30-06 in the woods?
- Thread starter jrbaker90
- Start date
- Status
MinnesotaFats
Member
^ good stuff.
Ridgerunner665
Member
A little clarification...
Winchester model 70's (all versions) are heavier than most...that is true...but that is not to say that they are too heavy...O'Conner carried one on an awful lot of sheep hunts, and he wasn't exactly a young fellow either.
The weight thing has caught on as the biggest argument against model 70's...its an internet thing...and there is a grain of truth to it as is most often the case with "internet things"...but those "internet things" almost always get blown way out of proportion too.
Just an FYI...your model 70 will do fine.
Winchester model 70's (all versions) are heavier than most...that is true...but that is not to say that they are too heavy...O'Conner carried one on an awful lot of sheep hunts, and he wasn't exactly a young fellow either.
The weight thing has caught on as the biggest argument against model 70's...its an internet thing...and there is a grain of truth to it as is most often the case with "internet things"...but those "internet things" almost always get blown way out of proportion too.
Just an FYI...your model 70 will do fine.
Texan Scott
Member
I have always hunted close up in hilly brush country. I don't use Scopes at all anymore. Main reasons being I hit fine with irons up close, and scope with too much magnification makes tracking a running animal hard that close when all I can see is hair.
Obviously, you don't have the option of ditching the scope if you have no irons... just dial it down as far as it'll go.
Obviously, you don't have the option of ditching the scope if you have no irons... just dial it down as far as it'll go.
Andrew Leigh
Member
No according to the Sierra ballistics program. 180gr @ 2 700fpd will peak at 3.3" @ 125yds.
The OP won't be shooting past 100 yds so a zero at this distance give a flat trajectory to 125 yds and will be 1.2" low at 150yds. Perfect for the OP.
The OP won't be shooting past 100 yds so a zero at this distance give a flat trajectory to 125 yds and will be 1.2" low at 150yds. Perfect for the OP.
I was taught to never fire a shot unless I was sure of your target. That means "guesstimating" where the vitals would be would be a definite no-go for me. If you can't see where you expect the bullet to impact, you have no business taking the shot, IMO.
USSR
Member
I sight my Model 70 in .30-06 in at 30 yards every year. In the woods where I hunt, in most places you can't see 50 yards. Longest shot I have made is 60 yards; shortest shot is 6 feet. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I like to head shoot them and not waste any meat. Just sayin...
Don
Don
coondogger
Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 552
If I understand this OP correctly, you're asking if a .30-06 would do as well in the woods as in an open field. In my opinion, it would be the scope that would limit you in the woods; not the caliber of the rifle. A model 70 with iron sights would be just fine in a hunting area that has decreased ranges and might necessitate a snap shot.
That said, you'd probably be happier with a .30-.30.
That said, you'd probably be happier with a .30-.30.
Started hunting in the Georga woods more than 40 years ago with a 30-06 bolt rifle. In that time 99% of the hunters I meet have been using bolt rifles in 30-06 or similar chamberings with low powered scopes on them. In 40+ years I could count the number of lever actions actually used by hunters on 1 hand and have fingers left over. The other hand would account for about the same number of various Remington semi autos, every one in 30-06.
The only problem with scopes is using too much scope. Anything 4X or greater is a handicap. But a low powered scope in the 1X-3X range is faster on target, helps you see your target far, far better than irons in dark woods, and are more dependable. I've literally seen more iron sights fail than quality scopes.
The 180 gr bullets are much heavier than needed, but if they shoot accurately in your gun there is no real reason to change.
A scoped flat shooting rifle is far better for thick woods hunting than the "traditional" guns. There is no such thing as shooting through brush. ANY bullet that strikes even a tiny branch or leaf is going to be defelcted. The secret is to shoot through tiny openings in brush. A scope helps you see those openings in poor light.
Most people don't realize how helpful a flat shooting rifle is even at close ranges. My bolt rifles are all zeroed at 100 yards. From 50 yards out to almost 150 yards the bullet will never be more than 1/2" above, or below my aiming point. This helps tremendously in getting bullets through tiny openings even at 50 yards. A lever action 30-30 will at times be 2-3" above or below the aiming point at the same ranges. More than enough to hit branches in between you and the target at quite close ranges.
Rifles with arched trajectories are much easier to use at long ranges out in the open. If you know the range you can always aim high and hit the target. Even if you are talking about aiming high in feet, not inches. Try that in woods and your bullet is going to be deflected.
The only problem with scopes is using too much scope. Anything 4X or greater is a handicap. But a low powered scope in the 1X-3X range is faster on target, helps you see your target far, far better than irons in dark woods, and are more dependable. I've literally seen more iron sights fail than quality scopes.
The 180 gr bullets are much heavier than needed, but if they shoot accurately in your gun there is no real reason to change.
A scoped flat shooting rifle is far better for thick woods hunting than the "traditional" guns. There is no such thing as shooting through brush. ANY bullet that strikes even a tiny branch or leaf is going to be defelcted. The secret is to shoot through tiny openings in brush. A scope helps you see those openings in poor light.
Most people don't realize how helpful a flat shooting rifle is even at close ranges. My bolt rifles are all zeroed at 100 yards. From 50 yards out to almost 150 yards the bullet will never be more than 1/2" above, or below my aiming point. This helps tremendously in getting bullets through tiny openings even at 50 yards. A lever action 30-30 will at times be 2-3" above or below the aiming point at the same ranges. More than enough to hit branches in between you and the target at quite close ranges.
Rifles with arched trajectories are much easier to use at long ranges out in the open. If you know the range you can always aim high and hit the target. Even if you are talking about aiming high in feet, not inches. Try that in woods and your bullet is going to be deflected.
Andrew Leigh
Member
Yeah I was being a little pedantic.I'll see your Sierra program and raise you one QuickLoad....
Let's agree on point-blank minute-of-chipmunk.
Hokkmike
Member
jrbaker90, your rifle will be perfect!!!
ArchAngelCD
Member.
The 30-06 is my favorite cartridge and I have several rifles chambered for it. One of those rifles is also my main hunting rifle but in heavily wooded areas I sometimes use a levergun chambered in 30-30 that's equipped with a peep-sight. If it's a Bear hunt in heavy woods it's a levergun in 45-70. That doesn't mean the 30-06 is a bad choice because it's not. Like said above, make sure the scope is at it's lowest magnification.
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,434
I have a wide variety of guns and caliber, this year I am hunting in woods and useing a 30-06. No need for 180 gr for deer though, I shoot 165's or in a pinch 150's. 180's can go clean through before they expand much depending on the bullet, angle, and range. Any soft point centerfire will work but a 30-06 is always a good call and the benchmark of effectiveness. I thought about a lighter cal but I am hunting from a stand and will have to pick openings to shoot through and may not get a clean broadside shot. With the 06 I can hit the heart from any angle, and not wait for a clear broadside that I may not get.
- Status