What's the Best .30-06 Based Cartridge? The Answer Will Surprise You

[bearpaw]

Let's have a discussion regarding the uses of the 30/06 rifle case ...

What's the Best .30-06 Based Cartridge? The Answer Will Surprise You
https://skyaboveus.com/hunting-shooting/Do-You-Know-Which-is-the-Best-30-06-Based-Cartridge


if you are wondering about some of the wildcat chamberings from the 06 cartridge...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-06_Springfield_Wildcat_Cartridges


and there are the Ackley improved chamberings, many of which were 06 based...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.O._Ackley

[bearpaw]

I really enjoy magnum rifle calibers, but I currently own rifles in three different calibers that use the 06 case.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

My sons first rifle will most likely be a 25-06. 

[Curly]

280AI was so good as a wildcat that it is now a factory offered chambering.  Became a factory offered cartridge in 2008 I think.

Hard to beat the 270 win, but I have long thought the 280 Rem was slightly better and 280AI makes the 280 Rem ever so slightly better yet.

6.5-06AI would be very good as well as a long range caliber.
 

[bearpaw]

280AI was so good as a wildcat that it is now a factory offered chambering.  Became a factory offered cartridge in 2008 I think.

Hard to beat the 270 win, but I have long thought the 280 Rem was slightly better and 280AI makes the 280 Rem ever so slightly better yet.

6.5-06AI would be very good as well as a long range caliber.
 

.280 Rem is one of the calibers I have and like very much, I tend to agree with your summation as well as the story.

[b23]

You need to add the 06 based cartridges the Rocky Gibbs created, too.  The Gibbs creations were another step above Ackley's and pretty much is the max you can improve an 06 case.

[bearpaw]

You need to add the 06 based cartridges the Rocky Gibbs created, too.  The Gibbs creations were another step above Ackley's and pretty much is the max you can improve an 06 case.

Do you have a link, I'll add it to the first post?

[b23]

You need to add the 06 based cartridges the Rocky Gibbs created, too.  The Gibbs creations were another step above Ackley's and pretty much is the max you can improve an 06 case.

Do you have a link, I'll add it to the first post?

I'm not sure there is one like the one for the Ackley's.  I believe there is a book available about Rocky Gibbs though.

[N7XW]

Good info and interesting topic. 

Funny how the minimum recommended KE for medium game keeps rising.  Chuck Hawks specified 800 ftlbs in some of his articles, then 1000 ftlbs was considered minimum and now this article specifies 1200 ftlbs minimum for medium game.  For the life of me, I can't figure out how a handgun or a bow can kill a deer  .

Seriously though, I've been thinking of a new 25-26 caliber rifle to fill a gap in my lineup.  Maybe the 25-06 since I already have a 270?  Hmmm....

[jdb]

I have shot a Remington 700 .270 since 1988. I have so much confidence in it that I almost won’t buy another rifle for fear of hurting its feelings. I took it years ago on an open country mule deer hunt where everyone else was shooting big magnums and they were offering me loaners for feart hat my .270 just wasn’t big enough.i shot the biggest buck of the group that year. I’ve shot stuff near and far, big and small and as long as I do my part stuff just dies. I’ve said all this so everyone who reads this understands my 30 year love affair with this fine rifle. But when my sons graduated out of their .243 they asked what caliber they should buy and I told them 30/06. It does everything well.

[kselkhunter]

Harvested my first deer as a kid with 270, so that's a fond memory.  Have used 25-06 and 243 rifles.  But most of my hunting has been with a 30-06 for a few decades, before re-boring it into a 35 Whelen (60+ year old gun).  Call it nostalgia, but I enjoy lobbing those bigger bullets out of the same old comfortable rifle (and without muzzle break).   

338-06 and 280AI are still on my list of calibers to add someday.  Or maybe just convince a friend to get one so I can shoot it.  :-)

Not familiar with the Gibbs mods.  Will have to do some research on that now.


   

[bullfisher]

I've always wanted a 280AI.

[Karl Blanchard]

Tough queation to answer.  "Best" can only be based off of what your definition of best is in the intended use.  Some great calibers off of that cartridge.  Ones that excel at shooting long, some for ease of use, some for versatility.  My favorites are all AI's.

6.5-06ai
280ai
30-06ai

Or how about just the good old fashioned 30-06

[bullfisher]

Good info and interesting topic. 

Funny how the minimum recommended KE for medium game keeps rising.  Chuck Hawks specified 800 ftlbs in some of his articles, then 1000 ftlbs was considered minimum and now this article specifies 1200 ftlbs minimum for medium game.  For the life of me, I can't figure out how a handgun or a bow can kill a deer  .

Seriously though, I've been thinking of a new 25-26 caliber rifle to fill a gap in my lineup.  Maybe the 25-06 since I already have a 270?  Hmmm....

I look at the bullet manufacturer's suggested minimum vel/energy performance. Some post it, some don't.

[h2ofowlr]

I used to love when the .30-06 had the accelerator bullet options.  Smaller caliber shooting out of the -06.  Used to shoot those on yotes all the time.

[RB]

Cool article!

[mountainman]

Maybe not the best, but Definetly my favorite. A svelte little Biesen built 25-06AI holds a special spot for me.

[yorketransport]

I played with a 22-06 improved for a little while and that was pretty fun. We rechambered a 223 barrel and torched the throat in about 200 rounds. 

Realistically, I loved my 338-06. Not super fast or flashy, but it was a solid chambering. It was also the first custom gun I built about 15 years ago; it got out of hand after that....

[grundy53]

Not really surprised. .280 is a great round. I wish they would make a factory 6.5/06.

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[Bofire]

280 was my immediate response,  great cartridge.
Carl

[Buzz2401]

270 Win has long been my favorite round.  Have killed tons of deer and a few elk with it.  Interesting article.

[JoeE]

I prefer the plain old 30-06

[Stein]

I prefer the plain old 30-06

[headshot5]

280, 30-06 and 35 Whelen are my favorites.  No particular order.

[Special T]

I love my 06.. I just miss the 30c a round military surplus... I should have really stocked up when the CMP was selling it at 33c a round plus shipping.

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