Am I missing something without a 30.06?

Status
Not open for further replies.
mainecoon

mainecoon

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
472
Currently I've got a 22-250 for targets and a .243 for deer. I don't need a 30.06, but everything I've heard says this is a legendary caliber that just needs to be part of a collection. Is it worth looking for some 30.06-worthy animal to shoot to justify the purchase?
 
If you never intend on shooting anything other than Deer or small game you are just fine with your .243. If you think you will go for Mule Deer and possible larger thicker skinned game the 30-06 is the cartridge.

I own 2 main bolt action hunting rifles, both are Howa 1500's. One is in .223 and the other is a 30-06. Those two will cover any game in North America IMO. I do have other hunting rifles but they are leverguns and rimfires.

My first hunting rifle was a 30-30 and the next was a 30-06.
 
Yes, I was under gunned with a couple of 308's, so broke down and bought an M1 from the CMP. My collection is now complete;)
 
I used to spend a lot of time trying to decide which cartridge I liked the best. I tried the 25-06 for several years, the 270 Winchester for several years, and finally settled on the 30-06. Once I picked the 30-06 I spent the next few years trying to decide which 30-06 load I liked the best. Got that one figured out. Now I spend my time trying to decide which pre 64 Model 70 I like the best. It's a tough job but someone has to do it!
 
I have 2 30-06 rifles, one is a wall hanger for the most part but the other gets a lot of use. My wall hanger is a 1903 Springfield manufactured in 1915, the other is a Savage and I have multiple loads worked up for it from 125 grains to 165 grains. The 30-06 is a do everything well rifle, its uses are for everything from punching paper to coyotes or deer. I am sure if you were to go to Alaska the 30-06 would be right at home there as well.
 
Even if you just use it a couple of times a year at a rifle range or for casual shooting you should own one. It's a world classic born in America.
 
i'd say you need one. and no need to find another critter to hunt, just find a load that you and the rifle shoot accurately and use it for deer.

i wouldn't be without mine.
 
if you NEED a 30-06 you NEED a bigger gun , the 308win will do just about everything the 30-06 will with less recoil and in a lighter short action , plus if you hand load you will save on powder and get about the same results , now if you WANT a 30-06 and need help making the jump , well if you think you might someday want a military weapon like a M1 Garand , then go with a 30-06 that way you can share ammo,

I go from a 308win to a 270win to a 7mmWSM so I have no NEED for a 30-06 but I do want a Garand some day , just because :D





.
 
I justify my purchases of different calibers by saying that I had to because I didn't have one. I justify purchases of calibers I already own by saying "I already have the ammo for it" and sometimes I buy something just because I want it. That is how I got hooked on muzzle loaders........

An '03 Springfield or a Garand is a great addition to any collection!
 
By having the 30-06 it gives you options. You can load it up or down. It has countless factory offerings...You also can find ammo from large retailers to mom and pop shops...Also just about every firearms company offers that caliber so you have choices in what to buy...from mice to moose you have it covered with the 30-06. Leave out the Big brown bears...not saying it won't do in a pinch...but not the first choice for many. In the world of Maine it would be a great addition to your collection. Good Luck.
 
I personally think that the day you are born you should have issued to you ( as the bare essentials in preparation for life ) a rifle in each of the following 22LR, a 30-06 , and a 12 gauge shotgun . :)

Unless you are born in the South in which case a 30-30 lever action should be added to that list. ;)

I am a huge fan of the extremely versatile 30-06.

Tentwing
 
If you never intend on shooting anything other than Deer or small game you are just fine with your .243. If you think you will go for Mule Deer and possible larger thicker skinned game the 30-06 is the cartridge.
Click to expand...

What, is a mule deer like a grizzly or something, compared to a regular deer?

OP, depending on your tolerance of recoil, you might buy a .30-06 and one day realize you don't really need it. Tough to say. I use .243 for mule deer and bear every year.
 
maincoon, don't worry about finding more animals, unless you want too.
But yeah, get that ought six, if for no other reason than to have fun punchin paper along side the other two.

You didn't say whether you reload but those three calibers can each be a blast (pun). A range day side by side would be great fun in itself. Learning the ballistics of each...and competing against yourself would be a hoot!
 
I've (over the years) refined a Remington 700 30.06 down to a .308 Ruger (and a .308 Garand), and now to a 7mm08 Tikka. I keep it simple, below that are .22's.

I live south of the Mason - Dixon line (Shreveport, LA.). Were I north of it a 30.06 would likely be in the quiver. I would feel good with it for anything up to Brown Bear (that's WAY north of me). For that I would want .338.

I don't need it now, but for enlarging my territory and scope, nothing is more versatile. Still the universal North American Rifle cartridge until you get somewhere near the Arctic Circle.
 
If you are a deer hunter and you have only a 22-250 or a 243, I'd say sell both and get a really nice 30-06. I could get by with a 243 or a 22 Centerfire to kill deer, but I'd rather have a nice 3o-o6 shooting 165 grain Federal Fusion bullets doing at least 2800 FPS to hammer the point home.
 
Don's bought seven of them and I own four of them and I'm eyeing a Garand to boot.

I shot for many years looking sideways at the .30-06. There are so many newer, better whizbang magnums to choose from! Why would anyone want an old moth eaten .30-06? Answer: Because there is very little you can't get done with the good ol' aught six. Besides, you can get ammo anywhere that sells ammo and it is probably one of the easiest cartridges to load for.

Yea, you're missing something alright. And you need to do something about it! :D

Poper
 
If your Mainecoon kitty gets as big as some I've seen you may need a 30.06 for it if it decides it wants to be boss. ;)

I bought my 30.06 because it's an American institution. It can be loaded up to take on moose and black bear or loaded down to kill sqirrels if you like (and still have parts left that you can find). The way they sell low power cartridges off the shelves these days it's like having a rifle that goes all the way up from a .223 to almost a .300 win mag. That is versatile. By carrying different cartridges in your pockets you can be ready for anything from rabbits to wild boar to black bear to moose. And chances are you can find a gas station in the mountains that is open on Sunday and sells 30.06 ammo. Well in normal times you can. It's not as prevalent as it once was but it still happens.
 
If you don't have a 30-06 you are missing something. That something is known as "Rifle, Caliber .30, M1", or M1 Garand for short.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

mainecoon
  • Locked
Will a 6.5 Creedmore change your life
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
157
Views
6K
Odd Job
Odd Job
F
  • Locked
Help Wanted 30.06 rifle remington failure
2 3
Replies
62
Views
3K
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
G
  • Locked
Researching a Project and Need Help
Replies
2
Views
356
grace2u
G
M
  • Locked
Virgin reloader here. Am I on the right track?
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
mickeydim468
M
Thomasss
  • Locked
Am I missing something? Loading for a Garand.
2
Replies
32
Views
890
Jeremy2171
Jeremy2171
Back
Top