Thread: 30-06 Freebie!

Just got my license, and I was thinking of getting a 308.. but a very good older freind of mine (with more guns than he will ever use he reckons! ) has said he wants to give me (one of) his 30-06's . Its a nice gun, He said it's scoped really well but has a decent kick to it. I honestly have no idea about the pros and cons of a 30-06 ... never had any dealings with one. Im going to take it to the range anyways and put a pack or 2 through it. He has some ammo he said goes well qith it so thats good to know what goes well... to see if I like it. my question is, would silencing be an option? Would it make a difference.? I just do deer and goats primarily. Not super long range , just run of the mill stuff. Is this gun total overkill? Ive been trying to do my own research on them but there ar so many people more knowledgeable and have so much more experience
here! Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. .

go for it!
if the recoils is too high then put a brake on it, suppressor or use light loads.
just check any 2nd hand firearm first to make it sure to fire

30-06 calibre of the Gods cant go wrong really.
Suppressing is definitely an option worth looking at as they can be a bit stout in recoil depending on bullet weight used.
You could also look at using a lighter projectile if you find yourself to be a bit recoil sensitive. There are factory options using lighter projectiles.
Cant beat a 30 cal i'll do everything you need and more if you want to reach out further when your confidence and skills allow.
what breed is this rifle you are potentially being gifted ?

A 30.06 for free !!
Don't look that gift horse in the mouth. Just grab it with thanks.
Shoot it a few times at the range and see what you think. If the recoil is completely unbearable you could always swap / sell for another cal. I don't think it's so terrible that you don't come to accept it.
It's a fantastic hunting cal and versatile too if you want to get into handloading.
Best of luck to you.

p.s. good on you getting your firearms license. A worthwhile thing for a young man.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

A 30.06 for free !!
Don't look that gift horse in the mouth. Just grab it with thanks.
Shoot it a few times at the range and see what you think. If the recoil is completely unbearable you could always swap / sell for another cal. I don't think it's so terrible that you don't come to accept it.
It's a fantastic hunting cal and versatile too if you want to get into handloading.
Best of luck to you.

p.s. good on you getting your firearms license. A worthwhile thing for a young man.

What about a young lady... cause that's what I am ! That's why I was a bit concerned Re: recoil
I insisted on paying for it, but he said how about I lend it to you and just forget to ever get it back??. Good bugger that man.

Use the money you would have paid for it for a threading and a suppressor, that will for sure tame the recoil and you'll be able to use it no problem.

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

What about a young lady... cause that's what I am ! That's why I was a bit concerned Re: recoil
I insisted on paying for it, but he said how about I lend it to you and just forget to ever get it back??. Good bugger that man.

i also say invest in a 22. its a cheap way to get into shooting. you can learn allot about wind, elevation, trigger pull etc. and way cheaper to learn wit a 50 round pack of 22lr

Originally Posted by gonetropo

i also say invest in a 22. its a cheap way to get into shooting. you can learn allot about wind, elevation, trigger pull etc. and way cheaper to learn wit a 50 round pack of 22lr

Yep. Im gonna grab his .22mag which he also said i can have a crack with, should be great

you are keen but approach this 30-06 with caution - I have 50 years of shooting and I would approach a 30-06 with the correct attitude - they can kick and worse they can start you flinching unless trained on how to shoot it and the rifle set up so it does not boot so much - but some questions 1) what is it 2 ) is it being given to you no questions asked as to what you do with it - why - is it a firearm worth spending money on to get it to suit you - a decent recoil pad definitely a suppressor and possibly even some soft hand loads for it - - if you roar in and start shooting it and develop a flinch then that is hard to fix - maybe if the rifle is going to be yours to do with what you wish then trade it on something a lot more suitable - because every thing so far I would not recommend you a 30-06 unless you are built like a Russian weight lifter - they boot period - trade it on a .223 243 or one of the 6mm 6.5 family - kind to shoot - you would be doing yourself a favour - because develop a flinch then its hours of practice with a .22 and soft cartridges to build up your confidence again- and you can concentrate on hold -trigger - breathing - and shooting accurately - I have seen a shooter flinch so badly that they shut their eyes and turned away as they pulled the trigger - we dont want you doing that - approach this 300-06 with caution sorry maybe not the caliber for you without a lot of experienced advice and work on it - yes a very very good caliber in the right hands

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

What about a young lady... cause that's what I am ! That's why I was a bit concerned Re: recoil
I insisted on paying for it, but he said how about I lend it to you and just forget to ever get it back??. Good bugger that man.

@AlwaysLearning
I apologise for my presumption. Had I known better I would have said "a worthwhile thing for a young WOman"
Actually I read your post as the comments of an enthusiastic young man who had just won something like Lotto but obviously I was a bit too quick in my thinking.
Young man or young lady, it's good all all round, especially if they are taking up the grand tradition of shooting and / or hunting. Over the last few years I have been heartened seeing the growing numbers of ladies coming into the shooting / hunting arena. It must soon reach a point where the ladies will start keeping us guys honest I reckon. Please don't rub it in too hard if you become a top shot. Despite some guys appearing quite bullet proof they can have quite deflatable egos if shown up by a lady's better shooting
And, as some here have asked, please post photos of the 30.06 if you decide to accept the kind offer. Actually, photos of any other interesting hunting gear ( dogs, packs, tents, vehicles, boats etc ) are welcome anytime. Oh, and if you want to include yourself in any pics, that's OK - haha
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

She has already posted a pic of a successful deer hunt in the introductions thread mate

Originally Posted by 30.06king

@AlwaysLearning
I apologise for my presumption. Had I known better I would have said "a worthwhile thing for a young WOman"
Actually I read your post as the comments of an enthusiastic young man who had just won something like Lotto but obviously I was a bit too quick in my thinking.
Young man or young lady, it's good all all round, especially if they are taking up the grand tradition of shooting and / or hunting. Over the last few years I have been heartened seeing the growing numbers of ladies coming into the shooting / hunting arena. It must soon reach a point where the ladies will start keeping us guys honest I reckon. Please don't rub it in too hard if you become a top shot. Despite some guys appearing quite bullet proof they can have quite deflatable egos if shown up by a lady's better shooting
And, as some here have asked, please post photos of the 30.06 if you decide to accept the kind offer. Actually, photos of any other interesting hunting gear ( dogs, packs, tents, vehicles, boats etc ) are welcome anytime. Oh, and if you want to include yourself in any pics, that's OK - haha
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

@AlwaysLearning
I apologise for my presumption. Had I known better I would have said "a worthwhile thing for a young WOman"
Actually I read your post as the comments of an enthusiastic young man who had just won something like Lotto but obviously I was a bit too quick in my thinking.
Young man or young lady, it's good all all round, especially if they are taking up the grand tradition of shooting and / or hunting. Over the last few years I have been heartened seeing the growing numbers of ladies coming into the shooting / hunting arena. It must soon reach a point where the ladies will start keeping us guys honest I reckon. Please don't rub it in too hard if you become a top shot. Despite some guys appearing quite bullet proof they can have quite deflatable egos if shown up by a lady's better shooting
And, as some here have asked, please post photos of the 30.06 if you decide to accept the kind offer. Actually, photos of any other interesting hunting gear ( dogs, packs, tents, vehicles, boats etc ) are welcome anytime. Oh, and if you want to include yourself in any pics, that's OK - haha
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

No worries. Ha ha, I'm not that fragile to get upset about people presuming , it's a male dominated sport. No 2 ways about it. But it's cool to see women getting into it alone. I have a freind from the HUNTS course and we go out hunting together! 2 ladies getting it done! And I have it on good authority from the old mates at the club that they are all well aware of how good women shots are ! Looking forward to putting up some pics of our adventures! My first ever deer was a massive stag in the velvet in te urewera last year. What a way to start! There were some quiet men in camp that day ! Pity the only other deer taken was a small hind. Guess I just got lucky!

I recently bought one off the Forum here, check my threads for info on DPT can and muzzlebrake..highly recommend it. 308 is entirely capable. 30-06 a tad more so. Just a bit more costly to run if you want to fill the case for max results, which doesn't seem likely..Mine is a.delight to shoot and a tad kinder than my young mates Tikka 3x Lite in 308 suppressed, stock barrel. My barrel ended up 23 1/4 in after threading and new crown.

You lucky bugger.
Decent recoil pad and if it's like my czech 8x57 I put one of those ammo pouch cheek risers to get my eye in line with the scope. Its really good.
As long as it shoots you'll take anything in NZ

Originally Posted by csmiffy

You lucky bugger.
Decent recoil pad and if it's like my czech 8x57 I put one of those ammo pouch cheek risers to get my eye in line with the scope. Its really good.
As long as it shoots you'll take anything in NZ

Apparently it's got a nice pad to it, so rhats awesome.! Can't waitnto lay eyes on it... will try upload a shot when I get it