100 Years of the 30-06

[BigHornRam]

This year is the 100 year anniversery of the greatest cartridge, the 30-06. It has no doubt been responsible for more game harvested in those 100 years than all others combined.

Please take a minute to share your comments on this superb round. Thanks!

 

[noharleyyet]

It was my first rifle, a smith & wesson, I thought it was great. Have since became a culpable convert (sucker) of the gun rags.

 

[Gunner46]

You'd think it was the killing machine of the century. but a popular hunting magazine did a survey a few years back. Based on the # of rounds sold each season, the ol '06 came in second! 1st place.....30/30, buy a long stretch.

 

[JB]

A great caliber......still one of the best choice's available today for north america big game.

 

[T Bone]

30-06 is tough to beat! After deviating to magnums and ultra mags I'm back to the versatile old chambering. For me it's more shootable!

Here are mine.

On the left is new-school Rem 700 Ti 30-06. Talley base/rings, Burris 1.75-5x20. Load development still in process, but so far it looks promising. Leaning towards the 150 grn Partition Gold currently. Hopefully it will be going on a hi-country pack hunt this year.

On the right is the most used firearm I own. Remington 721 30-06. Leupold base/rings, Burris fixed 4x scope. Purchased new by my grandfather in Nampa, ID. I'm the 3rd generation to use it on elk, deer, lopes and bear. Pet load is a warm load of imr4350, 180 hornady btsp. Barrel is starting to go, getting dark in the throat area, but still shoots at about 1.5 moa.

 

[califelkslayer]

I've got a 721 06 also. The only use its seen it 20 years is when I've lent it out. That reminds me, I should get that rifle back. I bought it off my dad when i was 12. What a heavy sucker. Maybe thats because I was only 12.

I read the article several years ago that the 30-30 outsold the 06 in ammo but I bet if you canvassed all of the animals that have died west of the missisippi in the last 50 years, they would disagree. i like my 338 and 280 Rem but I'm sure the ole 06 would have killed most everything i've ever had my crosshairs on.

 

[Don Taylor]

I have owned several 30-06 rifles and probably should have kept some I parted with. Out of the ones I still have I rarely use them anymore. After toting a 338 ultra last year elk hunting I often think of the much lighter 700 Rem 30-06 w/ fajen factory stock in my safe. It definately has the horsepower for anything on this continent and has proved it several times. I for sure could have took the 5x6 I killed last year with it and woulnt have had to carry the 338 ultra.

 

[carbonarcher]

Definitely one of the best all around rounds for ALL of north america's big game. And rarely does it not shoot well out of virtually any factory gun. 30-06 Was the first gun I ever owned in 700bdl. Great cartridge.

 

[BigHornRam]

This thread didn't take off like Cali's "30-06 Sucks" thread, but it sure has some legs! My first rifle was a Ruger left hand 30-06. Owned it for about 3 years before it was stolen. Ended up replacing it with another Ruger 30-06.

 

[JB]

Owned it for about 3 years before it was stolen

lost one like that myself....sucks dont it!....mine was a cheapo mauser style interarms model.

 

[BigHornRam]

Would have really sucked for the guy that stole it, if I would have found him. With my 30-06's I've shot deer, elk, moose, sheep, goat, caribou, and antelope.....a very good all around cartridge. Would not have been too hard to add thief to the list.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

I've always had at least one .30-06, and usually more than one. I have two now. My first centerfire rifle was a 1917 Enfield. The first rifle I owned that was able to shoot factory ammo under an inch was a Smith & Wesson 1500 (aka Howa) Deluxe. It liked 150 gr Remington Corelokts.

 

[Washington Hunter]

Has anybody seen the new 240 grain Woodleigh bullet, designed specifically for the 30-06? I'd love to try them on elk. hump

http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/images/Woodleigh Bullets Catalogue 2006 (insert).pdf

 

[BigHornRam]

W. H.,

One of those bad boys would work well on griz or bison also. I'll have to keep that in mind if I'm lucky enough to draw a tag.

 

[Washington Hunter]

Yeah, definitely! I believe when these bullets were developed they were tested extensively on buffalo in Australia.