Why would anyone still want a 30-06? 

When I turned 16 my mom asked me what I wanted for Xmas and I told her a 30-06, she laughed and said what else I told her a car!😊 I got a 30-06!

I'm 67 and have owned several 30/06's and taken a lot of big game with them. The deer, elk, antelope and bear that I have taken with them all have one thing in common - none of the animals I took with a 30/06 ever stood up and complained one way or another.

Even in hard times, I was always able to find 30-06. 30-06 can take every game animal on the North American continent.

My grandpa was a super gun collector, reloader, and gunsmith. I asked him when i was 8yo what his favorite caliber was, he said 3006 because it can do anything and he went on to tell me why on the long trip we had ahead. Awesome information.

30/60 full of versatility with nothing but ability 😂 ❤

Thank you for not cutting the 30/06 down . The history behind it is great. It's been reliable in war and putting food on the table for a long time. It's just as reliable today as it ever was. My dad was a gunsmith , I got home from work one Saturday night and said follow me. We went down to the gun room and he started handing me parts by the following Tuesday I had my model '98 Mauser 30/06. I'm still hunting with it today, that was 50 years ago this month. Thanks dad.😊

My primary hunting rifle is a Ruger M77 I purchased 42 years ago. With my favorite hunting load, 150 gr Nosler BT over 52 gr IMR 4064, will keep 3 shots in just over a half inch if I do my part. I'm in my 70's and I've had four rifles in .30-06 and loved them all. I find the recoil not at all a bother and certainly never notice it when shooting game. Best all round cartridge in the world in my opinion.

What's nice about the 30-06 is that it is very versatile. It can be loaded to hunt everything from squirrels to Kodiak bears.

The 30-06 was my first big game rifle and I still have it. I am in central MS and rarely see game over 150 yards away. I have used the 150 grain Nosler partition for years. It has never failed to have complete pass through and usually have DRT results. I don't use it much any more as the rifle kicks like a mule to my 75 year old bones but it simply gets the job done.

Best round ever made

For the woodlands of northern Ontario, the .30-06 is all the rifle I need. It covers everything from coyote to black bear and moose, and everything in between. Not to mention something that's been stated a billion times, yet has so much merit: the .30-06 is just so incredibly versatile. Factory ammo can be bought anywhere, the amount of handload components available are endless (literally over 500 combinations of bullet types, brands, sizes, etc. alone), and with modern bullets its ballistics are now much better at longer ranges than what many people would ever give it credit for. Ultimate Reloader just did a recent video featuring the same 212 grain Hornady ELD-X bullets mentioned here, and with 56.3 grains of Superformance powder it shot 2,590 fps at the muzzle, produced 1,627 ft.-lbs. and 1,859 fps at 600 yds., AND has literally identical wind drift numbers right across the board as a 6.5 Creedmoor shooting 143 grain ELD-X, due to the 212 grain ELD-X's even higher BC of .663 (using Hornady's ballistics calculator). All this equals sure death to ANY elk shot at sane distances out west. With modern bullets, and especially handloaded, the "old" .30-06 ain't the same round grandad shot back in the day. With modern components it's an even more capable round than it ever has been, and is CERTAINLY far from being "obsolete" or "irrelevant". Modern bullet design is breathing new life into the .30-06, and I just think it's going to take a bit of time for some people to realize that the .30-06 is just as relevant now as it has ever been. Long live the .30-06!

I don't own a 30-06 (I have a 308 Win and 300 Win Mag), but I do give it the respect it deserves. Tried and true, it has and will knock down anything in North America. Ammunition is available anywhere. You can reload very light to very heavy and be rest assured it will perform well and not let you down. When all the latest fad cartridges come and go, the 30-06 will still be around. Stay safe and happy shooting.

Thank you very much for this factual presentation of the 30-06. I have hunted for 55 years with this caliber, and it has never let me down!

The .30-06 is the best all around caliber for big game for any typical hunter. Ammo is usually easy to find and in a wide variety of loads. I'll take it and its 117 year history and performance over any modern day cartridge. Our great grandfathers and grandfathers got this one right.

Joseph, I bought my first .30-06 from Z.C.M.I. in Ogden, UT back in the day. A Ruger M77R. I've had many over the years. I still have 3 at home. I just gave one way to my little brother. As you, I've taken many UT Mule Deer, and a number of Elk in the Monte Cristo range. Thanks again for reminding me of better days gone past.

My first "deer rifle" was a Rem 700 .30-06 (80s vintage) given to me by my now deceased Grandfather and it has taken many whitetails for the last 20+ years. I have changed some stuff on it to bring it to the modern era... got the muzzle threaded, put a modern scope on it, added a better squishier recoil pad, put a leather shell holder with some padding under the cheek area to get myself a better cheek weld. I still love this rifle very much and it still retains most of the original essence that means so much to me. I'm taking it to Colorado elk hunting this fall and if I get an elk with it, it will probably become a bit of a safe queen... But one thing I know for sure is that I will NEVER get rid of it

A very strong argument can be made for the 30-06 simply based on the fact that many people already own one. No rifle in a cartridge that is effective and available needs to be replaced without a good reason. I "replaced" my 30-06 with a 7mm-08 as my primary hunting rifle because I got tired of recoil as i got older. I don't regret buying a 30-06 at all, it killed a bunch of elk and other critters for me.

Hallelujah! Someone actually values smooth feeding in case design! To say a 30-06 feeds smoothly is an understatement! Smoother than Snot!😮

I had three Remington Springfield , one was a 03 and two Al’s. I lost them all in a WILD fire in 2013. I miss them. My interest in them are why i klicked on this Video.

My first rifle was a 30-06 that my grandfather bought for me over 30 years ago. Remington 760 pump action 30-06. It's unique enough that I'll never get rid of it.

Over 50 years old and still using the 30-06 my grandfather gave me upon graduating basic training. In my opinion, it is one of the best all-around hunting cartridges still available. And as the gunslingers said, "Beware the man that trains with one gun.".

The reason myself and many others own a 30:06 is that it used to be easy to find the ammo everywhere. Some of the other popular calibers available today were ridiculously hard to find.

3006 is the best cartridge ever made.

Just bought a 300 prc ,but I was looking hard at 06 ,had several of them,and always loved it.

30/06 is a great round and deserves all the accolades it gets. I'm a 308 guy because it does anything and everything I want. I chamber it in several different weapons weather bolt action or a semi-auto variant. I like keeping all my rifles one caliber that happens to be incredibly ubiquitous i.e. 308/7.62x51. It makes stocking up much easier ;)

For me the 30-06 is all about balance. Reasonable, availability, recoil, trajectory and hitting power. All in a package with an appealing history. My favourite cartridge here in the Yukon, though I do move up for Bison usually.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge and has performed for decades. Proves the point that for, the average and some above average, the cartridge is more than adequate. You can spend a fortune on superbang "new" cartridges when the 30-06 still economically puts down game.

Great video! My first center-fire rifle was a .30/06 back in the mid-1960's for deer and groundhogs. My first practice ammo was some old military-issue ball with a '38 headstamp an old family friend gave me. I still own two .30/06's. I've killed many deer, two bull elk, two black bears, coyotes, badgers, feral hogs with that caliber and never lost an animal. Most average hunters aren't good enough shots with any caliber to ethically try a shot at a big game animal over 400 yards under hunting conditions, especially in the mountains.

Thanks for this great update on a great cartridge! I am quite old and my first reaction to the titular question was "Me". I was at the transition of rifles in the Army. I hated the new rifles (M14?)that were forced on us in around 1960. I had very little range time with it as well. But the M1 was very much loved and trusted. We had tons of ammo to shoot, left over from Korea, and could get quite comfortable with our M1s. I don't believe the rifle ever failed me while shooting literally thousands of rounds. I certainly defer to all of the hunters who have had more recent experience. Ar my age(81), however, if I ever buy another rifle it will be a 30-06.

Greatest ever !!! Been around for how long??? And still the most efficient, effective, available, affordable and reliable cartridge ever. Available in pretty much every rifle made !!! 👍👍😃

One of my favorite rounds, 30-06. I’ve loaded everything from 110gr to 220gr weight bullets for my ‘06 and it’s never failed to perform satisfactorily. I have other rifles that are easier recoiling etc.. however, if I could only have 1 and ammo wasn’t a factor, it would be 30-06.

Great subject to cover. Although I have plenty of choices, my favorite rifle is my 30-06. It's an accurized Savage 110. I shoot a 165gr Barnes TTSX over 63gr of IMR-4350 in a Federal case and CCI LR primer. It shoots just a hair over 3000fps. For an all around North American load, it just works. It kicks more than my 7mm-08 and doesn't hit like the 338WM, but it's manageable to shoot and hasn't ever failed me. Not to mention you can find ammunition just about anywhere in the world they sell ammunition.

30-06…one of the most versatile cartridges we have ever had. I have handloaded it for years (longer than you’ve been alive…LOL!) A 100 gr Speer Plinker ahead of Unique is great fun to play with. A 110 FMJ again ahead of Unique I have taken dusky grouse, rabbits, turkey and an unlucky bobcat coming into my turkey call at less than 10 feet. The 130 Barnes TTSX loaded hot (as you should with most monolithic bullets) is devastating on deer. I have taken several meat elk with the 165 Sierra Game king, a few with the Nosler 180 partition and a few with my favorite dark timber load using the 200 Partition. My biggest issue with it today is deciding which of my 30-06 rifles to use. You did a very good review of the grand old cartridge. Thanks for reminding me why I still use it.

I have been hunting with sporterized 1906 Springfield chamber 30/06. My father gave me, he bought two when he returned home from the Korean war, gave one to my "Tata " grandfather. I tuned it up by putting a Timothy trigger and heart barrel glass beded the barrel. Turned into 1/4 minute of angle gun. I used this rifle to take Elk and mule deer pronghorn. Now it sets in my gun safe as a family heirloom. I bought a Bigara 30/06 great rifle right out of the box, I do my own hand loads, who needs a magnum!

Right on Ron! The old aught six is not apt to let you down. The first deer to fall for me was a 30-06 out of a 1917 Eddystone ( Montgomery Ward $19.95) with military peep sights in 1964. Carried more than one 30-06 over the years but gradually moved up to a 7mm Mag. Would go back to the old aught six in a minute with no regrets.

That may have been the best caliber description video I've seen. I'm always waiting for something I'll disagree with. He touched on every relevant topic of discussion and a few more than I would have came up with. It's a real breath of fresh air.

It's hard to go wrong with the old '06 within its limitations. In an accurate rifle, it will do anything one could reasonably expect from a centerfire rifle, the recoil is manageable for most people, and it's very versatile.

.30-06 with 180gr bullets for Woodland Caribou and moose have done the job for me and my father here in Newfoundland. Winchester Power points were the cheapest factory ammo available and worked just fine. I reload now and the Hornady 3070 (180gr SP Interlock) is what I settled on (Speer Hot Cor is cheaper, might try them soon). Dad is still shooting out a box of Power Points. If he lives long enough he might use them all.

If I were hunting anything larger than black bear, I'd choose an '06 without hesitation. It and the .308 are my top two choices. In fairness, I've drop large deer with a .223 and they dropped on the spot but I patiently did my part. Anyways, if my bullet choice was over 150 grains I'd gladly use the '06. The most important choice is to get out there and live the good life. God bless all of you, happy hunting.

I just sold my two .300 Winchesters because at 68 I got sick of being beat up. I still have two 30-06 rifles and a .270 Winchester for the field. Hornady 165gr BTSP bullets drop elk like a bolt of lightning in the 06. Plus the 06 is easy to load for. IMR 4350 on top of a Remington 9/2 primer. I've never lost an animal with a Hornady InterLock. But I don't shoot past 250 yards. To old for buck fever. I also am a western hunter (Colorado).

30-06 worked, works and will always work on big game at hunting distances. I personally have a 300 WSM for bigger/farther stuff and a 308 for deer.

Cut my big game teeth on an '06 back in the 60s. My Dad's sporterized Mauser action, is still in my safe today. Although I have added many other rifles since then, including a Remington semi-auto in '06, it's still a favorite. The question as I understand it, is like asking, "is the .22 rim fire still relevant?" Of course it is!

I am from nortern new brunswick in canada, and for moose hunting, the 30-06 is a perfect all around cartridge that can do it all, good video👍

An old '06 has always gotten the job done, right out to 400 or so yards, up hill, down hill, one shot, one kill. Love it, wouldn't trade it.

You’ll be glad to know I’m currently building one at the moment and the test rifle we were using yielded 2800+ fps with 208gr eld with a 26” barrel, 1.1fps ES and an SD of .4, all while using the most temp stable powder on the plant H4350!

Well... I own four Winchester Model 70's in .30-06. 13:35 Agree! When you're setting up camp four hours from 'anything', and you've discovered 'duh... I didn't pack my ammo'. You can generally find/buy .30-06. Heck, I've seen it in gas stations, grocery stores, etc.

The 30-06 is hands down the most modular cartridge out there. You have projectile weights from 60gr copper solids, 55gr sabots, 100gr cheap plinker bullets, all the way up to 220gr ELD-X in the standard 1:10 twist. Velocity can be tuned from 1000fps with light charges of shotgun powder, and light projectiles for squirrel hunting, to full house 220gr loads for big game hunting, and excellent BCs. The only drawback is that it uses large rifle primers. Edit: Also, I'd like to see you find 7mm PRC and 300 PRC for less than a dollar a round. Currently 30-06 S&B 180gr SP is 90¢+s&h.

It worked for great grandpa, it worked for grandpa, and it worked for dad. I’m just keeping up with tradition.

Great video. Been using an 06 all my life on everything from black tail deer to moose and large black bear and I’ve never had a problem. As long as you’re using the right bullet for the job at hand and shot placement of course. I’ve taken deer and antelope out to 600 yds. But only on rare occasions.

30-06 is a fine game rifle, a very proven versatile cartridge and the ammo is readily and widely available most everywhere. Best deer rifle that I've owned next to my 300 winmag.

It's the grandfather of all modern cartridges. It's been used all over the world to take all kinds of game. With modern bullet designs, powder and loads it hasn't lost a step. I've used it since my youth and will continue to do so. It just works.

One of the most versatile cartridges ever

My first rifle was a 30-06. Loved it. Traded it for another 30-06. While I was happy with the trade, that first rifle will always remain in my list of "regretful trades." (Everyone has one or two). My load at the time was 180 grain bronze points. The Accutips are filling the absence of bronze points pretty well, but I still recall those bronze points favorably. My current love affair is with the 358 Winchester. A VERY much under-appreciated cartridge. No, it's not a "600 yard rifle". But I don't track deer anymore, and it (the rifle) has dropped an elk and a moose in reported spectacular fashion. Keep it within its working range, and you'll be very happy too. But this is a 30-06 article. I'll just say that you will find something better for some applications, but you'll NEVER be wrong for choosing a 30-06 as a "one rifle, do everything" cartridge.

I'm finally learning something. I'm particularly grateful because I had completely blanked this cartridge out. I bought my first hunting rifle after going on my first big game hunt at Laramie Wyoming where I shot three Pronghorn at approximately 200-300 yds using the Weatherby 257, 270, 300 belted magnums. I was ecstatic and the truckload of meat was rewarding. Without hesitation I went rifle shopping and settled on a vintage Winchester model 70 featherweight; it was said to be strong and reliable and it was beautiful too, having a fine thin Sako like barrel with sharp checkering on the perfect walnut stock. Same month, I drove up North of I-79 on Highway 13 saw a Deer near Meeker, took one shot at 150 yards and was back home eating the tenderloins before the 4 o'clock news. 180 grain Winchester Silver Tip cartridge. It was all so perfect until I bought into this idea that the 3006 could do it all and that there's alot of bullet weights and designs for everything. Naturally, hand loading accurate cartridges for bigger and smaller game and varmints became the to do, especially with the performance increases and extra meat. It all just took over. Sitting on the shooting bench at the Cherry Creek State Park testing my heavy Nosler Partition Elk loads and 110 grain spitzer varmint rabbit loads the owner of 300 Gunsmith came over to check on me. Allen thought I had problems ( I thought I needed to load and test every powder primer combination in three different loading manuals). He gave me some pointers and I listened. Several years later on my Safari downtime in East Africa my PH played the film Black Death for us.... First time I realized the shooter was Allen Duckworth back home. Anyway it all just kept growing I think because I started looking at what other people were doing. I saw these two guys kinda looking away from me so I watched them cleaning with dental precision almost like their barrels were gold. As luck would have it my first fine rifle experience unfolded to be the 222 Remington cartridge Securely attached to an XP 100 pistol action, Jewel trigger, glued into a McMillan Stock supporting a Shilen Select Match Grade 7 taper stainless barrel. But the owner if it talked me into building a different set up with his gunsmith. Anyway, now Im back and looking at the possibilities of wildcatting the 3006 case as I think it should be done. Ron made a pretty good video of the 06 cats but then he dropped out solid - sort of unexpectedly, he almost looked exhausted like he was saving up for the next wind. I never any if this stuff before RU-vid. I think when you jump in and swim the currents tend to dictate.

A older fellow that was a friend of my Father.. lived in Alaska… He used a sporterized 1917 Enfield.. that he purchased mail order for less than $50 in the mid-60’s Over the years it was his only hunting Moose , Caribou , Elk and great bears .. using 180gr Remington Cor-lokt … He passed a few years back .. his son has his old Enfield..and Im sure its still filling the freezer

My grandfather hunted deer every winter in the Poconos of Pennsylvania for food during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. I remember going out and having fun shooting water filled metal cans with his 30-06 and Winchester ‘94. Great memories!!! My dad hated going hunting with him so I never inherited those rifles. I purchased a Webley & Scott 30-06 recently and a Winchester ‘94 from 1968 (sadly not pre-64) to honor my family history. Love these rifles.

It may never be the best for every niche, but it fills so many roles very well, especially if you live somewhere with elk and moose size game. It fits in any long action with room to spare. It pushes 200gr bullets in the 2700 fps range. This means you have enough mass to use cheaper bullets and still penetrate well. 150gr bullets at 3000 fps stay flat for any deer or pronghorn out to 450 yards. Use a copper bullet of the same weight and speed and you have a deadly combo for anything. You get an extra round in the box vs a belted magnum.

I would still buy a 3006 today easily available cartridges and still a great cartridge to hunt with.

I acquired my Remington model 7600 chambered in 30-06 for dirt cheap. It is a beautiful rifle and as luck would have it, it's really accurate. I'll never get rid of it.

Thank you Joseph. Very thorough! I enjoyed your good grasp of history and the respect dearly deserved by 30.06. I have to admit the cartridge and firearm make an impression on the shooter that endures the test of time. And 30.06 pleasant every time you shoot it.

As someone who doesn't have a 30-06 rifle. I still want one.

Very good presentation! I think you covered all the benefits of the 30-06 that sold me. You can reload them many times more than most of the magnums and other than finding primers nowadays the components and availability is pretty good.

The 30-06 is a good all around chambering. Good for antelope, deer, elk and moose.

Two of the most available cartridges in Canada are the 30-30 ,30-06 and 303 British. I’ve seen them in little grocery stores in Hamlets and gas stations in the highway. And the 30-06 spawned the 270 which I loved to shoot over my 30-06 due to less recoil. Shot an Antelope with 130 Win Silvertip bullets and 56 1/2 grs 4831 at 400 yards. That was in 69 when tons of 4831 surplus sold for $2.50 lb. loved the Silvertip and used it exclusively.

Because it's Awesome!

You made a good case for the 30/06. I would like to see a similar treatment for the.270 Winchester. Both of these have been around a long time and have done well. But because they have been around awhile, and there is always something new, people lose interest and forget or never realize how effective these older cartridges still are, especially with newer powders and bullets.

I loved having a rifle and handgun in the same 30-06 cartridge, though the loads were different. My favorite 30-06 rifle was a converted pre-war DWM 98 Mauser action. I reloaded one shell 41 times without excessive case wall thinning.. WW case, trimmed to length a few times, various 147-165gr bullets and H414, IMR 4350 and IMR 4064.

With a lot of PA folks it's a family tradition. Personally I have my Grandpa's Springfield 30/06. I will pass it down also plus all of my own guns. I take Grandpa's old gun out at least once a year. It brings back memories of hunting with Grandpa.

When I was growing up all of my Uncles & older cousins had a .30-06 Remington 760 or 7600. First chance I got. I bought myself a .30-06 Remington 7600 carbine. Very nice rifle for heavily wooded areas.

The 3006 just works so well on game out to 400 yards. 400 yards is where most people should stop shooting at game anyway………..

The first centerfire rifle I ever bought was a 30-06 that's been almost 50 years ago. I am still using that same rifle today. I know why they don't load it as hot as it could be because of all the old rifles still out there but I believe it could be tweaked with more modern powders and bullets to be just as good as all these new cartridges they came out with. It's not only a great hunting round it is also an excellent self defense shtf round After all it was designed to kill people originally. 223/5.56 don't have the range or punch down range and military surplus is still available. While everyone seems to have ARs when they come to take our guns you can bet the old hard hitting 30-06 will be the first one I grab to defend my god given rights

Close loads in my world. 180 accubonds over H4895. So accurate from my CZ. Great conversation going on!!

I’m 76 and a lifelong Alaskan hunter. My dad was a WWII vet and he told me no matter where I was in Alaska villages I could find 30-06 ammunition. He was right! He gave me a 30-06 Husqvarna for my 16th birthday!

Good Day. Back in 1971, I bought a used Colombian Military 30/06 at Zayer Department Store in Miami, Florida for a very cheap price. Just out of High School, I didn't have much money. The first time that fired it, WOW! I had no idea what it was! Great Gun.

I use several rifles from .243 Win up .300 Weatherby Magnum but my trusty .30-06 is still the most versatile. My go to load out is 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. BC of .507 about 2750 FPS

The most important advantage to me (as mentioned by the presenter): logistical. The round is ubiquitous and can pretty much be found pretty much anywhere for a decent price. Animals have not changed since the cartridge was first introduced as a hunting rifle cartridge and will still succumb to it. Our penchant for extending our shooting distances, and the performance and choices of the cartridges used at these longer distances, have. As well, our collective abilities at actual hunting ability, fieldcraft, and the ability to get closer to our pursued game have changed, also.

It's such a versatile cartridge

I happen to know a machinist who specifically built an ELR specifically in 30-06 because he looked at everything else and decided it was the all around best. He loves this weapons capabilities and sub MOA accuracy.

Great content! I have come to appreciate the 30-06 loaded with 180gr and up bullets. I've done some of my best hunting with that combo.

Great information and I agree that the big heavy bullets are what make the 30.06 shine. Like Ron Spoomer says the 30.06 is very versatile. Speaking of Ron, where is he? Great video but I miss Ron's input on this.

There’s no doubt a good 30.06 covers a lot of ground. But you are spot on when say there are better cartridges for open country hunting. My first rifle was a model 700 in 7MM Rem Mag that would shoot 160 Partitions at 2965 fps. I killed everything from buck antelope to bull elk with that rifle. In fact, the biggest deer I ever killed, I killed with that rifle. But I chose this cartridge since I’m a Westerner and, like you said, we typically shoot past 300 yards and I felt this was a great choice. I still own two 7MM mags, but shoot 160 Accubonds in one of them the since it has a higher BC and I get 3030fps thus giving me better performance at longer ranges. I do think modern scopes such as Leupold’s CDS really are the most significant game changers in today’s hunting world and most of my hunting rifles wear one.

Very good round

ive had rifles of many calibers and in years past, never shot a deer at over 50ft. haha,,,ive been able to do target shots at all sorts of ranges, but in reality, i make it a point to scout the game area several months ahead of time to find travel trails, feed and water areas, and bedding spots. The closest ive ever killed was an 8 point white tail 210 lbs or so at a range of 6 ft. haha. i try to hide very well and when i see them coming along the trail, i wait until they get as close as possible before standing or exposing myself. Thats worked well for me,,,,looking back on it all, i now realize ive never had a use for sights!!! Good video, many thanks,,,bill in alabama 78 yr old

I have 2 of them and almost every cartridge built off of the 30/06 case. Great cartridge, easy to modify to another caliber.

If you like a cartridge that has dropped every animal on earth, including Elephant, Rhino(including Earnest Hemingway’s running 300 yard 1 shot kill), Lion, Cape Buffalo, lots of Grizzly Bear, is accurate, medium recoiling, can shoots about as flat as the 6.5 creedmoor. Shoot bullets from 100 to 200 grains and stabilizes all of em with its 1-10 twist rate, then I suppose the 30-06 is alright I guess.

06 is the ultimate North American deer round. Given that, while still using 30-30 for deer hunting, Hornady's LeveRevolution 160g in the Marlin 336SS is my choice. To each their own.

Great video, say hi to Ron. I've used many types of bullets he's recommended. I own both 308 and 30-06 for the same reasons you explained. Modern day bullet versatility for all conditions, distances, animal sizes and toughness. Back in the day the o6 was used with military FMJ for thru and thru wound channel bleeding to create a trackable blood trail. I remember my Uncles returning from the War talking about using those new Remington Mushrooms in the woods. I said Whattt? They were refering to the "Core- Lokt" drop 'um where they stand. Years back Ron suggested the new Winchester Silvertips for that and he was right! Happy Hunting

Went out west to go hunting. Got to the cabin and found that I had left the 60 high performance rounds at home. Thought I was going to be a spectator on this trip. Went to the only gas station within 80 miles from the cabin, hoping they sold ammo. They did not, but when I was buy some groceries, I noticed a bullet in the pen cup next to cash register. I reached over pulled it out, and sure enough it was a 30-06 ballistic tip. I take the cashier to sell it to me for $3.00. So I was a one shot kid - and I nailed by deer on day one. One shot put it down right there. There is not very many other calibers that can get you out a pickle as well as the 30-06.

The biggest advantage for the .30-06 is value and practicality: with one gun, you can cover a lot of range of game and most loads from 100 grains to 220 grains, the loads are still cheaper than other options. Also, you can hunt anywhere any find ammunition for it.

165 grain BT was my favorite bullet for hunting open country where shots could be across the valleys. Shot many a mule deer with my hand loads. Received the Remington 700 when I was 18 years old on my birthday. I’m 63 now and still shoot the rifle now and again. If I remember right I used 57 grains of IMR 4350 . At around 2800 FPS.

For most of us the 30-06 is the Goldilocks cartridge. For that handful of guys who really do take game at 800+ yards, there are better options than the 30-06.

That's a really good question. The answer is, it's a terrific cartridge! You can shoot a light bullet very accurately and get remarkable speed, or use a heavy bullet and shorter ranges and get an awful lot of killing power. George Patton said it was the best damn gun the army ever bought. People on a budget take elk with it, bear and of course in the high country it is the deer cartridge. That's not to say there aren't other cartridges that do a wonderful job, but this has proven itself pretty effectively.

What an excellent video! I learned so much. Thank you!!

Because you just can't beat the 30-06, I grew up with it and still use the caliber and own other calibers but for big game hunting, you can't go wrong with it

I own a Winchester Model 70 and a Merkel Helix, both in 30-06. This cartridge was killing every type of big game in North America over a hundred years ago. The animals are the same now as they were back then. This cartridge will still take any of them if the hunter does their job. There are harder hitting, more expensive choices out there, but for cost, availability, and versatility, it's tough to beat the old 30-06.

God created man, then he created the 06, just as intended

I have an 1903 Springfield, modified, and I have special hand Montana rounds that 165 grand slam boat tailed, special hot load which after 5 rounds the gun is too hot to handle, but shoot a 3/8 group at 200 yards, my son has put 5 through the same hole, have a variable 10X39 scope with built in range finder. Took my first Mule deer. 475 yards in Montana.. thing I love is in my pocket I would carry 5 rounds, 2 55grain sabo, 180sift round nose and a 125 grain sst poly tip and finally 220 grain rem core lock. In one pocket there really is no game you cannot take down from a woodchuck to elk, too even Grizzly bear, now I carry a kimber 30.06 custom, let my 6’7” son carry the 1903. He hit a 4 inch group at 1000 yards with that gun. He often shows off too his nephew’s by shooting apple of a tree at 500 yards. All hand loads special for that very gun. Never had too shoot A bear but was always prepared. But have often over 50 years of hunting taken rabbits, deer, even Turkeys with that gun. My handgun I carry hunting is an old 357mag Blackhawk ruger. Single action. So in one box of 20 rounds you can really reach out, and take down any game you want.. That is the power of a 30.06, especially with special hand loads.

Thank you for video filled with information. I learned a lot. I have an old Tikka M65 lux in 30-06. My first rifle ! Here in Sweden .308 is popular, and mostly recommended to new hunters for some reason.

The '06 showed up 100 years before its time. THE classic high-power cartridge.

With the bullets today the 30-06 is still the king