If you feel the need, there's no better way to start a hardcore discussion around the proverbial American deer camp fire-ring than "What's the best all-around rifle/cartridge combo available if you could have only one rifle to hunt with?" These days, there are so many different rifle platforms and cartridges to choose from that a person could truly spin themselves right into the ground trying to make up their mind. Given the parameter set above, my choice is a simple one. It's the .30-06 Springfield in a bolt-action rifle.
Everyone has their favorite(s) and, before you give this article a sideways look, I'd appreciate your consideration of the following:
· Over the past 110 years, this cartridge has taken big game on every continent in the world;
· It was our primary service rifle cartridge during WWI, WWII and the Korean War (some folks called it a "conflict"...B.S.! It was a war);
· Since the advent of RCBS keeping records of annual reloading die sales, the '06 has always been in the Top 10, usually in the Top 3; and
· It ranks in the Top 10 each year for total factory ammunition sales.
Another classic example is this. I had the pleasure of hunting "Muy Grande" white-tail bucks, just outside of Laredo Texas, from 1990 to 1994 and again from 1996 to 1999. Being a diehard observer, I took note of the type of rifles and cartridges utilized by 81 hunters visiting the lease. Bolt-action rifles were the hands down favorite at 63, semi-autos were second at 11, lever-actions were third at 5 and break-actions fourth at 2. The '06 ranked first at 55, the .270 Winchester came in second at 19, the .30-30 Winchester was third at 5 and the .308 Winchester finished the list at 2. My goodness! I was under the impression that Texas was hard-core .270 Winchester territory!
My earliest memories of big game hunting involve my Dad and his prized .30-06 Model 70 Winchester, "The Rifleman's Rifle." The US Air Force kept him moving around a lot and, he hunted deer and elk as his career allowed. His '06 found its way into hunting campsites in Washington, Louisiana and California. Dad used factory ammo for a very long time. He found that his rig had a penchant for Winchester 150 grain Silvertips for deer and 180 grain Power Points or Silvertips for elk. As a youngster, I was thoroughly impressed with the rifle, cartridge, his shooting skills and how well this combo put game on the ground. Later, when the original Silvertips faded away, Federal PowerShok's in the same grain weights took their place. He was tickled when I started rolling my own ammo and has been extremely pleased with the ammo that I've handloaded for his rifle(s).
Several .30-06 rifles have crossed my path over the years. The ones that got away, I wish I had back. After cutting my teeth in NRA High Power Rifle Silhouette with a Mexican Mauser sporter in .308 Winchester, I used a Winchester Model 70 in '06 (initially with LC61 M72 Match ammo) for 2 years. Loved that set-up and successfully duplicating the M72 ammo but, the .308 Winchester was "soup de jour" at the time and so I went. My current favorite '06 is a Remington Model 721B that was built in 1957. It's a "tack driver." This rifle also likes Federal PowerShok's, like Dad's Winchester, but it really shines with handloads.
This article is geared toward hunting loads for bolt-action rifles. As insurance for 100% functioning in the field, please utilize a full-length resizing die for your '06 hunting ammo. Save the neck-sizing die for ammo dedicated to a particular match-grade bolt-action rifle.
Before we go any further, a decision point has to be made here. Do you want your ammo to emulate factory rounds or do you want to tweak your loads for a particular rifle? The crux of the matter is this: reloading allows you to match factory specs and handloading provides for fine tuning. Both options have much to commend them. The choice is up to you.
Disclaimer: Since I have no control over variations in components, reloading tools or reloader's procedures, the individual is solely responsible for any changes in ballistics that may occur using this data. Users assume all risk, responsibility and liability whatsoever for any and all injuries (including death), losses or damages to persons or property (including consequential damages), arising from the use of any product or data. I do not assume any liability in conjunction with the use of any product or data.
Hunting Loads (Bolt-action Rifle)
Reloads
Let's say that you want to reload to factory level. Makes sense. Let's face it. If you forget your rounds and need to hit the corner market in Nowhere USA, they are probably going to have three brand choices: Remington Core-Lokts, Winchester Power Points and Federal PowerShoks. The average velocity for these factory '06 loads are as follows: 150 grain = 2900 fps, 165 grain = 2800 fps and 180 grain = 2700 fps. Cartridge Overall Length (COL) = 3.210" to 3.225", not exceed 3.340". You can make this happen easily.
· 150 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 51.0 gr. of IMR4064, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 150 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 58.0 gr. of W760, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 165 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 51.0 gr. of IMR4064, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 165 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 55.5 gr. of W760, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 55.0 gr. of IMR4350, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer, Sierra or Hornady), 55.0 gr. of W760, Federal, Remington or Winchester Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
Handloads
Now it's time to get your ammo in harmony with a particular rifle! The following loads have worked like a champ in at least 10 different bolt-action '06 rifles. Some of these loads may appear to be a bit "warm" when compared against current reloading manuals but, I've never had a lick of trouble with any of them as long as they were fired in a Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 Series or equivalent bolt-action rifle. I'm not a huge fan of the 150 grain weight bullets in the '06. For non-elk class animals, I much prefer the 165 and 180 grainers as I've experienced better accuracy and less meat damage with these weights. Would rather run 150's in the .308 Winchester. However, in deference to my Dad, I'll throw a few 150 loads in for good measure. Again, COL = 3.210" to 3.225", not to exceed 3.340".
· 150 gr. Spitzer (Sierra Pro Hunter), 50.0 to 52.0 gr. of IMR4064, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Federal 210 LR Primer
· 150 gr. Spitzer (Speer Boat-tail or Sierra Pro-Hunter), 49.0 to 51.0 gr. of IMR4895, Remington Brass, Winchester LR Primer
· 150 gr. Spitzer (Speer Boat-tail or Sierra Pro-Hunter), 58.0 to 60.0 gr. of W760, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Winchester LR Primer
· 165 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer or Hornady Interlok), 48.0 to 49.5 gr. of IMR4064, Winchester, Remington, Hornady or Nosler Brass, Winchester LR Primer
· 165 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer or Hornady Interlok), 57.5 to 58.5 gr. of IMR4350, Winchester, Remington, Hornady or Nosler Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer or; Sierra Pro-Hunter or GameKing), 56.0 to 57.0 gr. of IMR4350, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer or; Sierra Pro-Hunter or GameKing), 58.0 to 59.0 gr. of RL-19, Remington Brass, Winchester LR or Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer Boat-tail (Speer or Sierra GameKing), 56.0 to 56.5 gr. of W760, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Federal 210 LR Primer
Elk, Moose and Black Bear Time!!! Heavier loads for heavier game. The 180, 190 and 200 grain bullets rule this roost!!! COL = 3.210" to 3.225", not to exceed 3,340".
· 180 gr. Spitzer Flat-base or Boat-tail (Speer), 57.0 to 58.0 gr. of IMR4350, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Federal 210 LR Primer
· 180 gr. Spitzer (Nosler Partition), 59.0 to 60.0 gr. of H-4831, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Federal 210 LR Primer
· 190 gr. Spitzer Boat-tail (Hornady Interlok), 47.0 to 47.5 gr. of IMR4064, Winchester W-W Super Brass, Winchester LR Primer
· 200 gr. Spitzer (Nosler Partition), 58.0 to 59.0 gr. of H-4831, Winchester or Remington Brass, Winchester LR Primer
The 190 and 200 grain info listed above is amazing! It shoots a lot flatter than you'd think and hits like a freight train.
For the folks that love the original bullet weight for the '06, here's 220 grain load data that works like a champ out to 200 yards and will stop darned near anything that walks in North America!!! COL = 3.210".
· 220 gr. Round-nose flat-base (Hornady or Sierra), 53.0 to 53.5 gr. of IMR4350, Winchester or Remington Brass, Winchester LR or Remington 9-1/2 LR Primer
Note: For information regarding '06 hunting loads for semi-auto or pump-action rifles, please check out my upcoming blog article: .30-06 Springfield Part 2 - Service Rifle Loads.
Someone asked me the other day what I "felt" about the '06. I told him that it reminds me of:
· Fluorescent orange hats and vests;
· Old olive-drab field jackets;
· 1950's vintage military canteens with water that tastes like 1950's metal;
· Red-checked flannel or wool shirts;
· Gray wool socks;
· Broken-in boots that need new laces;
· Sharp knives in leather scabbards;
· Korean War-vintage C Rations for dinner;
· Finding the constellation Orion (The Hunter) in the night sky; and
· Warming your backside next to a keyhole fire pit.
With a .30-06 bolt-action rifle in your hands, good rifleman skills and carefully tailored handloads tuned to the rifle, well...as an old friend from Texas would say, "It just don't get no better than that!"