06 calibers

[theleo]

For hunting in timber I like my 338-06, for more open country I like my 280 AI. If you look at the numbers the 338-06 normally has more energy out 200 yards or so and then starts dropping pretty fast. My 280 AI is far more pleasant to shoot and gives me 5 shots groups hovering around .75" at 200 yards over a bench. The 338-06 shoots under 1" at 100 yards but it's set up with a 3-9 scope with post reticle for closer shooting and it doesn't lend it's self to accuracy like the 280 AI with 4.5-14 Burris ballistic-plex does.

Accuracy will depend more on the reamer and gun smith than the cartridge itself.

 

[Catpop]

I love it when my old 300 super gets mentioned! Long live 300 H&H.
I also love my 1903 and win 70 30-06s.
Not to mention my 1903-A3 custom .270.
Gosh, I guess I never met a rifle I didn't like!

 

[jmr40]

It is hard to go wrong with the original. With 130-150 gr bullets a 30-06 will do anything the 25-06 or 270 will do. With the best loads a 30-06 will have around 2" more drop at 500 yards, not enough to matter.

The 35 Whelen and 338-06 look good at the muzzle, but the better 200-215 gr 30 caliber bullets will be only slightly behind them at the muzzle. The MUCH better aerodynamics of the heavy 30's mean they pass the 33's and 35's energy levels at around 100-125 yards. Beyond 200 yards the 30-06 handily beats either of them and doesn't give up anything at closer ranges.

I've had all of them, sold 'em all and just use the 30-06 with a wide variety of bullets. Bullet availability is the key. There are very good 30 caliber options to cover any need. Not so much with any of the other calibers.

If I just wanted to be different I'd go back to the 280. It has enough options for good bullets to do most anything. On paper it shows some advantages over 30-06 and if I didn't already own several 30-06 rifles with too much history to sell I'd be tempted. But I ain't selling them, and the 2 are too close to justify owning both.

 

[sage5907]

When you listed the 25-06, the 270 Winchester and the 30-06 you listed my 3 favorite cartridges and I load for them and experiment with them all year long. Assuming you already have the brass the cost of loading each is about the same. But, trying to buy 25-06 brass now is difficult. You can buy 100's of 270 and 30-06 once fired brass on GunBroker at a reasonable price. I would say the 270 Winchester is the easiest one to just load and shoot minute of angle groups. It is one easy cartridge to load for and they are inherantly accurate rifles. The 30-06 is by far my favorite cartridge but they are a little more picky to get the pinpoint accuracy. About a year ago I started using Reloader 17 powder to load all three cartridges and it really works. I think what makes all three cartridges work so well is that each is capable of sending a medium weight bullet down range at somewhere between 2850 and 3000 fps and they will all do that without big wear & tear on the brass.

 

[rayatphonix]

Since you plan on using this rifle inside of 400 yards I don't think it matters all that much. At longer ranges I think the 6.5 - 06 is the best choice. Btw I have all the options other than the 6.5 and 338.

 

[dgod]

30 Caliber is the way to go, Lots of ammo available, and theres reloading all kinds of solutions. I shoot/Reload: 30-30, 308, 30-06, and 300 WinMag. All of which shoot the .309 caliber bullets.

I have had best luck with the lighter bullets in the 30-30, 308, Bullet weight up to 110-200gr

Reloading everything from .223 Sabot in 300 WinMag to 220gr ELD-X in 308, 0-06 & 300 WinMag. And 200gr ELD-X in 308, 0-06 & 300 WinMag.

 

[Nature Boy]

The fix? Buy both lol... Yeah baby!!!

Always the "A" answer!