30-06 for everything. Talk me out of it.

[Heym SR20]

The ratio is about 999 AKs to 1 any-other-platform. Can't remember when I last saw an FN-FAL.

Recommending a .308 because:

is not correct advice.

You must have been in Africa a bit more recently than I, but when I was last there still plenty of G3s and R1s in the hands of Game scouts etc.

 

[CarlW]

You must have been in Africa a bit more recently than I, but when I was last there still plenty of G3s and R1s in the hands of Game scouts etc.

As I said, 999:1.

 

[Acm]

Isn’t it funny how we always refer to Africa as if it is one place. Not a massive continent.
Hope the op bought an 06.

 

[imnotrucknut]

Do you know what MV your load is doing?

Been up the range this morning.
So with 150gn tsx I was getting average 2860fps.

should be fast enough

 

[zambezi]

150gn tsx I was getting average 2860fps.

should be fast enough

I decided to compare your load and mine on the Berger ballistic app.

My 180gr load has slightly more drop at 300m, your faster 150gr load is slightly more susceptible to wind deflection. But not a real world difference at sub 300m.

Both rounds run out of sufficient velocity [2000FPS] to assure Barnes ttsx expansion around the 300m mark.

The only real difference between the two loads I can see is that the 180gr has 18% more energy. [Which might be relevant on African plains game, not an issue on UK species]

 

[imnotrucknut]

My mv for 150gn is 2860 and not 2680 as per chart.

 

[imnotrucknut]

Incidentally 150gn factory federal lead was 2850fps but not grouping as good and I had some 170gn geco lead which cloverleaf 2550fps

 

[zambezi]

My mv for 150gn is 2860 and not 2680 as per chart.

My bad!

Revised numbers gives your 150gr load legs out to 400m...and 4" less drop at 300m.

 

[Richunter83]

I live in France and my hunting rifle is a browning maral straight pull in 30 06 and use it for roe deer, chamois, wild boar and red deer from up close out to 200m and it's perfect with very little recoil. For bullets I use RWS Kegelspitz 150gr
It's my favourite caliber having tried serval others

 

[griff]

With the current trend of non toxic ammo the 30-06 will give you more wiggle room.

I shot 125gn GMx's out of mine at around 3300fps, on a different contract than I am on now, I shot over 300 deer with it one year, including a fair share of Galloway reds.
Absolutely perfect calibre, the only thing I would change would be to shoot Barnes instead of GMX's, found the Hornady's to be a little tough at distance.

 

[imnotrucknut]

With the current trend of non toxic ammo the 30-06 will give you more wiggle room.

I shot 125gn GMx's out of mine at around 3300fps, on a different contract than I am on now, I shot over 300 deer with it one year, including a fair share of Galloway reds.
Absolutely perfect calibre, the only thing I would change would be to shoot Barnes instead of GMX's, found the Hornady's to be a little tough at distance.

Interesting, I did toy with the idea of going lighter but I've been looking for loads for the .243.Failing that variations.6.5/270.I just like a full cabinet

 

[Dorset Shakari]

Thank you all for the interesting replies. I've dropped the hammer on a nice Heym SR21 in 30-06. Looking forward to Avon & Somerset sorting the variation in record time.

 

[Scotty99]

I won’t talk you out of it. Bullet weight spread alone is reason enough.

I have had a .308 and a 30-06 in my cabinet for a number of years. I’m reaching for the 30-06 every time I got out stalking now.

So I am thinking of selling the .308 but retaining the 30-06.

 

[fvans]

I've decided to chop in my 300 H&H (can't get the ammo overseas easily), and my 7x64 (shoots too loose) and get a new rifle. Quarry will be UK deer, Euro Boar, and Plains game. I'm a stalker not a shooter, and so I don't favour long range, seldom over 150 metres.
Must be able to shoot copper accurately, and have decent ammo availability in case I get stuck. I've had 6.5x55, 270, 7x57, 8x57 and 375H&H. Never had a 30-06 before, but they just seem to work, according to the books. The only negative is being a former military cartridge I cannot use it in France.
Any good reason not to go ahead..?

No reason I can think off (except if you hunt allot in France) I've had a "aught six" for 29 years and its always done what I've asked from it in terms of shooting live quarry. Its accounted for small animals like black backed jackal all the way up to Koedoe and although I have never shot Eland I am sure it will do the job. Have a look at what Ron Spomer says about it

 

[JockStalk]

Well you’ve had and moved on from a 7x57 which was the gentleman’s solution to your dilemma. No helping you.

 

[gixer1]

No reason I can think off (except if you hunt allot in France) I've had a "aught six" for 29 years and its always done what I've asked from it in terms of shooting live quarry. Its accounted for small animals like black backed jackal all the way up to Koedoe and although I have never shot Eland I am sure it will do the job. Have a look at what Ron Spomer says about it

I don’t think hunting in france is an issue with an 06 now...

 

[stumac]

30-06 or 308 not a lot of difference.

 

[booradley]

The OP has made his decision but what the hell, I want to comment.

I use a .243 for predators(90% Coyotes), a 30-30 for feral hogs and 6.5x55 for deer(whitetail and Axis). This comprises 95% or more of the rifle hunting I do. For years I used a .270 for all of the above including a couple of Nilgai and an elk though I can’t deny a 30-06 would have been better for the elk and Nilgai.

You can use a 30-06 for everything. I grew up around people who hada 12 ga, a 22, and a 30-06. That was it.~Muir

This is how I grew up except my family had a .303 too. I’ve owned a 30-06 most of my life and almost never shoot it. If I were hunting brown bear, moose or elk I’d use my 30-06. If I were to go on a plains game hunt I’m almost positive I’d take my 30-06. If I could only have one centerfire rifle it’d be a 30-06. If I lived in a country with more stringent gun control than the U.S. I’d have a 30-06.

I’m not totally sure why but I don’t care for .308 and I do believe 30-06 is more versatile.

 

[booradley]

Edit-dupe.