Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round?

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***

Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles

Pages: 1 | 2 | >> (show all)
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round?
      #319210 - 21/08/18 06:45 AM

https://www.fieldandstream.com/30-06-best-big-game-hunting-ammunition

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Ripp]
      #319221 - 21/08/18 05:03 PM

G'Day Fella's,

The .30-06 is still, an exceedingly impessive performing cartridge.

D'oh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DoubleD
.400 member


Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2386
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Homer]
      #319223 - 21/08/18 08:52 PM

Better title would be:

Is the 30-06 Still a Good All-Around Big-Game round?

Answer, yes.

--------------------
DD, Ret.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: DoubleD]
      #319224 - 21/08/18 11:04 PM

Quote:

Better title would be:

Is the 30-06 Still a Good All-Around Big-Game round?

Answer, yes.




I agree--but hey, the press needs to hype it up a bit..make it controversial..make more people read it..cause debate..kinda like the story I posted last winter, "Why I hate the 270"... really??? Why do you really need to hate ANY caliber.. might not like it..but HATE, really???

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Homer]
      #319242 - 22/08/18 03:02 PM

Quote:

G'Day Fella's,

The .30-06 is still, an exceedingly impessive performing cartridge.

D'oh!
Homer



Agreed.. actually have not used one that much, but plan to take one on a leopard hunt one day to Africa

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DoubleD
.400 member


Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2386
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Ripp]
      #319247 - 22/08/18 10:26 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Better title would be:

Is the 30-06 Still a Good All-Around Big-Game round?

Answer, yes.




I agree--but hey, the press needs to hype it up a bit..make it controversial..make more people read it..cause debate..kinda like the story I posted last winter, "Why I hate the 270"... really??? Why do you really need to hate ANY caliber.. might not like it..but HATE, really???




Yes, true and now it is called fake news.

--------------------
DD, Ret.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: DoubleD]
      #319256 - 23/08/18 04:25 AM

https://www.chuckhawks.com/best_selling_rifle_cartridges.htm

The 10 Best Selling Centerfire Rifle Cartridges in the USA

Compiled by Chuck Hawks


The following list was compiled from various online and print sources, including the major ammo manufacturers' sales lists and the sales of RCBS reloading dies. The various sources tend to parallel each other, with certain exceptions. Bear in mind that a lot (probably the majority) of .223 and 7.62x39 ammo sold is for plinking or "tactical" use, not hunting. The same probably applies to a lower, but still significent, percentage of the .308 ammo sold.

The .223, .308, .30-06, .30-30, .270, .243, 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. appear on almost all lists. The .22-250, 7.62x39mm, .300 WSM, .338 Win. Mag. and 7mm-08 Rem. have appeared on at least one list, but not others, while the .222 Remington, .30 Carbine and .303 British (once Top 10 stalwarts on most lists) have dropped back in popularity. The .300 Win. Mag. and 7mm Rem. Mag. swap places on some lists. Anyway, here are the averaged results based on the data that I could find. Consider it approximate.

USA (Averaged 2015 sales rank)

.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 Winchester
.270 Winchester
.243 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
7.62x39mm Soviet
.22-250 Remington
Honorable Mention: .300 WSM, 7mm-08 Rem. and .338 Win. Mag.
An interesting survey of the most popular hunting cartridges in use in south/central Alaska was published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game back in 2000. Very large animals, such as moose and the great bears are hunted here, as well as deer, goats, black bear and caribou, and the Alaskan list reflects this.

The number in parenthesis is the percentage of hunters using each caliber. Note the abrupt fall off in popularity after the .30-06, .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Win. Mag.

ALASKA TOP TEN CARTRIDGES (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game survey, 2000)

.30-06 (20.9%)
.300 Win. Mag. (18.5%)
.338 Win. Mag. (18.4%)
7mm Rem. Mag. (8.5%)
.375 H&H Mag. (6.3%)
.270 Win. (5.8%)
.308 Win. (3.5%)
.300 Wby. Mag. (3.5%)
.45-70 Gov. (1.4%)
.280 Rem. (1.1%)

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
lancaster
.470 member


Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 8664
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Ripp]
      #319258 - 23/08/18 04:35 AM

30 06????
never heard of this

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: lancaster]
      #319273 - 23/08/18 01:24 PM

Quote:

30 06????
never heard of this




Blasphemy..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Ripp]
      #319287 - 24/08/18 07:51 AM

Quote:

Quote:

30 06????
never heard of this




Blasphemy..




+1 LOL!

D'oh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Rule303
.416 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4896
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Homer]
      #319301 - 24/08/18 08:34 PM

30-06 nah, just a passing fad.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39059
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Ripp]
      #319480 - 31/08/18 01:44 AM

Quote:



USA (Averaged 2015 sales rank)

.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 Winchester
.270 Winchester
.243 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
7.62x39mm Soviet
.22-250 Remington




Interesting. And ALL are what I think about when thinking about cartridges. Not a WSM, RSM, WSSF, BSWFAC (big straight walled fat arsed cartridge), WGAF, WTF new cartridge in sight.

Of course some of my other thought about cartridges are missing, the .222, 7x57, .375 H&H Mag etc are not listed. But obvious why they are not.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
rpeck



Reged: 06/12/13
Posts: 435
Loc: Canada
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: NitroX]
      #319896 - 17/09/18 11:50 PM

No way. The 7.62 x 63 is by far the superior cartridge.

Edited by rpeck (17/09/18 11:52 PM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: rpeck]
      #319903 - 18/09/18 03:17 AM

Love the 30-06!! My all time favorite.

--------------------
It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Eck
.275 member


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 64
Loc: Burke, VA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: rpeck]
      #319909 - 18/09/18 07:30 AM

Quote:

No way. The 7.62 x 63 is by far the superior cartridge.




By a large (metric) margin!!


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
rpeck



Reged: 06/12/13
Posts: 435
Loc: Canada
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Eck]
      #322374 - 12/12/18 11:59 AM

no

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: rpeck]
      #322378 - 12/12/18 01:58 PM

Short answer:
Yes. (for America and probably Europe too)


For Africa I would opt for the 375H&H

Edited by szihn (12/12/18 01:59 PM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
ducmarc
.400 member


Reged: 14/07/14
Posts: 1207
Loc: fla
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: szihn]
      #322603 - 19/12/18 12:30 PM

so what would be the most popular in Africa? two catagories plains game then big game.

--------------------
'killed by death' Lemmy.. ' boil the dog ' Elvis Manywounds "my best friend is my magnum forty four" hank willams the third.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
9.3x57
.450 member


Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5500
Loc: United States
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: ducmarc]
      #322608 - 19/12/18 01:36 PM

Quote:

so what would be the most popular in Africa? two catagories plains game then big game.




I was in Natal in RSA in '88 and '89.

Most common calibers were .308 and .243 I think.

.270 and .30-6 common, too.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
9.3x57
.450 member


Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5500
Loc: United States
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: 9.3x57]
      #322609 - 19/12/18 01:39 PM

RIPP & Nitro.

Yes.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: ducmarc]
      #322620 - 20/12/18 12:13 AM

Quote:

so what would be the most popular in Africa? two catagories plains game then big game.




Have spent most of my trips in Zim...for plains game there, many were still using a 300W mag or something close to that..myself, I brought my 300RUM the first few trips..after that I carried the .375H&H as you NEVER know what you will run into while out and about..a soft point out of the .300 might not get the job done that is needed ..ie; tuskless ele or whatever..so, chose the .375 from that point on.. had 2 very close experiences, changed my mind after that.. while out walking, 375 or bigger--with solids in the magazine..

There is always the thought your PH will be there to back you up..yes and no..funny thing, their rifles are also made by man..as such, also subject to failure for an entire host of reasons.. sorry, but I prefer the ability to protect "me" and not base my life on someone else's abilities or equipment..

When hunting specifically for big game, I have always used one of my rifles in .416 Rem... really like that caliber--so far my go to for DG..

I always thought the '06 would make a perfect leopard caliber for picking one off of the bait tree..however in many country's the .375 is the min. caliber allowed for DG... so......

The 30-06 is, IMHO, one hell of a cartridge..and will do pretty much anything you ask of it and more..for Africa would be a great plains game cartridge..as shots are relatively short there..most 100 yards.. some at 200 ..rare to be 300 or more unless in the desert...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: NitroX]
      #322630 - 20/12/18 07:07 AM

Quote:

Quote:



USA (Averaged 2015 sales rank)

.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 Winchester
.270 Winchester
.243 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
7.62x39mm Soviet
.22-250 Remington




Interesting. And ALL are what I think about when thinking about cartridges. Not a WSM, RSM, WSSF, BSWFAC (big straight walled fat arsed cartridge), WGAF, WTF new cartridge in sight.

Of course some of my other thought about cartridges are missing, the .222, 7x57, .375 H&H Mag etc are not listed. But obvious why they are not.




Yes interesting. I run 4 off that list myself and have had all of them at one time or another except for the Russian ctg.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Postman
.375 member


Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 846
Loc: Canada
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: DarylS]
      #322633 - 20/12/18 09:25 AM

Yes it is, but it has been around sooooo long and performs sooooo well, many are simply bored with it and think they need the latest super califragilistic whizz bang uber cartridge... fair ball for those who want some spice in their life, but when they get tired of chasing the latest fad, the god ole’ aught 6 will be waiting and ready to continue to offer great performance.

But there just ain’t no flies on the .30-06 at least for North America and Europe. Agree with Ripp et al that the .375H&H is quite compelling for Africa as the all rounder there.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: Postman]
      #325987 - 18/03/19 06:27 AM

FIVE REASONS WHY 30-06 SPRINGFIELD IS BEST...

https://ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/five-reasons-why-30-06-springfield-is-best/



The old 30-06 Springfield seems to have become the Rodney Dangerfield of centerfire rifle cartridges. If you are one of the many who “don’t give it no respect,” you might want to study its potential and reconsider.

Recently a young hunter in camp shot a mule deer at 250 yards with what many consider the ultimate 300 magnum, the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. This massive cartridge burns 96-grains of powder to push a 165-grain bullet 3,400 fps. This results in a trajectory most would call “laser flat.” Zeroed at 250 yards, that bullet would peak 2.2″ high at 150 yards and fall just 2.7 inches low at 300 yards, 11.6 inches low at 400 yards. At 250 yards it would be carrying 2,670 ft-lb energy, as much as the 30-06 packs at 50 yards. Despite this, the young hunter fired at the buck five times and struck it four times before finally bringing it down.

In contrast, another young hunter in another deer camp fired at his deer 452 yards away — and dropped it with one shot. He was using a 30-06 Springfield.

This primer buck fell to a single shot from a 150-grain Power Max Bonded bullet sent from the author's M70 30-06 Springfield from 450 yards on the other side of this canyon.
This prime buck fell to a single shot from a 150-grain Power Max Bonded bullet sent from the author’s M70 30-06 Springfield from 450 yards.
Of course comparisons like this don’t mean much, but they illustrate an important point: the 30-06 is more than capable of doing 90 percent, perhaps 98 percent, of what hunters want a deer cartridge to do — IF the hunter is capable of operating it properly.

When it comes to hunting, ballistic performance alone is not enough. Rifles, cartridges, bullets, horsepower and velocity must be paired with experience, knowledge, training and discretion. A great shooter with a 30-06 will be more successful than a poor shooter with a 300 RUM, 26 Nosler, 338 Lapua or 408 Cheytac. Anyone who shoots a 30-06 has an easier time becoming successful for many reasons. Here are some of them:

Ammunition is 2X to 4X less expensive. This means you can afford to train more.
Recoil is significantly less. This means you’ll want to train more — and not flinch while doing so. (In 8-pound rifles, 300 RUM = 32 ft-lb free recoil energy; 30-06 Springfield = 18 ft. lb.)
Ammunition is available with a wider variety of bullet weights and velocities. Handloaders can work with bullets from 100-grains to 220 grains in styles from round-nose to flat-nose to hollowtip/boattail VLD. Factory ammo can be found from 125-grain to 220-grain.
Rifles can be more convenient in 30-06 Springfield because performance can be maximized in 22- to 24-inch barrels while the bigger magnums require longer, heavier barrels of 26- to 28-inches. The lighter recoil level of the -06 also means lighter weight rifles can be carried on tough hunts involving considerable hiking and climbing.
30-06 Springfield rifles are usually much less expensive than any super magnum. The Ruger American, Savage Axis and Mossberg Patriot are three examples of bolt-actions available in 30-06 Springfield for less than $450 MSRP.
The 30-06 can be loaded with a wide variety of bullets, increasing its versatility and keeping prices low.
The 30-06 can be loaded with a wide variety of bullets, increasing its versatility and keeping prices low.
Another way to put the 30-06 Springfield into perspective is to consider the current popularity of the 308 Winchester as a long range hunting rifle. Many consider the 308 excellent for hunting out to 600 yards, yet the 308 is nothing but a shorter, weaker, slower modification of the 30-06 Springfield. Yup. In the early 1950s, Winchester took the 30-06 case, shortened it from 2.494″ to 2.015″ and called it the 308 Winchester. It shoots the same bullets as the 30-06, just 100 to 150 fps slower.

Check the ballistic tables of any of today’s larger ammunition manufacturers and the ballistic performance of the 30-06 will come into clearer focus. With similar weight bullets, the old -06 comes within an inch or two of the trajectories of 25-06 Rem., 270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., 300 WSM and 300 Win. Mag. at 300 yards.

Now be honest. How much game do you really engage at 300 yards or more?

I’m not saying the 30-06 Springfield is better than any 300 magnum. I’m not saying you shouldn’t own and shoot any 300 magnum. I’m just suggesting you research and understand the full performance potential of the 30-06 before writing it off as an old dog that can no longer perform any tricks.



--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
crkennedy1
.375 member


Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 501
Loc: Utah
Re: Is the .30/06 Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Round? [Re: 9.3x57]
      #325992 - 18/03/19 11:16 AM

Quote:

Quote:

so what would be the most popular in Africa? two catagories plains game then big game.




I was in Natal in RSA in '88 and '89.

Most common calibers were .308 and .243 I think.

.270 and .30-6 common, too.




Have taken two trips to South Africa. Took my 30-06 both times. Harvested eight big game animals, all one-shot kills, except for the wildebeest (he took 3 rounds). Several mule deer, whitetail, pronghorn and elk as well. Proof is in the freezer! 30-06 rules! Nuff said.

--------------------
DOUBLE or NOTHING


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1 | 2 | >> (show all)



Extra information
0 registered and 18 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:   

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 8373

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved