.30-06 question

[aceoky]

Here is a good read by Jim Carmicheal on the .30-06's 100th birthday.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/article/S...rthday-.3006/1

He wrote another article several years ago on the 30-06. That article was about how every other rifle's standards are always compared back to the .30-06's numbers. He made a good argument that would answer your question as , "yes" the .30-06 is the perfect round. In his arguements, he compared the 06 to the hyper-loads, they win in those small sets of gopher busting at 300 yds and he compared elk busting at 300 yds against ultra mags, they would edge out there. BUT, at end of day to pick up a rifle that was just plain GOOD on gophers/deer/bear/elk the 06 was the rifle he would have if he could only have one.
I would agree too. Love mine.

Speaking of good ole Jim, he has admitted (though he is famous for writing about the .270) the 30/06 is the best thing going, (he said the 30/06 had been "written to death about" and as a writer he HAD to find another newer round in order to make a good living)

[KY River Rat]

I agree the 06 is just about as good as it gets. However they are like opinions... Every body has one. That's why I have to be different and buy the odder rounds.
But if could only own one rifle......3006

[mwezell]

A better question may be....what's not to like about a 30-06. For an all around, do everything caliber for this part of the country, I can't think of much wrong with one.---Mike Ezell

[capnball45]

from 55 grain sabot bullets for small game and varmints, to 220 grain bullets for large dangerous game, no other cartridge has enjoyed so many loadings. The .270 is the 30-06 necked down to .27 cal. The .308 is made from a shortened 30-06 brass. the7mm-08 is the .308 necked down to 7mm. The .243 is the .308 necked down to .24 cal. All of these cartridges are directly linked to the 30-06, and there may be a couple more less popular bullets that can be traced back to the .30-06.

[retiredbowhunter]

Versatility and bullet selection. If I could only have one gun, that's what it'd be.

As very well stated...the widest bullet selection of probably any one cartridge that there is.

I will say...sold mine very quickly after finding a deal on 300 win mag. Between my .243, muzzle-loaders, and the newer 300, did not feel the other 30 caliber was needed in the stable.

If you budget is limited and you are looking for only ONE gun to do it all...the 30-06 has stood the test of time. Plus...look hard enough and you will find a good used rifle for good price.

[A.K.A. GROUSEGUNNER]

I use a model 70 (Boss system) and I love it, even though it's a fairly cheap rifle it shoots very well. A few years ago I hit a store that was going out of business and bought several boxes of Winchester Supreme GXP2 ballistic Silvertip 150gr. To get to the point, is there a better round out there now that you would recommend for deer? Even though I have several of these rounds left, I think I would like to make a upgrade.

Ryan,

your using the right cartridge, but sounds like your shooting the wrong projectile. If you want to buy a set of dies & a few other supplies, we can fix that. or better yet, you've got an awesome action to build a real shooter. once you have a custom/semi custom rifle built, you'll never look at a factory stick again. shout at me.

[Dead Deer Walking]

I just put 8 rounds of 180gr Winchester ballistic tips through my Rem700 bdl 30-06 from a bench at 100 yds to target. I covered all the holes (Well one big hole) with a quarter. The older the gun gets the better it seems to shoot. I have other centerfires, but I always end up taking the 06. After 20 years, it's like a member of the family.

[aceoky]

I use a model 70 (Boss system) and I love it, even though it's a fairly cheap rifle it shoots very well. A few years ago I hit a store that was going out of business and bought several boxes of Winchester Supreme GXP2 ballistic Silvertip 150gr. To get to the point, is there a better round out there now that you would recommend for deer? Even though I have several of these rounds left, I think I would like to make a upgrade.

I've killed several deer with the Silvertips, they open fast and hit hard, no doubt "but to me" they damage a great deal of meat that shouldn't be.
I switched to the 165 grain Hornady Interlock and IF I were planning to use my 30/06 for deer this year, I'd probably handload some Hornady interbonds also in 165 grains. I'm going to change ( I think) this year LOL and want to take a deer with my .45 Ruger and/or with youngest son's .243 as I've killed so many with the /06 and know either (depending on range) will do the job well, I want to try either/or this season (which may or may not change depending on time to hunt etc.)

While 150 grains is "more than enough" for deer/antelope size game, ...... IMO 165 grain bullets do the job just as well with MUCH less meat damage.... YMMV

[kyfuzzyface]

I have 2 setting in the safe one I have had from the mid 70s and was my first centerfire the other was a uncles that passed a few years back, I use some of the others I have but wouldn't get rid of either 30.06 is a good round .ALL around

[wkyoutdoorsman]

I've killed several deer with the Silvertips, they open fast and hit hard, no doubt "but to me" they damage a great deal of meat that shouldn't be.
I switched to the 165 grain Hornady Interlock and IF I were planning to use my 30/06 for deer this year, I'd probably handload some Hornady interbonds also in 165 grains. I'm going to change ( I think) this year LOL and want to take a deer with my .45 Ruger and/or with youngest son's .243 as I've killed so many with the /06 and know either (depending on range) will do the job well, I want to try either/or this season (which may or may not change depending on time to hunt etc.)

While 150 grains is "more than enough" for deer/antelope size game, ...... IMO 165 grain bullets do the job just as well with MUCH less meat damage.... YMMV

This is my 3rd year using the Hornady Interlock in my 30-06 and I can't see switching to anything else. I switched from the Remington Core-Lokts to the Hornadys and I have not been disappointed. I love the internal damage the bullet causes and without doing excess damage on meat. I've said it before and I'll say it again you just can't do much better than a 30-06 on overall performance for all different game of all different sizes. When it comes to efficiency and versatility that is where the 30-06 really shines.