30-06

[AZ Vince]

I've got a question and wondering what you all think.

Currently I have a 22" barrel 30-06 that I'm happy with. It's a half MOA rifle. I'm considering getting a second one with a 26" barrel to take advantage of some of the slower powders and heavy bullets.

This would be a two 30-06 combo with the longer one being used out to 600 meters on deer and elk. I know there are better rounds but I'm not wanting a magnum. Because of using a left hand action I'm limited to using a long action.

So what say you all? The 22" is set up for woods hunting. The 26" would be for more traditional western hunting where longer shots are possible. Someone told me I'm wasting my time with a 30-06. I'd like to know what you all think.

I also have a 6.5x284 and .338 Win Mag in the battery. I know the 6.5x284 is good at longer ranges but the 30-06 has started calling to me and this is a custom rifle.

Vince

 

[realunlucky]

Vince my setup shooting 165 grains has over 60" drop out past 500 yards. I think there are much better caliber choices if your going to be reaching those ranges.

 

[mt100gr.]

Personally I really like the 06. It's not a new age whiz-bang caliber but it's plenty capable. I have 4 rifles chambered in it currently, and might add another down the road just because. I have a Weatherby with a 24" barrel, a Savage with a 22", a TC ProHunter with a 28", and a 700 Rem with a 24" (I think) with modern bullets and the ballistic info available I consider it a contended for what you are talking about. Yes, some calibers may do it better or faster or flatter or ??, but if the 06 is speaking to you I would say go for it.

 

[luke moffat]

I think I'd use the 22" barrel for both applications, but I like short barrels and will trade handiness over a 100 extra FPS.

Or just get a 300 WSM with a 22" barrel and get the same speed you'd see with a 26" barrel 30-06

 

[GLB]

I like the 3006 for what it is. I have one built with a varmint contour Bartlien barrel at 24" I can push 175 and 180 at 2900 fps with good accuracy. I would try the 180 Accubond for hunting and for powder I would try IMR 4350, H4350 and Reloder 22. I think 600 yds is just fine with the right load and of course a good hit. A lot of people will tell you there are better calibers to use for that and they are correct, but I say use what you got and understand the limitations.

 

[GKPrice]

GLB - for what my opinion is worth I'd say go with what Luke says - the venerable 30-06 has surely done it all, and in most cases done it well (or well enough in some cases) A lot of the '06's mystical powers come from wartime experiences but even there, as soon as there were solid appearances by "better" long range performers a good number of snipers began using them - a key factor to consider is that a deer (or human) and an elk present very different targets to put down - a 250 yard hit and a 600+ yard hit are two very different things, especially when the '06's "capabilities" are the finite topic - Any launched bullet will have an arc, learning the curve at given distances as well as how to dope the wind are very different things for different chamberings when "elk" is thrown into the discussion - I would bet that many, many of us have taken a shot we categorized as "a stretch" at that moment using what we had in our hands (I certainly have) but, again IMHO, building a rifle specifically for that intended task is, to me, another subject altogether - As any of us who hunt them knows, ELK are very tough customers and oftentimes far more tough than we anticipated - You say you have a 338 Win Mag in your battery, why not use that as it can be the quintessential elk cartridge in many cases - ALL that said, I love the '06, I don't see where an extra 2" - 3" will give you performance worth the handiness of having the barrel shorter, at least in a 30-06 - In the end it's your project so do what your gut tells you to

 

[AZ Vince]

Just to clarify.
While I don't plan on shooting game at 600 meters if I can get closer I want the rifle, and myself capable. The .338 is my elk and great bear rifle. I shoot it pretty good but do think it's more than needed for a lot of hunting I do. While I have a 6.5x284 I'm not enamored with it for some reason. I shoot it well too.
When I selected the caliber I found myself drawn to a traditional caliber where I usually seek the latest and greatest.

 

[GKPrice]

AZ - I understand - the .338 is "neither" the latest & greatest OR "traditional" in strict terms - I've used a 338 Win Mag, mostly shooting 200 grain handloads, for most of the elk hunting I've done (up to about 4 years ago) and honestly I am just now going back to one, 200/210 grains will be what I try to get a good load with first, BUT I'll not be in bear country and if I were to be it would be 225 or 250's all the way - I just had JES rebore a Tikka superlight 7mm to 338 Win Mag (24 1/2") and aside from the concern about muzzle jump I'm excited to get the components here so I can begin shooting it - I've hit elk at the 500 +/- yardage a few times and other than spinal hits the only slug I personally have seen take a bull off his feet is 338 and those were with 200 grain Accubonds (before AB's I used 200 BST's, didn't find many in one piece though) a wounded elk, as you probably know, can do amazing things (even a cow) and I for one want the game over upon a good hit - I hunt with a buddy who has an impressive record of 1 shot kills on some darn big bulls but he won't shoot unless he has his bipod deployed and a solid rest, he shoots a .300 Jarrett & 180 Accubonds, in Oregon's Snake River unit where long range is more often the rule than the exception but as we can't get tags more often than every 6 years, things are changing for us, opinions may change too, never know - everyone has opinions, beliefs and experiences, myself included - I'd not criticize another's lightly - One thing I've learned is that a 200 grain 338 will kill deer quite well too .... - good luck on your project, have fun (that is the main thing)

 

[AZ Vince]

Fun is important.

 

[6mm Remington]

Vince I'd go with what your heart is telling you to and I'd build that 26" barrel on an 30-06. There is nothing wrong with the 30-06 and with a 26" barrel and some of the newer powders you will really be pushing the 300 WSM for speeds. I have a Ruger 1B in 30-06 that I love. I am using 165 gr. Accubonds at 2940 fps out of my rifle with IMR4350. There are newer powders that I could use which I'm sure would easily put me in the 3000-3050 fps plus area, but my rifle shoots this load very accurately. Accuracy and great bullets that open and yet hold together well like the Accubonds are the way to go in my opinion. They are very impressive.

Here is a 3-shot group out of my 30-06 at 500 yards. It only has a fixed 4x Leupold on it as well! I wonder what I might be able to do if I had a 4.5-14x40mm Leupold VX3 on it?

100 yards



500 yards



Accubond at 500 yards after going through 5 jugs and almost getting into jug number 6



Accubond after going through 5 jugs and shoving jug 6 & 7 about two inches on the board at 25 yards



picture perfect!



My #1B has a 26" barrel on it for comparison. It is about 1/2" longer than a 22" barreled bolt rifle in the same caliber because of the single-shot design.

 

[TwoTikkas]

6mm Remington; Pretty sweet! Good shooting my friend. I'm impressed with the performance of the A-Bond over the test distances. Very intriguing.

AZ Vince; I just dropped off the parts a week or so ago at the gunsmith's for my custom 30/06.
Trued Remington M700
1980 Remington trigger
Bart 2b stainless 5R barrel to finish @ 25"
B&C Alaskan Ti black/grey web stock
coat the works in graphite black.

The goal is to shoot 168gr ballistic tips and 165 gr A-Bonds between 2,900 and 3,000 fps into little bitty groups out to 450 yds or so. My new whitetail muley and lope rig. There is a new VX3 3.5X-10X waiting in the wings right now for it.

 

[6mm Remington]

That sounds like it will be a very nice set-up! Scope and all the goodies seem very well planned and thought out! Perfect scope also. Are you going to get the B&C reticle. I just picked up a scope for my 280 AI and I went with that reticle. Once I get a load I really like then I'll have to practice with it and see what I can do at the longer distances. I went with the 4.5-14x40mm.

 

[TwoTikkas]

Nope. Just the standard Duplex reticle. I snagged one of them from the Midway sale. It's the CDS version. I figured if I really like the scope,I might send it in for a reticle change. I couldn't pass it up for the price. I use to run a 4.5X-14X 40 on a 22/250 I had. Sweet rig. It was a tough decision between it and the 3.5-10. I hope I don't regret the choice.

 

[6mm Remington]

I think you will be very happy. That's a very nice scope with a very good use-able power range!

 

[HawkCreek]

I got lucky with my cheap ADL .30-06, it loves factory Federal 165g BT. 3" high at 100 ended up being near dead on at 400 when using the bottom of the duplex in a well used VariX-II. Haven't even bothered trying to work up a load for it yet though I'll get around to it one day.

 

[AZ Vince]

Two Tikkas,

That sounds like a sweet setup.
I had to cancel my custom 30-06 due to a change in my employment status and wife needing shoulder surgery.
Oh well, easy come easy go.

Vince