.30-06 opinions

[Andrewslater]

My first time experience of .30-06 is with a blaser r8 pro succes. Heavy bullet (165gr plus) are noticeable but 150gr or lighter i wouldn’t say are too punch. Im fairly small framed and weight just under 12stone.

I do notice its recoil on the range when shooting prone but for usual stalking applications i wouldnt say it will hinder you in any way other than don’t expect to consistently see bullet strike like you would with smaller calibres.

 

[alberta boy]

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).

As much as I like the 06 , you're right . The main advantage it has over the 308 is its ability to push heavy bullets faster . If you aren't hunting larger , heavy boned game , the 308 will work just fine . I have a 308 or two , it's one of my favourite cartridges .

AB

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm. According to Sako their 30-06 150 gns bullet (good for all UK quarry) zeroed at 150 will give you 0.7cms of a drop advantage at 200; 35 mps muzzle velocity advantage; and about 300 joules (c.8%) of additional muzzle energy advantage over the same bullet fired from a 308. For all GB quarry IMHO you simply do not need this additional bang for your buck, the noticeable extra recoil and the additional expense incurred. If you cannot kill your quarry with this bullet out of a .308 then the 30-06 will make no difference.
Just my thoughts…

 

[devon deer stalker]

I had a 30-06 in a light Browning X-Bolt, and a Blaser R8, shooting 180 grain Nosler Partitions, recoil was never an issue, and I didn't use a mod, why you might ask? Because I couldn't in Montana!
There is nothing on this earth a 30-06 can't kill!
Tested on a Bull Elk at 445 yards, I loved the 30-06, in fact not sure why I sold it.

 

[njc110381]

Fantastic comment some very good points thank you very much. I forget to mention that I’m also left handed and this is a huge role in why I opt for certain calibers and I’m not spoilt for choice like a right handed shooter is ! I know there’s plenty of companies that make rifles in left hand however getting hold of them seems to be a different story ! I love my sako85 and it was the only one available left hand which is why I went for it in the .25-06 which I do love...my dream rifle was always a .270 but wanting a sako 85...and being told no special orders will be taken for the foreseeable future left me with little choice. I could get a tikka t3 in 5/8 months in left hand .270 but there’s something about the sako85 that just shines that bit more above the t3 for me...and there just so happens to be one available in .30-06 which is why I ask the question.

After reading that, my advice would be to just buy it! A .25-06 and a .30-06 cover pretty much all the jobs you'll need to do from foxes to boar. An added advantage is that the .25-06 and .30-06 mags are interchangeable if you get another 85, so you can have a spare mag for whichever one you take out by borrowing the one that's in the other rifle.

 

[1894]

Find mine too much. I seem to have become more sensitive but every time I shoot it I feel the noise, blast and recoil even with a good moderator and 10.5lb rifle just isn’t worth the results compared to my mild 7-08 on UK deer.

 

[harrygrey382]

Frankly I think you’re crazy even hesitating - just get the 30-06 and never look back, ever! It’s a superb round, I went straight from 243 to 30-06 after a year (243 being my first centre fire) when I live in Norfolk. Recoil going from a moderated 243 to unmoderated 30-06 (full 165gr loads) in a 1960s HVA was absolutely no issue at all while hunting. Admittedly for load development and zeroing I use a slip on recoil pad but when hunting the hard plastic butt plate is no issue. My only regret was not being more insistent in getting a 30-06 slot earlier. Fast forward 14 years and moving to Australia, that rifle is still my go to for all hunting - it is utterly dependable and I’m very confident in its abilities. I have acquired many other hunting rifles but if I just want to grab a no bullsh*t rifle to get the job done it is no 1.

Yes 308 might do most (never all) a 30-06 can on UK game, but on the flip side a 30-06 can just do it a little better. In the grand scheme of things the tiny bit extra powder isn’t going to have a significant effect on any economics. Recoil difference will be completely insignificant if you take external variables away (eg rifle weight, stock fit, bullet weight, barrel length etc.).

Personally I’d far rather use “enough gun” and give myself a higher chance of success with negligible down sides, with a classic historical cartridge that has more potential and is more time proven and specifically designed for flawless feeding in a bolt action than a compromised stubby cartridge developed primarily for rapid feeding in an automatic rifle

 

[Brighty3006]

Have had a sako 85 for10 years in 30.06. Shoots 165 grain and recently using Yew tree copper145's for Scottish stags. Absolutely love it and never had a recoil problem with it. A great calibre

 

[stevec]

I used to have a .25-06 and now have a 30-06. I haven't noticed a lot of difference with red deer to be honest, but I love my 30-06. I am fairly lightweight and have a Parker Hale with a PH Scout Laminate Stock. The recoil really isn't bad and even with a 180 grain bullet, I don't think any worse than a 12 bore with 30g loads. My stock doesn't have a recoil pad either. I have now shot roe to Greater Kudu with it and whilst is is probably not ideal for either end, it does the job and you can get cartridges for it almost anywhere. Rifles are cheap in the UK as well, as it isn't a fashionable calibre, particularly not in a Parker Hale. My view is that if you are just shooting UK deer, then there is probably no advantage over a .25-06, but if you add in boar or trips abroad, then I would say there is a reason to swap.

 

[Adyb]

30-06 great for driven hunts and tracking boar. Lots of knock down power if you need it. Wont destroy a roe either. Tried 300wm but over the top for me and ammo expensive... There was a real craze for 300wm out here in france a few years ago - loads of cheap 2nd hand short barrelled 'battue' t3's and browning BAR's on the market now... Most switched to 30-06.

 

[HonestJohn]

.22LR, .222rem, and either 7x57 or 30-06 and you've got a gun cabinet that will cover you for anything bar the gorers and ones that bite back on the dark continent. Saying that, the 175g partition in 7x57 and 220g partition in 30-06 should in emergencies handle those last one's if push came to shove.

I find 7x57 is slightly more comfortable than the 30-06 and on UK game performs just as well. If 90% of my stalking was sika or big reds or I went on trips for boar or africa, etc., I'd sway to the 30-06, but I'm probably 40% roe 60% sika/reds, so the 7mm hits the sweetspot.

That said, forget your ammo at home and you're screwed finding decent ammo in the 7x57, whereas the 30-06 any gunshop will have 'something'

 

[Adyb]

.22LR, .222rem, and either 7x57 or 30-06 and you've got a gun cabinet that will cover you for anything bar the gorers and ones that bite back on the dark continent. Saying that, the 175g partition in 7x57 and 220g partition in 30-06 should in emergencies handle those last one's if push came to shove.

I find 7x57 is slightly more comfortable than the 30-06 and on UK game performs just as well. If 90% of my stalking was sika or big reds or I went on trips for boar or africa, etc., I'd sway to the 30-06, but I'm probably 40% roe 60% sika/reds, so the 7mm hits the sweetspot.

That said, forget your ammo at home and you're screwed finding decent ammo in the 7x57, whereas the 30-06 any gunshop will have 'something'

7x57 or 270...?

 

[sharper]

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

That’s a lovely offer but unfortunately no I won’t be...I’v not long been there, in fact I’v only been back 2 weeks I was stalking with Colin Lockerbie in Dalry, the guy (dave) who was my guide used a .30-06 for his deer and swore by it. Unfortunately he didn’t have it with him at the time for me to try.

 

[sharper]

My first time experience of .30-06 is with a blaser r8 pro succes. Heavy bullet (165gr plus) are noticeable but 150gr or lighter i wouldn’t say are too punch. Im fairly small framed and weight just under 12stone.

I do notice its recoil on the range when shooting prone but for usual stalking applications i wouldnt say it will hinder you in any way other than don’t expect to consistently see bullet strike like you would with smaller calibres.

Maybe I should’ve mentioned I’m around 5,10” and about 17 stone so I’m not too little or light don’t think the aught six will knock me over lol

 

[Bowland blades]

Recoil? thats gun weight and fit and the bullet weight with a 150 grain loaded in 308 or 30-06 both into the same rifle same action length 200 fps cannot make a real tangible difference! a lightweight 308 with plastic stock etc and a 30-06 with a chunky laminate stock loaded to the same velocity the 30-06 will recoil less ! If the 30-06 was a full stack load it will still recoil less because on the increased rifle weight
Got a recoil issue ? purchase the heavier gun !

 

[gixer1]

That’s a lovely offer but unfortunately no I won’t be...I’v not long been there, in fact I’v only been back 2 weeks I was stalking with Colin Lockerbie in Dalry, the guy (dave) who was my guide used a .30-06 for his deer and swore by it. Unfortunately he didn’t have it with him at the time for me to try.

Colin is a lovely guy…I’m sure you would have enjoyed it.

Regards if you are up this way again feel free to have a bash with them. I really think the 30-06 would be a do it all gun for you and I don’t know anyone that is disappointed by them.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Pagans]

Hi all

As title suggests I’m looking for peoples FIRST HAND opinion of the legendary .30-06 I have done months of research into this Calibre so I’m quite familiar with its capabilities and ballistics/performance. It will primarily be used for reds in Scotland but also all U.K. deer species with the odd bore (hopefully) in there too. What I’m more wanting to specifically know is just how “bad” is the recoil of the .30-06 ?? To be even more specific...how harsh is it in the form of a sako85 classic with a moderator ??

With this being a fairly light rifle and overall light stalking set up I’m guessing the recoil will be toward the upper end of what the .30-06 can be...(given ammo choice and so on, let’s go with factory loads) I currently have a .25-06 as my go to deer rifle which is more than manageable and recently dropped me a lovely stag at just shy of 200 yards with a .117gr gamhead no problem

The .30-06 to me is the practical and logical upgrade...I just don’t know any one with one to use before committing to it...after hearing so many mixed reviews I’m hoping there’s a few people on here that will be using one regularly that can tell me exactly how it feels/performs.

Many thanks, Benny

The recoil to me on my 30-06 is only marginal against the 308 both 150 grams. I've shot a considerable amount of deer with my Blaser 30-06 and have been extremely satisfied with the results. At the end of the day the excitement of shooting after a successful stalk you don't even notice the recoil on any caliber. The 30-06 and 308 ammo are easy to obtain out in rural Aus. I brought a 300 win mag last year ,now that has some recoil and was a bit sceptical that I had done the right thing certainly unpleasant on the range,that was until I shot my first red just hammered it, again didn't notice the recoil in the excitement.

 

[Rick]

I have both 30.06 and a 300 WSM, the 30.06 is a Blaser with semi weight barrel a muzzle break and a recoil reducer in butt.
The 300 WSM is a tikka T3 lite with mod.

I shot 150's from the 30.06 and 180/190 from the 300WSM And I think the 300 is softer more of a push in the recoil.

But both have manageable recoil

 

[404Boar]

I use a 243 and a 6.5x47 every week. I use a true left handed Sauer 404 in 30.06 with 180grain Norma Oryx for Red in Scotland, Boar, Stag and Mouflon in Europe and Plains Game in Africa. With and without a moderator. I love it.

I notice the recoil over my weekly rifles when I initially get it out to check zero and have a practice session but that ‘different’ feeling disappears after a few rounds.

I cannot recall the recoil on any of the live game shots I have taken with it probably due to concentration and adrenaline ‘in the moment’.

I have no regrets in buying and using the calibre. I thoroughly enjoy it.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Unless you plan to shoot heavier than 165gr bullets I am not sure the .30-06 does anything the .308 doesnt already do with greater variety of factory ammo.
The huge popularity of the .30-06 largely comes from the write up it gets from a large population of hunters in North America and Africa where the huge bullet range and the prospect of shooting thicker skinned, medium and large framed game with a 200+gr bullet is a real prospect.

No that relevant in the UK

People talk about the 200-250fps increase but in real terms like for like factory ammo from the same manufacturer rarely shows this increase.

Norma 150gr Ecostrike
308
2822fps

Norma ECOSTRIKE .308 Winchester 150gr

NEW PRODUCT

www.norma-ammunition.com

.30-06
2953fps

Norma ECOSTRIKE 30-06 Springfield 150gr

NEW PRODUCT

www.norma-ammunition.com

131fps for 40-50% more powder
More felt recoil
doesn’t stack up
Reloading may see greater potential

Dont get me wrong, i love a 30cal
And I love the 06 case, especially in 6.5/.277/7/7.62/8mm/.338 forms
Just don’t see the real world advantage for UK game

I have recently run two estate rifles for our stag clients
308 and a .30-06
When zeroing the .30-06 with some RWS 165gr short rifle ammo I seriously considered not using the ammo/gun
The felt recoil over the .308 with 165 sako shh was significant
Worse than my 300 Norma Mag shooting 203gr!!

Shoot one of any cartridge before you commit