questons about 30-06


ilhunter1986

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For target, deer, other game? Think the effective range of the 30-06 will depend a lot on the shooter and how far they are comfortable/confident in taking shots with the gun they are using.

My personal opinion of the 30-06 is that it is a great caliber that gives a good range of versatility.

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It hasn't been popular for over 100 years for no good reason. It's a great caliber and probably effective on deer size game further than most people can effectively use it. It's at it's best with 165,180 grain bullets. I've shot many deer with this caliber over the years. My first elk too. You can get manged recoil loads from remington if it kicks you too much at first. They will still kill deer for you.

Mark

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The 30-06 is a great cartridge. I have hunted with a 30-06 for over 30 years now. It offers a very wide range of factory loads and can safely handle most any game in the world. It is not as flat shooting as some, but it is no slouch either. With same weight bullets, it only drops about 2 inches more at 300 yards and 5 inches more at 400 yards than the mighty .300 Win. Mag. With certain loads, it is right on the heels of the .300 Win Mag. These loads by Hornady(Superformance, Light Magnum) and Federal(High Energy) come within 50- 80 fps of the .300. All I can say is that you are one lucky man to recieve a free 30-06.

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That is awesome to get a free gun especially one in such a great caliber. I've shot a Savage 30.06 for years and it is a great weapon. I've only shot mine out to 300 yards but don't have any problems at all. You can get bullet sizes for just about any species and they are readily available at pretty much all stores too.

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With a good bullet the .30-06 can still attain over 1200ftlbs of energy at 500 yards meaning you can cleanly kill a dear at over 500 yards (if the shooter is able). There are a lot of shooting comps with both the .30-06 and .308 (or 7.62nato) that often range out to 1000 yards.

Personally I feel there are VERY few people that can make a shot at 500 yards. The rifle can very likely out perform your shooting ability.

The .30-06 is also one of the most versatile rounds ever. The bullet choice is incredible. You can hunt anything from Ground Hogs to Moose/ elk/ bear with a .30-06. Ammo is very affordable and easy to find. Exotic ammo can also be found but isnt legal in all states (such as tracer rounds). Most gun magazines offer bulk ammo in the .30-06 very cheap for practice rounds.

I personally dont think you could have been given a better cal. If taken care of this rifle/ cartridge can last a lifetime and will kill anything in North America... Congratulations.

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I have heard from some old timers [WW2 army vets],say the 30-06 springfield M1-grand was acurate to 1000 meters.

That would make sense considering a meter is 3.3' and a yard is 3'. Meaning 3300' instead of 3000' they typically shoot at long range comps. Still, it would take one incredible marksman to make that shot.... That is a LONG distance.

However, I dont think an M1 would be accurate at that range. The round? Yep.... Rifle? nope...

People shooting that range typically have custom bolt actions.

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Not really adding much that other people haven't already said. Would like to stress strongly that while the 30-06 is easily effective out to 500 yards very few people if any should be shooting deer at that range.

Addiontionally I would like to say that if you plan on hunting deer I would use a 150gr load. It still has more power that you need to kill any whitetail, plus the recoil is somewhat less than loads shooting 165 or 180 gr bullets.

Finally all of the Savage rifles are coming with the accutrigger now so if it was manufacted recently it will have the accutrigger.

It's always great getting free guns. I thought you guys in Illinois had to use shotguns. LOL

:gun2:

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Do yourself a favor, put a GOOD piece of glass on that 30/06. 3x9-- in Leupold or Nikon are my picks. That's what I did in 1973. Got a Model 700 in 30/06 with a Leupold 2.5 x 8 VarX-III. With that rifle, I have hunted everything----moose, elk, deer, antelope, black bear, mtn goat, bighorn & mtn lion. It's even gone to South Africa on a plains game hunt. I use 180 grain bullets for everything.

Good Hunting. CB

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Can't add much to this, but here's my $0.02. The .30-06, in my opinion, is the most versatile caliber on the planet. I've hunted deer, antelope and elk using a 150 grain bullet out of my .30-06 and it certainly does the job quite efficiently. I'd only recommend bumping up to a 180 grain when you go after moose, grizzly or African plains game. Excellent cartridge and I wish you well and happy hunting! :cool:

Dakota :)

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like eveyone said its a great caliber. I use a .30-06 for deer and bear, longet I shot was 200yds, I will never shoot fauther than that, but with the right person it can be acurate much fauther. I shoot 150gr. for deer, or 180gr. for bear. Congrats on getting such a great gun as a gift.

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  • 2 weeks later...

My bro-in-law uses his 30-06 for all his big game hunting. He uses the 168 grain bullet which I believe is a sierra boattail and nailed over a half dozen elk with that bullet up to over 400 yds. Only one required more than one shot but had fallen where he shot it. He has also taken a whole pile of deer with that same bullet. That caliber hasen't survived nearly 105 years for nothing. Great caliber.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Your lucky for sure!!! One thing to look at for the -06 is any sporting goods store you walk in to will have some kind of ammo for it in stock, no matter where you are!!

I would bet th e-06 has more game under it's belt than most any other cal. out there.

Matt

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just like everyone else i think you got a great gun. I have shot my rem 760 for years for tons of deer, and some coyotes. I have killed deer out to 350 but i had a very good rest, and it was wide open, for coyotes i would suggest a 100- 125 grain bullet. I have never had a problem with 150 grain, but wouldn't go higher than that for small game like coyotes or smaller. Congrats and shoot straight.

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