Thread: 30-06 Freebie!

If you decide you do not want to take the extremely generous offer up, please let him know I am open to taking it off his hands

There are a few threads on here recently about 3006
Basically the 308 is a 3006 cut off by 1/2” ( 10 gr powder).
3006 tend to be 1/2” longer action and 4” longer barrel so, typically the rifle itself is heavier. Ammo is 20% heavier but 50% better. So if youve got reasonably strong arms its the gun for you.
270 is popular but really only reaches up to the lower bullet weights of the 30-06. Among common cartridges only the 7mmRemMag is significantly better.

What brand is the gun ?
Older wooden stocked ones can be getting a bit long in the tooth and may need rebedding to bring back to 21st century accuracy.

A 30-06 was my first rifle except for a .22. I went to the range and put 20 rounds through it in one session and developed a flinch as a result, and i'm still battling with that flinch. It will be fine for you once suppressed, but i'd suggest learning on something smaller first, like a 223.
Don't spend heaps of time shooting paper with it

Use the lighter projectiles for a start. 150s
Decent recoil pad and as I tried with great results a cheek riser maybe.
If you can handle the weight go for a suppressor.
If some you know does reloading, they could load up some lighter loads for it.
They do factory ammo like that in the states but unlikely here.
Maybe even go some lighter barnes projectiles.
How heavy is the rifle?
Old school parker hale or a newer light jobbie

I'm going to go against the grain here, I took my nephew to the range he has a suppressed 30.06, I took the .308 I had at the time. The kick from the 06 was significant for a small guy like me compared to my .308. However he is a big guy and it wasn't an issue for him and on his first time out with it was ringing steel at 750m.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I'm going to go against the grain here, I took my nephew to the range he has a suppressed 30.06, I took the .308 I had at the time. The kick from the 06 was significant for a small guy like me compared to my .308. However he is a big guy and it wasn't an issue for him and on his first time out with it was ringing steel at 750m.

Yeah, I was expecting a kick from mine. I can't really tell the diff from my 7x57mm with 150gn bullets, 30-06 with 150s and 308 with 150s. All producing around 2700fps so not hot loaded. All suppressed. My old 303B battle rifles with less actual recoil hurt more with no suppressor and that old brass butt-plate knifeing into the shoulder. So it will be interesting to hear how @AlwaysLearning finds hers.

https://www.deltamike.co.nz/product/...ion-box-of-20/

And as posted to be on the safe side basic sight in and practice and leave the shooting for the game. You won't notice it.
Bit like when we were younger mucking about with 303s and brass butt plates.
My 8x57 without the stuff I mentioned started to let me know after about 15 or so shotsbof some euro 185 or.
If the packet was tight it would've been 2500ish fps for the slightly shorter barrel.
Anymore if I'd shot the full packet I'd have known about it the next day hut only just.
Not a super heavy gun either. Wood stock czech mauser with just under 22" barrel and stock.
Be careful and keep the majority of shooting to game.
I wasn't even really recoil sensitive I think.
Never did a lot of shooting off a bench either but did put a lot of shooting over the years with 1 1/4 loads out of a shotgun.
Usually down at the bunny hunt on rabbits.
The old A5 one year gave me the sorest shoulder I'd ever had but it was a good 4 or 5 packets and a another the same with the pump action. Shoulder was definitely sore the next day

Well done on getting your FAL, good to see in todays political climate. And lucky you in having a good mate thats keen to let you have a rifle to start hunting. And its a 30-06! Excellent calibre for knocking over big game. Despite all the well intended comments on here, theres only one way youre gonna find out if its the rifle for you, and thats to go and shoot it. It may very well have too much recoil for you, and likewise you may find shooting it is a breeze. If it has a decent stock that fits you, maybe a bit of weight, and shooting 150gn projectiles [or lighter] it could quite possibly be all you need. I hope so cos thats a very generous offer. If you do like it, and find the recoil is getting up there, then using some reloads that send a lighter projectile at about 2600/2700fps, and suppressing it, may make all the difference required.
Looking forward to progress posts and some cool gun pic's.

As said, get it suppressed and until you get used to it run light bullets such as 150 gr or lighter if you load your own.I have both the Tikka a 308 and the 3006 is a Ruger American which is quite a light rifle.
In the 06 I use 180 gr bullets and the 308 165 gr and 180 gr . Recoil from both even in the lighter rifle is quite manageable.
By suppressing it you take away a lot of that noisy muzzle blast which has a habit of adding to the flinch plus the recoil reduction is noticeable.
When you go to the range don’t over do it by firing large volumes of rounds, break yourself into over a bit more time, try it out you may be pleasantly surprised.

Get it and try the 125gn loads.
That what I intend to reload in my 30-06 to reduce recoil as I get older.

Probably the best thing you can do is go and shoot it 1st. Yes you can suppress but that won't matter if the rifle doesn't fit you. I.e too long in butt stock, too heavy for your desire. Recoil flinch can be a real issue for some people. Think about how much you might use it before you suppress.
Pretty great offer and 3006 isn't overkill when you consider all the magnums out there shooting deer inside 300m. I suggest trying it first.

You say you are fine with the 308, presume 150 gr bullet? Then the 30 06 with the same should be ok. As said before rifle fit has a lot to do with recoil etc.
When you shoot at the range avoid prone at the start , sitting at a bench would be better as it lets your body move backwards under recoil , prone doesn’t give as much so recoil is harder. Shooting at animals is totally different you probably won’t even feel the recoil.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

You say you are fine with the 308, presume 150 gr bullet? Then the 30 06 with the same should be ok. As said before rifle fit has a lot to do with recoil etc.
When you shoot at the range avoid prone at the start , sitting at a bench would be better as it lets your body move backwards under recoil , prone doesn’t give as much so recoil is harder. Shooting at animals is totally different you probably won’t even feel the recoil.

I agree with the advice to avoid prone.
I used to check shooting over the bonnet of vehicle and most/just about all shots were in the bush freehand or rest against tree.
More open sitting.
If it is shooting well ,use it when on animals you do not notice much recoil.
Wander out and shoot rabbits and hares to get practice too, better than poking holes in cardboard.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

When you shoot at the range avoid prone at the start , sitting at a bench would be better as it lets your body move backwards under recoil , prone doesn’t give as much so recoil is harder.

yes absolutely some of the bigger recoiling chamberings can catch you out if not positioned and comfortable before the shot

8x57 on the weekend reminded me .....

Originally Posted by scotty

yes absolutely some of the bigger recoiling chamberings can catch you out if not positioned and comfortable before the shot
Attachment 269890
8x57 on the weekend reminded me .....

Scoped! Ouch