Where does the .30-06 fit into the LRH Pantheon of cartridges?

[Mike 338]

Well, within the context of actual shot opportunities that tend to present themselves, the question is mostly academic. A good bullet landed in the right place out of a '06 will have a good result in most cases. Same goes for a hot rod. There's not a whole lot of 800 to 1300 yard shot opportunities that even present themselves, whereby the distance can't be closed or frankly, the shot itself should be reconsidered. It is fun to talk about though. I have some hot rods but this year I'm toting a plain-jane '06. In the places I often hunt, usually a real long shot will put me in a very ugly recovery situation. Hence, the concept that maybe I should just pass on the shot. Anyway, the '06 is a great cartridge but like every cartridge out there, it has it's limits. I do see an advantage to a hot rod in country like plains or desert, where recovery is usually less dramatic but in steep mountains, a thousand yards can put you a couple of canyons over or straight down in a hole that your going to have to climb out of.

 

[Mike 338]

That's actually a pretty good stab at segmentation. I'm 38 and have never shot one, unless you count the Browning M1919 I shot at a 3gun match. My first deer rifle was a .270 Winchester and I pretty much fell in love with that cartridge. For .30 cals, I have a .308 Winchester and a .300 Winchester Magnum, so my bases are covered and I don't really need an '06. That said, I have always wanted one just because, well, it's an '06 and shouldn't everyone have at least one? Also, Lapua makes brass for it...so that means I pretty much have to get one eventually.

It's very nice in it's basic form. Barrel length can vary, you don't need a brake, recoil is manageable, It's best performing range of bullets pretty much match up well with most big game, you don't need a scope that doubles for the astronomy club. Yes, Lapua brass is a huge plus. It's a pickup, not a Ferrari.

 

[jlreff]

check out my post from 5 minutes ago. it's not just an average hunters cartridge. like said earlier about new technology, i'm running 3'000 with ramshot hunter and a barnes 168 ttsx. it shoots well and preformence on game is stellar. it's my main gun i reach for, till i built another 300wm.

 

[GPR23]

My first big rifle was a 30-06 mostly cause my buddy worked at the gun shop and I got a good deal on a really nice used gun. Shot a lot of deer, antelope, and elk. The gun was so good, accurate and reliable it developed a reputation and many friends borrowed it when they had issues with their gun.

Once i got into long range shooting the 30-06 was my go to gun. I shot it so much i burned the barrel out and rebarreled it back to 30-06, and is still the gun i use to go hunting. Reason being is i can shoot a 30-06 all day, it doesn't recoil so bad my shoulder is sore. On my 300wm after i shoot about 20 rounds my shoulder is sore and I have a very hard time spotting my hits or misses. Plus i can take the 30-06 out to the 1150 gongs all day long and get first round hits. I'm familiar with it and will probably never get rid of it.

I also have a couple 6.5cm, a 6.5prc and i still prefer to take the 30-06 hunting. Though i will admit the 6.5cm recoils less and is easier to shoot. But the hand load 30-06 and 6.5cm is ballistically very close. (6.5 fights wind better, 30-06 has more energy)

 

[HARPERC]

.....I shot it so much i burned the barrel out and rebarreled it back to 30-06, and is still the gun i use to go hunting......

That's determination-I lack the attention span.

....They get lonely and jealous if you leave them in the safe too long. Every good rifle needs a job.....

My first one was the worst one rifle I've ever owned. I had a 760 with peep sights for rainy days, and close quarters. Put a scope on it just to see, came home and took the bolt gun in for a new barrel. .30-06 again. Much more satisfying experience.

...That said, I have always wanted one just because, well, it's an '06 and shouldn't everyone have at least one? ....

Down to just one, was off for restocking, and the safe was definitely a sadder place. I think it's the glue holding it all together.

.......I've been proud to own a couple of original model rifles chambered for the .30-06 but I have a severe illness which drags me kicking and screaming into making wildcats and other non-standard cartridges!................

The virus is acting up again here.

I just got back from the range where the .30-06 explained to me why a slimmer, trimmer, sexier model is unnecessary.

 

[Mike 338]

check out my post from 5 minutes ago. it's not just an average hunters cartridge. like said earlier about new technology, i'm running 3'000 with ramshot hunter and a barnes 168 ttsx. it shoots well and preformence on game is stellar. it's my main gun i reach for, till i built another 300wm.

Dewwwwwd... that's hot. I'm running, as I recall, a 168 Berger gr. in front of some IMR 4350 @ 2804 fps. It's an accuracy load which I think is awesome but what your getting is super-duper. Is there something special about your chamber or did you just work this load up and that's what you got?

 

[Mike 338]

Pretty far down the list as modern cartridges simply outperform it in every way.

Yes, you can get to 1,000yds with it but it's like launching mortars compared to the .300wm, Rum, or other big case .30's.

It will always have a place with average hunters especially those limited to 400yds or less.

Long story greatly shortened.

In the early seventies my dad drew his first Elk Tag in CO and his best friend talked him into a brand new 700bdl 7RM and a new Bushnell range compensating variable scope.

The hunt went miserably, the first chance he got on an elk the scope had fogged up and the action frozen. This was day one after they'd packed in by horse/foot for two days to the hunting area.

Four days later after a completely miserable hunt on the way out he pulls out "Old Grampa" his thirty year old 760 pump 30-06 equipped with the same old Weaver 4x that came new with the package and killed a monster 5x5 with a single shot at nearly 500yds.

It was the longest shot of his life.

Hare and the tortoise. For some reason, it never gets old.

 

[User4302021]

I've always wondered where this "old work horse" fits in the LRH totem pole?

Right between the 308Win and the 300Winmag.

 

[WildRose]

That's actually a pretty good stab at segmentation. I'm 38 and have never shot one, unless you count the Browning M1919 I shot at a 3gun match. My first deer rifle was a .270 Winchester and I pretty much fell in love with that cartridge. For .30 cals, I have a .308 Winchester and a .300 Winchester Magnum, so my bases are covered and I don't really need an '06. That said, I have always wanted one just because, well, it's an '06 and shouldn't everyone have at least one? Also, Lapua makes brass for it...so that means I pretty much have to get one eventually.

The reason for that segmentation is just the history of the round.

After each of two world wars and Korea the country was literally flooded with cheap, used surplus weapons chambered in 30-06. As a result by many times over it became the most popular centerfire rifle for about four or five generations of Americans who grew up shooting Grampa's Deer Rifle, passed down generation after generation.

With the feminization of the military and standarizing of the NATO .308 a slow decline began.

The advent of the .270 which was much flatter shooting made a big change in the western states thanks to Jack O'Connor.

It would be hard to find a collection though that predates the eighties where there was anyone serious about deer, elk, or moose hunting that doesn't include at least one 30-06 though especially in rural and blue collar homes where those cheap military surplus rifles and sporterized versions became ever so popular.

 

[WildRose]

Hare and the tortoise. For some reason, it never gets old.

It's human nature, we all want to go faster and further than the previous generation.

 

[WildRose]

That's determination-I lack the attention span.



My first one was the worst one rifle I've ever owned. I had a 760 with peep sights for rainy days, and close quarters. Put a scope on it just to see, came home and took the bolt gun in for a new barrel. .30-06 again. Much more satisfying experience.



Down to just one, was off for restocking, and the safe was definitely a sadder place. I think it's the glue holding it all together.



The virus is acting up again here.

I just got back from the range where the .30-06 explained to me why a slimmer, trimmer, sexier model is unnecessary.

That's kind of odd in my experience, the old 760's were known to be among the most if not the most accurate and reliable pump's ever produced.

Even with cheap factory ammo that old rifle is still shooting about 1.5-2MOA like it has for over sixty years.

Not a precision weapon by modern standards but for it's day that was very good and for most hunters still exceeds their abilities as shooters.

 

[Wild Monkey]

s.

 

[HARPERC]

.,,,That's kind of odd in my experience, the old 760's were known to be among the most if not the most accurate and reliable pump's ever produced....

I said that poorly it was my scoped 721 that wouldn't shoot until it was a full custom. I thought it was my open country rifle until I scoped the 760.

The 760 shot so well unless someone knows me well I don't put numbers to it. Used to get surplus French military ammo a dollar a box of 20, corrosive as hell, nasty stuff really. It was easily sub MOA with that crap. Never found anything it wouldn't shoot. Old farmer that let us hunt wanted it, I wasn't crazy about the fire end rattle. It shot great for him until lost in a house fire.

 

[WildRose]

I said that poorly it was my scoped 721 that wouldn't shoot until it was a full custom. I thought it was my open country rifle until I scoped the 760.

The 760 shot so well unless someone knows me well I don't put numbers to it. Used to get surplus French military ammo a dollar a box of 20, corrosive as hell, nasty stuff really. It was easily sub MOA with that crap. Never found anything it wouldn't shoot. Old farmer that let us hunt wanted it, I wasn't crazy about the fire end rattle. It shot great for him until lost in a house fire.

Now that sounds like an old 760!