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 :redbullsmiley: 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.

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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

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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

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.

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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.

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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

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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

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Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

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

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That's good advice. Im not going to be taking it straight out and going it alone. He has given it to me because he considers me family. Its a gift. Which I don't really feel worthy of but I have helped him alot in the past with other things. He will be giving me guidance and coming to the range with me first time. I'm fine with a .308 but I was just unsure of how the kick compares. I hadn't even heard of a 30-06 . He's a very experienced and knowledgeable hunter/gun owner and has rebuilt guns he inherited in the past. He's got a 1912 something or other that he has brought back to life . So he's pretty good at what he does. I trust him. But to know about the kick, and what it might be like, gives me food for thought. I will observe him firing it first, then if I don't enjoy it when I shoot it, I will try lighter loads, and if needed, get it suppressed.

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.

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.

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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.

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@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 :D
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 :D
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

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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.

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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.

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

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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 :D
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 :D
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

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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 :D
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 :D
Anyway, enjoy making your decision and hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

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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!

Just sight it in at the range after you put a suppressor on it and I almost guarantee you won't feel a thing when you shoot at game .

All things being equal if you dint mind the 308, 3006 isn't going to be much worse.
Take your time. You'll be right.
And also earmuffs at the range

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Originally Posted by rugerman

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

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@rugerman
Indeed she did. ( Damn nice deer too ! ) Thanks for the heads up. I tend to spend very little time in the Introductions page so, of course, initially lacked the vital knowledge in this case.
Anyway, I hope the apology I posted makes it clear I'm now properly informed.

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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.

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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 .....

........people presuming, it's a male dominated sport.
😂
TOUCHE!!!! I like your style; stick around we need people like you.

.30-06 rules! I have been using the calibre since 1967 and have two rifles that I use, a Husqvarna with a Zeiss scope as my normal hunting rifle, and my custom-made long range rifle. A .30-06 with a 150 grain bullet has the same recoil as a .308 with the same bullet in a similar weight rifle. A suppressor will reduce the recoil and make the rifle much nicer to use. Go for it!

Ha! The good old Weatherby eyebrow!

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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 .....

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Scoped! Ouch