06

Was talking to my nephew who is mainly a hunter but showing interest in target shooting sport. And The 30-06 came up. My reply In my small circle of shooting friend I can’t think of anyone that brings one to the line. Not sure why. Maybe cause it’s not the latest greatest sexy caliber. Thoughts?
Who here shoots the 06 in competition?

 

Nothing wrong with the 06. There is a reason it was used for just about every application or another at some point. There are a couple of older gentlemen that shoot one locally in our matches and they are just as competitive as anyone else. Learn how to drive one and it will do just fine. They are easy to load for and forgiving to tune in my experience.

 

check for vintage mil rifle matches or hunting rifle matches in your area. it was used a lot, not so much any more...still a very popular round.

 

I have a good shooting heavy barreled 06 that I was planning to try out in some of the PA Groundhog Matches this year.

 

Was it German Salazar who is very experienced and knowledgeable about the 30-06 in competition?

I've used a hunting rifle in 30-06 a couple times in competition and considered an F-Class build with one.

The bottom line for me is that in F-Open, you can get the same wind drift with less barrel movement and recoil with 6.5 and 7mm options.

If you really want to reach beyond 1000 yards, the 300 Magnums will do it better. Want the narrower competition of F-TR to 1000 yards, gotta be .308.

If you have a 30-06 you like already, it's a great idea to wring it out and see what it will do in competitions near you.

Spending $$$ on a build requires a much higher level of affection for the cartridge.

 

I shoot 30-06 in the John C. Garand matches here with a vintage post WWII M1, and I use a custom model 700 long action with a 26" Hart barrel for mid and long range shooting, most recently at Thunder Ranch. With a JP Enterprises recoil eliminator, the 700 can be a little rough on my neighbors on the line, but we find ways to deal with the blast.

 

A big issue is what you define as target shooting. From beer cans to groundhog silhouettes to serious paper competition or long-range PRC, to be decent takes cartridges that fit each discipline. Sure you can use a 30-06 for most of these things. Now realize you are shooting a relative large cartridge of an old design not inclined to burn powder with the most efficiency and in large quantities. Lots of power means little to a paper target other than maybe dealing with wind conditions better than some.

Essentially it is a great hunting cartridge you can have fun with shooting a minimal amount. Shoot it a lot and you just might quit shooting due to the "cannon affect". That recoil, powder and bullet use sure gets difficult if you shoot a lot and then find out it is just ordinary and rather obnoxious to others around.

For vintage matches, casual plinking ( a form of target) general hunting and military history it is good. For serious target it would be more of a joke today.

 

I shoot one in local competition . Hunter class,which is limited to a 9 pound rifle and 6x scope ... we don't get a huge crowd ,but i win with it . This is 100 yards for score . Light loads of H4895 and 125 grain bullets in a sporter barrel '03 .

 

I started my Hi-Power career with an M1 Garand "National Match" in 30-06, built by the Air Force in the mid-60's. Then moved to a 30-06 M70 match rifle, which took me most of the way to Master. I also shot that match rifle in a number of long-range matches, with reasonable success (for my ability and commitment). I've always heard that 30-06's were very picky when it came to loads, but that was not my experience. Both those rifle liked 168 SMK over 4895 and the bolt-gun would shoot just about anything well, up to 190 SMK with H4350. The M1 Garand I have now, loves "Mexican Match" made with 155 Palma bullets.

 

1st this is not for me I shoot a 6BrX and 6.5 x284 mostly at 600 and starting to shoot 1K. This is just talk between me and Nephew which may have a gun built and ask me about the pro and con of the 06. Basically I gave him an old 700 and he is thanking of tricking it out (barrel and stock) and maybe going to some shoots with me I figure it will see more hunting and show and tell than anything.
He asked about doing it in 06 which is what it is now. “I’m just asking for a friend” lol

 

I shoot an 30. 06ai in F class I also have and use a 7.06ai. There is way less wind effect with the 30.06ai at 1,000 in fact I only use the 7 at the shorts now

 

Thanks Bindi2 would mind sharing what twist and bullet weight you running

 

German Salazar taught me how to pull targets (5 to 8 seconds max!! he would yell out to me) and score in F class when I was just beginning. I watched him shoot his 30-06 and whoop most everyone.
Are there better calibers? Probably, but mostly its the Indian not the arrow.

 

30.06ai 210gn Berger, 10 twist. 7mm 182gn Seirra 9 twist

 

There use to be a fellow who shot a 30 06 Improved at the Mifflin Co Sportsmen gtoundhog shoots. It was very accurate. Saw some very small 500 yd groups he shot. No reason one could not be competitive. However, recoil and componet cost need to be considered. It depends on what type of competition you want to compete in. If its some type of bench shooting for a new compeitor hard to beat a 6BR. Will compete with a ppc at 100yds and wins matches at 1000 yds.

 

yes it was German, and he cleaned plenty of our clocks with his 06 TubeGun!!!

 

I fired my first High Power Match with a 1903A3 straight stock. No shooting coat, 88 round regional. Man that was brutal. But I actually scored better on my 600 yd stages. I continued to use it until progressing to M1, M1A, AR 15 and finally AR Match Rifle. I still get her out for club level matches from time to time. Always wanted an all out match rifle in 30 06. Still a great cartridge.

 

I built a 06 bench rifle and did well with it and then sold it to a friend of mine who shot it this weekend and took 4th with it at the gh shoot. I will probably build another one, miss it already. Nothing wrong with it and can be just as competive as anything else. Plus it has the cool factor. You also get alot of dumb looks when you tell people what caliber it is!

 

We had a shooter set a couple of club records at a 3x600 match a couple of weekends ago with the old, tired, outdated, inefficient .30-06, shooting old, tired, outdated, inefficient 175gr Matchkings. They weren't even tipped Matchkings, so I'm not sure how they made it past 200 yards. All he could manage with the old warhorse was a 200-11X, 200-15X, and 199-9X for a match aggregate of 599-35X.

Obviously the guy is a heck of a prone shooter, but it does go to show you that the 'aught-six can still get the job done if you point it straight.

 

Thank you your input I thought I was the only person still shooting SMK’s (6, 6.5)