Favourite 30-06-based Cartridge?

Ernie, always fun to see you playing with interesting cartridges in those hand cannons of yours!
Have you taken game with the 6.5-06?

I have long read about the 6.5-06, and it did pique my interest, as I already had a great affinity for the ol' 6.5x55.
The only drawback for me was that it wasn't a factory cartridge. I had hoped it might become a factory cartridge, as had the 338-06, but alas, it was not meant to be. (I long ago made the foray into wildcat cartridges with the 250AI, but decided then that it would be my one and only.) I was very happy when they adopted the 338-06 (and later the 338 Federal on the 308 case), and had wondered if there was hope that they would legitimize the 6.5-06.

Today, with similar performance coming from cartridges such as the 6.5x284 and 6.5 PRC, there is little chance of it. Too bad, as it sounds like a great performer. I think the short action cartridges with similar performance has taken care of that too.
And then, we saw the other, faster, long action 6.5s start to emerge, such as the 26 Nosler, 6.5 x300 Wby, and 6.5 RPM.

I still like to read about people having fun with the 6.5-06, and perhaps one day I will run into someone who has one and get a chance to at least try it once!
 
Blkram said:
Ernie, always fun to see you playing with interesting cartridges in those hand cannons of yours!
Have you taken game with the 6.5-06?

I have long read about the 6.5-06, and it did pique my interest, as I already had a great affinity for the ol' 6.5x55.
The only drawback for me was that it wasn't a factory cartridge. I had hoped it might become a factory cartridge, as had the 338-06, but alas, it was not meant to be. (I long ago made the foray into wildcat cartridges with the 250AI, but decided then that it would be my one and only.) I was very happy when they adopted the 338-06 (and later the 338 Federal on the 308 case), and had wondered if there was hope that they would legitimize the 6.5-06.

Today, with similar performance coming from cartridges such as the 6.5x284 and 6.5 PRC, there is little chance of it. Too bad, as it sounds like a great performer. I think the short action cartridges with similar performance has taken care of that too.
And then, we saw the other, faster, long action 6.5s start to emerge, such as the 26 Nosler, 6.5 x300 Wby, and 6.5 RPM.

I still like to read about people having fun with the 6.5-06, and perhaps one day I will run into someone who has one and get a chance to at least try it once!
Click to expand...
Have not killed any big game with it.
I have done well in LR tactical type matches with it though.
 
Blkram said:
Beautiful!
Is that the 25-06 or 280AI?
Calling dibs now, should you ever be tempted to sell! ;)
(Unless of course, it is to be bequeathed to a family member)
Click to expand...
That's the 25-'06. Details on the Ruger N.1... Jard trigger, McLaughlin barrel hanger, 25" BRUX barrel. Metal and finishing by Pete Mazur, Stocl by Gary Goudy. It's a good shooter.

Unlikely I'll ever sell it :cool:
 
Wenaha said:
That's the 25-'06. Details on the Ruger N.1... Jard trigger, McLaughlin barrel hanger, 25" BRUX barrel. Metal and finishing by Pete Mazur, Stocl by Gary Goudy. It's a good shooter.

Unlikely I'll ever sell it :cool:
Click to expand...
Don't blame you at all!
I got a couple in the same category!
 
My 25-06 AI




aRS5LB4.jpeg
 
My first hunts were done with a borrowed Wimnchster M94 in 30-30. At age 16 in 1954 I started handloading ammo, mostly with cast lead bullets. It's a long story so i'll just say I had some fantastic mentors that out up with me. Christmas 1954 it got a new rifle, a JC Higgins M50 in 30-06. Like Col. Whelen said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake and I used that rifle and another one in 30-06 for all my hunting for years. The year 1973 was a year of gun buying/trading that saw me with a .270 and a .308 Win. as additions to the list. I use both off and on during the deer hunts that year and again off and on during the few years that followed.
It wasn't until the move to Arizona in 1979 that I looked into other cartridges but in the following years picked up a couple more .270s. I failed to mention that in 1975 I'd picked up my very first Ruger #1 and it was a 30-06. Two years later I picked up another one in .300 Win. Mag. and it was very accurate so I hunted with it a lot. Since then, I've picked up more Ruger #1s in 30-06, .270 Win. 25-06 and various other chamberings running from the .22 Hornet to the .416 Rigby. Last but not least, my other 30-06 based cartridges are a custom 1909 Argentine Mauser in .280 Rem. and a custom Mauser I picked up at a gun show in .35 Whelen. Needless to say that .35 has become quite the favorite as it's my lucky elk rifle.
I would like very much to find a Ruger #1 in .35 Whelen but people that have them either are not selling or want way more than the worth for their rifle. I do have two in 30-06 so I could easily farm one out for a rebore job.
Paul B.
 
Ernie, it truly amazes me what you can do with recoil reduction and long range accuracy. Outstanding! Thanks for the video.

I have to say my first choice would be the 35 Whelen. I’ve never owned one but when it comes to doing everything I think it would be hard to beat. As far as my favorite, I’d choose the 270 Winchester. I can’t overthrow my coverage with it, and it’s accurate, consistent, along with easily found.
 
Man alive, they’re all pretty darn good! I love the 30-06 itself and that’s what I cut my teeth on when I was young. It’s never a bad choice!

I later graduated to the 270 after a friend and we’re hunting elk together, him with his dad’s 270 and me with a 300 Win Mag. We busted a herd of elk at about 300 yards and shot simultaneously. The herd ran off but two cows dropped inside of 50 yards. My shoulder was sore but his wasn’t and I paid about twice as much for my ammo. It got me scratching my head and made a believer out of me that day.

All was good until I started seeing the groups from JD338’s 280AI here on the Nosler Forum. To say I was impressed is an understatement, especially when you can push a 160gr bullet at 3000 fps and still have four in the magazine.

I’ve never had a 26-06, but have a big respect for them as I’ve seen what they do on coyote, mule deer and the occasional elk.

If you really pinned me to the wall and made me choose I’d still have to go with the 270. It just does so many things well and you can find it in just about any store that sells ammunition in the offhand chance you left your handloads at home.

V/R,

Joe
 
Blkram...I see no real "need" to tell/ask my little Bride about any new rifle " I want, lol
JD...I like the 280AI, but never had one in the right weight, barrel and ran out of time to play with it more when it was a widlcat. I just stepped up to the 7mags, ha. However...the right 280AI is wicked. :)
 
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