Why I Don't Shoot .30-06

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[@backfire]

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[@ethanknight3970]

have an 06 golf club myself, lovely it is.

[@kentsanders7127]

30-06 is for the one gun hunter. Once you have one, you don't need anything else. Think of all the fun you would have missed playing with all those guns. That may be why you didn't have a 30-06.😊

[@John-wy9tm]

Just bought a Tikka 30-06. 1/2 inch accuracy at 100 yards. I never get a shot beyond 150 yards while hunting whitetail. That's all I got to say about that. 😅

[@warriorwarrior6999]

Backfire what do you do besides gun reviews on KZbin to able to afford the type of house you live in and you don’t look past 35 years old so you haven’t had that much time to build wealth.

[@williammcintosh6267]

@@ethanknight3970I want a .30-‘06 because it is part of Who-Tee-Who’s theme song; because Hitchcock45 exclaimed, “DAMN ! That Aught-Six hits hard!” ; because Backfire doesn’t want one;😊…but most of all, because it is indeed America’s rifle cartridge…and the 6.5WIMP shall be forever a pretender.

[@allantrafford6262]

I’m not a 30/06 guy but it’s hard to deny it’s practically as far as arguably the best all around big game cartridge

[@papajohnsy6659]

I mean, when a coastal brown bear can go 10ft and 1200lbs, and you have the choice between 06 and something 33 cal or larger, I know which one I'm picking. 110-220gr is kinda funny to me, no one shooting 110s is going to shoot the 220s, no one shooting the 220s is going to shoot the 110s. Realistically it has a working range of 130, 150, 165, and 180gr bullets, and most people aren't shooting anything smaller than deer or bigger than elk with it. All this versatility I keep hearing about sounds like I want something bigger for anything over 800lbs, and smaller for anything under 300lbs.

[@marcmoore4115]

I hate the .30-06!.... because it's just so damn versatile lol. Seriously though. When you have a .30-06, there's no real reason to buy another hunting rifle other than going really small or really big.

[@ryankoch3958]

@@papajohnsy6659facts, it’s right in the middle which makes it a sub par choice for almost everything

[@phild9813]

I’m not a 30-06 guy either, but I have 3, lol. I do most hunting right now with a 6.5 creedmoor and 270wsm

[@dansherwood9851]

@@phild9813the exact calibers I have for probably the same reason you do.

[@rotaman8555]

I’m a solid .30-06 guy. Mine is a tack driver. I love the bullet availability and diversity. I can find ammo everywhere (Although I reload for mine, it’s nice to know I can get ammo if I need it.) It’s effective for any big game. And every large game animal I have taken (moose, caribou, black bear, brown bear, deer…), with one exception, has been within 100 yards. And the exception was a caribou at 325 yards, which is very reasonable for the old .Aught-Six. I love your channel! Thanks

[@benr8772]

I'm surprised ammo availability wasn't mentioned in this video. I know that if I go to my local hardware store that has a few boxes of ammo in stock, there WILL be .22lr and 30-06 if they can find it. There might be 270, 308, 243, 7mm rm, 300wm.

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

It's ammo availability is only rivled by the endless reloading components for it. If you're an avid reloader the 30-06 could keep you busy with new loads for a lifetime.

[@joeshmow1583]

​@@benr8772what about 30-30 i always find shells for mine no matter where i go

[@anthonyrivers547]

I grew up with the 30-06. I hate to reply to these u tube experts that use different data to try to prove their point.. This guy needs to go dress shopping and leave the grand 06 to the adults.

[@MD-vm9hj]

I just finished an Africa hunt. I took all game from a massive Livingston Eland, Kudu, Sable, Nyala, Gold Wildbeats, Springbuck, Impala, and Warthog out to 701yrds using a Barnes LRX 175grn. Every, Every animal took 1rnd to drop. 2 animals took 2rnds as final follow up as they were on the ground. I used a Weatherby Meat Eater and had zero issues reaching out and putting animals down. I've used -06 since I started hunting and will never shy away from it...I just purchased a new Meat Eater Weatherby in -06 and will be taking it to New Zealand in May for Red Stag and back to Africa in 2025. You can pitch all the fancy new stuff you want..tride and true never fails as long as you do your part.

[@ZachHunts]

Range/ drop isn't even a factor today. If you're shooting past 400 yards, you probably have a range finder. Or, if you're sitting in a known field, you can find ranges online to identifiable points and print it to take with you.

[@junior7011]

That’s crazy do you join a group/guide or do you go by yourself

[@wesleyturner1979]

Was the Meat eater rifle the new Remington 700 action clone? If so, how smooth is that action? As good as a Tikka?

[@MD-vm9hj]

@wesleyturner1979 it was the older original Meat Eater. I have the new one on order but there us a wait. Fingers crossed, but the original has served me very well.

[@wesleyturner1979]

@@MD-vm9hj Nice. Did you go 30-06 again or 7mm PRC? That PRC seems like the cats pajamas on paper. My brother has the 6.5 PRC and it shoots nice. He’s got it in a Springfield waypoint.

[@cervus-venator]

Man I've been hunting for 43 years and it only took me 42 years before I broke down and bought a 30-06. It was a used Remington 700 ADL at my local gun shop. Nothing special and I intended to make a project out of it. The guy that had it prior to me put a Timney trigger in it, had it bedded and free floated. He topped it off with a Leuapold scope. When I took it out and shot it I got a .half inch group with the first three shots. So now I don't want to change a thing. I just want to have it to shoot.

[@joshrandall3632]

Sounds like that guy really spoiled your fun.😂 Congrats on the find.

[@cervus-venator]

@@joshrandall3632True, he did spoil my project fun but given the price I paid I'm not complaining. I felt it was a really good deal. It's funny, I have a stock and some other goodies for it, but as mentioned I think I'll just leave it in the synthetic stock and not change a thing. Thanks Josh!!

[@OrangesmokeM7]

@@cervus-venator 👀

[@cervus-venator]

@@OrangesmokeM7 👋

[@EnderPearlRs]

You found a gem, I'm jealous.

[@HA51971]

Lol you know it’s a good caliber when someone tries to explain why it’s impractical but ends up convincing themselves that it’s still very much practical AND goes and buys one! Love it

[@jeffpinkava9634]

Everybody has to compare the new gun of the month to the 30-06... should tell you something.

[@tylerd8516]

I’m not sure anyone can say the 30-06 isn’t the best overall big game cartridge ever. It has power, wide availability, amazing options for a hand loader. If all hunters cared about was 400-600 yard ballistic charts you could do away with 90% of rifle cartridges. Not to mention you can still find 30-06 for less than 2 dollars a round when most modern long range rounds that do outperform 06 are 4-5$ a round.

[@scbane]

673 yards was my furthest mulie kill with a 24" barrel Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06. I was 23, and knew everything. It was a completely calm day, and the mulie was about 100' lower than my elevation. Kentucky windage shot, high shoulder, DRT. Completely lucky, but I was young enough to call it "skill." 165 grain Sierra GK. My personal ethical range is 400 yards max. I much prefer inside 150 yards, so I do a lot of stalking. At ethical ranges, cartidge choice is just about moot. Most of the guys I see blasting rounds at deer and elk shouldn't be hunting AT ALL, let alone shooting 600 yards.

[@michaele1201]

scbane ^^^ very similar story. 400 yds is my magic number as well. I shoot the 270 WSM, but the 308, 30-06, 6.5 etc are all close enough in ballistics that an animal wouldnt know the difference in calibers. Long range shooting has gotten way out of hand. imo... there is too much ego involved.

[@chrisaumaugher3732]

me too 400 yards

[@tacracc_photography]

I love my 30-06 Weatherby Vanguard 🙌

[@Kman31ca]

400 is perfect limit. I'll push it to around 500 yards if the conditions are near perfect though. I also practice at 500 yards a lot as that's my range limit.

[@Kman31ca]

@@michaele1201 Another 270WSM guy. Such a great round .

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

My buddy is late 40s Oregon native. Gets his Elk every year bow or old trustworthy 30-06 since he was a kid. When I ask him about the cool new things he has no idea what I'm talking about. Guys like him don't have the same thirst for new things like noobs do. 7prc wouldn't change his life whatsoever.

[@carolinausedmachinery]

I know some guys like that. They are true hunters... Not fashion/caliber snobs. They couldn't care less about the gun and cartridge as long as it puts deer on the ground. They are all about the hunt. Real woodsmen. Not people trying to keep up with the latest fads and trends.

[@mikemcshea5919]

Sounds like my hunting crew, the most up to date thing any of us carry is a 300 win mag.

[@makingtechsense126]

As an eighth generation Oregonian from a family of woodsmen that hunted deer and elk in the Oregon coast range... 30-06 was the caliber used by every member of my family; three generations worth.

[@sebastianpoe3799]

Youre adorable haha. "Like these noobs". Spoken like a guy who cant shoot the broad side of a barn past 200 yards

[@sebastianpoe3799]

Has nothing to do with latest fads and trends. When the cartridge cant do what I need it to do, theres a problem. So true woodsman only shoot 30-06? 🤣🤣 Boy, ive gotten tags in places youve only dreamed of

[@johnmackenzie5136]

I bought a 30-06 early in my hunting career. I was short on cash and needed an upgrade from by Winchester .32 Special lever to shoot in more open country. I was tempted to buy a .280 Remington, but they were rare in my area. I settled on the -06 because at that time you could buy -06 ammo at any service station or hardware store. Also, as you have alluded to, it is/was available in 27 different bullet weights. I carried 150 grain for deer and in another pocket had a magazine loaded with 180's in case I came across a moose. Still have the gun along with most modern calibers.

[@donswearingen9805]

Jack O'Connor once said the 30-06 was the cartridge against which all other cartridges were judged. It's still the standard.

[@dj3114]

Didn't know that, thought Jack was all about the 270 and nothing else.

[@donswearingen9805]

@@dj3114 Oh yeah, he loved the .270 all right.

[@johnkissam8312]

Great to see the 30-06 getting some attention. However, how can you dare to compare the ‘06 to anything but a .270 or a 300 Win Mag. Harumph !!! Jack O’Connor and Elmer Keith drew blood over this. And if someone asks who are those guys….. as soon as I find my teeth, I’ll give them a good ass chewing. My first rifle was a Springfield 1903, 30-06. I paid $12.00 for it in 1958. Bought it in Glendale, Ca. Army Surplus store. The ‘06 will kill with authority at 400 yards and boatloads of G.I.s shot Expert at 600 yards on KD ( known distance) ranges with issued sights. No ballistic apps, range finders, spotting scopes. Those lads were riflemen.

[@chrisaumaugher3732]

My rifle is a 1917 Remington Enfield sporterized; I got this rifle as a boy 46 years ago and paid $32.00 for it. The rifle has had a lot of improvements throughout its life: new trigger, new barrels, stock, and several scope upgrades. This rifle got me into reloading, primarily because of cost, then bullet choices and accuracy. I have several better rifles now, but I prefer my reliable old friend. I also grew up around real riflemen. My grandfather used one bullet a year to get his deer for over a decade and never needed a second shot. He did it in snow and rain, no matter the distance and never in a blind.

[@45-70Guy]

Glad you brought up the controversy between Oconner and Elmer. Their insight and experience are a great influence on my personal setups and style of hunting. Great books written by both of them.

[@samuelsmith6902]

Look - Lets keep it simple & specific! ilove Your showd and all Your work & info@ - 30-06 - 1 Simple answer - M-1 Garand Everything You will ever need or want in a rifle- it could be the last & only rifle You'll ever need or want

[@samuelsmith6902]

If You'd like a fine collectable i can help😊

[@anthonyrivers547]

I got both the 06 and the 300 win mag.the 300 out preforms the 06 but the 300 has more recoil. apples to apples.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

I used to avoid the 30-06. I've had a .308 for a long time, and found it suitable for the jobs I needed it for. Then when it came time to choose a cartridge that carried power out to a little longer ranges, I went with a .280 AI. But three things have made me fall in love with the 30-06 in the last few years: 1) Load development for a friend's Ruger American was way more fun than it had a right to be, and the recoil, even with a light rifle and hot handloads, wasn't that bad. 2) Collecting military rifles. I went from owning zero rifles chambered in 30-06 to having 3: 1903 Springfield, 1917 Remington, and an M1 Garand. The later of which I placed 3rd in the last vintage military match I took it to, shooting to just over 500 yards with open sights. 3) As you said, it's just darn versatile. I've loaded everything from 150gr bullets to 220s and it's done well with all of them. Granted most 30 cals will do that, but the '06 seems to have just the right amount of juice for all of them. Now I find myself considering buying a nice modern bolt gun chambered in it. I plan to hunt with one of the vintage '06 rifles this season, but I know that will leave me wanting to buy one I can load to modern pressures.

[@inpalpatine2067]

My gunsmith broke a bunch of flat Mill bits on my 1917 Eddystone. He eventually had to order some special bits to get the back sight down far enough for the one piece scope mount. He said that they are one of the hardest receivers ever made and that many of that had been re-chambered in 40 + caliber for big and dangerous game. Even had one in the shop at the time he was working on for a customer. Please note I did not sporterize this gun. It came that way.

[@inpalpatine2067]

All that to say, do your own research, but I don't think you would have any problem loading that 1917 to modern pressures

[@kearneydillon4803]

I bought a Winchester Extreme Weather in 30-06. Of the 20 loads I cooked up with 130gr Coppers, and also with 150,165,180 gr bonded and cup n core bullets, only 4 were over half an inch for 5 shots @100 yds. Only 2 were over an inch. The hammer forged barrel leaves a very smooth bore. My most accurate rifle over 25 caliber of 30 total rifles.

[@wimpieprinsloo5042]

Good video Jim. Congratulation on your new 30-06 rifle. I live in South Africa and hunted from Steenbock up to Eland with my Ruger M77 30-06 Stainless with 180gr for impala and blesbok and warthogs in planes and bushveld. Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Waterbuck and Bushpig with to 220gr. No complains. I am obtaining a new Howa 1500 30-06 in stainless steel. The recoil has never bothered me. I have not lost one animal with all my hunting career. I am not a hunter that goes with bullet trends. 30-06👌I am not talking down other rifle calibers as my fellow hunters and shooters are successful with what they are using. My choice just stays with the trusty anywhere caliber 30-06 up to Eland size game. Thanks for the interesting subjects you cover.

[@robpolaris5002]

Two factors you didn’t mention is availability and price. I’ve never been to a store that carries ammo that didn’t carry 30-06. Also 30-06 national average price is $39.95 for 20 rounds. 7 mag is $60 per 20 round per box and 280 ai is $95 per box! Great video as always.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Price and availability are the same for others like 308, 270 win and plenty of other classics. Never seen a place selling 06 that didn’t have a bunch of the other classics sitting next to it, making it a none issue so long as you pick one of the dozen.

[@adamowen366]

From what I’ve seen, the 06 is decreasing significantly in store availability. 300 WM and .308 seem to be the only .30 calibers on the shelf consistently

[@dad3562]

Yup, I sold my 7 mag because it was 60$ a box.

[@robpolaris5002]

@@jaydunbar7538 I don’t see 280 ai very often. Typically I see .22LR, 243, 308, 270 win, 30-06, 7mm-08, 7 rem mag, 300 win mag. But I live in ca, so options suck here. You can’t even buy ammo without a background check(which costs money) and I believe you are limited to how often you can purchase ammo.

[@paulis7319]

I love my late dad's old Remington 742 Woodsmaster 30-06. Even with a steel butt plate and a ton of recoil, that thing has brought home a lot of deer! Rapid-firing it is hella fun if you can get the timing right so it doesn't stove-pipe. As for 30-06 being "made in 1906," it was developed a few years before 1906. The military adopted it in 1906 and that's how it got its current name.

[@papajohnsy6659]

Well, technically the 30-06 was actually developed in 06. The 30-03 that you're referencing came before it, and had different case dimensions. Very close but not the same.

[@NeoIsrafil]

Lmao..man how can you afford to rapid fire it with ammo prices what they are? I've been considering getting a 22 cal conversion kit for my AR just so I can switch the trigger selector to "fun" without my wallet jumping straight in front of the barrel in protest. 😅. Can't imagine rapid firing a round that costs like a buck fifty each... My wife would straight up end me.

[@45-70Guy]

@@NeoIsrafilif you reload and didnt just start during covid you can shoot basically anything for pennies on the dollar. The ones of us who have lived through the other dry times learned you need to have supplies on hand for times like these.

[@Drgunzo616]

My old man is 81 and still hits the woods with his 30-06 Woods master. His has no recoil pad because it gets in the way of his hunting clothes. Our parents were built different.

[@45-70Guy]

@@Drgunzo616especially during hunting season if you have a few layers on, the recoil pad just catches clothes and really isn’t needed for a few shots. Your right, these days people have no idea what our parents and grandparents hunted with and we’re perfectly happy and successful.

[@RoyJDew]

The 30.06 is a great bridge between the .308 and the 300 Win Mag. It can do anything the .308 can and more. It can do a little less than the 300 Win Mag. If you are a hand loader then you can really take advantage of what the cartridge is capable of. The variety of bullets available in .30 caliber make it even more versatile. See the ballistics below. Are the new cartridges really that much better than the .308, 30.06, or the 300 Win Mag (I own all 3)? Or are the manufacturers trying to sell more guns under the guise of "new and improved" cartridges (knowing that the 7mm Rem Mag is not that new)? How many shooters are really capable of out shooting the .308, 30.06, or 300 Win Mag? If we were honest, the real answer is, "Not very many!' At 64 years of age with 5 decades of hunting and shooting experience I have met 2, maybe 3, hunters that are capable of pushing the limits of any of those cartridges. The 30.06 168gr at 400 yards drops .5" more and drifts 3.7" more (15mph) than the 700 Rem Mag. At 600 yards the 168gr 30.06 drops 5.4" more than the 7mm Rem Mag. Negligible numbers with a good scope and shooter. Note: East of the Mississippi River hunters are rarely going to be taking shots longer than 300 yards. Bullet: Muzzle Velocity; Muzzle Energy; *400 Yards: Velocity; Energy; Drop; Windage *600 Yards: Velocity; Energy; Drop; Windage 155gr Hornady ELD-M: 3,000; 3,112; *400 Yards: 2,213; 1,685; -23.4; 17.5 *600 Yards: 1,866; 1,198; -73.5; 28.5 168gr Hornady ELD-M: 2,900; 3,150; *400 Yards: 2,212; 1,825; -24.9; 16.0 *600 Yards: 1,905; 1,353; -76.0; 25.8 178gr Hornady ELD-X: 2,750; 3,000; *400 Yards: 2,116; 1,770; -28.6; 16.3 *600 Yards: 1,792; 1,269; -89.4; 26.9

[@brazzy1467]

I still have my Remington 7600 in 30-06. I bought it back in 1984 and it was my very first deer rifle. I was 16 years old so I earned the money and for it and had my dad go buy it for me. I just had a new barrel put on it.

[@johnwalkup1416]

Never had a deer run off after being hit with a good ol 180g corelokt.

[@kellywalker8407]

I love the 30-06. I also love ice-cream. But when you go to Baskin-Robbins 31 flavors.......why would you get plain jane vanilla? P.S. There's been a few elk I've run into that really, really didn't like the 30-06. In fact they laid down in protest........lol

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Ha!

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

Vanilla is the best seller 😉

[@PatchedRoundBall]

When the producers of all the ingredients to all those flavors get backed up during a "ahem" pandemic... the vanilla ice cream was still there

[@Nick-wn1xw]

You are right. I order French vanilla. Literally.

[@TAR3N]

I’ve been telling people for a decade that 30-06 with modern loads perform as good or better than a lot of “ specialty of the month” calibers . My God , the new 6.8 fury is a prime example. Instead the military needs to use the bi-metal case technology on 30-06 to push the 30 caliber bullet to 4,000 +ft lbs of muzzle energy with the 80-90k psi rating . That would solve every issue the military has with downing bad guys at long range. The 30-06 proved itself in ww1 , ww2 , Korea and the M72 worked wonders in Vietnam . It’s a bit heavier, it has a bit of recoil , the rifles weigh a bit more - but that’s no reason not to have the most effective cartridge in a war ! It also has taken literally every game animal on the planet. From deer to elephants, from coyotes to tigers …. I’m clearly a fan boy- but out of everything I have . My 30-06 m40 runaway clone ( meaning it started that way and turned into it’s own system ) is my go to for range day to hunting. I love that gun !

[@pb7087]

As a former infantryman, it is a stupid idea to bring 30-06 back, even with the bi-metal case. I certainly wouldn’t want to carry that. And for machine guns, the M250 will be lighter than the M249 but with the 6.8 power/range. And the medium/heavy machine guns are getting 338 Norma. 30-06 just doesn’t have a place with its size and weight to performance ratio. And the only reason we got the bi-metal case is because of the 6.8x51 development. They were developed together to meet the requirements of the program That said, I am excited to see higher pressure bi-metal cased cartridges in other calibers on the civilian market.

[@benkeachy]

Weight is actually a big factor when you consider how many rounds they're shipping at scale. Even the tiniest difference has massive real world implications from cost to logistics. It makes perfect sense that the military would obsess over lighter, less powder, more efficient case, bullet designs. Even if those differences are minuscule, they add up to massive difference at scale and over time.

[@RobertSmith-xh4lx]

Haha I thought I was the only one thinking about the bi metal 30-06 at hi pressure...I think Its a great handloaders cartridge now...I bought one just to use the action for a Long action 308 win build...Then I realized just leaving it a 30-06 I was getting more performance, with a shorter barrel....my standard load is now a 225 eldm at 2650 out of a 22" barrel...that 3500 ftlbs at the muzzle. Also It's trajectory is almost identical to the 6.5 creed... easy to remember dope.

[@joshrandall3632]

​@@pb7087😂😂😂You still think the 5.56 and 7.62 are being replaced, don't you?!

[@pb7087]

@joshrandall3632 Still? Where are you getting your wild assumptions. It was never the intent with the NGSW program to replace either. The M4 is still going to be in wide-spread use. I doubt the M7 is even going to be used by every infantryman. It will probably fill a reduced role with only a few squad members carrying it. And the M240B is not slated to be taken out of service yet. That said, the M250 is lighter than the SAW but with more power than the M240. When the 338 Norma machine gun comes out, I could definitely see the M240 being removed as it would be vestigial. Then, 7.62 would only remain in SDM rifles and it’s only a matter of time until those are replaced with 6.8. But 5.56 will live for a long time.

[@ChronicalsofAl]

Bought a model 70 lightweight '06 in 1986 because of the rifle more than the caliber (actually I was a 243 and a 300 win mag fan). It shot pretty well so I had it bedded with a 3lb trigger job and I find that even though I have I've got rifles that are more accurate, this is the gun that I take on 90% of my hunts now. I've found that the new CX from Hornady in 150gr sitting in front of their Superformance powder will get me right at 3000 fps with incredible penetration and still manages to put them very consistently in a 1.25 hole at 100 yds! It's had a pretty deep scratch/gouge in the stock since before I even picked it off the "scratch and dent" pile of misfit toys but I love that old rifle even though it really does kick the shit outta the shooter, it has always done it's job as long as I do mine

[@pantrypreparedness]

I remember you used to have one. Now that X Bolt Speed in 30-06 is in my gun safe! 😁 I mean, I lost it in a boating accident… Good times Jim!

[@fjb4932]

I'll Never lose any rifle, pistol, ammo in a boating accident. I'm Here...come and take it ! ☆

[@ReNeu60]

Its been my only big game cartridge. There is nothing I know it won't kill. Might be a bit over kill for deer but I don't shoot game at 300+ yds. I like to call it hunting not sniping

[@retrogaminggenesis6102]

I've never even attempted that just to see if I can do it, it's way too hilly and mountainous around where I live.

[@boomerrangerron]

I love your channel and your content! You had me going today because I'm a huge 30'06 fan and once had two, a Winchester Model 70, Manlicher stocked, and a fiberglass stocked SAKO that I built myself! I sold that one because each barrel and chamber was different and I'd have to keep the brass separated because it caused issues with my reloading. Let me say, that yes, I'm a Baby Boomer and a Grandpa too, but Teddy Roosevelt, my favorite President, shot a ton of game in Africa with his 06! I can handle the recoil and I've reloaded everything from 130 grain to 220 grain bullets. My Winchester loves the 165 grain, and it's killed a lot of deer! Hey, I have a .300 Weatherby, a .270 Weatherby, and even a Model 70 in .375 H & H, but I still favor and love my 30'06! Great video, and I loved seeing your wife in this one because I can't get Mrs. Boomer Ranger Ron on my channel shots! Keep up the great work!

[@backfire]

Thanks for the kind comment. I need to get shooting more 3006. Great cartridge.

[@matthewyingling6490]

30-06 is king of the woods!

[@350zKiller]

Honestly idk why they get so much hate now days.. I have a old model 70 3006 made in 1949 that was my grandfathers that’s been passed down and seems like a great rifle to me especially for the north west where I live, it has a super smooth action and has that beautiful classic wood look that I love and I just love when I pick it up and think “if only this rifle could talk”, which I don’t get with other rifles. Also as long as I aim my shot good I know that anything on the other end of that gun is going to drop and definitely is a nice safety net feeling that as long as you do your job you know that the gun will do its job as well without any concerns. (Though should also add it’s the only hunting rifle I’ve shot) I have shot other guns like 12g shot guns and ar15’s and lever actions just not any other bolt actions.

[@jasonward8118]

While I’m not a 30-06 hunter in general, I LOVE my Garand. It’s readily available from the CMP (Garand Collectors Association) and reduced pressure or surplus or Greek ammo is available online. I have even taken deer and pigs with low pressure hand loads. Please take a look at CMP rifles, which are much more affordable than gun shop or internet guns. Love the channel!

[@bradweaver2215]

I own 2 30-06 Husqvarnas, 1600 and 1900, 270 Interarms mark x, and a 338 win mag Viking arms 1900. There is no desire for any new cartridges. Know what you shoot and know your abilities.

[@zachb.6606]

The real reason is if you had a .30-06 then you wouldn't have an excuse to buy a room full of guns. 😆

[@robertcarey3383]

I bought my first 30-06 new 49 years ago, then my cousin bought a 300 Weatherby mag and I really wanted to get one of those for all the reasons you listed here. I was asking my cousin how he liked his Weatherby, and he told me don't waste your money getting one as the 30-06 will do anything the Weatherby will do with much less expensive ammo and less kick as well. I still felt I needed to get something that shot better on paper, you know for all the reasons you listed here so I bought a 7mm Reminton Mag. After owning and hunting with the 7mm I realized he was right.........The 30-06 is good enough in any real-world hunting situation and if the animal is out of range of a 30-06 it is also out of range that you should be shooting at it as well. At 0-300 yards shooting Nosler Partitions I am well armed to hunt anything in Noth America. I don't need a gun vault with 150 different riffles either, just a .243 for small game and a 30-06 for everything else.

[@sampson1582]

I'm glad you bought one, I also have the Savage Axis in 30-06, I would like to see you work up some ultra light bullet high velocity 30-06 loads. the cartridge is very much capable of way more than it's standard factory loads are set up for.

[@isaiahbond6188]

My friends 30-06 Remington 700 BDL kicks like a mule! Sure hits hard though. It’s a beast

[@mr.kalash7555]

Agreed. First time I shot one, I started leaking blood from the webbing between my thumb and index finger... no idea how it happened though. 🤔

[@IGuppieI]

Say what you will about the ol' 06, but it's been getting the job done (and then some) longer than anyone who's got something to say about it has been alive.

[@concreteandgrading]

Great point

[@lukestephens7896]

I really appreciate you talking fairly about the 06. You segregated your preferences from the ballistics. Thank you. Also thank you for being a voice of reason about 6.5s

[@frankkerst5367]

I watched this earlier today. The longer I thought about the video the more humorous it became. Honestly, this is one of the finest rationalizations for buying a new gun ever. It's something like this. I don't have a 30-06. That's odd. Why not? Should I have a 30-06? Ballistics, look at the ballistics. Hmm. That's interesting. I should have a 30-06 in my collection. Recoil with the right butt pad it doesn't matter. My new butt pad is perfect. Do I need it. No. Do I want it. Yes. The ballistics are interesting. But, it's a 117 year old cartridge. They have modernized it with better bullets and powders. I don't need it, but I want it. It doesn't seem fair to my subscribers not to have one. It's a venerable cartridge. It deserves my respect. I have to get a 30-06 today. What will my wife tell me? Oh, I can fix that problem. I'm getting a 30-06 today. I need one in my collection. It's almost a requirement as a part of the Second Amendment. That's what it means. A firearm in defense of this great nation. The 30-30 is nice, but it's not a 30-06. I'm going shopping. I'm going now! Look at my shiny new Savage 30-06. It was hard to find. I can't wait to shoot it. Now, I have one in my collection. Thanks for watching! Seriously funny when you think about it. Thanks.

[@CrowCreekOutdoors]

Was gonna say, a lot of people may have shied away from the 30-06 in their early hunting years because they were exposed to it before they learned how to manage recoil, and they missed or lost a lot of deer with it. That’s why I swapped to the 270 Winchester 25 years ago & haven’t used anything else since. 5 pounds of felt recoil can make a real difference to someone when they’re still learning to shoot accurately. Same could be said for the 300 Winchester magnum & the 7mm Remington magnum I’d imagine.

[@benthere404]

Limbsaver recoil pad is a game changer nowadays, makes the gun feel like it's bouncing off your shoulder rather than slugging it.

[@packman3220]

There's really two different philosophies to consider on this topic. Jim is an avid hunter as well as a gun collector. So part of the experience for him is being able to use all sorts of different rifles and cartridges in all kinds of situations. But other people are all about practicality. Their satisfaction is in being the best at their particular weapon. The John Wick vs the Mathew Quigley if you will. 30-06 is not appealing when you have 40 other guns to choose from. But for the guy that wants one rifle that he knows intimately well and is confident with it in everything from coyote to moose... 30-06 is a very good candidate

[@Misfit5W]

For me part of collecting is also caliber based. I bet he has multiple guns in 6.5 Creedmoor, whats the point of having duplicates as a collector. Change it up lol

[@deanriley5690]

If he is a gun collector then why not have one of the most historic cartridges ever?

[@packman3220]

@@deanriley5690 different collector types. Some love history. Others love numbers

[@mikemcshea5919]

That's pretty true, but I see it's mostly millennials who won't own a 06, 308 or 270.

[@packman3220]

@@mikemcshea5919 yeah, those good ole rounds don't pair well with Starbucks and a man bun.

[@georgeclarke4235]

My first HP rifle was a Rem 700 BDL in 30-06. Great rifle. Have since had a Garand and I rebarreed a 98 mauser to 30-06, a NOS military barrel, a one holer. I traded that bdl in on a 25-06 BDL varmint, and that started my 25 cal love affair. Playing with 25 creedmoor and 25 PRC right now. Great video.

[@mtcoiner7994]

It's funny you say this right now. I also don't have a 30-06 and have always had a negative view of them. Lately I've been looking at the numbers and I realize that I need a 30-06.

[@fuggleeartshow]

I just bought my first bolt gun this year and I chose 30-06. I may never even be able to see past 300 yards and I'll definitely never shoot past that. I set it up for mpbr shooting and I'll never have to go anything but hold dead on. For me it made the most sense and it's pretty economical. It does thump me a little. I might be interested in that special recoil pad if you make some for the Ruger American 😉

[@jessiejane6259]

Have you read Green Hills of Africa by Hemingway, he used 30-06 to hunt lions and rhinos.

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Pretty thorough analysis and explanation of your reasoning why or why not the old 30-06. I didn’t know about the BF recoil pad. That’s cool 😎 and a great reason why you went with the Savage Axis outside the fact that many folks who own them claim they are really accurate which is great for a $370 rifle.

[@rackman1n2]

Nothing more American than owning a 30-06 bolt action hunting rifle. Thank goodness you came around. ; )

[@Kohamatazil]

Hi, great channel! Keep up the good work. The 30-06 really shines with the Eld-M 208 loaded to around 2600 fps. Basically the same ballistics ad 6,5 CM, but with way more punch and mass to shed. Great load for long range target shooting and hunting alike. Expands well under 2000 fps, and has enough mass take stuff like kudu, wildebeast, red deer etc. Also good for small stuff, due to its soft nature. Cheers Magnus Vassbotn, Norway

[@seuthsayer]

Spot on

[@themechanic5671]

Beautiful, this is my load (but 2650 out of a 26” barrel). I’ve had it out to 860yds on steel, .690BC is no joke!

[@assassassin187]

The first rifle i bought was a savage axis in .30-06

[@chuckdubose9082]

Your video's are awesome. I have always been a 30:06 fan for up 200 yard range and the low cost of the cartridge. My 50 year old Rem 700 with a 3x9 Red field shooting Rem 180gr holds 1" groups at 150 yards.

[@hudsen8]

I’ve been using 30-06 for an extremely long time. My first “proper” rifle and it’s a Remington model 78. Basically a Remington 700. I’ve shot everything from elk, muleys, and deer with it. I recently put a Magpul hunter 700L stock on it and after close to 20years it’s like having a new rifle 😂 not knocking any other cartridge out there, my setup just works for me and my reloads are spot on. Although I do want a 300PRC for elk next year…

[@TimPaddy]

Tikka chambers in 30-06

[@aaronpark3987]

Indeed, just bought one today.

[@user-cd3oz1uo3u]

I am a subscriber here and the website. A few things to consider, Jim: There are FAR more eastern hunters than western hunters so, in most easter locations you will top out at under 100 yards out to maybe 150 yards for most deer and hog hunts, maybe even black bear. That means the 30-06 is still THE go to gun, for many in eastern hunters. While wind can be an issue as can drop, again, in the deer woods, maybe not so much. As for "new" rifles chambered in 30-06? I have a brand new (2023 built) Browning X-Bolt Speed in 30-06 that is an absolute tack driver. Love the videos, the research and effort you put into all of this. Just saying, hunting and shooting, like everything else, depends upon location, location, location.

[@paulis7319]

Yep, 100 yards is the longest anyone in my family sights their hunting rifles to, and most kills are 40 yards or less. The woods around here (SW Arkansas) are very thick with lots of underbrush.

[@joelahnstein2281]

I have my dad’s Husqvarna bolt action (‘62 bought in Germany) in 06. After he zeroed it he took 6 Rehbok, 1 trophy winning chamois, and a hirsch all with single shots at ranges >250m in Germany. Yeah, it kicks, but it’s worth it. I love firing it. I’m old enough to say i got my initial training on a Garand (complete with M1 thumb once) and qualified expert. My fading eyes (at 75) probably wouldn’t let me do that today. A few years ago i had the opportunity to put a couple of dozen rounds through one. To my surprise i put all in the black at 100m. I have a lot of time with 5,56 and 7.62, but i still prefer the 06. Great video. Been leaning toward SA M1A. Now you got me rethinking that. LOL.

[@kylefaulkner9645]

Thank you very much for making your ballistic chart available for free. I have been hoping for this for a while.

[@REDNECKROOTS]

I switched to 308 few years ago from being a hardcore 3006 guy fir years. I got tired of having to special order ammo and never getting exactly what I wanted. 308 has more hunting loads tgen bout any other on the shelves.

[@Simon-talks]

Yep and pretty much the same performance of 30-36 in a short action

[@REDNECKROOTS]

​@Simon-talks yea more or less. If I could still get ammo availability like the 308 has I'd stay running 3006. But it's just all but falling off a cliff on sales and availability

[@popdaddy12345]

I love long actions, i use 30-06 (& 270 more so lately.) But if i had ONE choice for ONE overall hunting rifle... it would be chambered in 243 winchester. Short action, & you can use grain size from like 50gr up to 110gr. So it can be THE one rifle that covers all game from 22lr size ammo up to damn near the 270 size (130gr). Its a VERY versatile chambering. 243 is tough in thick brush, but if you hunt fields & from stands, its a fantastic option.

[@cornbread08]

Just missed a 130" buck with my 243 today 😢😢🤮

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

"Only accurate rifles are interesting." "The .30-06 is never a mistake." -Colonel Townsend Whelen

[@jkat66]

I too have never been a 30/06 fan boy even though it is versatile. But recently I walked into one of my hole in the wall LGS and on the wall was the rifle of my childhood dreams shining like the Holy Grail. A nearly mint condition Styer Mannlicher Shoenauer 1961 MCA in 30/06 with a period correct Weaver KV scope. Weavers very first variable power. You selected between 2.75 and 5 power and nothing in between. The scope even had the optional range finding reticle. So I now own a 30/06. Up till this point I have always hunted with a 25/06 primarily or a .308 when needed.

[@Mountainghost72]

30.06 is a HUNTER'S ROUND, too many are not skilled enough to actually hunt, so they think there snipers taking 600+ yard shots at animals, beware the man who only hunts with an 06

[@papajohnsy6659]

In my experience here in PA, the man who only hunts with an 06 takes it to the range 2 days before rifle season, shoots at a paper plate at 50yds off the hood of his truck, and if he hits it is plenty good enough for deer in his eyes. Then he takes it to the woods, shoots the whole magazine at a deer 80yds away, calls up a task force of his family to help trail it, realizes he wounded it, and then blames it on some factor that contributed nothing to the ordeal. This has been a personal experience about 5 times in the last 11 years, with 3 different hunters. I've never killed a deer over 250yds, and I still see no point to hunt with an 06.

[@mattblack133]

​@papajohnsy6659 what do you hunt with?

[@midwestbd7144]

Why are so many people butt hurt about all the new cartridges coming out? There have always been wildcat hand loaders and now we have the luxury of getting more factory options and fast twist barrels without needing a custom rifle

[@Toiletcorpse]

Fudds gonna fudd, man

[@Airon79]

Did someone need some butthurt cream ?

[@jimstock661]

You mentioned the M1Garand. Love mine. Best place to get one is the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program)

[@billfisher6708]

Back in 1978 I bought a new Remington 700 BDL .30-06 and have used it ever since for deer, elk and hogs. I had it pillar bedded not long after getting it and over the years I’ve put on a good recoil butt pad, upgraded the scope, installed a Timney Elite Hunter trigger and I have always handloaded for it. It consistently shoots sub MOA and every animal I’ve shot with it went into the freezer with a one shot immediate kill. Of course I pick my shots and do not take unethical 300+ yard shots. While I have many rifles this is the one I always pick up for serious hunting. So, I think you will love it.

[@kenroberts7547]

I’m very interested in the 600 yard challenge. Target size? Cartridge? Conditions? What’s on the line?

[@randyeatson9055]

3006. 210 GR.BERGER RL22 62GR 2900FPS 26 INCH BARREL

[@papajohnsy6659]

Christ buddy why'd they even invent any of the 300 magnums. 2900 with a 210gr?

[@mikemcshea5919]

Thank you for doing the right thing at the end 👍 Fyi for whatever reason pretty much all the 30-06 rifles got bought off the shelves during COVID and they haven't come back.

[@juliojimenez-juanz6751]

Lol.. I have been hunting with my 30. 06 here in AZ for about 20 years. From small coues deer to big elk with no issues at all but staying under 400 yards shots. Great video!!

[@frankmccarthy2624]

The recoil on a .30-06 started to bother me in my mid 50s. Shoulder arthritis. Cutting down to a .270, 280 and 7mm-08 level just seemed to not bother me recoil-wise. I also figured out that wood stocks seemed to transmit more recoil than a synthetic stock too. I’ve also caved now and gotten a few muzzle-braked guns too in 280 AI.

[@mattyallen3396]

Get a suppressor

[@frankmccarthy2624]

@@mattyallen3396 . Haha. I forgot to mention that I live in CA. Hell would have to freeze over

[@danrussell9357]

The 30-06 selection is better in used rifles.

[@killertruth186]

Or “budget rifles”?

[@eawrightjr]

Im a 38 yr old fudd from Georgia, I grew up around gun hunting and guys. The common consensus was that if you were not recoil sensitive and wanted a deer rifle that would be reliable as a sundial.... Get a 30-06 and shoot 165 - 180 grain soft point bullets. I got my first 06' at the age of 13 and followed the instructions of the old timers. I still have that rifle and have even picked up some other calibers bigger / smaller along the way. But the 06' is still my favorite for its performance and versatility, and I've never felt that the recoil was bad like people say it is. As for new gun sales / mfg.......the social media influencers, magazines, and even this platform (YT) are always talking about the new PRC's or the creedmoors with high bc bullets, short actions for fast cycling, muzzle breaks / supressors for light recoil for fast follow up shots. Nothing that comes on traditional 06' rifle platforms. So thats why there arent many new rifles chambered in it, they are catering to the new market of enthusiast.

[@Superxnmxfan]

Whenever you'd like to go hunt and take an older guy I live about 30 minutes from. I've got my dad's 30-06 he bought back in 1972 or so. It's was about 2 grand back then. In fact he passed away 2 years ago and today would've been his 83rd b day. I bought the savage axis II in 30-06 and love it. Yes the recoil kicks but it's very accurate, surprised me. I had a collection of firearms like you once but circumstances dictate what you need to do in life sometimes. Mines about 7 years old but it's never missed a deer it was aimed at. I've still got the stock scope on it. Although I'm sure it's fine to 500 yards as per time at the range I've only taken about a 230 yard shot for a nice white tail in CA. The rest have been within the 200 yard range. Enjoy yours. PS, I'm not afraid to admit I use a shoulder pad at the range lol.

[@PorscheSpeedster-kz6nc]

Every collector should have an M1 Garand!!!

[@Rockjock007]

Jeeze you bought the bottom of the barrel! Buy once cry once get a tikka by far the best gun for the money

[@hardball107]

They are good, I own one in 270 but I think I found a worthy competitor. I tore my rotator cuff so I needed something with a little less recoil so I picked up a Howa 1500 in 7mm/08. 400 less than a T3, smooth as butter and it shoots circles around it. Uses AICS mags too.

[@papajohnsy6659]

Howa 1500s are a better built action than a tikka, shoot excellently in my experience, and are much cheaper. A t3x hunter in my area is creeping up to almost $900. Best gun for the money my ass. I'd rather spend the extra $75 and get an x bolt hunter, or save $300 and get a howa.

[@garyturner8898]

Great discussion and I look forward to your review of the Savage Axis 30-06 with optics. Please include what ammunition the Axis preferred. Several years ago I purchased a Remington North American in 30-06 from the Remington Custom Shop in Sturgis, S.D., before going belly-up. It shoots the Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter, 168gr, and Federal Barnes TSX, 165gr, sub-MOA consistently. Thanks again and looking forward to your review.

[@barrycogswell9223]

Because it is an old cartridge, and you only shoot calibers that are 33 seconds old?

[@papajohnsy6659]

Probably because it's an old cartridge, and newer and more efficient designs have came out since. Even the 270 being released only 19 years later is a better design.

[@ruckuswethepeep4384]

Everyone always overlooks 25-06 it really is a bad ass cartridge

[@mattcosgrove8254]

Well 270 is more available lol

[@mylesharvey6488]

25-06 is straight up a do it all but Africa based on Stupid Laws!

[@dj3114]

Just a difference of opinion. I've had one and personally think it's a very inefficient cartridge. I had a 257 Roberts when I was into 25s and found it better as it was only slightly slower and a short action. To get that extra bit of velocity, they had to go with a long action and put more powder in a 30-06 case necked down to 25. Again, I'm not against it totally as a friend owns one and loves it. Opinions - :)

[@LegacyOutdoors88]

Good video comparison. One thing that a lot of people don’t realize about the 30-06 is that the ammo is very conservative pressure wise to account for the older rifles. If you handload it really wakes them up. You can get better BC from 200+ grain bullets and using powders like 6.5 staball or Reloder 26. It will put you close to 300 win. Mag performance.

[@jackstephens2519]

This is exactly why some people think the 06 isn't a very good round. The factory loads won't let it be as good as it could be because of so many old military rifle's still being used.

[@bucis123]

Do some round testing with this rifle, i'm sure lots of folk would appriciate this. Keeping n eye out for the recoil pad! Great stuff, keep doing what you do.

[@jadebrecks]

The reason you don't have a 30-06 is because you can afford the fancy rifles and dies to load the unavailable ammunition. :-P It isn't a perfect round but you can't beat pricing, availability of ammo, versatility, and guns (if you don't need the latest and greatest). I would play with more fancy stuff if I hit the lottery. I would love to see your thoughts on it now that you have one!

[@papajohnsy6659]

I've been loading and shooting completely on my own since I was about 13, with money I saved up from helping out at the local farmer's market and cutting grass. I own a 243, and a 270. I've never been less enticed to a cartridge than the 30-06, and that's on a budget of about $300 a year for all my gun related stuff between the ages of 13 and 17. My rifles are ruger americans, I load all my own ammo, on a budget, and the 30-06 will never have a place in my safe unless it would be in a 1906 springfield.

[@ecarlson4987]

Why don’t you sell some of your crap rifles and get a garand

[@retrogaminggenesis6102]

You'll get more fun on hating on and abusing a crap gun than selling it for nothing.

[@Rubicon1776]

Garand is a delicate little flower that can only shoot specific government spec Garand ammunition because the op rod is garbage. You can’t use the entire spectrum of SAAMI .30-06 ammunition so you are going to be limited on what experts tell you can safely be used.

[@papajohnsy6659]

So you can shoot 3 inch groups at 100yds with a pussy load of a 150gr doing a mere 2700fps? And haul around a rifle that weighs and feels like a log? And isn't even legal to hunt with in some states?

[@kenbrake2828]

This is awesome. I've been wondering if you made that spreadsheet to the public. So much cool information on there. Thank you!

[@user-wv6fp8pq9j]

Picked up a Remington 700 Long Range in 30.06 last year. Added a Burris 1 piece 25MOA base and Burris tactical rings around a SWFA 10x42 scope. Rifle sits on a Harris bipod. Last Oct i dropped an 1100lb elk from 510yds and now am hitting steel targets out to 1000yds.

[@pauldickson1495]

You don’t like the 30-06 but you put 30-06 in your headline cause you know you’ll get lots of views . Don’t bother ever mentioning it again. Just stick to stuff that has come out the last couple years . Stuff we can’t find ammo for . But oh boy on paper it shines look it drops ….. less at 600 yards .🙄

[@jacksonmorris7731]

Where is the video of this new rifle....4 months later?

[@jonathanrogers9961]

Theres only 1 reason you don't have a 30-06. Because you wouldn't need, or have any reason to keep, all those other guns and cartridges if you did!

[@backfire]

Haha. True 😀

[@SamuelBerryhill]

Thanks for the video man. I will have to say I love my 308 wins and 300 win mag but for a good all around 30 caliber cartridges the 30-06 is a good one and I don’t own one right now but I’m am shopping for one and wish I wouldn’t have sold my last one. With that being said I do agree with you the 280 AI is a better all around cartridge but It’s still a good cartridge even with all the new ones that are out today.also if you build a Ackley Improved version it’s that much better than it already is.thanks again God bless

[@nickb.6884]

I know this is a little off topic but still the same. I picked up a 7mm rem mag for this year's deer hunt also got it for a elk hunt I wasn't able to make. I'm sad to say after this year I will not use the 7mm for deer anymore. Where I hunt deers I at best can get a 150 yard shot most is 40 to 60. So to my suprise took my first doe at about 40 yards with this gun unfortunately it took so much meat with it. I will be putting that riffle away until I can go after an elk. There that's my rant on such a big round for deers. Love the videos keep up the good work.

[@stephencriswell22]

You Don't have a 30-06 how un American of you 😂

[@northcentraltransfer1851]

A 30-06 has too much recoil?!?! That is absurd.

[@papajohnsy6659]

Not really, after 15-20 shots off the bench, especially with some of the older rifles, my shoulder starts to feel off, after about 30 rounds it physically hurts to shoot. A 180gr at 2800 is 22 ft lbs of recoil in a 9lb rifle. That's not nothing buddy, 5 more ft lbs than a 270, 7 more than a 308, almost triple a 243, and only 4-7 less than a 300 win mag. I guess for the guy going out to shoot once a year before deer season, and then shooting a few more times during said season, I guess it doesn't matter. The only gun to scope me so far was a 721 remington in 30-06 shooting 180gr core lokts. The combination of recoil and stock design made it a bitch to shoot. I'm no little fella btw, 5'10 220lbs.

[@doylethorn9251]

I have been shooting a Browning A-Bolt in 280 Remington since 1985. When primers and powder became relatively non existent several years ago, I bought a Savage Axis in 30-06. The reason was that 30-06 ammo was on the shelf in my area during those lean times. That rifle served me well with factory ammo. When the primers and powder came back, I reclaimed the enjoyment of working up new loads for the '06. However, I went back to my 280 Remington after I sucked all the reloading joy out of the '06. Don't get me wrong, that Savage in '06 is a fine rifle that did everything I asked it to do. It's just that there is something about an old friend that makes you comfortable and relaxed when they are around.

[@williamgaines9784]

When you talk about "cutting the wind" even though the lighter 162 .284 ELD-X v 178 .308 ELD-Xbullet has 25% less wind drift at 500 yards, the wind drift on the .284 is STILL nearly 2 FEET(20.6 inches), so 5 inches more or less is not going to equal a hit over a miss if your calculations are off for either. If one can dial the 280 AI with Precision Hunter, one should be able to dial the 30-06 with Precision Hunter ammo. A fact not mentioned in your comparison of 30-06 v 280 AI is ammunition availability and selection. One can put significantly more shots on target with 30-06 using the same budget. If you already have 7 Rem Mag, 280 AI, 7mm PRC, 300 Win Mag, 300PRC, buying a 30-06 is a matter of choice, not need. The converse is true of one who already has 30-06 and desires one of the others. I hope your Axis shoots well for you. My sporterized 1917 Eddystone and H&R Garand, which combined cost me less than my Ruger MPR in 5.56x45, do just fine in 30-06 where I hunt. Would I try a shot on deer or elk at 500 yards with either? That has not been an option(about 250 is max visibility and generally

[@MatthewC137]

The 30-06 was number 1 until the internet came along and millennials became adults. No prior generation was nearly as prone to assuming that newer is better.

[@midwestbd7144]

People have been coming out with new wildcat cartridges since the begging of time, the only difference is most people didn’t know about them years ago because ammo manufacturers didn’t load them commercially.

[@papajohnsy6659]

The 1920s, 30s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s were filled with wildcat cartridges because they felt that the 06 wasn't number 1. If america hadn't wanted to keep with the 30 caliber bore diameter after the 30-40 krag the 06 would never have been created, because people would have then looked to the 8mm mauser and said that it's the most versatile, well balanced, low recoiling cartridge that you can kill anything with. The 270, 338, 300, 7mm, 264, 308, 243, every weatherby cartridge, and the ackley series of cartridges were all adopted and loved by generations 40 years before millenials were born. Stating that prior generations didn't think newer was better, and trying to make fun of millenials for this is hilarious Sincerely, a member of Gen Z.

[@MatthewC137]

@@papajohnsy6659 You debunked nothing with your silly claims about wildcatters. That has nothing to do with which cartridge is the number one seller which is what I was referring to and should have been obvious to you. You went on to further debunk nothing at all with your silly talk about Weatherby and Ackley both of which enjoyed minimal success when compared to the offerings of the major brands. Weatherby was not much more than a boutique brand until fairly recently and Ackley's were only for handloaders. The government's involvement in your education is showing and it ain't pretty. As for prior generations being less likely overall to assume newer is better I observed it all for decades. It's crystal clear that young people today think very differently about cartridges and even gun construction and it isn't a positive development. Now since you're a proud gen z-er I must point out that OF COURSE I'm not talking about everyone. There are always exceptions to society's norms.

[@MatthewC137]

@@midwestbd7144 Exactly. I started handloading when I was 12 because you couldn't get even Nosler Partitions in factory loadings. Most people under 40 have no idea how different things were before the 2000s.

[@jtaylorb88]

Yep that's how it goes, great opening to the video. While my collection is small compared to yours its kind of too big especially now I see my wrongs and to fix them will require some to go away while others live on better than before.

[@rodgerthackeray7978]

Hodgdon load data shows you can push 180gr bullet to 2857 fps using Staball 6.5. That gets a 178gr ELD-X to 630 yards at 6200 elevation. These loads are pressured for old military rifles, and new modern bolt action rifles can be pushed a little more, getting it to around 2900-2930 fps. This makes a 30-06 a lot more comparable to the newer cartridges. You do have to reload to get this performance, though. I have 25 years of experience loading for the 30-06. Even though I have a 30-06, I have not used it as much, as I prefer 7mm's. I used to shoot a 7 RUM, but now shoot a custom long thoated 7 SAUM and working up loads for a 7 PRC, which I changed out the barrel on my 7 RUM for. I may give the 30-06 another chance with the new bullets and powders available.

[@richardstone5241]

My Grandfather started me shooting a WWII 06 Springfield rifle with open sights when I was 10 years old. We handloaded our ammunition and I grew to love the versatility of the 06 case and the various calibers (25, 270, 280, 06, 338 and the 35 Whelen). There is no need for a magnum cartridge (if you know how to shoot) and personally I never liked them. We never worried about the recoil as we were stout working men who had muscle not like your wimpy soy boy's of today. During the Viet Nam day's I carried the M-14 because it would shoot THROUGH sh*t. Loved it.!

[@jwc00789]

In the thick woods that I hunt, Ranges are typically 200 yards and under. For that, the .30/06 has been fine, and I have three Rifles, so chambered. Recoil has been the least of my concerns. If you want crazy recoil, try a .300 Weatherby.

[@jasonholloman657]

You're gonna love it.... lighter mono metals will give you performance exceeding your expectations. If I recall correctly, your friend Ron Spomer compared modern 30.06 to early 300 win mag.....

[@waldronnewell3689]

I'm from New England and my deer rifle is a 30-06 Model 70 Winchester (no recoil pad) with a 3-9 Leupold Vari X II. The thing kicks like a mule and I will be black and blue after 4 shots at the range. I also had a Remington model 742 in 30-06 and both rifles have taken deer. Most of the hunting I did was woodland where the longest shot was probably 100 yds. In every instance the shots were standing and with no rest.

[@UplandODST]

I thought you blew out a tire at 13:20 haha. Congrats on the new rifle. My dad and grandpa swear on the 30.06 for hunting anything and everything to this day. My dad was so confused when I got my .270, asked if there was something wrong with me lol.

[@SpudOutdoors]

Just picked up a 5lbs 5.5oz 30-06 24” barrel in a Kimber mountain ascent caza. Quickload tests using 190 ABLR and above bullets with RL 26 puts 1500lbs of energy at a whopping 720 yards.

[@arthurshingler2025]

I wanted to take a 308 out and shoot the other day.... but realized that I didn't really have a "normal" sturdy bolt action 308 available..... So I did what you did.... searched everywhere for a cheapie (that I liked...).... couldn't find one. Eventually I found a model 700 for sale on consignment... but supposedly new. It looked like it was probably 3 or 4 years ago since the former owner bought it new. It was never fired.... It was rough looking too. I bought it... paid about 100 more than I wanted to. Slapped an old 4X Redfield scope on it (40 years or more, old...)... and went to the range. Sighted it in with 6 rounds....while breaking in the barrel... shot a 3 shot test group. Wow! No matter how cheap, or rough... it shows a lot of promise. (I already had a second hand Savage 30-06 to play with... I JUST needed a 'beater" 308, too. It was worth EVERY penny! JUST like a 30-06!)

[@packman3220]

First rifle I ever bought was an old Winchester 770 in 30-06 (no. That was not a typo or mistake) I have used it for many years with just plain Jane iron sights. Still one of my favorite guns I've ever bought. Very accurate. Very predictable. And I've gotten very good results from it. Yes Jim, it kicks like a mule. Makes it more nostalgic for me

[@ghostshadow9046]

It is actually easy to not miss on long shots, if you are not 100% sure of making the shot DON'T pull the trigger, I would rather wait for animal to come closer or move myself closer than make a bad shot. I reload, have speer 75 grain HPBT in sabots for coyotes, up to 208 grain ELD for moose, 150 & 170 grain speer hotcore FP work great for deer and caribou. I really like the versatility I get with my 30-06.

[@jake9705]

13:30 -- You love those Savage rifles for some reason 😂