30-06
 

I plan on hunting in the west, with wide open spaces and have chosen the 30-06 for my first rifle. This calibre will bring down a deer 200-250 yards right? Assuming I do my job properly of course, with lots of practice.

RE: 30-06
 

Easily. Its been doing it for a hundred years, dont see why it would notwork for you.

RE: 30-06
 

You're going to geta lot of replies on this one! You probably couldn't have picked a better or more popular caliber.

RE: 30-06
 

I agree, the 30-06 is awesome!
I would use 150 gr. bullets, thats all you need for deer. Plus the150 gr. bullets in the 30-06 willshoot really flat.Zero your rifle at 200 yards and you'll be all set from 10 to 250 yards or so without having to hold high or low! If you are going to shoot out to 250 yards, make sure you practice and get comfortable doing so. 250 yards isn't really that far, butyou owe it the game you're going to hunt to be able to place your bullet in the right place! Good choice, and good luck !!!:)

RE: 30-06
 

BEEN USING ONE SINCE I WAS 14, NEVER HAD A DEER RUN AWAY YET.
GOOD LUCK .:)

RE: 30-06
 

Yeah i would recomend trying 150 grain bullets first, but if they do not shoot well in your rifle it would not be a problem to move up to 165 grainers. I use 165 grainers because my rifle does not shoot 150's very well.

RE: 30-06
 

For deer out to 250 yards and beyond if you are capable. Since you have chosen the most popular rifle cartridge on the planet use it to your advantage. I concur with the rest I would start with the 150 gr. loads. There are an enormous # of 150's out there. I would try as many different brands as possible until I found one that was very accurate. This means too me 3 shot 1.5" groups or smaller. This shouldn't be a problem with the number of loads available. One load that has been around for a long time and I've seen it work very well is the Federal Premium load with a 150 gr. Sierra BTSP. Line this load up to be 2" high at 100 and you will be good to 250 and about 7-8" low at 300 yards. This is of course if the load is accurate in your rifle.

RE: 30-06
 

Yup, If they call themselves a gun shop, they carry '06 ammo!
Best thing is you could find 220grain bullets for the 300 win. mag. and
handload them for moose or elk, or even 125gr. and load them for small game. :)

RE: 30-06
 

The 30-06 will kill deer or bigger game as far away as you can hit it. I saw an Elk killed at about 400 yards. One Shot. Its really more than needed for deer but I have used it a lot and its a very good choice for all around North American big game.

RE: 30-06
 

I've had a 30-06 (in some form or another) for the last 30 years, and it has always worked. Before I retired, my job moved me all over the globe, and the 30-06 (and a 270 Win) were all I had or felt I needed.About 10 years ago I got into the "want a new rifle" mindset, and purchased a few of the faster magnums, such as a 7mmRemUM, 300WSM, 300RUM, and 300WinMag. They were fine rifles, and killed the stuff I was after, but just never felt "right" to me. I have sincesold them all and ordered a Win Model 70 Classic Stainless in 30-06. I just got off the phonewith HS Precision, and the replacement stock I ordered (I don't care for the basicwin and rem factory synthetic stocks)should arrive in a day or so.Once my gunsmith gets the barreled action mounted, scope, etc., I suspect this rifle will last me for the rest of my hunting days. The 06 may not be the sexiest girl at the dance, but she knows all the steps.