Thread: 30-06 Freebie!

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 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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 .