Favourite 30-06-based Cartridge?

[Blkram]

And after asking about your favourite 308-based cartridge, how could one not take this to the next level...

What is your favourite 30-06-based cartridge, and why?

I shot my first moose with a 30-06 back in 1989. An old Springfield rifle with open sights.
I have only owned one 30-06 since then; a very rare LH Sako L691 FS Carbine. I never did shoot or hunt with that rifle before selling it to acquire a lighter, rare LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS in 270 Win. (The second rifle in 270 Win that I have owned over the years, and still have.) I have taken mule deer, caribou, mtn goat, and moose with the 270.
My father and his younger brother argued whether the 30-06 or 270 was better for years. To avoid getting caught up in that ongoing battle, After learning about the 280 Rem, I went this route in 1992. Still one of my all time favourite cartridges. I have owned a few rifles in this chamering over the years, including Rem 700 Mountain rifles (never got them to shoot well with that light barrel!) and a Browning A Bolt that shot very well. Today, I have a semi-custom LH Rem 700 XCR in 280 Rem that shoots very well, and has both the LSS and XCR stocks pillar and glass bedded so there is no shift in POI when changing stocks for different hunts. I have taken mule deer and elk with the 280.

I have not had the chance to shoot, own or hunt with a 25-06, but have long said I should get one to match with my LH Rem 700s in 280 Rem and 338-06.

As stated, I have a 338-06 and love this cartridge. Very capable for large big game such as large bears, moose, elk and bison, and as previously mentioned elsewhere, debating on taking it for eland next year in Africa. My rifle started life as a LH BDL action in 30-06. Added a Wenig laminated stock, King barrel w/ 1:10 twist, NECG open sights and Leupold QR rings and bases. Tefloned all metal work for protection. I have taken black bear with the 338-06.

I have shot and hunted with a friend's 3 Whelen (too an elk with it). While I like it, and its performance, I just prefer the 338-06...and a couple of friends have the 35 Whelen and I wanted something different!

Favourite? Hard to choose between the 280 and 338-06!
All around, the 280 would get the nod...but for the heavier/hardier animals, the 338-06 gets the nod...with the latter getting the top pick, by a matter of 65 grains for the larger animals!

 

[JD338]

I started off with a 30-06. Shot my first deer, black bear, antelope. Used it for club matches and learned how to reload with it. In 1988, Remington introduced the 700 Classic in 35 Whelen and I just had to have one. From there I got another 700 Classic in 280 Remington and really enjoyed it as well.
Then came the 280AI and the performance was impressive.
It's a tough choice to pick one but I'd pick the 280AI.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I have owned several rifles chambered in 280 Rem and a couple chambered in 35 Whelen. I've taken a variety of game here in BC with the two cartridges. They work well for me. I'd probably lean toward the 280 just because of a longer association with the cartridge. I do own a 30-06. Truthfully, I've only taken one mule deer doe with the cartridge. Still, a great cartridge for the individual who has only one rifle.

 

[grry10]

There is nothing wrong with the 30-06 it's self. My first introduction was a Springfield 03A3 that had been sporterized. Today the safe still holds two, a M1 Garand and a Browning 1895. As for cartridges built of the 06 case, I have two 280s, a Ruger #1 and a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle, a custom 6.5-06 Ackley Improved, a 338-06 Ackley Improved on a 700 action with a Brux barrel, and a Remington 7600 .35 Whelen in the safe also. When the 6.5-06 Ackley was built I had thought about making it a 25-06, but went with a 6.5 instead. The Mountain Rifle, 6.5-06 and .35 Whelen can produce a 3-shot raged one hole group. The 338-06 isn't there yet, but I'm working on it. The #1 is 1.50"-1.75", but it has never been bedded. It is really a tough pick, but would go with the .280 Mountain Rifle. It was my father's last rifle.

 

[gerry]

Probably 35 Whelen for me with the 270 Win in a fast twist barrel close behind. They are all good rounds though.

In order after those:
25-06
8mm-06
280
30-06
280 AI
6.5-06
338-06

 

[RL338]

I have a 30-06 and a 35 Whelen really no favorite between them. The Whelen was filling a hole between .338 and .375. The 30-06 was an impulse buy for $280 when Marlin pulled the plug on the X7.

 

[SJB358]

35 Whelen. Hands down. Not because it’s necessarily better than anything but the cartridge just works for me.

 

[Guy Miner]

Oh man, this is easy! They got it right... the 30-06 is my favorite 30-06 based cartridge... 110 - 220 grain bullets. Varmints, predators, deer, elk, bear, grizzly... Anything in North America and most of the world. Rhinos and cape buff have been taken with the 30-06. Elephant maybe? So ya, I'm kinda fond of the 30-06 as is. Todays bullets and powders make it even better.

165 at 3,000 fps from a 24" barrel? Yes, it's a published load from Hodgdon...

Oh wait... I have to do something with it? Neck it down or up? My only other one is the 25-06... Which is my absolute favorite mule deer, pronghorn, coyote rifle...

100 grains at 3340 fps

115 grains at 3190 fps

Ya, I'm impressed. Every time that rifle gently nudges my shoulder on a hunt, something falls. It's not me.

So there ya go. Do I like the 6.5-06, 270 Winchester, 280/280 AI, 338-06, 35 Whelen, even the ahem.. 9.3x62 (okay not quite a necked up 30-06, but pretty doggone close) and even the 375-06 and 400 Whelen... I like 'em all. But the only two I own are 25-06 and 30-06. Pretty sure I don't need anything more.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

Oh man, this is easy! They got it right... the 30-06 is my favorite 30-06 based cartridge... 110 - 220 grain bullets. Varmints, predators, deer, elk, bear, grizzly... Anything in North America and most of the world. Rhinos and cape buff have been taken with the 30-06. Elephant maybe? So ya, I'm kinda fond of the 30-06 as is. Todays bullets and powders make it even better.

165 at 3,000 fps from a 24" barrel? Yes, it's a published load from Hodgdon...

Oh wait... I have to do something with it? Neck it down or up? My only other one is the 25-06... Which is my absolute favorite mule deer, pronghorn, coyote rifle...

100 grains at 3340 fps

115 grains at 3190 fps

Ya, I'm impressed. Every time that rifle gently nudges my shoulder on a hunt, something falls. It's not me.

So there ya go. Do I like the 6.5-06, 270 Winchester, 280/280 AI, 338-06, 35 Whelen, even the ahem.. 9.3x62 (okay not quite a necked up 30-06, but pretty doggone close) and even the 375-06 and 400 Whelen... I like 'em all. But the only two I own are 25-06 and 30-06. Pretty sure I don't need anything more.

Regards, Guy

Need…. What is this you’re speaking of Major?

 

[salmonchaser]

I’ve hunted from the Brooks Range in Alaska to Northern Mexico with an 06. My first was a sporterized 03-a3 when I was 12. Killed a rag horn bull and a good mule deer with it that year. That rifle started working its way down through my 5 younger brothers. I bought a Ruger 77 the first year they came out in 06. I still have and use that rifle.
If bad things happen and I’m forced to own just one rifle I believe it would be a 280AI. Next choice would be the 35 Whelen.
I guided a woman 4 years in a row who used a 25/06 with 120gr partitions for elk. Two of those were DRT. 2 required some tracking although well hit. I think the 25/06 is a hell of a good cartridge. None of the 06 spawn are over rated. They just plain work.

 

[Guy Miner]

Need…. What is this you’re speaking of Major?

I might be deluded. It's entirely possible. But I really, truly, love the good ol' 30-06... Especially revved up a bit with today's powders and bullets.

Dang it Scotty!

Guy

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Like Guy, I am smitten by the .30-06 itself. They got that one right and it just keeps getting better with age. I didn’t start out with it but I bought my first, a New Haven Model 70 Classic Stainless when I was 18. It was the first rifle I ever saw that had a matte stainless finish on the steel and came with a walnut stock.

Over the years we have made quite a team. I’ve used that rifle to take a bobcat, an aoudad ram, a whitetail buck, a pile of coyotes and mule deer and most of my elk. I’ve tried lots of different load combinations but about 10 years ago I settled on the 165 grain AccuBond on top of IMR4350, good for 2850 fps at the muzzle. It simply works great. It is without a doubt my favorite cartridge, and all 3 of my .30-06’s are Model 70’s. The other two are Pre-64’s!

However I have a deep and abiding love for the .25-06 as well. As far as .30-06 offspring go, it is my favorite. For many years it was the smallest gun I owned so it saw regular use on the ranches I worked for coyotes and deer, but also did well on elk. It is the only Remington 700 that I currently own.

I’ve owned a few .270’s over the years, finally taking a cow elk with my last one, a Browning BBR. But my nephew now owns that one. In a fit of sentimentality I gave it to him for Christmas last year. He’s a good kid and they are a Browning family. I like the .30-06 and .25-06 better than the .270 anyways.

I currently own a .35 Whelen built on a JP Sauer M98 Mauser action. Cool gun but not sure I’m going to keep it. Or I may get it rebarreled to something else, who knows?

Have shot several .280 and .280 AI rifles. Can’t remember if it was JB or Boddington that referred to the .280 AI as “the nitpicker’s .30-06.” I guess you could say that pretty well voices my opinion on them. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

The most unique .30-06 offspring I ever tinkered with was an 8mm-06 that my grandfather had bought at a yardsale. It was a takehome gun from WW2 that had been rechambered to the 8mm-06 wildcat. Simply run ‘06 brass into the resizing die and you had 8mm-06 brass.

It shot okay with our 150 grain handloads. I wish I would’ve used it to shoot some kind of game before gramps had it rebarreled.

The .30-06 is a grand old cartridge with quite a few successful offshoots. I suspect at least the most popular ones will be with us until the end of time.

 

[Wolfshead]

Definitely the 30-06!
Elk, Moose, Deer….
Along with its rich history, love it!

 

[xphunter]

280AI

 

[diverdown]

When I first started out as a hunter at 16Yrs. of age I purchased a Marlin lever in .35Rem. The second rifle was a Browning A-Bolt in 30.06. 165 Grain Sierra Spitzer boat tails was the bullet used. That rifle took a ton of deer over the years and I still have it. My 1999 Maine moose also fell to that rifle with a 180 grain Nosler Partition. I would have no qualms about using it for any North American game and I'm sure it would speak well in Africa.

 

[8MMX57JS]

1. 30-06- For its history and abundant choice of rifles and ammunition available.
2. 8mm-06- 200gr at 2800 fps, makes for a great moose gun
3. 270 Win, flat shooting and time proven
4. 280 rem- good compromise between the 270 win and 30-06
5. 338-06- Nice heavy hitter w/ low recoil.

 

[TexasLife]

270win is the only cartridge i own close to the or based off of the '06

 

[longrangehunter]

Well, who doesn’t know what a 30’06 is….. Well, that would probably be the newer kids on the block who are infatuated with the Creedmoor.

My real first high-powered rifle was a 1960’s Model 700 30’06 Springfield BDL, but had the pressed checkering type stock with what had to be the longest throat on any rifle on the planet! So long that 200 gr. Sierra GameKing’s or even 220’s were needed to help the problem.

I bought it used on the cheap $225.00 from a friend’s dad Michael Pinto, founder of pioneer engineering. My dad built his house, and somehow later on in life, I became great friends with his son Michael J. who by the way was adopted and was Filipino.

Mr. Pinto had a lodge on Lake Lauzon in Ontario Canada, he owned 1000 acres along the lake. It was a fantastic experience every time I visited there during the summer with my friends, and my good friend Michael J. Pinto, RIP my friend.

Rumor or not Mr Pinto had said that before they dropped the bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan, it was discussed up at his lodge in Ontario Canada.

I still have another firearm from my friends collection, a Super Matic Tournament High Standard .22 LR Military. One of the finest shooting .22 auto loading pistols you would ever want to shoot. Unfortunately I sold the M700 30’06 Sprg. and a S&W Combat 38 Special I had as well from my dear friend.

Since then I’ve owned them all except the 25/06, or the .243 Catbird. They are all great cartridges, and leave nothing behind that can’t take any game on Earth with a properly placed shot. Plus you’ll never have an issue finding ammunition , or the brass to load ammo.

That said I’ve owned more 30’06’s than the rest combined…… If I had to only own One rifle, and it was a 30’06 Springfield, I’d be content with that decision. But instead chose the 280 AI instead to take that role.