Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,489
- 4,657
I've been helping a fellow select his next "all around" rifle. We've been to the range a couple of times, and he's shot both of my .30-06 rifles, as well as several others. He's not a handloader, but is fairly new to hunting, and is after that "one rifle" he can rely on for moose, elk, bear, deer and African plains game. I think he's going to choose the Cooper rifle. Here's a note I just sent him:
When you mention game like moose, elk and African plains game, I sort of tune out all my thoughts about sub .30 cal cartridges.
I’ve never hunted moose, but have been around a few that other hunters have taken. They’re huge. The elk I got was big, really big. Africa? Some critters over there look pretty easy to deal with, others seem to be just as big and tough as elk, maybe tougher.
So I start thinking .30 cal, but not as hard kicking as a magnum. And instantly, there’s the .30-06 cartridge, a modern classic.
Outside of some very large, dangerous game, I don’t think there’s much on the planet I wouldn’t hunt with a .30-06 and good bullets. I’ve used everything from 110 gr varmint bullets, to 220 grain Nosler Partitions in my .30-06’s over the years. Grew up shooting one, the old rifle my youngest son now uses. We go after bear with the .30-06’s with no worries about having “enough” gun.
Noted Alaskan brown bear guide Phil Shoemaker uses and recommends the .30-06, and has taken some huge bears with his… He also has larger, more powerful rifles, but really likes the .30-06, particularly with 200 grain Nosler Partition bullets.
Here’s a quote from Phil: “Anyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.”
Phil’s website is: www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com
He’s expensive, but really well thought of for both moose and brown bear hunting.
On common game like deer, a 150 gr bullet is plenty. I tend to use the 165 grain bullet weight for almost all my hunting with the .30-06; deer, elk and black bear. I might favor the Nosler Partition a bit for elk & black bear, and the Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer, but either bullet works just fine. For my son’s old rifle, I load them to 2750 fps. For my newer Remington, the one you shot, I load them to about 2850 fps, and could go higher/faster no problem.
The 180’s are classic, and likely never a bad call. The 200’s and 220’s are heavy bullets, for the deepest penetration. The .30-06 handles those bullet weights well, though muzzle velocity on the 220’s is a bit low, 2500 – 2600 fps.
Craig Boddington, a noted hunter & author, recommends the .30-06 for most African plains game.
For me, I’d use a .30-06 on literally any North American big game animal, even the great bears of Alaska. One of the things I like about the good old .30-06, is although it’s powerful, it’s not overwhelming. A fellow can actually get out and practice with one, without getting beat up. It’s effective up close, or out at long range.
I keep mine sighted in at 200 yards. Hitting game at 300 yards is simply not a problem. A scope with some sort of “ballistic” crosshairs with holdovers in it for 300, 400 and 500 yards would make those ranges fairly easy. I prefer to limit my shots to about 400 yards, and holdover remains very simple. If I was intent on taking the .30-06 to Wyoming, I’d load sleek 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips to about 2900 fps and would consider zeroing it at 300 yards… Just to make those longer shots easier.
It’s not exotic, but it’s a great cartridge. There’s a lot of reasons it’s still so doggone popular. “The .30-06 is never a bad choice.”
Regards, Guy
When you mention game like moose, elk and African plains game, I sort of tune out all my thoughts about sub .30 cal cartridges.
I’ve never hunted moose, but have been around a few that other hunters have taken. They’re huge. The elk I got was big, really big. Africa? Some critters over there look pretty easy to deal with, others seem to be just as big and tough as elk, maybe tougher.
So I start thinking .30 cal, but not as hard kicking as a magnum. And instantly, there’s the .30-06 cartridge, a modern classic.
Outside of some very large, dangerous game, I don’t think there’s much on the planet I wouldn’t hunt with a .30-06 and good bullets. I’ve used everything from 110 gr varmint bullets, to 220 grain Nosler Partitions in my .30-06’s over the years. Grew up shooting one, the old rifle my youngest son now uses. We go after bear with the .30-06’s with no worries about having “enough” gun.
Noted Alaskan brown bear guide Phil Shoemaker uses and recommends the .30-06, and has taken some huge bears with his… He also has larger, more powerful rifles, but really likes the .30-06, particularly with 200 grain Nosler Partition bullets.
Here’s a quote from Phil: “Anyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.”
Phil’s website is: www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com
He’s expensive, but really well thought of for both moose and brown bear hunting.
On common game like deer, a 150 gr bullet is plenty. I tend to use the 165 grain bullet weight for almost all my hunting with the .30-06; deer, elk and black bear. I might favor the Nosler Partition a bit for elk & black bear, and the Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer, but either bullet works just fine. For my son’s old rifle, I load them to 2750 fps. For my newer Remington, the one you shot, I load them to about 2850 fps, and could go higher/faster no problem.
The 180’s are classic, and likely never a bad call. The 200’s and 220’s are heavy bullets, for the deepest penetration. The .30-06 handles those bullet weights well, though muzzle velocity on the 220’s is a bit low, 2500 – 2600 fps.
Craig Boddington, a noted hunter & author, recommends the .30-06 for most African plains game.
For me, I’d use a .30-06 on literally any North American big game animal, even the great bears of Alaska. One of the things I like about the good old .30-06, is although it’s powerful, it’s not overwhelming. A fellow can actually get out and practice with one, without getting beat up. It’s effective up close, or out at long range.
I keep mine sighted in at 200 yards. Hitting game at 300 yards is simply not a problem. A scope with some sort of “ballistic” crosshairs with holdovers in it for 300, 400 and 500 yards would make those ranges fairly easy. I prefer to limit my shots to about 400 yards, and holdover remains very simple. If I was intent on taking the .30-06 to Wyoming, I’d load sleek 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips to about 2900 fps and would consider zeroing it at 300 yards… Just to make those longer shots easier.
It’s not exotic, but it’s a great cartridge. There’s a lot of reasons it’s still so doggone popular. “The .30-06 is never a bad choice.”
Regards, Guy
