King of the .30's

[Anonymous]

All,

I think I got this one figured out. I dont think I am going to pick up a magnum. I think I will be eventually picking up a 30-06, only with a 26" barrel. I think the longer barrel and using some slow burning powder will help bring it up to the magnum class without having an actual magnum? I think that makes sense based on a few things I have read...

Thoughts?

I think if you want 180s at 2700…get an '06
If you want 180s at 3000…get a magnum.

You can do some creative loading with the '06 but there's no free lunch. A buddy of mine can get his 24" '06 to 2925 with RL17 and 180 Speers…but it's the upper limit before he gets excessive pressure and sticky extraction.

That's just a starting load in my WSM.

 

[DrMike]

Maximum chamber pressure is independent of barrel length. You can build velocity to a point; but it must eventually yield to the law of diminishing returns.

 

[Elkman]

I think I got this one figured out. I dont think I am going to pick up a magnum. I think I will be eventually picking up a 30-06, only with a 26" barrel. I think the longer barrel and using some slow burning powder will help bring it up to the magnum class without having an actual magnum? I think that makes sense based on a few things I have read...

Hodgeman says it for me. I killed a fair number of elk with an 06, with excellent results. I switched to a 300 WM in 1970, I would never go back.

 

[ajvigs]

The 300WM and 300WSM are not out yet. Still giving them some thought. I just like nostalgia, and the old '06 has been doing it for 100+ years now, and ammo is readily available. I do think though that if I ever were to look at a rifle just for elk and moose sized game though, I would jump right to a 338 WM :grin:

 

[gerry]

Honestly the 338 WM really doesn't do anything that the 300's can't do, but of course it is still good. The 30-06 with the new crop of sleek bullets can reach out a long ways and is even better than before.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Gerry, I respect your opinions but disagree with you on the .338 WM but I also like the .30-06. Cheers.

 

[Guy Miner]

All,

I think I got this one figured out. I dont think I am going to pick up a magnum. I think I will be eventually picking up a 30-06, only with a 26" barrel. I think the longer barrel and using some slow burning powder will help bring it up to the magnum class without having an actual magnum? I think that makes sense based on a few things I have read...

Thoughts?

Ruger has made a whole pile of real nice 1B rifles, in .30-06, with 26" barrels. Most are lightly used. David has one, that he uses with great results.

Love the good old .30-06, plenty of killing power in the field, and doesn't beat up the rifleman at the range. It's more than enough rifle for North American big game. I remember reading from Alaskan brown bear guide Phil Shoemaker that runs something like this:

Anyone who thinks the .30-06 isn't enough rifle for bear is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.

Or something along those lines. I about cracked up when I read it and should have saved it.

Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

Also - food for thought - I had a bolt action .30-06 with a 26" barrel. Shot it that way most of my life.

About 12 years ago I had it cut and crowned at 21 inches.

Haven't noticed one bit of loss of practical accuracy in the field. If I would have taken a 300 yard shot before, I will now, and the rifle is handier to carry & use. Still, if you just want a longer barrel and bigger numbers on the chronograph, go for the long tube.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

The 30-06 performs admirably with boring regularity. The only complaint I ever had about an '06 was that it was so pedestrian--everyone has one. I doubt that I'll be without one at any time soon.

 

[truck driver]

Also - food for thought - I had a bolt action .30-06 with a 26" barrel. Shot it that way most of my life.

About 12 years ago I had it cut and crowned at 21 inches.

Haven't noticed one bit of loss of practical accuracy in the field. If I would have taken a 300 yard shot before, I will now, and the rifle is handier to carry & use. Still, if you just want a longer barrel and bigger numbers on the chronograph, go for the long tube.

Regards, Guy

My Ruger 77 has a factory 22" barrel and all the deer I've killed with it didn't know the difference. The Winchester M70 has a 24" barrel but it's a donor that I haven't shot yet.( maybe ) :lol:
I have to admit that Dr Mike is right in that it's boring in a since that it just does anything you ask it to do with no fan fare.

 

[Anonymous]

I remember reading from Alaskan brown bear guide Phil Shoemaker that runs something like this:

Anyone who thinks the .30-06 isn't enough rifle for bear is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.

Or something along those lines. I about cracked up when I read it and should have saved it.

Guy

Phil did say that...but he also is a big fan of the .458WM and .416 REM-he wrote a fairly interesting piece some years back.
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?tocid=153&magid=15[url]

 

[Anonymous]

The 30-06 performs admirably with boring regularity. The only complaint I ever had about an '06 was that it was so pedestrian--everyone has one. I doubt that I'll be without one at any time soon.

That's sort of my issue with them. I like to mess with guns and write about them on occasion... and what can a guy say about the '06 that hasn't been said 1000 times over for decades?

I've bought and sold a number of fine '06s...they just can't hold my interest for long.

 

[Africa Huntress]

The 30-06 performs admirably with boring regularity. The only complaint I ever had about an '06 was that it was so pedestrian--everyone has one. I doubt that I'll be without one at any time soon.

so for something that not everyone has that can still get the job done and has done so for a few years----

oh, never mind

( Dr Mike, couldnt resist LOL )

 

[truck driver]

The 30-06 performs admirably with boring regularity. The only complaint I ever had about an '06 was that it was so pedestrian--everyone has one. I doubt that I'll be without one at any time soon.

so for something that not everyone has that can still get the job done and has done so for a few years----

oh, never mind

( Dr Mike, couldnt resist LOL )

Go get him Aleena he's got broad shoulders and can take it.

 

[DrMike]

The 30-06 performs admirably with boring regularity. The only complaint I ever had about an '06 was that it was so pedestrian--everyone has one. I doubt that I'll be without one at any time soon.

so for something that not everyone has that can still get the job done and has done so for a few years----

oh, never mind

( Dr Mike, couldnt resist LOL )

Touché! :mrgreen:

 

[Polaris]

Get your 30-06. Get a USGI 1 1/4" Garand or M14 sling. Then get a bunch of brass and a bunch of inexpensive 150 gr bullets of the cheapest variety you can find. An 8 lb can of anything from 4895 to H414 will push them fine. Then load up a bunch of mild loads, go to the range every chance you get and shoot the hell out of it from actual field positions. Don't get hung up on shooting cloverleafs from a bench, get hung up on shooting minute of vitals offhand to 100 and rested over a backpack, prone and sitting to 300 or 400 depending on your abilities. Work up to a 180 gr hunting load as you get closer to fall.

I don't think the extra 2-4" of barrel will make much difference. The '06 packs plenty of punch with the shorter tube provided you are competent with wind and range estimation which you should be after your practice regimen.

You will be a much better shot on game than you would be with a .300 magnum due to your familiarity with the rifle given all the inexpensive and less punishing practice you've put in.

 

[truck driver]

Nicely said Polaris and very true. :mrgreen:

 

[Ridgerunner665]

+1000 to every word Polaris posted...very good post.

If I had to nitpick it...I'd only debate the idea of starting out with 150 grain bullets...I understand where he's coming from when he says that (working up to full recoil)...and that's not a bad idea at all.

But in the spirit of getting familiar with your rifle and load, which is the single most important thing a hunter can do...I'd be inclined to advocate starting out with the bullets you intend to hunt with, find an accurate load, then spend LOTS of time shooting from field positions....sitting with shooting sticks, prone over a backpack, fanny pack, log, etc., standing rested against a tree, offhand, etc.


Bench time is good for finding accurate loads...not so great for general practice.

On that note...I was a long time coming around to using shooting sticks, only started using them the last 3-4 years...I now firmly believe they are the best/quickest/easiest option available when hunting open country...well worth the trouble of carrying them.

There are several options, but I use these and have no complaints.
http://www.primos.com/products/trigger- ... rt-bi-pod/

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Vince]

I love my sticks.
It's one of my best investments if I do say so.

 

[Guy Miner]

Love all this talk about practicing from field positions with your hunting rifle, no matter what it is...

OUTSTANDING!

Guy