jacob.elliott
Member
i have killed quickly and cleanly with my 25-06 from 20 yards all the way to 200 using off the shelf bullets that cost no more than the 30 or 270, but i prefer handloads of course
What long-action caliber for general use?
- Thread starter mr.trooper
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Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Where's the poll? All are good, but I vote .30-06. Others have spelled out the reasons.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
The fun thing about the '06 is that you can load about 5 grains of pistol powder behind a double-ought pellet as a squirrel load. You can load an 80-grain pistol bullet to near 4,000 ft/sec, which is Rough On Rabbits. (Kill, field-dress and butcher in one easy operation.) Or, the old standard 110-grain varmint bullet if you're sorta lazy about experimenting.
Some teen-ager might take a 220-grain lead bullet and drill it out some and insert a .22 rimfire into it, backwards, after cutting off the lead from in front of the case. But I wouldn't really know about that...
Some teen-ager might take a 220-grain lead bullet and drill it out some and insert a .22 rimfire into it, backwards, after cutting off the lead from in front of the case. But I wouldn't really know about that...
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Say what!?
Can you please elaborate on what this hypothetical trouble-making teenager might do? I don't get it.
Vern Humphrey
Member
As the late, great Townsend Whelen was wont to say, "The .30-06 is never a mistake."
Dave P
Member
... and the 30-06 is the only one that will shoot thru 30" of oak, per Hatchers Notebook (as I recall). That ain't no squirrel load, Art!
My opinion may mean little since I have not owed a 25/06 or a 30/06 before. I purchased my first deer rifle at the age of 14 in a ruger km77 all weather .270. Mowed a lot of lawns to come up with the money for the rifle and a nikon to put on top. I have purchased a couple more .270 over the years but have not seen a need to expand to a 06. The .270 has taken black bear, elk, deer, and caribou. I have never felt undergunned with a .270 granted I don't have the choices that a 30/06 enjoys but a 130,140,150 grain bullet seems to do the job. If I feel that I need a little more power I'll take my .300 win. Just take your time pick your shots and the .270 will take down medium to large thinner skinned game with no problem.
jimmyraythomason
Member
For me,it's the '06 all the way!
Jack O'Connor?
I'm always amazed at the hay made over how "flat-shooting" the .270 is, too.
In good factory loadings, zeroed at 200 yards, let's compare the 130 grain .270 and the 150 grain .30-06. we're talking 6.5" vs. 7.5" at 300, and 21.5" vs. 18.5" at 400 -- even at 400 yards, less difference than the group size of a decent hunting rifle with decent factory loads, shot from a vise, not in the field.
The truth wouldn't have sold magazines, or the .270. The truth was that it was an interesting experiment with an oddball bullet size (.277" still is the odd man out after all these years), that was pretty damn close to the same trajectory as a .30-06, with lighter bullets that limit what game it's good for.
Does it work? Sure.
Followup...
In the US, there's one caliber that reall meets the "long-action general-purpose" requirement well: the .30-06.
In Europe, it's probably the 7x57.
That doesn't mean the others don't do something, or many things, well. It's just that "general purpose" may be the most "specialized" criterion of all.
In the US, there's one caliber that reall meets the "long-action general-purpose" requirement well: the .30-06.
In Europe, it's probably the 7x57.
That doesn't mean the others don't do something, or many things, well. It's just that "general purpose" may be the most "specialized" criterion of all.
jacob.elliott
Member
just get one of each
JImbothefiveth
Member
I think only factory ammo will be used, so that's not relevant.
Please elaborate. In theory, I may think that sounds fun, and be worried I will destroy my firearm tryng.
AllAmerican
Member
Dr Tad has made great points.
I had a choice of 30-06 or .270 and went with the .270 and havent been the least bit worried about the purchase. I do plan on a 30-06 but the .270 shoots flatter and will take deer all day long.
I had a choice of 30-06 or .270 and went with the .270 and havent been the least bit worried about the purchase. I do plan on a 30-06 but the .270 shoots flatter and will take deer all day long.
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10-Ring
Member
Easy. 30-06
I have been handloading and shooting rifles for over 30 years. In the past, I have tried all kinds of "exotic" cartidges and "improved" versions where I modified a standard case. Lots of fun but at the end of the day, the 30-06 is now my hunting caliber.
On a hunt in Africa, my custom 340 Weatherby Mag rifle was dropped in the rocks and the scope tube dented bad. Could not get it back to Zero. My back up rifle was in 30-06. I made the next week and most of the animals I shot with the 30-06. Last I shot was a stallion Zebra at 280 yards with worked up handloads with 200 grain Nosler partitions. Zebra dropped. When they cleaned it we found the Nosler on the other side of the body stopped only by the hide. Perfect mushroom. I made up my mind that I was using the 30-06 from then on.
I have used the other cartidges with excellent results and they have their merits, but they are not as near versital as the 30-06, especially with heavier bullets.
30-06 ammo is usually cheaper, is available in surplus, you can buy it everywhere, and it is a reloaders dream.
Get the 06, you can not go wrong.
On a hunt in Africa, my custom 340 Weatherby Mag rifle was dropped in the rocks and the scope tube dented bad. Could not get it back to Zero. My back up rifle was in 30-06. I made the next week and most of the animals I shot with the 30-06. Last I shot was a stallion Zebra at 280 yards with worked up handloads with 200 grain Nosler partitions. Zebra dropped. When they cleaned it we found the Nosler on the other side of the body stopped only by the hide. Perfect mushroom. I made up my mind that I was using the 30-06 from then on.
I have used the other cartidges with excellent results and they have their merits, but they are not as near versital as the 30-06, especially with heavier bullets.
30-06 ammo is usually cheaper, is available in surplus, you can buy it everywhere, and it is a reloaders dream.
Get the 06, you can not go wrong.
catspa
Member
ArmedBear:In Europe, it's probably the 7x57.
Oooh....Oooh...Oooh! Now that you mention the 7 Mauser, would it be a good time to tell you I'm absolutely ga-ga over it? Bullet weights range from 100-195 grains so I can cook up a load for almost anything (I can't afford to go to Africa).
Parker
Historic note: Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was the first smokeless powder cartridge (invented for the 1893 "Spanish" Mauser rifle).
Oooh....Oooh...Oooh! Now that you mention the 7 Mauser, would it be a good time to tell you I'm absolutely ga-ga over it? Bullet weights range from 100-195 grains so I can cook up a load for almost anything (I can't afford to go to Africa).
Parker
Historic note: Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was the first smokeless powder cartridge (invented for the 1893 "Spanish" Mauser rifle).
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
.30-06 is it.
Later if you decide you want to specialize there are many great rounds, lots of them listed here, to choose from.
But the jack-of-all-trades is the '06 without question.
Later if you decide you want to specialize there are many great rounds, lots of them listed here, to choose from.
But the jack-of-all-trades is the '06 without question.
mr. trooper, if you're still reading the thread I'd like you to know I don't feel the recoil of a .25-06 is bad at all (it IS LOUD). It is a decent all around deer rifle that can do double duty on varmints. Were you to ever hunt elk or bear a .30-06 would indeed be a better choice. 30-06 and 270 can certainly be used to shoot predators but if this is deer/predator rifle 25-06 not a bad choice. Clearly however, the 30-06 is one of the most popular , historic , versitile , everything in one American calibers with a wide range of available bullet weights.
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Redneck with a 40
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30-06 all the way, you can load 110 grain to 200 grain bullets, in a myriad of styles. Short of Grizzly/Brown Bear, it'll take any game on the continent. Bear is doable, but its far from ideal, you really have to put the bullet on the mark.
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