30-06, unpopular?

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wildfowler.250

wildfowler.250

Well-Known Member
Is it just me, or is the .30-06 relatively unpopular on here / in the UK?

I’ve been weighing up my long term cal for when we have to change to copper,(currently using the .270).

.30 cals seem to have the most bullet options. As does the 6.5’s.

I’d say for the UK, most folk are shooting a 6.5 , .308 or a .270? In Scotland that’s maybe slightly weighted to the .270.

Given how versatile the .30-06 is from a bullet range and internationally, why is it not more popular? Too much recoil? Not required beyond a .270 or .308?

Or is it actually still really popular in the UK and I’ve just mixed with the wrong crowds?
 
To add to that I would imagine the vast majority of shots taken on deer in the UK are within 150-200 yards, where you don’t need a massive gun… and most of our deer are relatively small.

Compared to some of the massive wide open spaces in the USA where you also can pretty much have free reign to hunt you’ve got fat more chance of taking a shot on a big animal, and more likely to do so at a longer range, so you need a fairly big cal that retains energy and shoots flat enough!
 
Chat GPT notes the following when asked about average shot distance on UK deer 🤣

Short answer: about 50–100 yards (45–90 m) on average — but it varies a lot by species and terrain.

Details you’ll find useful:

  • Roe & muntjac — usually 20–60 yds (18–55 m). Stalks are close and shots are often taken on the move or from a hedge/ride.
  • Fallow — often 40–120 yds (36–110 m) depending on cover and how open the ground is.
  • Red deer — on open moor/lowland can be 80–200+ yds (73–183+ m), but many shots on hill stalking are still in the 100–150 yd range.
  • Chinese water deer/young deer — typically close, similar to roe.
 
Well I scratched the .30-06 itch recently, have wanted one for some time. Reading up on here and elsewhere there seems to be plenty of other users, also a good selection of factory ammo available.

I’ve only tried a few loads so far but the cartridge is extremely versatile. With a standard 1:10 twist you can shoot everything from 110gr to 220gr plus. It’s faster than the .308 and not for off .300WM if you push it. I’m looking forward to shooting some deer with it.
 
I have many guns but my 30-06 is my rifle. I have had it nearly 20 years and shot everything from Muntjac to Eland with it and with many different bullet weights. Driven boar great, and many Africa trips. Its not worth a lot of money but there isnt enough money in the world to buy it.
Tusker
 
I bought a 30:06 for driven boar but used it on the hill hinds for one season and was very impressed with it. The only downside was that (Vs my 6.5) the recoil/muzzle flip meant I lost sight picture but it does have a (Barton) lightweight mod on it and I think it could be helped with a heavier mod.

It grouped well with the cheapest NL ammo I started with (Geco Evo 136gr) and they performed well.

I have a friend who is an FE Ranger and he uses the 30:06 for everything on his private grounds from CWD up to lowland reds.

It's probably the most versatile calibre for anything from muntjac to boar to eland.
 
wildfowler.250 said:
Is it just me, or is the .30-06 relatively unpopular on here / in the UK?

I’ve been weighing up my long term cal for when we have to change to copper,(currently using the .270).
Click to expand...
Interesting, I have just put in a variation for a .270 because most of my research showed it was more efficient with copper loads, and from my own search in the local RFDs, more cost effective to find and buy non-toxic.
That being said I am planning on getting a 6.5 in the future, so hopefully will have a lot of options
 
When going up in calibre size some years back I tossed up between the .308 and 30-06. Not much in it really for a UK stalker and the distances I shoot but I went with 30-06 basically because I love old back stories and using ammo designed back at the turn of the last century seemed a good enough decision for me! Anyway, I've shot 180gn lead bullets in it all the way down to 115gn copper bullets. I love it. I've a .308 too now but my go to rifle is my 30-06. I hand load and love the versatility of it, my current loads being 130g Barnes TTSX or Yewtree's 126.5 30. cal bullet. Amazingly, it does less damage on a muntjac than my .243 used to.
 
I think they are popular, but people just don't shout about them as they are not new or trendy? I have one and it's my go to rifle - wonderful calibre. Shoot 170g Sako Blades or 150g Sako superhammerhead
 
My go to stalking rifle T3 literally in 06.
Now loaded with 149gr Yew tree TLR.
Shot everything from muntjac to red.
I prefer it to my mates 308. More of a push in the shoulder.
 
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