thanks for all the information fellas. i asked the guy at the gun store and he said the 06 in 30-06 is the year they started using the cartridge 1906.

also found this "The 30-30 Winchester cartridge was so named as it was originally designed to be loaded with black powder and for cartridges of the era that designation is 30 caliber bullet and 30 grains black powder." on some random site. hope that clears ****s up.

take it easy all.