I don't own one, and I've never shot one, but I have to disagree about it being "flat" as ths78 suggested. It is heavy and slow, so how would it shoot flat? It looks to me to have similar characteristics as a slug from a shotgun. Not that this presents a problem, but I think there are better choices. But if you want a heavy hitting lever action cowboy gun, go buy it. That is a great reason to own and hunt with one, but the cartridge is limited compared to a lot of others, and you asked.

I love shooting my sks chambered in 7.62x39. I also hunt deer with it on occasion. It is the most inexpensive gun I’ve ever owned. I looks like it was whittled out of a 2x4 by a child, it is short, heavy, under powered, limited range, awful trigger, terrible front iron sight, and rattles like a maraca, but I love it! I love to hunt with it and I love to shoot it. But I do recognize that it is very limited. You need to ask yourself why you want this gun. If it is simply for performance, you’re making a mistake, find another gun to buy. If you’re buying it because you simply like it and want it, and you are able to see that it is limited, but still feel that you must have it – go buy it and enjoy it.

I prefer the 30-06 to any other cartridge, when it comes to rifles. It can be light, fast and flat, and it can also be heavy, slow and arched/limited range. You can hunt any animal in the world with it, no matter what anyone says. I agree that it may not be the best at everything, or anything for that matter, but at least the most versatile. If you can hunt brown bear with a bow, you can hunt elephant with an -06... And one of the best things is that the ammo is in every store, in every location.