The Old .30-06: How many still have it as a MAIN Rifle?

[SharpsDressedMan]

I own all of 10 centerfire rifles. Of all of them, two are for hunting, and of the two, my Remington .30-06 doubles as a "do everything" rifle, as it is set up like a Scout rifle, and performs very well in most any application. I also have an M1 Garand, but that is mostly for going to Camp Perry for the Garand Matches with my cousin (I live in Ohio, so getting to Perry is easy). With all the new cartridges, and wide selection of guns, I was just wondering how many still favor the old standby .30-06. I also have a .300WM for long range work, but I don't think I would ever be without a .30-06. I used to own some .308/7.62 guns, but got rid of them all, along with those in .223/5.56mm. Who still favors the .30-06?

 

[LoonWulf]

For me its a toss up between the 7mm remington magnum, and the .30-06. So far I havent been without either one for more then a year. I USE the 7mm for hunting more, but i actually shoot the 06 more often. If im hunting somewhere ive never been, and dont know what to expect, the .30-06 is probably going to get the nod. I also own a .300, and very, very, rarely use it.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have two '06s, I usually grab the .270 or 22-250. I'm building an AR-10 with uppers in .308 and .260 Rem.

 

[az_imuth]

Count me in. Out of the centerfire rifles I currently own, 10 of them are in .30-06. However, that does include several that used to belong to Uncle Sam.

 

[jpwilly]

Right now my only commercial hunting rifle is a 30-06, my target rifle is a 308 - to heavy to drag around hunting. My varmint huntingrig is a bull barrel AR 223...everthing else is milsurp and a few 22lrs. The Milsurps could double for hunting especailly the K31 with scope but I'd still most likely take the 30-06.

 

[303tom]

I have kind of down graded in my old age from .30-06 to .308..........

 

[HKGuns]

.308 main 30-06 backup when I don't take my 94 30-30 to the swamps.

 

[Mike J]

I only own 2 centerfire rifles. The .30-06 is my deer rifle. The other is an old Spanish Mauser in 7x57. POA doesn't equal POI with the Mausers sights until you get out to about 300 yards. One of these days I'm going to get around to scoping or putting a receiver sight on the Mauser but the .30-06 is my deer getter.

 

[MuleRyder]

If I owned only one hunting rifle, it would be a .30-06

 

[crazysccrmd]

I use the 8mm, so pretty similar

 

[bbq fan]

I am developing a collection of 30-06 rifles. I count on them to be My best all around caliber. The goal is to buy one a year...

BF

 

[bbq fan]

Also you can get up to 220 grain 30-06 rounds...

 

[MAG-63]

I have a choice Remington (March 1943) 1903A3 which is my favorite rifle. A very nice 1898 Krag-Jorgensen (mfd 1902) keeps it company in the gunsafe.

 

[A freakin' lion]

use eddystone 1917 regularly. also remington 700 and pre-64 win 70. all 30-06. also a 375 for fun.

 

[osprey176]

My tang safety Ruger M-77 in .30-06 is good for what ails you.I have plenty other rifles,for specialized use,but from prairie dogs to medium range elk,the old -06 works just fine.

 

[wyohome]

Every thread on this subject includes something about heavier bullets. Do any of you actually use 220 grain bullets?

 

[sgtstryker]

The 30 naught six reminds me of back when the 9mm and .40 calibers were trying to do what the .45 ACP was already doing. It has been and always will be all you need to hunt in N. America, at least the Ga. woods. I sold my 700 BDL last year and have regretted it, for sure. Still have an '03A3 and a Garand, so the '06 lives on. What a great round.

 

[snakeman]

I don't own one but I like the caliber I just prefer my 308's (especially my 99e) and 257 wby .

 

[homers]

I like my Rem CDL 30-06, compliments my two M77's, 243 and 7x57.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Every thread on this subject includes something about heavier bullets. Do any of you actually use 220 grain bullets?

I plan to load 200 or 220 for elk hunts (in 8mm)

 

[zhyla]

I've got an old WWII bolt action in .30-06. I don't hunt, it just kind of fell into my hands. Works well enough, kicks a little more than I'd like but all I've got are powerful hunting rounds available.

From the perspective of a non-hunter it's kind of an antiquated cartridge. There's only one widely available semi-auto rifle in .30-06 and it's large, heavy, and doesn't take detachable magazines. And that rifle isn't in new production. So you can see how .308 is more attractive for the average Joe in this class of cartridge.

 

[W.E.G.]

Quite sure its all the deer rifle I will ever need.

A-Bolt in 30-06.
In hindsight, might have preferred it be a .308, but so long as I have a Garand around, it won't make no mind.

 

[barnetmill]

I purchased a mod 70 winchester in the 1960's and it is my hunting rifle. Accurate with a good trigger in 30-06. I feel confident of hitting game at up to 250 yrds and what more should someone want. The specific caliber is not as important as many people make out. If good ammo were available an 8 mm mauser is also a fine caliber as is 270. Nothing wrong with the magnums also.
My fighting rifles are in .308 and 7.62x39, although they can certainly be used for hunting also.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have some 220s my dad bought. But if I REALLY wanted to push a 220, I would get a magnum. I really think 180s will do anything you need them to, and there's still 200s after that.

 

[Jeff F]

I have a Garand, and I just bought a Savage in 30-06. Its a great cartridge.