Most underrated calibre

[scrumbag]

I have come across a number of shooters that seem to think it's either far too much for the UK or rendered redundant by the .300 mags.

IMO it is a more useful cartridge than the 308 or .300 magnums, especially if one is travelling.

Experienced hunters tend to hold in high regard, as you say.

I saw something a couple of years ago that made me think about this:

In Germany, apparently there is more expanding ammo sold in .30-06 than any other chambering. And that is in the land of Mauser, Brenneke and Bock (so 8x57, 7x57, 7x64 and 9.3x62 to name a few).

.30-06 can't be all bad methinks!

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[Grandhubert]

Couldn't agree more about the .30-06 Grandhubert, and the 8x57 is only really the German equivalent.

I would argue that the 8x57 was the original and the best but there is simply not the availability of the .30.06.

The 8x57 can shade the ought six on muzzle energy in some loadings and with it's slightly greater frontal area is a very effective round on big game indeed.

In my experience however there is not much difference in the 6.5- 8mm class of cartridges on big game ( Say reds and over), one needs to step up to 250-300 grain bullets in something from the .338-.375 class to see a noticeable increase in killing power. With that in mind avaliablity of ammo trumps all for me, if I had needed to I could have borrowed a cap-full of ammo from a fellow hunter anywhere from Karelia in Russia to Orange Freestate in South Africa.

 

[Grandhubert]

I saw something a couple of years ago that made me think about this:

In Germany, apparently there is more expanding ammo sold in .30-06 than any other chambering. And that is in the land of Mauser, Brenneke and Bock (so 8x57, 7x57, 7x64 and 9.3x62 to name a few).

.30-06 can't be all bad methinks!

ATB,

Scrummy

That's right, it's surprising how popular "Der Schpringfield" is in the fatherland. What was more surprising was the number of ordinary shooters in Russia that carried rifles in that chambering. These included the beaters with their converted SKSs, home-made plywood thumb-hole stocks and Druganov telescopic sights to set off the package...

 

[fangler]

..... These included the beaters with their converted SKSs, home-made plywood thumb-hole stocks and Druganov telescopic sights to set off the package...

Wow, they Sound like a prop from madmax!

 

[Gazza0208]

25-06

 

[nuttyspaniel]

25-06

+1

nutty

 

[swarovski]

I've had 22's,22-250,243's 25-06's,308 and a 30-06 and thought they were all good

 

[sharkey]

275 Rigby

Cheers Sharkey

 

[Andy7mm]

.22h or .30-30

 

[Hornet 6]

7.62x39, virtually never mentioned, yet if loaded to pressures more suited to modern bolt actions would have no problem
developing the required ft/lb. for uk deer.

Neil.

 

[Brithunter]

Couldn't agree more about the .30-06 Grandhubert, and the 8x57 is only really the German equivalent.

Wrong way round ..................................... the 30-06 was developed to duplicate teh Mausers performance being introduced late in terms of things in 1906. Twas in answer to the Spitzer Bullet Germany introduced in 1905. However despite having a larger case the American round was short on velocity due to their smokeless powders not being as advanced at the time. The 30-06 being over 200 fps behind the Germans heavier 154 grain bullet whilst using a 150 grain bullet.

Of course the 30-06 wasa refinement of the earlier 30-03 that used a 220 grain bullet and that cartridge was a copy of the earlier 8mm Mauser loading of 1888 which used a 227 grain bullet. America paid Mauser royalties on both the Cartridg and the Springfield 03 rifles due to their using Mauser ideas.

 

[Klenchblaize]

25-06

Thank God someone else mentioned the quarter bore as I was starting to feel too!

 

[waterford103]

How about the humble .303 Brit.It's killed more things than any other calibre next to .22lr.

 

[devonfoxer]

2506 all day long. flat with plenty of knock down power. devistating on foxes when loaded with 75 grain vmax
lethal and non damaging on deer with a 100 grain bt

 

[Pirate hunter]

.270 easy

 

[Brithunter]

The problem here once again is that folks are listing Cartridges and NOT calibres.

Despite what the Plod or FEO may think they are NOT the same thing .

Of course we British used to name cartridges for their bore size as in .303. If it had been American it might well have been the .311" although the American military did go by bore size hence the .30-06 which of course is a .30 calibre adopted in 1906.

 

[I. Farticus]

The problem here once again is that folks are listing Cartridges and NOT calibres.

Despite what the Plod or FEO may think they are NOT the same thing .

Of course we British used to name cartridges for their bore size as in .303. If it had been American it might well have been the .311" although the American military did go by bore size hence the .30-06 which of course is a .30 calibre adopted in 1906.

What should I be calling my 6.5x55 then? Is that cartridge or calibre???

In the great scheme of things I really don't care, but might as well get chapter and verse for future smugness

Cheers
i.

 

[tackb]

The problem here once again is that folks are listing Cartridges and NOT calibres.

Despite what the Plod or FEO may think they are NOT the same thing .

Of course we British used to name cartridges for their bore size as in .303. If it had been American it might well have been the .311" although the American military did go by bore size hence the .30-06 which of course is a .30 calibre adopted in 1906.

I bet the winter nights fly by in your house!

 

[Brithunter]

What should I be calling my 6.5x55 then? Is that cartridge or calibre???

In the great scheme of things I really don't care, but might as well get chapter and verse for future smugness

Cheers
i.

Actually tis quite simple the Swedish cartridge is of 6.5mm or .25" calibre. Some one was on about .25's earlier well the Swede is in fact a .25. In fact the 6.5x53R and later 6.5x54MS were often referred to as the .256" Mannlicher in Britain and of course use the same bullet diameter.

In 6.5x55 of course 6.5 relates to bore diameter as bullet diameter is actually 0.264" which is 6.7mm and 55 is of course case length.

The continentals loved using this system and the Swedish round was developed in conjunction with Mauser at Obendorf and the first Swedish mauser rifles were in fact made and supplied by Obendorf who built a special hall just for their manufacture known as The Swedebau.


I hope that helps.

 

[Brithunter]

I bet the winter nights fly by in your house!

Actually they do. I shut myself away from the front room where the TV is pouring out it's drivel and either go onto the web for my hobbies and interests, read books, or try to puzzle through RPG's. Occasionally I may go out over to the club for an evening depending on finances and how the olduns are feeling.

Previously I have my collection to maintain and load for of course and then there was searching for more information of them and their makers.