.30-06 opinions

I have a Sako 75 in 30-06, so a bit heavier than the 85 but not too different.

Recoil wise, it’s more than the 308 I used to have but that does vary. A mild 150gr isn’t much worse, a hot 180gr (or heavier) is.

My own view is that for the U.K. the 165/168 is a good choice - better bc than the 150 and enough speed for a good trajectory without going too fast and risking lots of bruising.

Though I like it, it doesn’t offer much more than the 308, for more powder, recoil etc. If there was no prospect of a lead ban I’d question whether it’s necessary unless you keep shooting stuff at the top end of the U.K. size scale - and I’d probably go for a 308.

With copper becoming more of a thing I’m inclined to stick with it as the extra 100-200fps may become more useful than with lead.
 
I could not decide on 308 or 3006, being a lefty as well as above, I could not pass up a new left hand Remington 700 BDL. (options sorted). As my go to stalker rifle is a 6.5x55 lite T3, boy' did I jump' at the range a sound mod is fitted,after firing the first' shot, 180gn, the recoil was fierce and loud when unexpected. Being used to the sweet Swedes gentleness. I am more than satisfied now, shooting 150gn for range use and deer when the chance does come to blood it? The reason of purchase was a boar trip to Germany,that did not offer a shot?
I have used the running deer range at Bisley with the 3006 and loved it, am mind full NOT' to grasp the barrel after a recent session even though it had been standing in the rack to cool!

BC.
 
If owned one for a number of years and shot everything from foxes to small roe to stags…(can’t remember if I shot a munty with it as well 🤔) it’s the do it all chambering and you won’t go far wrong with one anywhere on the planet with most things that walk the earth!

I find it’s a slower more “ba-doom”
Recoil than some of the other “pa-tish” type from smaller chamberings…(really technical, I know…😂)

You will find ammo for them everywhere pretty much and they have one of the widest range of bullet weights available.

What’s not to love?

You will not be disappointed with a aught six!

Regards,
Gixer
 
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Are you going to be up in Scotland anytime soon? If you will be I could let you try three chamberings with the same rifle type and I bet if we did a blind test you’d struggle to pick the 30-06 from
the other two.

Regards,
Gixer
 
With copper probably becoming the norm, I was reading about Barnes minimum expansion velocity, and Barnes had stated to a member on another forum:

TTSX .308/130 = 1800 fps
TTSX .308/150 = 2000 fps
TTSX .308/168 = 1500 fps

At the time I was planning on shooting them through a 18" 308, so I looked at numbers, not knowing what speeds one might get.. but approx:

130 grain at 2900 = 450 yards
150 grain at 2750 = 370 yards
168 grain at 2600 = 650 yards


So, with the 30-06, you can probably add another 100-150 yards on each of these.
 
I've used a 30/06 for about 45 years in many different rifles . Currently , I have four hunting rifles and a few battle rifles chambered in it . I use mine as a general purpose cartridge , something the 06 does better than most . That being said , it depends on what you plan to hunt . I've taken a lot of Moose and a number of Bears with an 06 using heavier , 180 gr through 220 gr , bullets . I've taken more Deer than I can remember using either 165gr or 180 gr bullets . It's a reliable killer for all our game , out to any reasonable distance . On heavier game and using heavier bullets , the 06 does out perform the 308 . If you are hunting larger animals , it's a great choice . It's a cartridge that I'll always use , it'll probably be the last cartridge I ever use to be honest . It isn't the latest and greatest cartridge , but it will do anything I , and probably you too , will ever need .

AB
 
I tried a 30-06 when I was looking for a suitable step up from 243. Didn't like it (the damned thing smacked me in the eye), so I went for a 270 instead, which I love.
 
Nice higher energy bracket .30 cal. You can tame the extra recoil with good rifle fit, a good moderator and a Limbsaver but pad.
 
I’ll just say that a 168gr NBT is no slouch at 2960fps. Recoil isn’t bad to me as I’m not sensitive to it but also like as little recoil as possible. Bang, they drop.
 
Had a few 30-06 rifles, from PH to BRNO zg47 and others in between. Always did the job very well, but a 7x57 with 160-175g partitions will do the same more pleasantly, and with light non-toxic bullets in/around 130g it’s a laser and light recoil for lighter framed species.

30-06 will always seem more unpleasant in a stock designed for standing shooting if shot prone. Something people get caught up with unexpectedly.

My next project will likely be an 8x68 on a modified Mauser 98,,should be a beast :)
 
Had a few 30-06 rifles, from PH to BRNO zg47 and others in between. Always did the job very well, but a 7x57 with 160-175g partitions will do the same more pleasantly, and with light non-toxic bullets in/around 130g it’s a laser and light recoil for lighter framed species.

30-06 will always seem more unpleasant in a stock designed for standing shooting if shot prone. Something people get caught up with unexpectedly.

My next project will likely be an 8x68 on a modified Mauser 98,,should be a beast :)
I had a Brno 602 chambered in 8X68 , a truly powerful and capable cartridge . I used it on a few Moose and exactly one very large Black Bear . It drops large animals with authority . The only reason I got rid of it had nothing to do with the cartridge . The rifle , scoped and a full mag , weighed 13 pounds . Nice off the bench , but a pig at 6000 feet going uphill . I've still got dies , brass and bullets . One day , I will build another , but I'd keep it around 8.5 pounds . It's an extremely effective cartridge for large game out to any sane range . Good choice .

AB
 
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I have had my ought six for almost 20 years . CZ 550 American. It has been with me for 5 African trips, Scottish stags and hinds , England Sika, reds , roe and munties. Various European hunts , the last hunt was in Estonia taking a 165 kl boar at 200 mtres. i have many guns but THIS is my rifle , "you my take it but only if you prize it from my cold dead hands."
Tusker
 
I had a Mannlicher Luxus 30.06 for a few years, pre moderator. Used 130 gr Norma ammo on everything from stags to feral cats. No complaints from me, recoil wasn't too bad but a mod would take it further. I'd say go for it.
 
I bought a sauer 90 in 30-06 last year. Very pleased with it, used it on stags in Scotland recently with yew tree 145gn. Did a superb job. One of the others I was with had been using the estate 270, switched to my 30-06 on the final day and commented how much softer to shoot it was. Off to France with it on boar next month.
You won't be disappointed with the 30-06.
Cheers
Bonzo
 
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Holt's. Lot 4533:

LEFT-HANDED MAUSER .30-06 BOLT-MAGAZINE SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 90549, 24in. nitro barrel, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, folding leaf rear-sight, fitted with a Nikko Stirling 4x40 telescopic sight, manual safety, hinged floorplate, pistolgrip stock
 
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Do you really need a 30-06? I know the question might be sacrilege to some. At hunting distances the ballistics compared to a 308 are very similar (especially up to 300 yards). If you specifically want to shoot with a heavy bullet, maybe. Otherwise I'd personally stay with a 308 as the advantage is not significant (at hunting distances).
 
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