I've shot a lot of '06 in my sixty odd years of shooting and, up until quite recently, still enjoyed a day behind a set of open sights and sending a pill or two downrange with my '03 Springfield. But I rarely see anyone with that caliber at the shooting bench. Wondering if anyone here has a like experience.
Does Anybody '06 Anymore
- Thread starter 1K Luver
- Start date
Yeah ... I did some shooting with my brother's Garand many many years back. But I still love my '03 Springfield. I'd like to try it on some of those steel targets I've seen. Perhaps I'll get a chance to do that before I get too old to see the sights.
About ten years back a close trusted friend finally got his period correct 03A4 built to where he thought it was ready to shoot. He came up to my home range and we quickly got it zero'ed at a hundred. We hung a target at 300, I laid down with the front on sand bags and drilled 10 rounds into 3.5 inches. I wanted to shoot more, but I had been shooting 308 for so many years, that '06 beat me up! I also tried to buy it, but he was so tickled with the build he wasn't going to part with it very soon. I was tickled just to get to shoot it. I think with the good bench and rest suited for the rifle it was MOA and I was impressed with his build.
Bottom Fodder
Silver $$ Contributor
Yep back in my day most hunters around me hunted with the 06, and a common saying was “me and my 06”, now people need the latest and greatest , To me if the “06” won’t do it I probably don’t need to be doing it. Not the best for every thing but in my needs it will cover
I've been thinking about putting my '06 barrel back on for this year. That's what I cut me teeth on. The only reason I haven't used it for a few years is accuracy with factory barrel and brass life, and I've been wanting to use higher quality brass that's more expensive. . But, I know a lot more now and could likely remedy those factors.
Question: if a guy is using regular FL dies, like Lee, and only bumping 0.002, roughly how many shots could a guy get from quality brass such as Lapua or Peterson before case head separation starts?
If I could get 20 reloads on $1.50-2/case quality brass using the Lee dies I have, I would likely move back to the '06. My factory barrel could also be made more accurate for a wider variety of bullets if I get a 1.5 degree leade throater in there.
Question: if a guy is using regular FL dies, like Lee, and only bumping 0.002, roughly how many shots could a guy get from quality brass such as Lapua or Peterson before case head separation starts?
If I could get 20 reloads on $1.50-2/case quality brass using the Lee dies I have, I would likely move back to the '06. My factory barrel could also be made more accurate for a wider variety of bullets if I get a 1.5 degree leade throater in there.
I sold a 30-06 yesterday. It has been my tractor rifle for 20 years and has killed a bunch of critters. It went to a young man to be his all around rifle. I have another rifle needing a new barrel and it will be another 30-06.
Krogen
Gold $$ Contributor
Rarely do I see the old .30-06 on the firing line. Most 30 cal these days is .308 Win or 7.62x51; sometimes 7.62x39. I've had a pre-war Model 70 for ages, but haven't shot in in quite a while. I need to correct that transgression. I recently jumped on the 03-A3 bandwagon. I have handloaded and shot a few rounds. I intend to keep at it. I may shoot it in one of the "old warhorse" matches at a local club. Most of my friends appreciate old as well as newer firearms. There generally aren't any puzzled looks when you show up with something ancient.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
I shoot a 30/06 AI in benchrest comps. Last year forty shots at 600 yds my average was 2.03. I was second in the agg. for our groundhog matches with the same rifle. I enjoy shooting it a lot. I use to shoot a garand in cmp matches when I was in my teens and early 20"s.
In 73 at boot camp, we shot Garands just before they were phased out. Then the following year we all had to requalify on the M16A1. I had a 30/06 Rugar M77 with iron sights from 75-86. Sold it in 86 to a friend in Maine.
I shot and reloaded for one back in the late 70's. Mine was a Remington 700. Fine rifle and it shot terrific sub 1 moa groups with 165 grain bullets and IMR 4350. But it was not a rifle I enjoyed shooting off the bench, just too much recoil which after a few shots would cause me to flinch.
The 30 06 is one of the all-time great hunting cartridges for the one-gun big game hunter that wants to hunt various north American big game such as deer, elk, black bear, moose, etc. But in my opinion, it is more gun than is needed for easter white tail hunting which in itself is not a problem but when you add in the punishing recoil factor, there are better options. But if you can handle the recoil, it's as good as it gets given you will never feel the recoil when taking a shot at a big game animal but sustained shooting off the bench is another issue.
The 30 06 is one of the all-time great hunting cartridges for the one-gun big game hunter that wants to hunt various north American big game such as deer, elk, black bear, moose, etc. But in my opinion, it is more gun than is needed for easter white tail hunting which in itself is not a problem but when you add in the punishing recoil factor, there are better options. But if you can handle the recoil, it's as good as it gets given you will never feel the recoil when taking a shot at a big game animal but sustained shooting off the bench is another issue.
Bob in WI
Silver $$ Contributor
During our rifle clubs annual sight-in 3006s still make up a surprising majority of guns on the line.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
During the Wal-Mart Rem clearance, I purchased a M700 adl 30/06 for $ 99.56. Plastic stock, lightest game rifle I have. If I draw an elk license this fall it will be at minimum my backup for the trip. It does have noticeable recoil. Wish it was threaded.
46and2
Silver $$ Contributor
Just built an '06 last fall.
.30-06 Kicks Like a Mule
I have an old Winchester 70 push feed sporter in 30-06, it was my first hunting rifle and I have not shot it in many years. This was my favorite model 70 as it is super accurate and has consistently shot groups around .7 at 100 yards. Went to the range today and decided to take it along to warm...
forum.accurateshooter.com
Yes. I got one for a 375 Whelen donor. Figured I'd get the basic rifle squared away before the barrel work was done. It was kind of ugly with a rubber stock & didn't shoot very well. Put a new stock on it last week & it shoots everything I've run through it since then under 3/4" @ 100 yds. Damn! Now I might need another donor.
I have 9 30-06 I usually bring one of my M1s to the range but it has a lot of competition from the new chassis rifles like the Savage elite inn 338LM but I still shoot 3006 regularly just have a lot of others to take my time.
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