Talk me out of a 30-06

[clperry]

Have a line on a very nice 30-06 on what seems to be a solid price. I have a 308 and 270 WSM and was looking for 300 win mag, but this rifle is talking to me. Will be used for deer and hopefully for elk in the not so far future. Thoughts are appreciated.


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[N2TRKYS]

That 30-06 will basically be your 308, just around 100fps faster. If it's worth it for you, then go for it.

 

[clperry]

I guess I should have mentioned that my 308 is a 20 inch barrel pushing 168 eld m’s around 2630. So, the 30-06 with a 24 inch barrel should be pushing them right much faster.


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[hodgeman]

I guess I should have mentioned that my 308 is a 20 inch barrel pushing 168 eld m’s around 2630. So, the 30-06 with a 24 inch barrel should be pushing them right much faster.

Yeah, maybe. But to what effect? The '06 has been knocking critters in the dirt for a long time with 180s poking along at 2700. A lot go ammo struggles to break that and the old stuff rarely did.

If you want more speed, you gotta go bigger. I've shot both critters with a .308 and a 30-06 quite a lot and never noticed any perceptible difference between them.

 

[mt100gr.]

Can you confirm that this tempting 30-06 is a shooter? If so, that's a huge win. A lighter recoiling, accurate rifle will kill everything you're asking of it and then some. 30-06 is a fine elk cartridge.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

With modern ammo and not the watered down stuff made for older rifles, the 30-06 can offer some nice performance over the 308 win.

By looking at both the Hornady Superformance for this comparison with the 165 gr GMX you can see the 30-06 has about a 200 fps advantage. Even more considering the 308 would be shooting out of a 20" barrel opposed the the 24" 30-06.

308 Win w-165 GMX - 2,750 fps

30-06 w-165 GMX - 2,940 fps

30-06 w-180 SST - 2,820 fps

I'd say if you really like the rifle then go for it.

 

[menhaden_man]

One of the greatest hunters of all times had one. Carlos Hathcock! I think you’d be crazy to not own one.

 

[brsnow]

No reason to not acquire another rifle .

 

[Monty3006]

My way of looking at the new rifle is, does it give you a different option? I have a 308 and 30-06. The 308 is a lightweight pack rifle with 3-9 scope and the 30-06 a bit heavier but has a larger scope and I’m capable out further with it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

My way of looking at the new rifle is, does it give you a different option? I have a 308 and 30-06. The 308 is a lightweight pack rifle with 3-9 scope and the 30-06 a bit heavier but has a larger scope and I’m capable out further with it.

exactly, I also have both a 308 and a few 30-06s, my 308 is a kimber Montana, I use it when I’m hunting the steep stuff, my 30-06s fill a few other roles, one of them has a larger scope and the other is sort of an all around boat gun. I would have a tough time not owning a 308 or an 06.

 

[Smithb9841]

Only way I’d talk you out of Buying it is if I secretly was trying to buy it instead lol. If you like it And your getting a good deal go For It.. you can never have enough guns lol

 

[rbljack]

Cant do it..

Meaning I cant talk you out of it. It was the first rifle I bought back in 1989 and I still use my savage 30-06 for deer and elk every chance I get. Sure a 300 win mag would be nice, and so would a lightweight mtn rifle, but they just aren't in the cards for me.

The only thing I could say that might help talk you out of it is this: Do you have a great optic on the 308? If not, maybe upgrade to premium scope instead for better low light performance instead??

 

[TxxAgg]

Do it

 

[clperry]

exactly, I also have both a 308 and a few 30-06s, my 308 is a kimber Montana, I use it when I’m hunting the steep stuff, my 30-06s fill a few other roles, one of them has a larger scope and the other is sort of an all around boat gun. I would have a tough time not owning a 308 or an 06.

My 308 is a heavy barreled rifle I use to to target shoot and deer hunt with, one of a few. The 06 I’m looking at is a lighter rifle of a more traditional nature. It’s already had everything done to it I would do, and as such it should shoot, though I haven’t seen a target. Y’all aren’t doing a very good job talking me out of it...


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[clperry]

Also, I hand load for all my rifles. Any of you 06 folks able to push 180’s around 2800 or better?


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[Sekora]

Being your 308 is a heavy barrel, and the 06 is not, I would consider the purchase. I was going to comment like others that if you handload you can get 06 like results out of your 308 but now I realize they are totally different guns. You have the magnum base covered with the WSM, so why not? If you like the gun go for it.

 

[16Bore]

I’d jump all over it if tripping the other two was in the cards. Otherwise keep the $$ in your pocket and upgrade something else. Or take your gal on a trip.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I have a Tikka 308 with a Leopold VII 3x9x40 for deer, Remington 700 Mountain rifle in 30 06 with a Swarovski 3x9x36 for deer, Browning X Bolt Speed in 30 06, with a Bushnell Forge 3x18x50 for elk and a Browning X Bolt Max Long Range in 300 win mag with a Bushnell 3x18x50 for elk. So my vote is yes.....lol. I also have a Winchester Model 70 243 with a Sightron 3x9x50 for other smaller stuff!

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Since you reload go 300 WM, 22" barrel, call it good. No question IMO. Load on the light side it's close to a hot 30-06 in FPS. Or go full 300 WM loads. Lot of flexibility.

My 30-06 (22" barrel), 168 grain TTSX, right around 2780 fps.

Not a fan of 24" barrels for Western hunting applications. You will appreciate the shorter barrel when your hiking up/down hills, crawling on your knees, full belly crawl, etc.

My 300 WM, 175 grain LRX, 3011 fps, maximum velocity per manual is 3079 fps. If I loaded to minimal velocity, per reloading manual, 2779 fps.

Same bullet (175 grain LRX), 30-06, max grains, 2713 ps (H4350). So the minimal velocity for the 300 WM is 2779 and the max velocity for the 30-06 is 2713.

FWIW.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’d buy the 30-06 with a 24” barrel and shoot 165 grain Partitions/Accubonds in it. Perfect combination.