30-06 for me?

[SinfulFate]

I'm very new to the hunting scene and I'm looking fr my first rifle. I'm going to be hunting whitetail deer and I was thinking about buying a 30-06. But there are some problems. I'm only about 5' 7'' and 109 lbs. and I dont want a gun I'll be scared to shoot. I've shot a 12 gauge pump action shotty and the recoil wasnt that bad, how does a 12 gauge compare to a 30-06 recoil wise? And if the recoil of a 30-06 is alot would a Remington R3 recoil pad and a Limbsaver barrell deresonator help alot? And if that wont change much is there any other calibers you think would be good for me? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Starter52]

The recoil of a .30-06 is less than that of a 12 gauge shotgun, IMO. This is when both are loaded with hunting ammo.

While a .30-06 is a fine deer round, there are many other choices. If you are taking your shots at under 100 yards the ol' faithful .30-30 will kill any deer you'll ever encounter. Likewise the .44 Magnum is good for close-range.

At a further distance the .270 is just as effective as the .30-06 on deer and has less recoil. I also recommend the 7mm Mauser. Even the mild-shooting .243 kills thousands of deer each season.

Lots to choose from.

 

[Frog48]

The recoil of a .30-06 is less than that of a 12 gauge shotgun, IMO.

I'd have to disagree. I can shoot my 12-gauges all day long with any load, but my .30-06 Savage really beats me up. To control perceived recoil, I have a Limbsaver recoil pad, and often shoot Remington "Managed Recoil" .30-06 rounds.

Could just be me, though.

 

[MrDig]

Quite probable that more American Game animals have been felled with the calibers 30-30, 30-06, 270,and .243 than any other. The .308 is way up there too but not so much any more. They all have their faults and deficiencies but all are good to choose from, among them the only caliber rifle I don't own is the .270. The only one I haven't shot a deer with is the .308 all have preformed the function of putting meat in the freezer. None have battered me to the point I didn't want to shoot them. although the 30-06 left some tenderness in my shoulder after about 60 to 80 rounds one day. Some of it was sighting in, some was just burning old ammo for the sake of punching paper.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

If I could have only one rifle caliber for ALL purposes, .06 would be the one (after the little .22 LR). Get something that is not ultra light weight and you'll be fine with the recoil. They also have some nice 'managed recoil' loadings out there. Honestly, you will get used to the recoil with practice.


There are MANY calibers that will work fine for deer, but none that will offer the range of ammo types offered in .06. If you get into something more specialized, you can always pick up a more tailored weapon (ie. .44 mag for brush country hunting, etc). And the ammo is really plentiful.

Just my opinion--worth what it costs ya Good Luck!

-Mike

 

[browningguy]

They also make managed recoil loads for the '06. It might be good for you to start with those, and work your way up to full power loads to get used to it.

The recoil pad is good, the barrel deresonator does absolutely nothing for recoil. I have four '06's, and even though I am not recoil shy (I also shoot a .458 Win on a regular basis), I always wear a Past recoil shoulder pad whenever shooting off the bench. No reason to let a flinch get started after all.

 

[rustymaggot]

i have read that 308 is twice as accurate as 30-06. its almost the same round as far as what it does and recoil.

as far as recoil goes, its all a matter of stock fit and butt pad. a stock that doesnt fit well will feel like it kicks twice as hard.

if i had money to spend again on a rifle id choose 308 not 30-06.

 

[Zullo74]

Rusty,

I have to disagree that the .308 Win is twice as accurate as a 30-06. I do believe that the .308 has a SLIGHT edge, but not twice as accurate. The old '06 can handle heavier bullets though which will increase the apparent recoil. You are right on the mark with your other statements.

 

[doberman]

Before I answer I have to ask what kind of terrain are you hunting? Where I hunt in MN (rifle zone) there is far too much cover to get a clear shot after 50yards anyway so the good ol' 30-30 does just fine.

My good friend hunts with me and he seems to have to follow a blood trail more then I do. He's either a bad shot or the more powerfull '06 round is "poking" right through at such a short range.

 

[rustymaggot]

give me a moment to find it, and i will back up my statements.

 

[rustymaggot]

"In comparing accuracy between the .308 and .30-06, folks who used each quickly agreed on one thing: .308s were two to three times more accurate than the .30-06. In the early 1960s, it was also observed that competitors with lower classifications using .308s were getting higher scores than higher classified folks using .30-06s; at all ranges. By the middle to late 1960s, all the top highpower shooters and virtually all the rest had switched to the .308. The Highpower Committee had received so many complaints of ties not being able to be broke between shooters using the .308 and shooting all their shots in the tie-breaking V-ring, something had to be done to resolve this issue. In 1966, the NRA cut in half the target scoring ring dimensions."

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/AccuracyFacts.asp

 

[doberman]

I think you are right. The .308 is the ballistic twin of the .30-06 until you reach heavier bullet weights. As far as accuracy is concerned...

 

[Zullo74]

Rusty,

This info is 40+ years old! I have competed with both calibers since 1982 out of both Garands and match bolt rifles from 100-1000 yards and "twice to three times as accurate" just isn't true with the .308W. For the last 10 years or so, the .308 W has been my primary mid to long range cartridge simply because the loading density to bullet weight (I use 155 grain Nosler J4's from 200-1000 yards) gives it a slight edge, but I can assure you, in this day and age, it's NOT 2-3X more accurate.

 

[Art Eatman]

Don't worry about it, rusty.

In box-stock configuration, it's about six of one, a half-dozen of the other. When you get down to "blue printing" for target competition, the .308 generally shoots a bit tighter and wins matches.

My father's two Springfield sporters and my old Weatherby all have regularly shot just inside of one MOA. Hunting rifles. No big deal. Many other '06s do just as well...

The only thing that really counts in a hunting rifle is that the first shot from a cold barrel, today, hits the same point of aim as it did yesterday. It's really rare that anybody needs more than two shots to kill Bambi so group size isn't all that important, once you know how your rifle shoots.

Shotguns' recoil is more of a push; a rifle's recoil, particularly in the under-35 calibers, have more of a sharp jolt. We're talking perceived recoil, not foot-pounds. If the stock fit is correct, recoil is less of a perceived problem than otherwise.

There are several recoil pads which really decrease the amount of perceived recoil. Much moreso than the old standby Pachmyrs of years past.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my '06 and loading for it and playing around with it. But there's no reason to not use a lesser-power cartridge. Not everybody plans on 400-yard or more capability as I have. I never saw a freezer hand out medals for filling it with venison shot with an El Gigantico Magnum.

, Art

 

[USSR]

"In comparing accuracy between the .308 and .30-06, folks who used each quickly agreed on one thing: .308s were two to three times more accurate than the .30-06. In the early 1960s, it was also observed that competitors with lower classifications using .308s were getting higher scores than higher classified folks using .30-06s; at all ranges. By the middle to late 1960s, all the top highpower shooters and virtually all the rest had switched to the .308. The Highpower Committee had received so many complaints of ties not being able to be broke between shooters using the .308 and shooting all their shots in the tie-breaking V-ring, something had to be done to resolve this issue. In 1966, the NRA cut in half the target scoring ring dimensions."

rustymaggot,

That was over 40 years ago, when the .30-06 was loaded down for use in the M1 Garand. Now days, with heavier bullets and slower powders, the .30-06 can hold it's own against the .308, and fill a niche between the .308 and .300WM.

Don

Krieger-built .30-06 with McMillan A2 stock and Leupold 6.5-20x50 mildot scope.

 

[Zullo74]

Art,

You are absolutely correct about a hunting rifle, and now that I look back, that is what was asked! Sorry Rusty and I got this OT.

 

[The Rifleman]

Sinfulfate

The 30'06 govt held the accuracy records in the military for over 60 years.

Don't listen to all this hog wash that these people are feeding you.

Like they say in the PEPSI commercials - you got the right one baby un huh!

Even the limbsaver barrel resonator is not needed for hunting whitetail deer.

If you are a good hunter, your best shots is going to be 50 - 75 yards.
My daddy had a doe last year that walked right up to the rock he was sitting on and he had to scare it away - it was within 15 feet!

Just make sure that what ever rifle you buy - it fits you. A poorly fitting rifle will kick more than one that has the right amount of drop in the stock.

You will never feel the recoil of the rifle when you are shooting at a deer.

I'm sure that during WWI and WWII that there were many people your size that did just fine with a '06. One person that comes to mind is Alvin York.

Alvin was not a large man, and he won the Medal Of Honor for his shooting skills and bravery.
http://www.alvincyork.org/AlvinCullomYork.htm

 

[ranger335v]

Shotty, the physics of the thing tell us you would actually have less discomfort shooting the -06 than I, at 200 lb.s. You are lighter so you would just move back further than I while I wouldn't move much and would have to absorb more of the impact. That's counter to "conventonal wisdom" but that's the way recoil vs. body mass is.

Ditto the wisdom of the ".308 being two or three times more accurate" than the -06. I know it gets into print from .308 fans but that doen't make it true, and it simply isn't true as it's stated in the article above. I have a light weight -06 that groups into 1 1/2" easily but I know of no sporting rifle in .308 that consistantly shoots hunting bullets into 1/2" or even 3/4". (I speak of consistant accuracy here felows, not the occasional 3 shot wallet target which is really a statistical freak.)

The .308 does have a SLIGHT edge in theroritical accuracy over the -06 but it's more like a quarter minute, or even less. That is usually lost in the much larger differencies between any two factory hunting rifles. Neither I nor a deer would ever notice any difference between them at 300 yards.

That said, as a beginning hunter may I suggest you reconsider and think of a .270 or even a 7mm-08 instead? Both have good range and plenty of power for deer and they do it with significantly less recoil. Less recoil will help you gain accuracy in the field and that's more important than paper energy numbers. Practice as much as you can, and not off a bench either. Later, if you ever go after moose or brown bear, get a bigger weapon.

 

[Zullo74]

Sinfulfate,

With all that has been said in this thread, Rifleman is correct when he told you that you will not realize any recoil when you are pulling the trigger on a deer or other game. It will still be there of course, but you won't realize it until after the shot. By the way, the Limbsaver barrel deresonator (gimmick in my opinion) is an accuracy device not a recoil reducer. The most important thing is to get the stock to fit you and you will be fine with whatever caliber you choose.

 

[The Rifleman]

http://www.alvincyork.org/AlvinCullomYork.htm

My .270 Remington Gamemaster with 130 gr bullets and 55.5 gr of IMR 4350 kicks just as much, if not more than the '06 with 150 gr. bullets and 58 gr of IMR 4350 in a duplicate model of 760 Gamemaster.

The 7mm'08 kicks a little less at the shooting range, but is not felt when hunting deer either.

I think it has a lot to do with being scared on the gun. You hunker down to shoot at the shooting range on sand bags and the gun kicks back on you and you get scared that it is going to do it everytime you pull the trigger.

Where as you can now buy a lead sled that is a gun vise type contraption that holds the gun for you while you pull the trigger at the shooting range - and you can get great results from it.

When I was 13 years old and started hunting, I was no bigger than you were. I was toting a Remington 721 / '06 and it was the worst gun in the world, because the stock was so straight that it was almost like shooting a broom. I shot a whole box of shells that year and no one had to come and pick me up off the ground after I shot.

A poor fitting gun in 308 will kick even more than a '06 that does fit you.

I put a depost on a new 7600 Remington in .300 Savage at the gun shop..
There is another caliber that is dead on accurate for what you need and will not kick like a '06 or 308!

 

[.38 Special]

I think one trouble with the shotgun-rifle comparo is that the shotgun is a dynamic weapon while the rifle is not, or at least much less so. I find that the recoil of the 12 bothers me much less than the recoil of the .30-06 simply because I am pretty busy while shooting at clays. My focus is not on the gun, therefore I don't notice recoil as much.

Regardless, the '06 is certainly fine deer medicine, and has been pointed out, reduced recoil loads are available.

There are many fine cartridges for deer, however. I would start with the .257 Roberts and work up from there. 6.5x55, .260, 7X57, and so on and so forth. All will kill deer neatly if pointed right, and none recoil enough to be troublesome.

 

[g5reality]

Remington 700 CDL

I too have been looking for a hunting rifle. I will be getting a Remington 700 CDL 30-06 or 308 haven't decided yet and a Winchester 70 7mm. I have a M1A in 308 and it's accurate up to 1,000 yards but it's to heavy to hunt with.

 

[rangerruck]

there are way many better carts out there, than the 30.06. such as 243, 6mmremmy, 257 roberts.25.06, 6.5, 6.5 swede, 260 remmy, 270, and many others will get the job done on deer , and not kick as hard. Dont forget a good ol 30.30 lever.

 

[K.L.O.sako]

well if your still reading this after that .308 30/06 thing. for a guy your size the calibers that come to mind are .243 .25/06 and 7mm/08. espesially just starting out. when i was 10 a friends dad let me shoot a 44 mag with a full house load, it nearly took my head off. he thought it was hilarious but it just freaked me out. if a 12 gauge didn't bother you too bad these will be a cake walk. and all of these calibers can be had in youth model stocks that may or may not fit you better, try a few and see. the others are right, stock fit means alot. all three of these are deadly on deer, easy shooters, and can pull double duty for other game. hope this helps. good luck

 

[NORTEXED]

I shoot a sporterized 03 in 06, original barrel, cut to 21", and it will shoot 3/4" 5 shot groups all day. I have repeatedly heard that the 308 has a slight /I] accuracy advantage over the 06 and the long range boys use it all the time, but 3/4" 5 shot groups from a rifle 80 years old , what more could you want. I installed a Pachy Decellerator pad on mine 5-6 years ago, and it helps a bunch. With light bullet loads, (110 - 150 gr. ) it's pleasent to shoot all day, and with it's capability of running the 220's, it will take anything in the 48, and with proper shot placement, (always important) Alaska too. The variety offered by the 06 is hard to beat (55 gr. accelerators up to 220). From a Hunting Arcticle "It's worth pointing out that the best of the standard .30-06 loads for long-range work, a 165-grain boattail softpoint, drops eight inches at 300 yards with a 200-yard zero and retains 1792 foot-pounds of energy. A 160-grain boattail softpoint from a 7mm Remington Magnum drops 7.2 inches at 300 yards with the same zero and has 1984 remaining ft.-lbs. A 180-grain spitzer, like Federal's Nosler Partition load, narrows the gap. With the same zero, it drops 8.6 inches to the 7mm's 7.9 inches, and it retains 1830 foot-pounds to the 7mm's 1960.
" That's 4/5 of an inch with a 5 gr. heavier bullet, from a gun that exhibits much less felt recoil. I was a long time comming to the 06, but now realize it will do anything I want from Coyotes with a 110 varmint bullet, to 180 gr. Noslers for big mulies.

ps: I will add like K.L.O. said too, a 243 will dust Whitetail all day long, and be more pleasent to shoot for a smaller lighter person, just not quite the versatility of the 06.