Don't get a 30-06

[WoolOverAll]

I say the same thing about my 223. It does everything I want it to and I haven't seen compelling evidence to get something different.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

There is either a better bigger gun or smaller gun for whatever you are using a 30-06 for. It’s fine if you already own one before cool guns and calibers car out but I can’t imagine anyone going and buying one off the shelf new today.

I did exactly that. I know several people who have done the same thing.

It’s amazing that you can’t imagine anybody buying a 30-06, the market and demand for them has not slowed down. In fact, last time I was in cabelas a guy was buying one and the counter guy was explaining they only had a few choices because they get sold as fast as they arrive.

Rokside simply is not representative of the hunting community, and probably 25% of people on rokslide actually hunt more than white tails from trees and blinds.

I get that it’s easy to get wrapped up in rokslide and start thinking that the discussions here are common in the hunting community, but that isn’t the case.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

.30-06, a long action with higher recoil and minimal improvements over a softer recoiling short action.

Best of no worlds. lol.

“2 wurld warz” and “muh knock powwwerrrrrr”

Oh no long action!!!!! The horrors!!!!! Recoil oh my god!!!!!

You seem like the type of guy that euro nymphs when he goes fly fishing.

In all seriousness though, it 30-06 recoil and long actions are too hard for you to deal with, you probably aren’t quite the shooter you think you are.

 

[chancey]

My first rifle was the old trusty 30-06. It has never failed to do its job when I have done mine. I understand there are lower recoil options and all kinds of new cool kid cartridges, that’s why I shoot my .270!

 

[Steve300xcw]

'06 gets it done. No doubt about that.Have owned a few and will probly own more.

That said I shot 50 rounds of 243 off the hood of the truck today just playin around. When was the last time yall did that with a 30-06?

Cheap and lil recoil is pretty badass too..

 

[flyfisher117]

Spoken like a man who does not own an M1

The only -06 worth owning. I have a pile of ammo and clips ready for one.

 

[flyfisher117]

Oh no long action!!!!! The horrors!!!!! Recoil oh my god!!!!!

You seem like the type of guy that euro nymphs when he goes fly fishing.

In all seriousness though, it 30-06 recoil and long actions are too hard for you to deal with, you probably aren’t quite the shooter you think you are.

I’m the dry fly purist. If it’s not warm,sunny, and hopper season I’m not going.

 

[Blurry1]

Handling recoil is different than being able to stay in the scope to spot shots and being able to shoot better.

That said, I am done with recoil and especially any rifle without suppressor. I got a newly issued man card with an asterisk…

You shoot you but I can say I had a bad range on a cow a few years ago ago and shot under her belly with a stock 30-06 rem 700. Turns out she was about 475yd not 350yds on the snowy ground my range finder gave me. I saw the splash no problem, adjusted, and center punched. She was 30ft downhill of the blood splatter in the snow.

You don’t need a 223, 6mm to spot shots. Although, I agree it easier. You need good technique. I see the appeal. Just don’t assume recoil reduction always equals effective shooting.

 

[theavgjoe]

The 06 has always been a good combination of size and velocity. With the selection of .30 cal bullets and some reloading skills, you can literally do everything with it. Let’s not forget the attachment you develop for a gun over time.

 

[butcherboy]

I just bought one for my 14 year old for Christmas. All he wanted. We talked about other calibers, he wanted an 06. I don't know why, the likes the older stuff. Had a SxS shotgun too.

I borrowed longer and made him shoot it this summer. Still wanted one. This one has a brake so will tame it down some. He said I can shoot everything with it, hard to argue that.

Sent from my moto g power - 2025 using Tapatalk

What!? Your son shoots an 06 with a brake!? Say it ain’t so! Make sure he doesn’t get concussed or the Rokslide suppressor gods will eat you alive! As for me, I love a good brake on a rifle.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m the dry fly purist. If it’s not warm,sunny, and hopper season I’m not going.

I grew up fly fishing like that. I thought I knew all about fly fishing then a short time after moving up the AK I got to go on a guided trip for free. On the drive to the boat we were all talking, I was like “oh yeah I can fly fish, don’t worry about me.

We got there and the guide handed me a 10’ 7wt rod with an articulated streamer that was like 5 inches long. The water was cold and deeper and much faster than anything I’d waded in before. I ended up hooking a 26, 28 and 31” rainbow that afternoon, the guides on the rods were iced up. I realized then that I’d been raised wrong and dry fly fishing was sort of gay.

 

[flyfisher117]

I grew up fly fishing like that. I thought I knew all about fly fishing then a short time after moving up the AK I got to go on a guided trip for free. On the drive to the boat we were all talking, I was like “oh yeah I can fly fish, don’t worry about me.

We got there and the guide handed me a 10’ 7wt rod with an articulated streamer that was like 5 inches long. The water was cold and deeper and much faster than anything I’d waded in before. I ended up hooking a 26, 28 and 31” rainbow that afternoon, the guides on the rods were iced up. I realized then that I’d been raised wrong and dry fly fishing was sort of gay.

Ick I’d rather hunt with an -06 than swing streamers.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Ick I’d rather hunt with an -06 than swing streamers.

lol you were being serious about the dry fly thing???

Shooting moose and goats with a 30-06 and catching big meat eating rainbows on streamers is what it’s all about.

 

[Kauaihunter]

Please tell all the gun dealers that nobody will buy the 06’s on the shelves. I’ll wait for the clearances. Thank you.

 

[rickyw]

I enjoy my 30-06s. No brake or suppressor, though I’d like to suppress one eventually.
Recoil is tamed with a strong hold on the forend and a tight sling wrap. A good stock design and recoil pad also help. Shot 100s of rounds this past year with mine with up to 200 grain eldx. I’ve done over 50 rounds in a session over bags, and usually average 30+ rounds, plus some with the 375. I enjoy plinking clay pigeons, rotten fruit, etc.

If you allow it to free recoil and shoot it like a 20lb target rifle resting against your clavicle, yeah, it will probably become unbearable quickly.

You can load it down for kids with 125 grain sst and H4895 and load it up heavy as well. Very versatile.

 

[flyfisher117]

lol you were being serious about the dry fly thing???

Shooting moose and goats with a 30-06 and catching big meat eating rainbows on streamers is what it’s all about.

No. I just know that claiming dry fly fishing as being superior and the 30-06 as being inferior will really rustle panties on the internet.

Now I will admit that there is not a single enjoyable thing about shooting my tang safety Ruger M77 -06. That hockey puck of a recoil pad is flat out miserable.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

No. I just know that claiming dry fly fishing as being superior and the 30-06 as being inferior will really rustle panties on the internet.

Now I will admit that there is not a single enjoyable thing about shooting my tang safety Ruger M77 -06. That hockey puck of a recoil pad is flat out miserable.

My 30-06 is a tikka with the barrel cut back, I shoot it suppressed, it’s great.

 

[jmez]

What!? Your son shoots an 06 with a brake!? Say it ain’t so! Make sure he doesn’t get concussed or the Rokslide suppressor gods will eat you alive! As for me, I love a good brake on a rifle.

We went and broke in barrel today. Brake makes a huge difference. Recoils less than my .270. actually easy to shoot

Sent from my moto g power - 2025 using Tapatalk

 

[Yaremkiv]

If it wasn't for my Extreme Weather Mod 70 in 30-06, I would have built a few customs by now. When it comes to hunting rifles, that Mod 70 converted a few "needs" into "wants" and I'm not too happy about that.

 

[Mr. October]

I own bolt guns in 30-06, 243, 300wm, and 223. They all shoot great.

It's a major #firstworldproblems issue. Every time I think about buying a new rifle / caliber I talk myself out of it because from a practical standpoint pretty much all of my big game rifle hunting needs are more than adequately met by that lineup.

In fact, i could probably get rid of everything but the '06 and still be in the same boat. Not to mention 80% of the time I'm bow hunting anyway.

Owning a 30-06 is super boring - it's a total joy thief. It already does exactly what you're hoping that shiny new rifle will do from a hunting standpoint. And just like that, you can't logically justify that new rifle purchase.

I'm only 40 years old. Am I already turning into a fudd? Please help!

First rifle I ever bought and still own is a Ruger 77 MKII in .30-06. I've killed everything with it. I've dabbled with a couple other calibers over the years but always come back to the Ruger and .30-06.