What range of game can a 30.06 take/how accurate?
I'm currently thinking of buying a new gun for deer specifically, but would also like to do some bigger game hunting in the future. I know they can take a very big range of weights of bullets, but I'm not sure how big of game they can kill. So, what is the smallest (without huge overkill) and largest game they can kill? I have a .243 that is suitable for longer range varmit hunting and game of that sort. Not overly knowledgeable about guns yet, so if I go from a small grain to the biggest grain, would I have to re-site my gun in, or are the ballistics still relatively close? Next, are 30.06's pretty accurate? What is the longest you can shoot one efficiently from a bipod? Last, what are some of the best brands/models to look at?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
P.S. is there a more versitile gun than a 30.06?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
P.S. is there a more versitile gun than a 30.06?
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Hey Tarheelpwr, there is no gun more versatile than the 30/06. I own lots of guns but I keep hunting with the same 30/06 that I've had for years. With my 30/06 and 180 grain spitzer boat tail bullets I've taken Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Deer, Elk, Antelope and a few others, I have never felt under gunned or lacking in any way, longest shot was 425 yards on a Bull Elk. That Elk dropped at the shot, broke both shoulders and exited! I wouldn't recommend shots like that unless you have shot your gun a lot and know your distance and know how far that bullet will drop, wind etc. My grandpa used a 30/06 for moose, black bear and caribou and an occasional grizzly. He refered to his 30/06 as his big gun, having also used a 30/30 for all the same animals listed. Get an 06 you won't be sorry! 0 -
I've hunted around the World and have Found the Venerable Old 30-06 to be the Gun of Choice for Most Game....For the African Hunts its good for everything But Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant,and the occasional Hippo....Here in the United States its all You Need...
If You Hand Load, you can load up some 110gr.bullets and go for Praire Dog....and Coyote...The bigger the Game....then use the Bigger Weight Bullets...In My considered Opinion...the 06 can't be beat.......best.....
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Most bolt '06's will shoot better than you can! WalMart has Savage's and Winchester model 70's, with scopes, for just under $400.00
I bought a Winchester model 70 in .30-06 a coupla months ago. I'm very happy with the way it shoots!
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
Hello Chris...
The one question that you originally posed that has not been answered yet quote:Not overly knowledgeable about guns yet, so if I go from a small grain to the biggest grain, would I have to re-site my gun in, or are the ballistics still relatively close?
Yes, you must re-sight your rifle for each different bullet weight. a few different loads/bullets weight will shoot very close to the same impact point at a specific given range, but none of them will hit the same spot at different ranges. You really need to shoot the rifle quite a bit with different loads to determine which ones are more accurate, and where they impact at the distances you intend to shoot. The 30-06 is extremely accurate with the right load in any given rifle.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
tarheel,
as stated the '06 is the calibre of choice.
there arn't many rifles that can equal the
30-06.
i have a 1917 Remington and in the hands
of a skilled shooter it will shoot 1600 +
yards.
30-06 is the calibre to have. hands down.
Shadow620 -
30-06 is a great caliber i use 165 Grain Spitzer boat tail on Deer and 200 grain spitzer Boattail on elk..They also have a 55 Grain accelrator bullet thats works great for yotes and such...Cant go wrong with a 30-06...Happy Holidays...ALL 0 -
I have always told anyone who ask me about "if I only wanted to buy 1 gun and have always answered the same way.. If you want the best all around gun and are not going to reload BUY a 30-06.. If you are going to do your own reloads go with a 300 Mag and you will be redy for any North american game.... However when I was deer hunting on Kodiak Island and ran into a rather large bear I thought "Ineed a bigger gun"" (No I didn't get drawn for a tag and was not able to shoot)). Good luck on which ever gun you buy.. And yes every time you you change bullet size or shape you will have to sight in again.. I have worked up a couple loads for my 300 that are darn close rxcept for drop.. ie.. dead on at 250yrds (2.25 inch high at 100) with 165 boattail, and I can drop in a 220 and be dead on at 100 yrds Maybe just a fluke but works for me..[8D]
goatman0 -
If you are only going to ever own one rifle to hunt the world's game critters with, then the 30-06 is the best and most flexable caliber you can own. After saying that I don't own one. I have in the past and sold them off to folks who only wanted one rifle in the stable. There is nothing the 30-06 can do for any given class of game that someoter caliber can't do better. If the mission is longer reach for deer size game then go with the 270win, 280rem or 7mmMag. If larger game is in oder then go with the 338WinMag. This is a subject that has been talked to death over the years. If you currently own a .243 and want to step up to a 30-06 go for it, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect a flat shooting long range rifle, it will be more like a rainbow. Also don't expect something that will just flatten elk and moose n such, it won't. By the time you step up to the heavier & tougher slugs in 30cal, they often will pass in one side and out the other of larger game, defeating the purpose. The 30-06 is a great middle of the road cartridge, but if you want to go to africa as suggested, and you want to go for elephant, rino and cape buffalo just make sure that your PH with is 458Lott is real close at hand when you shoot. 0 -
30-06 is a good, versatile caliber. I prefer the 270 of course, but theyre both good choices.
"I will no longer debate a liberal because I feel they are beneath contempt. Just communicating with one contaminates a person." - whiteclouder0 -
I lived in Alaska and fed my family with moose and caribou. I used a Springfield 1903A3 in 30-06. I put a fiberglass stock on it a SK scope mount and a Burris 1.5X6 scope. The 2 groove barrel shoots MOST bullets between 150 and 180 Gr. to the same point of impact out to about 300 yds. I hunted from 50 degrees down to 25 below zero, the 06 never let me down. The longest shot was on 3 bull caribou's at 478 yards. They all got dead. I have a .338 also, it sits in the closet. The distance you can humanely kill is up to your ability to shoot well. The round used comes second to bullet placement. Buy the 30-06, some surplus match ammo and shoot it often. Shoot it offhand too, it builds trigger control and confidence. 0 -
ruger...
why do you prefer the .270 over the 30/06. what does it offer?
thanks to everyone for the advise0 -
Ignore 270, (the rest of us do [}:)])the -06 is by far the superior cartridge. The .270 is simply a .30-06 necked down to .270, so it is less versatile than the -06, but good for some things. 0 -
The 30-06 is a great cartridge, no doubt, and will do what you want. Just to be honest though, there's nothing magic; it's so good as there is such a wide range of loads/load data available. I suspect that had the US adopted the 8mm Mauser or what not, we would see the same offering for that. (Which incidentally would also fit your bill). I say go for the 06, you won't be sorry.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Some years back I read that the Worlds Record Polar Bear was shot with a 30/06.Don't know if that record still stands? [?] [^] 0
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