lifetime hunt for something like big bear or trophy moose or was going to africa my 338 would remain home before my 8mag would. Problem is when you start talking guns over the 06 in power you pay for it in recoil. Id have to agree with most that if you combine versatility power trajectory and recoil along with availability of ammo for about any purpose theres only one winner and its hands down the 06

yooper77 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:50:02 AM »

I also love the 30-06 Springfield. I use its brass to make my 338-06 A-Square which is my most favorite cartridge. I have shot 180 to 250 grain bullets out of it and all are very accurate. I shoot this in my Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight.

I recently picked up a T/C Encore 30-06 Springfield barrel that has been re-bored/re-chambered to 338-06 A-Square. I am sure this barrel will prove to be very accurate since my Encore has liked every barrel that I have put on it.

I also have a German Mauser model 95 in 30-06 Springfield Ackley Improved, Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester, German Mauser model 95 in 7x57 Mauser Ackley Improved and Weatherby Mark V sporter in 7mm-08 Remington which are all equally accurate.

yooper77

Range Rider · « **Reply #19 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:58:34 AM »

Thx, Hunters like to argue every thing. There are fellows that argue one pair of winter boots are better than another. Thats even after they have had frost bit toes in their favorite Redwings. THey argue coats, pants, 4X4s, camp fires, kettles, and Six Guns. But Pardner it always comes down to one thing. If they filled their tag this season every thing they chose was right. If they go home with out meat it was that Damn .270 Remington and my wet feet poor sleeping bag from Cabelas spoiled Spam and water in my gas tank. And, Oh yes I never had good luck hunting from a spotted horse. I'll be back next year with a black horse and a super long range magnum in a by hell bigger caliber, I'll show you. And from where I stand the seasons change, but the good old American Hunter?? Hell no.

RR

Hooker · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2010, 11:44:59 AM »

I've never shot a caliber I didn't like, but I have shot a few rifles that wont be hanging in my rack.
When it comes to what works for me any caliber that will make the right hole at the end of the yardage will do.
For the last 20+ years that's for the most part been a 308 win, I'd say it was my favorite but that's not true.
My favorite has been and always will be the 22lr I think it is the true rifleman's cartridge.

Pat

drdougrx · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:29:52 AM »

I use it all the time and it's just plain boring....no glitz, no flash....just bang flop...pretty much every time. It was my quintessential backup rifle on far away hunts in case my primary rifle crapped out....cept now...its my primary more often then not.

Ridgerunner665 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 18, 2011, 09:56:59 AM »

I know...I'm digging up year old threads.

I just recently bought a 30-06, thats how I found this thread...my rifle is a new (FN made) Winchester model 70 Ultimate Shadow, my son also bought one just like it.

The thing I wanted to reply to was the comment about the 6.5x55 and why everybody loves it so much...thats simple.

It has very little recoil, those long pencil looking bullets will penetrate into tomorrow, and they are usually quite accurate...not to mention the ballistic properties of the common bullet weights in this caliber...high BC, relatively light bullets = flat and straight shooting.

The 6.5mm bullets are the "happy medium" of bullet sizes...

mannyrock · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2011, 10:55:23 AM »

The Swede is one of those round that you can never ever appreciate until you shoot it. Then you realize, wow, this would have easily taken 95% of all the big game I've ever killed. Low report, almost no recoil or muzzle jump, extreme penetration, flat shooting, and a reputation for effective killing that goes way beyond its paper stats.

BBF · « **Reply #24 on:** December 18, 2011, 11:31:00 AM »

That 8mm Rem Mag just never got popular.
Perhaps the 8 mm designation caused bad vibes with the American hunter or the long action needed or both. Perhaps there was no niche to fill. $:-\$

Now Winchester is trying it again with their 325.

flintlock · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2011, 11:58:35 AM »

And later in life Jack admitted the .280 was superior to the .270...

But, when he started using the .270 he was using a peep sight and shooting running mule deer from 2-350 yards...This was in the 1920s...His love of the .270 came because in this special hunting situation, the .270 shot a little flatter than the '06 and he felt it resulted in him making a better hit on the deer...

Once affordable scopes with higher magnification came about this advantage wasn't a big deal...

hillbill · « **Reply #26 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:21:43 PM »

Quote from: mannyrock on December 18, 2011, 10:55:23 AM

The Swede is one of those round that you can never ever appreciate until you shoot it. Then you realize, wow, this would have easily taken 95% of all the big game I've ever killed. Low report, almost no recoil or muzzle jump, extreme penetration, flat shooting, and a reputation for effective killing that goes way beyond its paper stats.

exactly! but it really depends on what you hunt.

scootrd · « **Reply #27 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:25:33 PM »

Swampman.
I have seen that particular quote posted on other forum web sites as well from various OP's attributing it to Jack O'Connor.
I have read quite a bit of O'Connor's writings , granted not everything. However in what I have read I have never come across this quote from him. Please cite the original book, Outdoor life article or mag where he wrote that , I would be interested in reading the original article myself. I have never run across that quote in anything I have read of his so far.

My understanding was Jack favored the .270. he also championed shot placement over any particular cartridge, and was also prolific in his writings regarding smaller centerfire calibers. So not sure what order he would have placed the 30-06 (if any ).

I have read Jack's wife Eleanor favored the 7 x 57 , I surmise She would have also liked the 7mm-08.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #28 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:48:13 PM »

The great thing about the 30-06 is its range. It shines when shooting 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets. It does really well when shooting 200 and 220 grain as well. It works in the woods and on the plains. You can take everything from key deer to elk and moose with the right bullet selection. I just read a comment singing the praises of the 308, and I have to admit it is a great round, but the 308 doesn't have the same top end performance as the 30-06. The magnum rounds from the 7MM Rem Mag on up are more expensive to shoot and above starting with the 300 Win Mag and up kick a lot harder. The 30-06, especially shooting 150 grain bullets, might be the last comfortable shooting rifle. After it flinch becomes a problem for most of us. A man can take his 30-06 anywhere and do the job. As said, it isn't the best choice on the big bears, but how many times do you hunt Kodiak Island anyway.
That said there are better calibers for just about any specific task, but the 30-06 ranks up there in number 2 or 3 spot. BTW I have a friend who shoots the 270 and thinks it is the cats meow. But where would the 270 be without the 30-06.
As the man said, short of the big bears no hunter ever made a mistake selecting a 30-06.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #29 on:** December 18, 2011, 01:36:13 PM »

I've shot several guns that I didn't care for...but I've never shot a calibre that I didn't like or appreciate.

Though I will admit that the .378 Weatherby Magnum did try my patience a bit...