Is the 30-06 still relevant in 2023?

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

You might find better cartridges for specific purposes, but for a cartridge that can do anything you would reasonably expect from a rifle, the '06 is hard to beat.

[@hopefulballistics]

Absolutely!

[@tomlarue654]

That’s pretty awesome getting over 2800 with 190s out of a 22 inch barrel in 3006.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s what I thought. Pleasantly surprising

[@newcreation2521]

I've continuously had either a 308 or 30-06 for a few decades. They are the most powerful cartridges that I care to shoot repeatedly for fun or to hunt with. They are my big stick so to me either one of them are still relevant. If I had to choose between the two I would take the 30-06 due to it's being a bit more powerful.

[@hopefulballistics]

I’m pretty much the same way. Love both

[@ronlowney4700]

😃 Horneday's Superformance Ammunition Catalogue shows the 165 grain cx bullet in their factory load with a Muzzle Velocity of 2,940 ft/s, while the Nosler Online Catalogue shows a 168 grain Nosler ABLR bullet capable of being pushed out of the muzzle at just over 3,000 ft/s! That will generate enough energy to kill an elk out to around 500 yards and competes "quite favorably" with the "killing power" of more modern cartridges - like the 6.5 prc and 6.8 Western! Anyone that says the 30-06 isn't "enough gun" for anything in the lower 48 states is either lying to You, doesn't know what they are talking about, didn't pick a "Good Hunting Bullet", or trying to shoot animals at unethical hunting distances (beyond 500 yards)! 🤷‍♂️

[@hopefulballistics]

Agreed!

[@ronlowney4700]

🤔 Most people don't shoot past 400 yards at game animals anyway! So, if the 30-06 isn't enough power for what your after (like an Alaskan Brown Bear or an African Lion), then step up to the same 30-06 case necked up to a 35 Whelen! The 225 grain Nosler bullet (Accubond or Partition) out of the 35 Whelen, for example, still carries 2,400 ft lbs of energy out at 400 yards and the frontal area of that 35 caliber bullet will surely make a large hole in just about any animal (or you could step up to the 250 grain Nosler Partition or Swift A-Frame, which is very capable on all but the largest of game animals)! 🦁🐻

[@ronlowney4700]

👨‍🏫 What most people don't realize is that the 225 grain bullet in the 35 Whelen has a Starting Muzzle Velocity of only 50 ft/s less than the 338 Winchester Magnum in the same bullet weight and make! However it will make a bigger hole with that 35 caliber bullet, and do it with less powder and, therefore, less recoil! 🤑 Now that is something to really think about! 🤔

[@ronlowney4700]

🕵️‍♂️ Nosler Lists a Top Muzzle Velocity of 2,806 ft/s for the 35 Whelen using the 225 grain bullets (this is the most popular weight 338 bullet too) and 58.5 grains of IMR 4064, while the 338 Winchester Magnum uses 71.5 grains of IMR 4350 to get it's Top Muzzle Velocity of 2,882 ft/s (both are "Non-Compressed" loads - which is better for consistent burn rates and accuracy - and this is the ONLY listed 338 Winchester Magnum "Non-Compressed" load that gets a Faster Muzzle Velocity than the 35 Whelen!). So, the 338 Winchester Magnum is using 19% more powder to get this velocity here! Every other listed powder in the Nosler Online Manual, using the 225 grain bullet, the 35 Whelen will basically match the 338 Winchester Magnum in velocity (2,700 ft/s to 2,750 ft/s with 6 different powders, both using 24" barrels, while using 20%+ less powder = 20%+ less recoil using the same 225 grain weight bullet)! The 35 Whelen Really "Should Be" Much More Popular Than It Is, Based Upon This Test Data! 😱

[@hopefulballistics]

@@ronlowney4700 that’s very interesting

[@couespursuit7350]

The Speer Manual # 12 has 30-06 180 gr bullets loaded to a max of 58 grains of H4350. Their published MV was 2756 fps out of a 22 inch barrel. My MOD 70 with a 24 inch barrel got 2825 FPS using 180 Sierra SPBT bullets with a little less than a max load. So I am not overly surprised that you got that with the Berger 190's. The Bergers might have less bearing surface allowing for less friction and faster MV than the older designed 180's. Now my 180/H4350 load did not work in my REM 700 it showed pressure signs.

[@hopefulballistics]

Good information, thanks

[@b01tact10n]

Thats awesome content👍👍 I have the same handed down Rem700 30'06 that I pillar and glass bedded, I also installed a 510 timney trigger and added all thread to the rear grip sealed up with epoxy👍👍

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s cool, I’ve thought about doing similar things

[@ianharper1189]

my 3006 is a plane ol plastic savage 110 with no accutrigger or anything added. it has a cheap 3x9 simmons scope a friend gave me that he got from a yard sale. i use 150 grain winchester super x copper hollow points and its very accurate. it is my go to rifle for deer. all but one has dropped in its tracks except one last year that had run 20 yards

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s awesome, thanks for sharing

[@matthewknight1910]

Thanks for the video. A classic rifle in a classic caliber. Very fitting.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you Matthew!

[@johnnorman7708]

.30-06 has the ability to make very good use of the newest bullets and powders. I had a near max load with 180 grain Nosler Solid Base and IMR 4831 that shot pretty tight. No pressure issues. I am convinced that with a 24" barrel and top loads, the old '06 does a really good job of nipping at the .300 H&H Magnum's heels.

[@hopefulballistics]

Well said!

[@hillbillypatriot1]

I think the ought 6 is still relevant and the deer that we’re killed last fall with it probably think the ought 6 is still relevant.

[@hopefulballistics]

Absolutely!

[@ianharper1189]

agreed

[@russellkeeling4387]

Years ago when I first learned the equation for energy I then realized doubling the weight of the bullet will double the energy but if you double the velocity the energy quadruples. So for years I was a velocity freak. Then after many years I finally, with the assistance of people like the Real Gunsmith and GunBlue490, came to realize there is a velocity sweet spot and a bullet weight sweet spot. I still catch myself wanting to get higher velocity when it's not necessary to have a really good load.

[@hopefulballistics]

Well said

[@jameswilson5562]

That is good velocity great video

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@steveb6103]

Wouldn't be a bad load for my M1. I load a little hotter for my bolt guns. 06 has been my deer hunting choice for 40 years and has never let me down. Last year, I got one at 200 yards. The rifle used was a 1903A3 with iron sites.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome Steve!

[@hunteranderson93]

Very impressed with that velocity on such a heavy bullet!

[@hopefulballistics]

I was pleasantly surprised!

[@rockylavigna5977]

I have been thinking the same thing, bought a 760 pump bi centennial special in 1976 put a Leupold scope and mounts on the gun and shot a buck with the gun, I actually hated everything about this gun the action and the performance and put the gun in a safe where it sat for years , I pulled it out about a year ago and could not believe my eyes. The scope and the mounts turned pink totally weird. The gun is perfect with only about ten rounds through the gun. To be honest I have been having issues with Leupold scopes I have two others that will not focus don't know what the issue with these scopes are guess I will have to call them. However I just purchased a Weatherby In 30 06 and I will give this legendary caliber another try, this video was right on time for me, Thanks

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!!

[@edwardabrams4972]

Call Leupold on those scopes! Those guys are the best! I have only had one scope of theirs go out in 60 years and it came in a used gun I bought and they sent me a new one since they couldn’t fix it!

[@carycary5824]

I reload my 1972 30.06 model 70 using IMR 4350 with 53.5 grns. Using a 180gr Spitzer bullet. It runs out at 2650 fps. It’s a tack driver with this load.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@carycary5824 awesome!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Great velocity! Definitely worth doing more load tests with these bullets.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Enjoyed the video. Making up some "light magnum" loads for the 30-06 I see. Well done.

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes! Thanks for watching!

[@Eggomania86]

That's better than some cup and core soft point .300 Win mag factory loads!! That's impressive!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@charlesgutzwiller5988]

As I watch your vid I can only say yes nothing kills like a 30 caliber fron 3030 to 3006 it just works

[@hopefulballistics]

It definitely works

[@hondoh5720]

The short answer is yes - 2023 and beyond. With the most modern components, everything in North America can be hunted. Importantly, 130 to 168 grain Barnes bullets were game changers for flattening distance and maximizing penetration. I have had great success with 180 Trophy-bonded as well, but ninety percent of hunting is easily accomplished with simple cup and core 180 gr. Interestingly, my 1:10 twist 18" bbl (Mannlicher) handles 130 to 220gr bullets with precison.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, thanks

[@Longtrailside]

As far as i know deer aren't any harder to kill than they were a hundred years ago. 30-06 is a heavy hitter for med sized deer, especially since when you think about it has taken uncounted moose, rhino, eland, and grizzly bear. So a deer is nothing for the 06 to take down.

[@hopefulballistics]

Well said!

[@jaybailleaux630]

So true. I find the 30-06 is over kill for deer unless you are shooting deer over 300 yards.

[@oswaldcobblepot502]

​@jaybailleaux630 Agreed. But if you want one rifle that does it all then 30-06 it is.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

Elephants have been killed cleanly by experienced hunters using the .30'06. A 220 grain round nosed solid will easily penetrate to the brain.

[@kylemartin832]

Hard to beat a 30-06. How do you like the Berger manual? Probably my next reloading book.

[@hopefulballistics]

It is very conservative. I have used it twice. Once for my 6.5-284 and once for the 30/06. Both times the max it showed was comically low. I know it’s probably low because it’s geared toward competition shooting. It also is getting older. They need to come out it’s a new one with their new bullets in it

[@llkj7944]

I reload 3006, 130 gr TTSX at 3350fps, 150gr TTSX at 3150fps and 180 Accubonds at 2825fps! All from a Husqvarna with 22 in bbl , no over pressure signs. I would say the 3006 is more than adequate in 2024.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@llkj7944 absolutely!

[@afader6898]

Yes, yes it is, your and my great great great grandkids will be shooting one as well, i own 12 30-06 rifles at the moment👍

[@hopefulballistics]

Wow! Nice

[@PassivePortfolios]

According to the firearms media, no. Just like the 30-30, they are obsolete. Except they continue to do the job just fine in old rifles year after year.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s right

[@davidpruyne7340]

Luv my 06s ,,,,, my favorite by far

[@hopefulballistics]

It and the 6.5-284 are my two favorite cartridges

[@toolingbob6783]

I have 1918 8mm Mauser converted to 30-06 the only original part is the action, I just grab a box or two of commercially loaded ammo in a grain weight that I think will work for what I am hunting,go to the range and sight it in, it has not failed me yet, still relevant to me.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome!

[@daleknisely6890]

Thanks for the info!

[@hopefulballistics]

Your welcome

[@johnanderson8740]

Is the 06 still relevant? Heck yea it is 💯

[@hopefulballistics]

Absolutely, thanks

[@scottscheuerman6170]

Did you ever shoot 150 grain bullets IMR 4064 and 52 grains to 52 1/2 grains makes for a accurate round my old gun likes Speer hot core I used to shoot a 3 shot group that was able to cover with a dime

[@hopefulballistics]

No I haven’t, but it sounds amazing

[@edpottinger849]

I agree 100 percent on your views.I am little surprised that you used 190s,but use what ya got,like ya said.If someone was to ask me what gun to buy for a reasonable price,I would say the 06.For a reasonably priced gun that is used a Ruger or Remington with a Weaver,Redfield or Leopold would kill any big game animal.Bullet placement is the key.I like the 165s for deer

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you

[@gspgsp100]

The '06 is a great cartridge! I missed if you said what your seating depth was or how much jump you were running. The Berger vld hunting bullets are pretty finicky about seating depth. Every load I've developed with them liked a jump of just touching to .005 jump. If youre not already there, I'd try that. Ill bet you a dollar that your groups will tighten up. Good to see you giving some love to the good ole '06!

[@hopefulballistics]

It’s been a minute since I loaded this, I’ll have to look at my notes. I usually always start out 20 thou off jam.

[@oswaldcobblepot502]

The 30-06 will never be irrelevant lol.

[@hopefulballistics]

True

[@KevinSchwinkendorf]

Of course it's relevant!

[@ridgerunner3364]

As one of the greatest cartridges ever developed, I will say it will always be relevant!!

[@hopefulballistics]

I agree!

[@nmelkhunter1]

There's no hair on a good 30.06. My grandad used a Pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in 30.06 shooting 165 Partitions in front of a max load of IMR 4350 to kill everything from inland grizzlies to buck antelope. I still have the rifle and have killed a couple of bull elk and cow elk with it. All kills, with one exception, were one shot kills.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s awesome!

[@paulsouth4794]

Go a barns 150GR at 3200 fps with ADI 2209 61grns .

[@davidfloyd9134]

Great video. Do you have a 270 you can try this on? Also what are your thoughts on the high BC bullets in older calibers and will they work. Oh Go Chiefs vs Bills

[@hopefulballistics]

I don’t currently have a 270. I have made videos on 270 WSM and high BC bullets. Reloading Weatherby has done so in 270 Winchester and 257 Weatherby. Go Chiefs

[@ThinkingBiblically]

The 30-06 will certainly outlive of Hornady's barrel burning "PRS" cartridges. I'd love to see an 06 win a major 1000 yard match today. I suspect the only reason it doesn't is the faddishness of the competition community. It will never be the "latest and greatest", but is still the greatest of all American cartridges and marked the true beginning of the modern rifle in America,

[@hopefulballistics]

It’s definitely the greatest

[@rpk5250]

Congratulations on the Chiefs win. Interesting video even though I don’t even reload. All the videos lately that I’ve seen about this chambering make me want to get one, especially because of the variety of bullet weights that can be handled. For instance Would a 147 grain eld match Hornady bullet in the ‘06 do as well or better than the 6.5 Creedmoor would with the same weight and design?

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes!! Go Chiefs. Thank you RPK. It’s a very versatile cartridge

[@burkecunningham7137]

No. Because of the ballistic coefficient, the aerodynamics. If both bullets weigh the same the 6.5cm would look long and slim. Bur the 30-06 bullet would look short and fat. But try a 190 grain vld in the 30-06 and you have a longer more aerodynamic bullet that will run with the best of them.

[@larrygabbard4896]

Looks like you have a new wsm 😊

[@hopefulballistics]

Lol! Yes

[@Antjohns89]

30-06 is tried and true man cant go wrong with it for deer hunting within a few hundred yards no matter where you're at I love my Ruger m77 mk2 chambered in it but it is the first round I ever killed a deer with so I am biased lol

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes it is! Thanks Anthony!

[@steveharvey7712]

I'll never get rid of it.

[@hopefulballistics]

Don’t blame you

[@kevinmencer3782]

Honestly, if people still shoot, load, and hunt 45-70 Gvmt, then certainly 30-06 Springfield isn't going anywhere.

[@hopefulballistics]

Absolutely

[@Benroe-yz1nz]

My 06 is a laser beam with 130 ttsx

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet!

[@REDNECKROOTS]

You shouldn't have to resize after 1 firing if your shooting them in that rifle. I always see my best group s on 2nd fired brass.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@JAEUFM]

So long as you can hit what you are aiming at, the 30:06 will always be relevant.

[@hopefulballistics]

True

[@jessiejane6259]

I like it because there are variety of grain weight bullets and many choices of powder for it.

[@hopefulballistics]

Definitely

[@untermench3502]

It's the bullet that does the work. All the cartridge does is fire it out the muzzle.

[@hopefulballistics]

True. But the cartridge will determine how fast is possible and how efficient the powder is burned

[@untermench3502]

@@hopefulballistics The DoD has already done the work, that's why the shifted to the 7.62x51. If you reload, the various factors come into play. I've been reloading since 1966 and have tried most combinations of powder and bullets throughout the years, and I agree that, for a given firearm you can work-up a load more accurate and efficient than factory ammunition, but for the average hunter, unless you have an issue, stick with factory ammunition for the job at hand.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@untermench3502 I don’t disagree

[@reloadingfun]

you gotta get out to the range again and show us that it does shoot that good.

[@russellkeeling4387]

What kind of high pressure indications did you get with that high of powder charge?

[@hopefulballistics]

None until a jump in velocity with the last two tenths of a grain.

[@headcarter4656]

The 30-06 will always be relevant.

[@hopefulballistics]

I agree

[@jaybailleaux630]

I've had better accuracy in the last two 30-06 I did load development for using H4831sc with 180 gr. Sierra bullets. H4350 has not worked for me yet. Burgers are ok bullets. The 150 grain Burger bullets are explosive on deer and really make a mess in my experience. Heavier bullets at lower velocity will help with less meat destruction.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@bobbygreen2291]

I had one just like that ,,it was a tack driver ,,,many groundhogs n deer I harvested with that gun ,,I should have never sold it ,,I measure that mistake as the worst one I ever made.

[@hopefulballistics]

I understand Bobby

[@bobbygreen2291]

@@hopefulballistics bought it new , a Remington 700 ADL ,,in 1973,,3006,,,my buddy went with me ,,he bought a new BDL in 6.5 Remington mag

[@hopefulballistics]

@@bobbygreen2291 that’s cool. Did he like the 6.5 REM Mag?

[@bobbygreen2291]

@@hopefulballistics yes ,,I shot it a lot over the years and it too was a great rifle ,,this friend had his gun until he died , then his brothers son ended up with all of his guns and that guy ain’t never been hunting in his life.

[@bigbrother5797]

All around cowboy

[@justaguest6971]

I hurd an old guy who reloads say if he had to do it again he go with 30 06 for rifle

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome!

[@billpeirce7127]

Yes. If you can find 180gr amo.

[@hopefulballistics]

True

[@carycary5824]

Like your cap!!! Go Chiefs!!! 3peat!!!!!!❤

[@hopefulballistics]

@@carycary5824 yes!!

[@ratdaddy7774]

Have you ever asked a question you already knew the answer to?, this would be one of those questions 😛🤣 VIVA LA 3006!!!

[@hopefulballistics]

True, just an excuse to make a video about the awesome 30-06.

[@jeffreywilson690]

Try hybrid v 100

[@hopefulballistics]

Sounds good

[@northerntier87]

I like the 30.06 for its capabilities. But the caliber itself no and the 300 win mag no.

[@northerntier87]

I would definitely like to go elk hunting but the caliber may be a bit overpowered .

[@hopefulballistics]

30 caliber overpowered?

[@northerntier87]

@Hopeful Ballistics I'm playing an x box game Way of the hunter. It's a great game and this one weapon I like it's the 338 Lapua oh man it's a game changer in the hunting world hahaha it's the perfect caliber I feel. Wow

[@hopefulballistics]

@@northerntier87 lol

[@MangoMike316]

😎👍👍👍😎

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for watching!

[@NortheastSurvival911]

Did you ask if it's relevant in 2023? Let me think about that one. Yes it is very much so it is the gold standard by which everything else is compared to. There's a reason people piss and shit all over the 30 aught 6 if they have something else. It's because they're afraid of it or they don't know what the hell they're talking about. It's been proven on the battlefield globally it's been proven on hunting grounds all over the world and it has been used competitively speaking for many many years without fail. I have a bit of a bias with it because that's what I grew up with and I'm glad that I grew up with it because between 55 grain on the low-end to-220 on the high-end it is incredibly versatile it's very common and it is cheaper than a lot of the newer ship cartridges that ballistically speaking can't even come close to a 30 ought 6. So many other cartridges have been spawned from the 30 ought 6 case I mean take the 308 at 270 and the list goes on and on...

[@hopefulballistics]

We agree. Good comment

[@jeffbond2094]

Try some 150ttsx. Way better option for 06.

[@danblumel]

Or LRX