quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If I had to choose one rifle and caliber to hunt the whole North American continent, it would be the 30-06 with 200 gr. Nosler partition bullets at 2700 FPS, and a couple of boxes of 220 gr. solids..but since I don't have to do that I like to use a number of other calibers from time to time..
:

Ray makes a lot of sense. I think I would say the same regarding the 180 grain Partition or TSX and then I wouldn't have to handload, I could just run by the hardware store, Wally World, etc.

Also, it fits into the World Wide Battery for me
:
22lr
223
30-06
375H&H
458wm

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by Trax:
Ive added a couple responce choices an hour after posting the poll, so a small number of you may need to vote again.

I started out hunting with a 7x57mm, then added the .30-06, and frankly, the old 06 is just too much gun for Texas Whitetails, and I'm a meat hunter. I've learned that smaller rounds like the 6.5x54,6.5x55, 6.5x57, .260 Rem, 7x57, and 7mm-08 all do the job very well with less recoil, less powder, smaller bullets, and less meat damage, plus they lay down the target just as quickly. Now I use the .30-06 for larger game, read Africa, but I don't begin to see the .30-06 as a dangerous game animal unless the hunter is "in extremis"!
LLS

quote:

Is the .30-06 more Gun than you mostly Need?

Without a doubt. The gun I mostly need is in the class with the .257 Roberts.....The 6.5 X 55 etc.....

If the US military had adopted something like the .300 Savage in 1906 we would think of the .30-06 as a serious magnum today....... It has the advantages of bullet selection, wide availability, serious power and relatively cheap to shoot, It can easily handle anything from coyotes to moose and even some of the dangerous varities.......but is much more than needed in most hunting situations for deer and pronghorns.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Is the .30-06 more Gun than you mostly Need?

Without a doubt.
If the US military had adopted something like the .300 Savage in 1906 we would think of the .30-06 as a serious magnum today.......

nice touch ! roger

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:

If I need something bigger than a 270, I'm going bigger than a 30-06.

Yes, the .270, .280 and 30-06 are all the same gun. Even going to a 7mm magnum gets one no better killing power. 200 ft/lbs more energy isn't going to make the difference when any of those guns will deliver 1500 ft/lb at 400 yard.

Need to go to a .300 Win Mag. if you want extra power.

You left out the one most important option to vote on! and that is

The 30-06 IMO is the most well balanced, thought out, researched, caliber in the history of the Firearms Industry..It has proven itself over the years and walked away with ever honor that a cartridge could have bestowed upon it..Those that condem it have never used it or they are just a mental case.

I feel the 270 is not quite the elk cartridge the 30-06 is though I have killed several elk with various 270 rifles. I have rifles in both cartridges but use them differently, the 30-06 for up close and bigger game with the 270 geting more of the open country work on game weighing less than 400 pounds. A couple years ago I got on a 270 kick and used one for everything, just had to stop it as my other rifles were making snide remarks to me and my 270.

Didn't vote because Ray's answer wasn't one of the choices. I've owned hunting rifles for 48 years, and have had at least one 06 for 44 of them. I have five, now. Like some others here, I believe in breaking bones and tearing big holes on both sides, even on deer. It has done that for me. Loaded down it can be used for squirrels; loaded full tilt, it will do for big stuff. It is not the best at either end, but very effective for all.
I fool around with other cartriges, but I always compare them to the 06. It's hard to get bored with something that versatile and effective.
Bfly

WOW

Im surprised that my experience mirrors so many others. I started out hunting with the 30-06 and i have to say that hands down it is the most versatile cartridge ever developed with a perfect combination of recoil, accuracy and power.

With that said, i also found it a little too powerful for the average whitetail i was hunting. I tried out a Rem classic in 6.5X55 and was extremely pleased by its accuracy and deadliness.

If( GOD forbid the thought) i ever was forced to hunt with only one cartridge it would be the 30-06 and i know i could hunt the world with great effectiveness. The old soldier has a place in my heart that will always be there.

Another vote for the venerable 30-06, great caliber, everybody ought to own one. I have three, great caliber. It has stood the test of time, the world over, 'nuf said, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

quote:

Originally posted by Trax:
Here are some responce choices or comment with yer own.

I generally use lighter bullets, 140 grain in a 7 mm magnum, 85 grains in a 6mm-284 and 6x45mm.
If I were to have just one rifle, it might very well be a 30-06; my father and both hunting partners shoot 30-06s
and don't want anything else ( they are practical ).

I shot an antelope last week with the 6x45mm, at about 60 feet. Shots get shorter every year we go...

I hunt southern whitetail with an -06. Sure it's more than needed, anything larger than a .243 is.

Your point?

No it is not to much gun....it can be loaded for any game or any shooter.