Polar Express
Member
After reading the 30-06 vs 270 thread, I was writing a reply. As I was reading it over before the post, it occurred to me that I might be taking the thread in a direction the OP’er did not intend, and that my thoughts and questions did not directly pertain to his/her post. I didn’t want to be a hijacker. I enjoyed the replies and the thread.
While I don’t expect others to make a decision for me, I have been brainstorming about a somewhat similar concept. After reading the other thread, I figured I’d post it up, and see what I may be missing in my thought process, and what suggestions and experience others may have.
I too, am wondering if I should pick up a 30-06. I don’t really have an interest in a .270. (If I’m going to do that, I think I’d rather go down to a .243.) I recently picked up an M1A, so I already have a 7.62x51. I also have a 7x57 (Ruger #1) and 8x57 (Mauser m98) as my hunting rifles. They work just fine, (I do need to find a new stock for the 8x57) so do I NEED another hunter? No. And, I don't really have a burning desire to add another hunting gun to the safe, just for the sake of doing so. My big reason is the two I have are not all that common, and as such, the ammo is a bit harder to find.
I don't reload yet, but, I'm ramping up to start. But, even with reloading, I’ve got to buy dies, and the consumables. I’ll bet I have less than 100 rounds of both combined, (including spent brass), and dies are likely going to be $50+ per caliber. Once that’s done, what do I have? About 60 rounds of one, and 40 of the other, and that 8mm, the bullet options are not nearly as diverse as in the 30 caliber category.
It just seems like you can go into any "ma & pa" type store and if they carry any ammo at all, they are likely to have a box of 30-06 on the shelf. I like that. In a way, it almost seems un-American not to own a 30-06. I've also considered picking up a .308 bolt gun instead. I could use the same brass, and just load up the hotter loads for hunting, and the mild-med loads for the higher volume in the M1A. It's a dilemma for sure, and if funds were free-flowing, I'd jump on both, and add a .338 to the mix for the big stuff.
If things go goofy on us, and ammo gets scarce, then having a gun that shoots a cartridge that is very available can be a huge plus, and simple case volume tells me you can get more energy out of the 30-06 than the .308, but I'll confess that I don't know what the exact numbers are, as I have not purchased a reloading manual yet. 'Holes-in-paper-power' is a lot different than 'drop power' at the same distances, and the purpose of this gun would not be just putting holes in paper. I have a lot to learn, but doesn't the 30-06 give you the best combination of the most power in a highly available package? Sure, the magnum cartridges have pack a bigger wallup, but, then you're back to the availability issue.
Either way, the more I think about it, I seems like I would be foolish NOT to pick up a .308 bolt gun since I'm going to be amassing large amounts of brass, etc. Nothing fancy, just a plain and simple, bolt gun. I’ve heard the Remington 700 is a pretty good value? And, if that is indeed what I do, it does seem a little silly to buy a gun that is just so similar-the 30-06. So, maybe then I make the jump to a magnum, but then I'm right back at the 'how available is ammo' question, and I’ve just talked myself into a circle.
It’s getting late, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
While I don’t expect others to make a decision for me, I have been brainstorming about a somewhat similar concept. After reading the other thread, I figured I’d post it up, and see what I may be missing in my thought process, and what suggestions and experience others may have.
I too, am wondering if I should pick up a 30-06. I don’t really have an interest in a .270. (If I’m going to do that, I think I’d rather go down to a .243.) I recently picked up an M1A, so I already have a 7.62x51. I also have a 7x57 (Ruger #1) and 8x57 (Mauser m98) as my hunting rifles. They work just fine, (I do need to find a new stock for the 8x57) so do I NEED another hunter? No. And, I don't really have a burning desire to add another hunting gun to the safe, just for the sake of doing so. My big reason is the two I have are not all that common, and as such, the ammo is a bit harder to find.
I don't reload yet, but, I'm ramping up to start. But, even with reloading, I’ve got to buy dies, and the consumables. I’ll bet I have less than 100 rounds of both combined, (including spent brass), and dies are likely going to be $50+ per caliber. Once that’s done, what do I have? About 60 rounds of one, and 40 of the other, and that 8mm, the bullet options are not nearly as diverse as in the 30 caliber category.
It just seems like you can go into any "ma & pa" type store and if they carry any ammo at all, they are likely to have a box of 30-06 on the shelf. I like that. In a way, it almost seems un-American not to own a 30-06. I've also considered picking up a .308 bolt gun instead. I could use the same brass, and just load up the hotter loads for hunting, and the mild-med loads for the higher volume in the M1A. It's a dilemma for sure, and if funds were free-flowing, I'd jump on both, and add a .338 to the mix for the big stuff.
If things go goofy on us, and ammo gets scarce, then having a gun that shoots a cartridge that is very available can be a huge plus, and simple case volume tells me you can get more energy out of the 30-06 than the .308, but I'll confess that I don't know what the exact numbers are, as I have not purchased a reloading manual yet. 'Holes-in-paper-power' is a lot different than 'drop power' at the same distances, and the purpose of this gun would not be just putting holes in paper. I have a lot to learn, but doesn't the 30-06 give you the best combination of the most power in a highly available package? Sure, the magnum cartridges have pack a bigger wallup, but, then you're back to the availability issue.
Either way, the more I think about it, I seems like I would be foolish NOT to pick up a .308 bolt gun since I'm going to be amassing large amounts of brass, etc. Nothing fancy, just a plain and simple, bolt gun. I’ve heard the Remington 700 is a pretty good value? And, if that is indeed what I do, it does seem a little silly to buy a gun that is just so similar-the 30-06. So, maybe then I make the jump to a magnum, but then I'm right back at the 'how available is ammo' question, and I’ve just talked myself into a circle.
It’s getting late, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!