[datruth]

ready to get back into hunting, blacktail, elk but just bought a new 30-06 savage 110, but wondering if I have enough gun and is a glock 20 in 10 mm a joke as a back-up sidearm , against whatever I should encounter, and Im open for advice on bullet selection, and/or a suitable sidearm

[Bartkowski]

A 30-06 will be fine for elk, and blacktail, and I don't see anything wrong with a 10mm as a back up gun. So good luck hunting.

[ReadyontheRight]

I am not experienced in WA, but I cannot imagine that you are undergunned anywhere on the planet. Unless you are specifically hunting very large, dangerous critters that need more stopping power like elephants or great white sharks (Chief Brody WAS under-gunned with his 30-06 in "Jaws").

30-06 and 10mm. Very nice combo.:)

[enkindler]

30-06 is more then enough, I hunt elk with a 270. As for the pistol, anything that is 24 caliber or bigger and has a barrel that is 4" or longer will be fine and legal.

[MCgunner]

If the handgun can shoot 2" or less at 25 yards, I would carry it afield, but I much prefer LESS. The 06 will be plenty for the lower 48, just match the bullet to the job.

[koja48]

Unless there are some critters in WA State woods of which I'm not aware, you're fine with what you have in both cases, datruth. 150 - 165 grain bullets for the '06 will work fine.

[DWARREN123]

You are good to go for about anything you will meet.

[eliphalet]

'06 is plenty, I would leave the "joke" home, extra weight unneeded.

[ID_shooting]

We have the mostly trhe same critters in Idaho that you do in Washinton, you are not undergunned. As others have said, match the bullet on you '06 for the target critter, bear, elk, deer, even moose in some parts. some will even overlap, a 165 gr will usually work well on both elk and deer.

As for your sidearm, 10mm is an outstanding choice for an auto-loader. Again, if bears, large cats, large dogs are your concern, just match the bullet for the job. You don't want light/fast SD loads but rather heavy penetrating ones.

The thing to remember about side arms, for the most part, you will have your '06 in your hands. Should Yogi decide to be a pest, the '06 will do more to adjust his mental state than any side arm will. After all, you aren't going to drop the rifle in your hands to get to your Glock are you? If you are away from the '06, which should be minimal even when visiting the "bush", than hard to beat a good 10mm.

Sasqwatch (sp?) may be an issue with your caliber choice, but I wouldn't worry about that one too much. ;)

Good hunting and stay safe.

[trueblue1776]

Under-gunned?

maybe for Jurassic Park.

[Vern Humphrey]

The .30-06 is adequate for anything in North America. For antelope and deer, a 150 grain bullet is traditional, for elk and moose, 180 grains is more common. A 165 grain bullet -- especially a modern, premium bullet -- is a good compromize.

I don't carry a backup gun (and don't really understand the concept.) If you have a rifle in your hands, use your rifle. You certainly won't have more power, accuracy, or range with a handgun!

On the other hand, I have shot may a squirrel, grouse, fox and other critters while hunting larger game -- so I carry a .22 pistol for such occasions.

[enkindler]

Vern,

One of the stupid laws in this state is that if you are hunting deer/elk you may not carry any weapon which would not be legal for the purposes of taking said game.

So if he chooses to carry a pistol in this state while hunting it needs to be 24 caliber or larger with a barrel of at least 4" length.

Its a good thing to know for people in this state who have their CPL that the pistol they use for normal carry is illegal to have on ones person while hunting.

[Vern Humphrey]

Ah, my bad. I keep making the same mistake, thinking that common sense rules.

[springmom]

You're good. My husband is going elk hunting next year in Wyoming and his outfitter has said that .30-06 is fine for them. Unless you've imported elephants into Washington state, I think you're fine :D

Springmom

[B.D. Turner]

.30-06 has taken everything in WA state but BigFoot and alien space craft.

[Millwright]

No one with a .30-06 in hand is hunting "undergunned" in North America. Like Paul Mauser's rifle action, the .30-06 is the benchmark cartridge all others emulate. >MW

[timmyb21]

Unless there are some critters in WA State woods of which I'm not aware, you're fine with what you have in both cases, datruth. 150 - 165 grain bullets for the '06 will work fine.

Bigfoot, but I'm sure the '06 would work fine for sasquatch as well.

[TehK1w1]

And if a Grizzly DOES show up, a few rounds of 220gr .30-06 should do the trick quite nicely

[Vern Humphrey]

And if a Grizzly DOES show up, a few rounds of 220gr .30-06 should do the trick quite nicely
a 180-grain Nosler Partition Jacket or Barnes TSX should settle Mister Grizzley nicely.

With the bullets and powders we have now, the modern .30-06 is not your father's .30-06.

[datruth]

I plan on getting a ported 6 inch ported barrel from bar-stow , but is the 10mm legal here in washington, thats the only reason I was going to get the
G-20, plus the have my first customized maybe send it Bowie Tactical or Robar for slide refinish , If anybody has some info please let me know so I can stay legal.

[jmorris]

I’d bet the 30-06 has been used to dispatch at least one of every large animal in the world. I think I even saw an “Elephant with 30-06” thread a while back….nope just checked it was “Deer with a 223”. Have fun with your new gun.

[BobMcG]

ready to get back into hunting

As you've been told, the .30-06 is just fine for all big game available in WA and the rest of North America for that matter. I'm curious though, do you feel you've made a poor choice in the past?

[jaholder1971]

You're good to go!

[Never No More]

The Army used 150gr in 30-06 to knock down people for many many years.

Ive knocked down everything (cept people) in WA state with ease. Elk, Bear, even a sea lion (dont tell anyone).

I use 150gr in my gas gun, and 178gr A-Max in my bolt gun.

Both 06, for thats all I will own.

[Nathanael_Greene]

And let's not forget that the Savage is a great delivery device, too. Durable and accurate, if it's anything like mine.

[broadsideofabarn]

Are there tanks roaming the wilds of Washington? :uhoh:

You'll be fine. Even against Bearzilla or a charging platoon of NVA, my only concern would be rate of fire, certainly not penetration or tissue damage with that gun. :D

[broadsideofabarn]

even a sea lion

There has GOT to be a great story behind this. http://forum.joomla.org/Smileys/joomla/popcorn.gif

[pfrnkln]

The '06 with 150gr Hornady Amax ballistic tips will give you great speed and a flat path with the knockdown power for anything you should see.
I have read an a few boards the the 30-06 is the best all around rifle for any big game in North America.
Good luck and enjoy your new rifle - I think you will find it may become your primary piece.

[glockman19]

The .30-06 will take any North American game except for bear. I'd bring along a .44 magnum as a sidearm and you're covered for them too.

[NRA4LIFE]

If you're hunting blacktail you're on the west side of the cascades. No grizzlies to be encountered. I believe the only evidence of grizzlies in the state are in the far, far NE corner of the state in the Pend Orielle and in the far North Central part around the Pasayten and North Cascades National Park. The Roosevelt Elk on the Peninsula and along the coast are the largest bodied elk and are formiddable creatures to bring down, I'm told. But .30-06 is sufficient.

[carnaby]

10MM Legal? In what sense? It's as legal as any other pistol you can imagine in Washington for any legal purpose. Hunting, self defense, whatever.

[JuryRig]

From regs:
Handguns must have minimum barrel
length of 4 inches per manufacturers
specification, and fire a minimum
24 caliber centerfire cartridge.

A hunter can only use a hunting
method that meets the equipment
requirements of his/her tag to
dispatch wounded game.

A glock 20 would be legal for hunting and dispatching wounded game AFAIK.

[MrDig]

No you will not be "under gunned" the gozillian caliber zombie stopper from Renchwristen Arms is a result of he who dies with the most toys wins syndrome and My toy is better variant of this syndrome. If you are hunting in Brown or Grizzly bear Country a back-up Larger caliber handgun or a 12 Gauge Shotgun is a serious consideration. If Dangerous animals are not native to your hunting area the 30.06 is more than enough.

[skinewmexico]

Now a guy down at the factory said his brother-in-law shot a Bigfoot twice with a 30-06..........

[Vern Humphrey]

And has the tanned hide on his floor as a rug.:p

[BobMcG]

The .30-06 will take any North American game except for bear.

Really? I'll bet there are lot bears of all species that wish that were the case.

[koja48]

Without the Kevlar vest, of course . . . :D

[RugerOldArmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by glockman19
The .30-06 will take any North American game except for bear.

Really? I'll bet there are lot bears of all species that wish that were the case.

I've never hunted bear. I've spoken a great deal with two Alaska guides though.

A distinction in 'enuf gun' is made depending on:

- If you are hunting bear OR
- If Bear are hunting you.

In the former, you might get an ideal shot for your .30-06, and time to prepare for a second. In the later case, perhaps not.

The internet seems amazed with bear defense, and we all love the .30-06.

I'll bet the majority of guides use .338, .375 H&H, or .45-70 for stoppers tho.

[zinj]

The .30-06 will take any North American game except for bear. I'd bring along a .44 magnum as a sidearm and you're covered for them too.

The .44 mag is a joke compared to the .30-06. The reason to carry a handgun in bear country is if you get separated from your rifle (or slug shotgun, as it may be).

[H&Hhunter]

The .44 mag is a joke compared to the .30-06. The reason to carry a handgun in bear country is if you get separated from your rifle (or slug shotgun, as it may be).

zinj,

You are EXACTLY right. A .44 mag in a pip squeak compared to an 06. I'd rather have a .30-30 than a .44 in a bear defense situation any day. I have no problem carrying a n 06 in DG country with appropriate bullets it makes a fine defensive rifle against various nasty customers.

My choice for carrying an 06 in bear country would be 200gr Swift A-frames or 200gr North forks or 180 or 200 gr Barnes TSX.

In Africa I'd feel just peachy carry an 06 with quality 220 grain solids.

I wouldn't go out looking for trouble with that combo but I'd not feel naked either.

A .44 mag is simply a stop gap it is better than nothing but it sure as heck isn't a stopper on DG.

[kmrcstintn]

yes you are most definitely...get a .340 Weatherby mag, .375 H&H mag, or a .577 T-Rex elephant gun :D

[HM2PAC]

Unless you are specifically hunting very large, dangerous critters that need more stopping power like elephants or great white sharks (Chief Brody WAS under-gunned with his 30-06 in "Jaws").


I'll put my Garand up against a 20' Great White any day, provided the thing has a tank of gas in it's mouth I can aim at.:D

[Vern Humphrey]

I'll put my Garand up against a 20' Great White any day, provided the thing has a tank of gas in it's mouth I can aim at.
Sharks aren't all that tough. Back in the days when it wasn't politically Incorrect, I've killed a few with a .223 bangstick. This is just a lance with a short chambered barrel on the end -- you jab it at the shark, and when it hits him, it goes off.

[plumberroy]

If the 30-06 does't stop somthing that 10mm or 44 mag sure as h*ll ain't goin' stop it,as far as smll game I've been squirrel hunting with a single shot 30-30 ackley imp. with lee 113 gr cast "soupcan" bullet over unique powder It does less damage the my 17 hmr

Roy

[Vern Humphrey]

Amen. I hunt everything from elk to squirrels with a .30-06 -- for small game I have a Hammond Game Getter, which fires a double-ought buckshot using a nail-setting blank.

[datruth]

I bought a Savage 110 for hunting up here in WA, its from walmart , but it was very accurate when I took it out the first time and this is my first bolt action, but the scope keeps coming loose the recoil is not bad after I slipped on a recoil decelerator pad even with the 220 grainers, what to do? I think I have time to up grade scope and mounts before the season starts, any suggestions scopes and rings under 500 dollars.for black-tail and elk hopefully

[datruth]

Oh yeah, the scope is the Walmart special Simmons 3x9 rifle combo with the savage

[dmazur]

Well, I hesitate to ask the obvious, but did you use threadlocker on the mounts? (Something like BLUE Loc-Tite...not the RED stuff)

I had trouble with a Ruger .44 Carbine shooting its scope mounts loose until I did this.

IMHO, as long as your scope holds zero and doesn't fog when it rains, it's OK. However, when have us hunters ever been happy with OK. So, if you have $500 to burn, look at a Leupold something. Maybe a VXII 3x9x40. With a decent set of rings, this should come in under your total.

[Vern Humphrey]

Two things to try - thread locker and lapping the rings. If you get full contact from your rings, you should have no slippage. If there are high and low spots, scopes often slip.