[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 30-06 accuracy (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/6/2008 1:00:28 PM EDT
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How accurate is 30-06 in modern production match ammo? Assume this will be shot from a Win Mod 70 or Rem 700 with a tactical style barrel and God behind the trigger. |
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Ya ya, very funny, just stating what the ammo is capable of with shooter error not being factored. I have heard that 30-06 is not nearly as accurate as 308, looking into a new bolt weapon, and I like the idea of M2 AP being a round that can be chambered if need be, and yes i understand that is not match ammo by any stretch and nor would it normally be used, but I like the ablity too lol. |
| If you put it on a machine rest and took out all shooter error, the ammo is probably capable of MOA performance +/- a little. For a hunting rifle, that's plenty good enough. For a bench rifle, it's just okay and probably not even close to being really competitive. In my experience, the 308 will be more accurate in similar rifles too. |
Wrong! In theory -06 is slightly less accurate because of its longer powder column. Short and fat seems to be the order of the day in the benchrest circles. But there are not all that many shooters who are good enough to realize the difference in practical shooting. I own examples of both in bolt and semi-auto versions. I don't feel like I'm giving up anything when I'm on an -06. But by the same token... I don't feel like I'm giving up anything when I'm on the .308 either. Same... but different... ;-) |
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The .308 was originally designed as sort of a replacement for the 30-06 in a shorter format. Due to the superior geometry of the .308 case (diameter vs. length and shoulder angle) and its ability to be chambered in inherently stiffer short actions, it is generally more accurate than the .30-06, all else being equal. The difference is very very subtle though. Probably 99% of shooters can do equally well for most shooting with either cartridge. I had a Win model 70 in 30-06 that would easily print <3/4 MOA groups with my favorite handload, and it was a cheapo Black Shadow model. |
If I had to guess... I'd say that 1 MOA or better out to 1000 yards should be reasonable, IF you have the following:
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The 06 has a bit more case capacity, so it can be handloaded to a bit faster velocities, and in my personal experience, it does like to be stoked in order to get good accuracy. YMMV Factory loads are VERY similar in most cases between the two cartridges. The original 7.52x52 loading was almost a dead wringer ballistically for the US.30 ball round (or whatever uncle Sam called the 30-06). ETA: 7.62 x 51 
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Mechanical accuracy in a Vaccum, off of a Machine rest? As good as anything else out there. The problems come from environmentals, and the Computer/supporting apparatus as always. Higher velocity, lower B.C. projectiles in the hands of the same Computer/ supporting apparatus have a slight edge against the margin of inherent errors. As a chambering the 30-06 is NOT as efficient as many others. But all of the mathematical shit goes out the window, off of a Machine rest or Bags. The same holds for any Chambering. .308 is more efficient, but suffers the same weakness. The shooter. S-28 |
yes. you can load any .308" projectile into any caliber that uses .308" projectiles. this is not rocket science. and asking if a particular caliber is "accurate" is asinine. accurate compared to what? a smooth bore musket? 30-06 is not a caliber known for its inherent accuracy, but the gun and load will determine the accuracy, not the caliber. .308 is inherently more accurate and more efficient than the '06 if you want to compare those two calibers, all other variables eliminated. I cant think of any modern centerfire chambering that cannot be made to shoot at least MOA with the proper gun and load, within their effective range. Some can do it more easily and consistently than others. if you do not reload and have modest accuracy expectations, the 30-06 is a fine caliber. if you want match accuracy and reload, the 30-06 is an OK caliber but there are many better choices. if you want match accuracy from a rifle chambered in '06 and you do not reload, good luck with that. it might happen, but the odds are not in your favor. |
Yeah, but in real world situations, the distance can affect the included angle of your group, or your "accuracy". The distance it takes your bullet to stabilize ballistically, whether the bullet remains supersonic and other factors all affect the relative accuracy of a round over different ranges. Crossing the sound barrier causes the bullet to encounter buffeting. This is why smaller bores have been found in recent years to be more suitable for long range target competition, since they can more easily be loaded to remain supersonic at long distances. |
No.... It is more than "just" the supersonic/subsonic issue... Bullet stability over a distance can change... |
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I've got a Savage 110 in .30-06 and the bolt cycle on that is a bit long for my tastes. I would prefer a .308 just to cut down cartridge length so I could use a shorter action. The rifle is accurate enough though. The .30-06 round is plenty accurate for us mere mortals.
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FWIW, the effective range of the unaided human eyeball in detecting a man-sized target in "field" conditions is about 200 yards. This was determined by the US Army during Project SALVO. www.frfrogspad.com/ranging.htm  for field conditions (location not previously known) |
Plus the .308 cartridge can be cut down for .45acp use after the neck is long gone. Bob 
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Yes. It's like a friggin rail gun. There was a pic posted on here by a guy who shot a rail from a railroad track with that load. It looked like someone had taken a giant hole puncher to it. Clean hole in, clean hole out. |
Because of increased length? No, because of the ability to stuff more powder behind the same bullet then you get a faster projectile, which means a "longer" effective range. But this is still more dependent on the shooter. In practical usage on the battle field, you could argue the 30-06, but only because the 1903, 03-A1, and 1917 all had battle sights calibrated for longer ranges than later model rifles. But with very few exceptions, shooters can't take advantage of the "better" sights. |
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My Tikka M695 rifle, with a Zeiss 3-9x40 scope with #4 reticle, firing handloade 180 grain Nosler Partitions, 55 grains of HMR 4350 powder. 1.4" group at 200 yards I've never shot that well in my life, and this rifle and ammo combo (not to mention the scope) amazed me. That was my last range session before going to Namibia on safari, and I took every animal I shot at, from ranges of 75 yards out to 500 yards. Yes, it is very accurate. |
Thats why I did the ARFCOM Way, once of each! M1 Garand and a Savage Bolt action in 30-06 
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asking if the 30-06 is any good is like asking if a 12 ga is any good. The 30-06 is about the ideal rifle cartridge, IMHO It's the 12 ga of the rifle world. It hits VERY hard but doesn't beat you up too bad. It fires a heavy bullet but not at the expense of velocity accuracy is excellent the only it lacks is - it isn't "new" and it's not called "magnum" |
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Long-Range Trajectory Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500 ,3006 Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 180 CLUB 2.1 1.8 zero -3.5 -8.9 -25.8 -52.7 .308 Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 180 CLUB 2.3 2.0 zero -3.8 -9.5 -26.4 -56.4 06 FTW and its a tad bit flatter shooting. And with the surplus ammo available I would take it over the.308 any day. I never have understood what the big deal was anyway with having a short action. My O6's are light and I can make a follow up shot fast. |
Are you suggesting that God doesn't own at least one Garand? |