I believe the 30-06 is the best all around bullet ever. Light weight and heavy for caliber are accurate without tumble and able to take anything from ground hogs with the 55 gr and all the way up to elephant with the 220gr monolithic solids. I'm not saying the best for anything but I'm saying it's my favorite single rifle to own
The best thing I ever bought for my 30-06 was a bench-less reloading press. You basically get the "one rifle to do it all" cheat code. Light subsonics for rabbits and squirrels up close? Yep! don't blow your ears out. Light screaming fast loads for coyotes and groundhogs? Yessir! 100gr speer at close to 3,500fps Full power loads for everything in North America? You got it! all the way up to 220gr in the standard 1:10" twist barrels.
My Father had a 30-06 AI improved built in late 1970's he started reloading for finding the best combo of bullets and powers. It took a while, but by late 1980's new powders and better bullets shot around 2970 with 180 and 2850 with 200 grain Nosler Partions. That was good for the time 30 plus years ago.
In 1906 the 30-06 was born. It was effective on Germans, Austrians, deer, elk, moose, bears (all), caribou, and criminals. What has changed since 1906...............NOTHING! 30-6 still the GOAT!
Great for its day. In military though I still prefer the 556 for a couple reasons. Much of it is target aquisition and reaquisition. Then there is recoil. I’m not afraid of it but with my issue M16 A1 I could pile them in on target as fast as it could pull the trigger or just tug and release sending 3-4 witching a shoulder wide spread T 300 yards. The M1 ( yea I had one for a period as a scoped sniper rifle on Special Recovery team) jumped up and you lost the sight picture. The same happens with the M14. Muzzle climb and lost sight picture. It may not mean much hunting but in a combat situation it’s a major consideration . Weight of the ammo also is a big thing when you are humping it. Anyone who has carried food for the “ Pig” or its 240 spawn knows well the huge difference between in weight😉 For years now there’s been an old range instructor who demonstrates this well using the 556 vs 762. All these have particular advantages and disadvantages and trade off To consider. Besides, you are hunting man pig not a rhino. Everyone I ever spoke to who met any of these preferred the small 762 drilled hole to being launched through the air like Superman as one unfortunate put it or a big chunk of meat fly off as the 556 does.
@@drizler yes but at long range. And against body armor 3006 is better than 556 and 308. Ar10s in 3006 are very affordable now. Great lakes 3006 ar10s are 999$. Bear Creek arsenal makes 3006 ar10 rifles. Remington 750. Beretta r1 rifles. Browning bar mk3 rifles. Pietta chronos. Souer 303 rifles. Vepr ak 3006. Fn49. And yugo m76 in 3006 are some options. 3006 is more powerful than 308. Has better range. And more punch. With buffalo bore ammo u can even match 300win mag velocity and power. 3006 is also extremely common. And u can find cheap 3006 pretty easy. I got some ppu recently for 15$ a box. And have gotten steel cased for 8$ a box a few years back.
@@drizler I have an old Remington 740. It's been utterly reliable and decently accurate. It has a frame mounted ejector unlike all other Remington rifles and has no receiver wear. I want to buy a bolt gun in 3006 to pair with it. But I also own 6.5grendel. And 7.62x39. And I'll get a 556 soon. It's just a small caliber.
What I enjoy about Ackley were his studies on the strength of different rifle actions. Some were surprisingly strong. Like the Win. model 94 action and the Japanese arikari or however it's spelled.
My favorite breed of all. They can be highly intelligent, very good with humans and kids, and (of course) excellent for bird hunting, not to mention some of the handsomest dogs of all.
I think the all copper bullets allow the deeper seating required due to overall length requirements. The additional case capacity of the 30-06 comes-in handy for this.
The regular pressure for the 35 Whelen is already 62,000psi using the transducer method. The 52,000 psi referred to by the writer is using an older "CUP" test method with copper crushers. The pressures are actually the same, it is the test method that produces a different number.
I have gone through a number of calibres and rifles. At the moment I have one I really like which is a semi custom 3006A1 - it is powerful and a real tack driver. But my bottom line is it’s the rifle you shoot the best which is more important than the calibre. So I tend not to get too hung up with the calibre - so long as it can do around 300 yards or so. Although I do prefer the more powerful than less powerful. Oddly enough the other calibre I tend to use is an 8x57 which is not that flat shooting - just I have a real nice M98 carbine that’s goes with it that is super handy to use and easy to shoot straight. Cheers Dave 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
In my Opinion, 35 Whelen, a wildcat cartridge in 1923 by James Howe and Col. Townsend Whelen and standardized in 1988, I think it is the best all around cartridge in North America. Its based on the 30-06.
I have a 358 Norma Mag. It's built with a number 3 contour barrel, making it light. It would be awesome to load down to 35 Whelen. balistics a 250gr. Bullet at 2400 FPS. Much, lighter recoil.
It is a shame that discussions are limited by liability concerns. It used to be you could just tell someone not to be an idiot and cover your bases, that is not the world we live in so I understand. Thanks for your podcast and videos Ron, you remind me of great guy named Bill that got me into precision reloading in my early 20's; I am now in my 50's and still at it. He was the best friend and hunting buddy of my good friends uncle and he loved hunting, shooting, reloading, debating all the aforementioned and especially telling stories while drinking everyone else's beer around a always present fire. He would even complain if the absconded beer wasn't to his liking. He went on and on how the .257 Roberts was the best cartridge for hunting every made if they had the right bullet and powder from the factory. He always hunted with a .270 or 7mm Rem Mag and would dismiss the subject when asked why he didn't hunt with his beloved .257 Roberts and give a different reason every time. He would buy the cheapest .22LR by the 5,000 count case once or twice a year and refused to share and then take a 50 or 100 count box of your .22LR for comparison. He loved the .22 CCI Mini-mags I shot but refused to buy his own because they were too expensive. He asked my why I never shot his .22 LR ammo one day, and I told him that he said not to, and he told me that I just don't understand the game, and after that I started shooting some of his ammo so he could complain about it. He said everything with a twinkle in his eye and half of everything he said was always true 28% of the time. He taught me the importance of giving young people a hard time now and again. The world needs characters and Bill was definitely one of the best.
I've known the type and try to emulate from time to time with my grandkids. Betsy and the girls complain, but they don't understand grandpas job is to toughen the kids up and teach them to recognize kidding, joking, sarcasm, tricks, etc.
Outstanding rendition of life as we all used to know it! Even though there were "Bills" around every corner they still remained unique and special! Who would have ever "thunk it" that the phenomenon would ever be talked about in the past tense. Thanks for the flashback!!!
Those friends and family members who were born of this mold are true blessings! I have been blessed to have known a couple of them throughout the years. Great memories!
When it comes to any wildcat, or most of the Ackley Improved cartridges, you can absolutely see an increase in performance using some of the modern powders, such as Superformance. If you have a strain gauge, know how to use it AND know how to make use of the data it provides, then the pressures you run from your particular barrel, chambered in 30-'06 AI, can be whatever you deem safe. An authority like Ron can't tell you to ever go any higher than SAAMI spec, because if someone did that and a barrel blew up in their face, he could be held liable. As someone who has studied ballistics and worked with half a dozen different wildcat and AI rounds, I can tell you there is more to it, but then there is a huge learning curve associated with that process. This is one of those situations where you KNOW what you're doing, or you don't do it at all! The only safe answer is to stick with published loads from reputable sources.
Dad made a 240 Gibbs I found some 75 grain that would spin apart sometimes. 100 gr noslers were flat deer killers. It was a 30-06 with a blown out shoulder. Just like the A I.
Hello Son, when I bought a elk rifle I checked out the 30 -- 06 A I but went with the 300 W S M because I did not need to shoot a every cartridge to have the efficiency of the 30-- 06 A I.
Ron, really informative video, keep up the great work. We all know ammunition manufacturers tend to hype up the velocities of their cartridges. In light of the fact that less than 10% of hunters reload, I believe it would be of interest for you to run a series tests where you shoot factory loads in commonly available rifles with standard length barrels. Thanks CW
Appreciate your cautious approach on the question of increasing pressure for, specifically, newly rebarreled .35 Whelen on either a Remington 700 or Remington 7600 action. Have considered this question myself over the years with both those guns in mind, both guns having been purchased new in 2001. The catalyst for the consideration was noting that the recommended max loads for the similar .338-’06 were allowed to operate at greater pressures to drive similar weight bullets (200 grain, 225 grain, 250 grain) from the smaller bore as fast as, if not faster than, the lower max pressure .35 Whelen loads. The somewhat more conservative approach to max pressure standardization in the .35 Whelen probably reflects the greater popularity of the .35 Whelen as a wildcat from 1920s, and the variable vintage of wildcat donor actions. This is more of a question to occupy mental free time: at my age the purpose of the .35 Whelen is to produce larger, more easily resolved holes in the paper targets. There is no need to change the .35 Whelen’s steady push against the shoulder into something harder. If a bruised shoulder is wanted, then the very curved ‘rifle’ style steel butt plate of a Winchester 1886 in .45-70 will produce that bruise sharpish.
I like the recommendations for the new hunters. I think any short action 7mm or under would be a great place to start. 243 Win, 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm-08 would be great. 243 and 6.5 would have more ammunition choices, but the others can be found reasonably well, and they would work well for coyotes or even woodchucks going down.
I like your explanation between the 300 win Mag and 338 win Mag. I have a 338 and it is amazing. Ammo is just now coming back to the shelves and I have found it around 62-70 a box. Finally back to normal!
Dan could get something like a 6mm arc or 6.5 grendel upper for his AR. He could also get a drop in .22LR conversion or a .22 upper is an option as well.
I can't decide between those 2, I have a run of the mill AR in 5.56 and I'm trying to get something to hunt something bigger. Both the Grendel and the ARC are excellent upgrades to the 5.56 but which one is a better balance between performance, load variety, availability, and affordability.
@@linkbond08 I got into Grendel before the ARC came to market; so I won't be changing over. If I was in your shoes today, the decision would be much more difficult.
The 30:06 has actually been upgraded quite a bit as the 308 has been also. The o6 with a slight edge over the 308 simply from more capacity with powder. Today's bullets and newer powders have taken both cartridges to greater efficiency than in the early days. Hornady has a 150 grain bullet doing 3000 FPS out of a 308. That is quite a jump in velocity. I was getting that out of my 06 in the 70s but with a 130 gr. Bullet.I think both cartridges are plenty enough gun in the Northwest including Alaska. Most AlaskanS own a 30:06 because they ammo is easy to find and todays bullets allow 200 to 250 gr. For bears. Most are shot up close and the old 06 will do the job. Rifles can be found under 400 dollars.
We have talked about how fast twist twist barrels, modern powders, and longer heavier bullets have nearly reinvented a thirty-ought-six. I think it would be interesting if the same were to happen with the.250 Savage. Ideally in the Ackley improved so Boulder ammunition could still be used. By using the actually improved chambering on can't even increase the average pressure a bit without endangering old guns. Unfortunately the last time I looked there were not very many high ballistic coefficient bullets for it to the slow-twist rifling that is traditional.
What a beautiful dog. Can tell she is loved and like my dogs part of the family. Thanks for the info. I really enjoy how you explain it all in a clear accurate manner.
I believe the 44GP would be a 44-06 in a 1.8" case or OAL making it nearly a straight wall case. Years ago there was a 44-06 wildcat based on 30-06 brass.
I have been working on a very special projectile. Could call it a wild cat but its an old bullet with modifications. It does one thing. It uses the air to maintain point blank range out to much greater distance. I can't talk about how we accomplished it. We are still working on it but it's jaw dropping.
I like to imagine a guy spending countless hours reading literature and pondering scientific studies just to finally come to the conclusion that he'll use .30-06
Yep, that's me, 30/06 as my go-to with a 370 Sako as my backup "big gun"...😂 No stunning ballistical heroism, just effective every time from either one. (Just had to have something a tad different on the 370...¯\_(ツ)_/¯).
Each time I look at another gun, my wife asks: " What will it do that your '06 won't?" I just shake my head and say "Not much." Being married to a bookkeeper has helped my bank balance, but stunted my rifle collection.
The .44gp is a straight wall case for states with a maximum case length of 1.8 inches, so yes .30-06 cut down to 1.8 inches with a .429 projectile so you don't have to ream out the neck to .45.
Point blank range is just how far within your bullets trajectory does your bullet stay within 3in (high or low) above your zeroed distance. So say I’m zeroed at 200yrds, my bullet will still be within 3 inch of my aimpoint at 300yrds. So I can still aim as if my bullet won’t drop, bc it’s still hitting the vitals. It just saves time when hunting so you don’t overthink your shot.
I love hunting with my ar. For me it's the same gun I train with for other things so I'm extremely comfortable and confident with it. I come from a bow hunting background first so making sure the first shot is right had long been ingrained in me. I've passed on shots both with rifle and bow that I wasn't confident I could make with one shot. It's all in our heads and we use and do what we let our heads think.
Excellent advice! But I think I should envision a larger pipe(due to possible deviations in point-of-aim/point-of-impact), and a shorter maximum range, since I'm just not as good a shot as I once was in the 70s and 80s. Just my personal limitations. Thank you for so many helpful videos.
Ron, You talked about reading pressure signs on a 30/06 AI. When looking for pressure signs, have you used a technique that compares the case head expansion of factory ammo compared to the case head expansion of reloads? I read about this technique in a reloading book by John Withers.
There are some brilliant nuggets of gold in this spiel! One key point; If a tight barrel can cause pressure spikes then it must be that a worn barrel can sustain greater powder loads or higher pressure. Makes me think I want to AI and reload a simple .308. Could get .300-06 velocities until the barrel is completely shot, and also fire cheap and available .308 factory loads. I do wonder what would happen if steel case .308 were fired in an AI chamber.
Are there any bears in the Kenai? 338 is a great choice for Bear Defense, along with the moose hunt. Heavier guns tend to lead to more wounding on griz, even if the bullets that could reach their target from stuff like the 375, are going to hit harder. 338 seems to be the client sweet spot. If you are planing on hunting and not sniping, the 9.3x62 is a great choice, ammo is available, but probably good to have reloading as a backup.
While recently researching load data for a future rifle build, I ran across .30-06 AI data in my Nosler manual. The numbers tell me that it's very close to the .300 H&H which I've long believed is probably the most ballistically perfect .30 caliber inspite of that infernal belt. I'm now seriously considering AI-ing my Tikka T-3 Lite.
Ron being left eye dominant I had adjust my position in Marine Corps Boot camp as my Primary Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) said oh your one of those. I have been working with a AR platform in 6.5 Grendel. It's accurate and with no felt recoil. I also enjoy my Remington 760 pump action but unfortunately the prices have sky rocketed. But you can find them now and then.
The most killing gun I ever owned was the 338 win mag. It was either there or you missed it. Great gun. I'm building a 338-06 AI. That's how much I like that 338 bullet. Just want a little less recoil. Still a great caliber.
❤ ron used what i said! 😢 my hero. Hah “ if u were to drop a bullet and shoot a bullet at the same height they drop at the same time/rate” prob not from “ME” but it great to hear cuz if helps shooters understand velocity and time of flight. Just like throwing a baseball. Gotta aim up.
RON, I believe the question about barrel makeup from old guns to new. Was asking if new metals are superior to earlier additions. The metallurgy has created a false impression in modern fire arms. The battle rifle platforms used thinner wall constructed barrels. Yet newer barrels on bolt rifles are subject to heat and warping. With my military background, I learned that platforms with thin barrels and full length encased stocks can easily take abuse. While newer platforms need harmonics to keep accuracy together. Some demand free floating barrels. In my experience and opinion. The newer barrels are much softer and are subject to the heat and abuse. 5 consecutive rounds and the barrels are flexing. Older rifles can be continuously shot without changing the accuracy. My trusted M1 was dropped,hammered, submerged in gunk, dragged, and shot thousands of times. All that and held a zero. My newest ruger loses zero after 5 shots. There is definitely something missing from today's hammer forged barrels. The drilled out billet barrels are hefty.
You’re saying “30-06 AI Will run toe to toe with the 300 Winchester magnum“. If that’s the case, I’m surprised we don’t hear more things about the 30-06 AI🤔
@jheasley1 it is not fairly known to the shooting world.. But yes"..up to a 200grn 30cal bullet the 30-06 AI will run toe to toe with the 300 WINCHESTER magnum Not Many people are willing to jump in to wildcats...
@cliffclark9249 I have built two of them with different barrel twist. 1n12twist and the other in 1n10twist. Both using Howa 1500 long actions.. I can say with all certainty that with my loads I can easily meet 300 WMag speeds.....
Hey Ron. Love the channel. About the 6.5 Creedmoor, I always hear you mention that the max bullet weight is 147 but I have found a heavier factory load. A sako 156g leaves my muzzle just under 2700fps.
Maybe someone should just release a 30-24 or ‘06 Modern… The only change from what would be the the backwards compatible 30-06, would be Modern Creedmoor or PRC style throat and Modern Twist rate and maybe little more length and room for high BC bullets. Or maybe the AI variant instead for reloading.
Mr Spomer. My wife is joining me for this video. We are both enjoying watching Covey seeking your affection. He loves ya. What breed is covey. I guessed (and may be way off)…Brittany Spaniel/English Setter mix. I may be way way off. You have his adoring gaze😂.
Hey Ron😎✌🏻 If you did a short with a picture while you explain the maximum point blank I think it would clarify for people that seem to be confused or not grasping the concept. Just a thought. 😁🤓🙏🏻
Hey Ron, how do you feel about the .592-06x61TPv3.287R867-5309? It was invented in 1582 in Buttholioslav by a guy named Bevislavski Cornholiowitzaslavski. I'm sure you have heard of it.
Hi Ron, great video as always, just wondering with regards to lead free ammunition coming in down the line, will it be the death bell for smaller lighter calibre bullets such as .223,.243 etc with regards to barrel twist rates and the ability to stabilise these small light bullets that in lead free, are going to get lighter. Just wondering if some older rifles might be hard to get heavy enough bullets to shoot good groups going forward. What's your take. Thanks.
Wildcatting is FuN. I think the 44GP is for those states require a max length of 1.8" to hunt deer in "shotgun only" states. I have a 35-30/30 in a contender just to have a "primative weapon" in my state. Low recoil and eassy to shoot.
For a new hunter who already has an AR, especially if you're going to hunt with one or more of your kids, get a rimfire conversation for your existing AR for fun plinking at the range. A new bolt action Savage 22 rimfire or a used Marlin bolt action is a great (and very accurate) option. For a hunting cartridge, I'd start with a bolt action or single shot chambered in something that you can also get in an AR. Most of these options have a lot less recoil than more popular choices like the 6.5 creedmoor. These cartridges include 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, and 350 Legend. All of these will take medium size game to at least 200 yds with very little recoil. The blackout and Legend are not super accurate (accurate enough for 200 yds), but the Grendel and SPC are literally tack drivers. I'm not aware of any factory bolt action rifles chambered in 6.8 SPC, but CZ and Howa both offer a bolt action 6.5 Grendel. 7.62x39 is another option and it gives you the option of some cheap FMJ ammo for plinking around.
If you get into reloading, the 223 Remington is an EXTREMELY versatile cartridge. It may not be legal for deer in your area, but it's inexpensive to load for, very accurate, and can be loaded to give velocities from under 2000 fps to over 3500 fps.
For the guy shooting with his daughter. If you can find a CZ .22 Scout bolt action rifle, try it out. I was looking for a compact .22 and found I could not use most of the children model .22s out there due to not being able to get my cheek low enough to gwt onto the iron aoghts. I found a CZ Scout on clearance and tried tue fit. Being Eiropean, it had the low sliping comb to the atock and I was right in thw aights thw first time and Im 6-1. Its a 452 receiver with a 16" barrel. It comes with a plastic 3 round magazine, but you can swap better 452ahazines. i grapped a couple 10rd myself. I added a new Redfield acope and love this little thing. Vwey accurate, fun and durable.
Shoters do not have means to meassure PSI. Pressure signs and case head expantion with a Micrometer will tell you. Some rifles might show early, some might let you go beyond manuals. That's why everyone recomends starting a bit under Max. 30-06 vs 30-06AI about 2-3 grns extra powder and 100FPS faster. Randy Selby talks about how to ,meassure case head for signs of overpressure
.44 GP, a quick overview 1.8" straight wall. Made from any approx. .470" base diameter case. Rimless or rimmed. Think of .44 GP as a stretch version of .44 Auto Mag or a shortened .444 Marlin case to meet 1.8" case hunting regulations. .44 Auto Mag is based on a .30/06 or .308 Win. lopped back to 1.3", .44 GP is 1/2" longer, much more potent, and does NOT require case reaming!
*44 GP .430"06 x 1.8" 'short' must be a restrictive state compliance cartridge for the 1.8" long straight wall rules. 45-70 short 1.8" would be a very similar cartridge as would 444-06. So, 'similar' stuff has been done. Simple handload solution to the rules problem : 45-70 MICHIGAN SPECIAL with 1.8" short 'over-trimmed-brass' and 'long heavy bullets' or long copper bullets, loaded to same cartridge overall length and power factor as the typical standard {full power} 45-70 >> would become a 'Michigan 1.8 inch rules compliant' load. Looks weird, fits the chamber, fits the rules >>> and, actually works.*
On your statement of the .270 Win vs. 30-06 pressure SAAMI specs: My understanding has always been that the larger the diameter bullet (in the same case, i.e 30-06 vs. 35 Whelen) , the less pressure is needed to move the bullet down the barrel, but the upper limit of pressure stays the same. Can you explain why this is different with the .270 and 30-06? I recognize that my understanding may be incorrect, but I would like to hear it explained.
Ron, you're one of the most educated and knowledgeable men in the shooting industry. I'm really surprised that you talk about the 243 like that when you know the 6 mm Remington is a blistically superior around and then the ackly improved under that you have a much better round or are you trying to be what's popular because popularity sells?
*35 WHELEN extra speed... might be hiding within extra barrel length. Example : 27" {Twenty-Seven-Inch} barrel and a slow burning powder might get those extra 'feet per second' you are looking for without increasing the pressures.*
I believe the 30-06 is the best all around bullet ever. Light weight and heavy for caliber are accurate without tumble and able to take anything from ground hogs with the 55 gr and all the way up to elephant with the 220gr monolithic solids. I'm not saying the best for anything but I'm saying it's my favorite single rifle to own
30-06 is a cartridge not a bullet
The best thing I ever bought for my 30-06 was a bench-less reloading press.
You basically get the "one rifle to do it all" cheat code.
Light subsonics for rabbits and squirrels up close? Yep! don't blow your ears out.
Light screaming fast loads for coyotes and groundhogs? Yessir! 100gr speer at close to 3,500fps
Full power loads for everything in North America? You got it! all the way up to 220gr in the standard 1:10" twist barrels.
I have never heard of a 55grn .30 cal bullet. Is it shaped like a watch battery?
@letsdothis9063 there used to be 30/06 accelerator rounds. Loads with a 55 grain sabot. Over 4100 fps if memory serves me right.
@@mj_slender6717 I have a box, they're crazy fast, but not very accurate.
My Father had a 30-06 AI improved built in late 1970's he started reloading for finding the best combo of bullets and powers. It took a while, but by late 1980's new powders and better bullets shot around 2970 with 180 and 2850 with 200 grain Nosler Partions. That was good for the time 30 plus years ago.
Still a super nice round. Very nice 👍👍
Your explanation of maximum point blank range with the analogy of a 6"pipe is the best. Thanks for another great video.
In 1906 the 30-06 was born. It was effective on Germans, Austrians, deer, elk, moose, bears (all), caribou, and criminals. What has changed since 1906...............NOTHING! 30-6 still the GOAT!
Great for its day. In military though I still prefer the 556 for a couple reasons. Much of it is target aquisition and reaquisition. Then there is recoil. I’m not afraid of it but with my issue M16 A1 I could pile them in on target as fast as it could pull the trigger or just tug and release sending 3-4 witching a shoulder wide spread T 300 yards. The M1 ( yea I had one for a period as a scoped sniper rifle on Special Recovery team) jumped up and you lost the sight picture. The same happens with the M14. Muzzle climb and lost sight picture. It may not mean much hunting but in a combat situation it’s a major consideration . Weight of the ammo also is a big thing when you are humping it. Anyone who has carried food for the “ Pig” or its 240 spawn knows well the huge difference between in weight😉
For years now there’s been an old range instructor who demonstrates this well using the 556 vs 762. All these have particular advantages and disadvantages and trade off To consider. Besides, you are hunting man pig not a rhino. Everyone I ever spoke to who met any of these preferred the small 762 drilled hole to being launched through the air like Superman as one unfortunate put it or a big chunk of meat fly off as the 556 does.
@@drizler yes but at long range. And against body armor 3006 is better than 556 and 308. Ar10s in 3006 are very affordable now. Great lakes 3006 ar10s are 999$. Bear Creek arsenal makes 3006 ar10 rifles. Remington 750. Beretta r1 rifles. Browning bar mk3 rifles. Pietta chronos. Souer 303 rifles. Vepr ak 3006. Fn49. And yugo m76 in 3006 are some options. 3006 is more powerful than 308. Has better range. And more punch. With buffalo bore ammo u can even match 300win mag velocity and power. 3006 is also extremely common. And u can find cheap 3006 pretty easy. I got some ppu recently for 15$ a box. And have gotten steel cased for 8$ a box a few years back.
@@drizler I have an old Remington 740. It's been utterly reliable and decently accurate. It has a frame mounted ejector unlike all other Remington rifles and has no receiver wear. I want to buy a bolt gun in 3006 to pair with it. But I also own 6.5grendel. And 7.62x39. And I'll get a 556 soon. It's just a small caliber.
Ron, your open mindedness and desire to learn is admirable. Thank you for bringing that attitude to your videos
Open minded... unless it's a .308 lol..
@maguslascivious4980 lol. I've hunted with a .308 for 37 years. It does most things good, but nothing best.
@@diggernash1 But it does it... I mean, that's a lot of cartridges.
Ron just likes to shit on the .308 when he can and I get a chuckle out of it.
What I enjoy about Ackley were his studies on the strength of different rifle actions. Some were surprisingly strong. Like the Win. model 94 action and the Japanese arikari or however it's spelled.
What a nice looking English Setter, very sweet dogs.
My favorite breed of all.
They can be highly intelligent, very good with humans and kids, and (of course) excellent for bird hunting, not to mention some of the handsomest dogs of all.
Yes, she is a very pretty puppy.
A versatile and easy-to-reload cartridge. the 30.06.
I think the all copper bullets allow the deeper seating required due to overall length requirements. The additional case capacity of the 30-06 comes-in handy for this.
The regular pressure for the 35 Whelen is already 62,000psi using the transducer method. The 52,000 psi referred to by the writer is using an older "CUP" test method with copper crushers. The pressures are actually the same, it is the test method that produces a different number.
Covey is a great
listener 😊
I have gone through a number of calibres and rifles. At the moment I have one I really like which is a semi custom 3006A1 - it is powerful and a real tack driver. But my bottom line is it’s the rifle you shoot the best which is more important than the calibre. So I tend not to get too hung up with the calibre - so long as it can do around 300 yards or so. Although I do prefer the more powerful than less powerful. Oddly enough the other calibre I tend to use is an 8x57 which is not that flat shooting - just I have a real nice M98 carbine that’s goes with it that is super handy to use and easy to shoot straight. Cheers Dave 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
I love the smooth feeding of the 30-06 something highly forgotten imo...
In my Opinion, 35 Whelen, a wildcat cartridge in 1923 by James Howe and Col. Townsend Whelen and standardized in 1988, I think it is the best all around cartridge in North America. Its based on the 30-06.
It's been said the 35 Whelen is North America's dangerous game rifle.
I have a 358 Norma Mag. It's built with a number 3 contour barrel, making it light.
It would be awesome to load down to 35 Whelen. balistics a 250gr. Bullet at 2400 FPS. Much, lighter recoil.
It is a shame that discussions are limited by liability concerns. It used to be you could just tell someone not to be an idiot and cover your bases, that is not the world we live in so I understand.
Thanks for your podcast and videos Ron, you remind me of great guy named Bill that got me into precision reloading in my early 20's; I am now in my 50's and still at it. He was the best friend and hunting buddy of my good friends uncle and he loved hunting, shooting, reloading, debating all the aforementioned and especially telling stories while drinking everyone else's beer around a always present fire. He would even complain if the absconded beer wasn't to his liking. He went on and on how the .257 Roberts was the best cartridge for hunting every made if they had the right bullet and powder from the factory. He always hunted with a .270 or 7mm Rem Mag and would dismiss the subject when asked why he didn't hunt with his beloved .257 Roberts and give a different reason every time. He would buy the cheapest .22LR by the 5,000 count case once or twice a year and refused to share and then take a 50 or 100 count box of your .22LR for comparison. He loved the .22 CCI Mini-mags I shot but refused to buy his own because they were too expensive. He asked my why I never shot his .22 LR ammo one day, and I told him that he said not to, and he told me that I just don't understand the game, and after that I started shooting some of his ammo so he could complain about it. He said everything with a twinkle in his eye and half of everything he said was always true 28% of the time. He taught me the importance of giving young people a hard time now and again. The world needs characters and Bill was definitely one of the best.
I've known the type and try to emulate from time to time with my grandkids. Betsy and the girls complain, but they don't understand grandpas job is to toughen the kids up and teach them to recognize kidding, joking, sarcasm, tricks, etc.
Outstanding rendition of life as we all used to know it! Even though there were "Bills" around every corner they still remained unique and special! Who would have ever "thunk it" that the phenomenon would ever be talked about in the past tense. Thanks for the flashback!!!
Those friends and family members who were born of this mold are true blessings! I have been blessed to have known a couple of them throughout the years. Great memories!
When it comes to any wildcat, or most of the Ackley Improved cartridges, you can absolutely see an increase in performance using some of the modern powders, such as Superformance. If you have a strain gauge, know how to use it AND know how to make use of the data it provides, then the pressures you run from your particular barrel, chambered in 30-'06 AI, can be whatever you deem safe. An authority like Ron can't tell you to ever go any higher than SAAMI spec, because if someone did that and a barrel blew up in their face, he could be held liable. As someone who has studied ballistics and worked with half a dozen different wildcat and AI rounds, I can tell you there is more to it, but then there is a huge learning curve associated with that process. This is one of those situations where you KNOW what you're doing, or you don't do it at all! The only safe answer is to stick with published loads from reputable sources.
Dad made a 240 Gibbs
I found some 75 grain that would spin apart sometimes. 100 gr noslers were flat deer killers. It was a 30-06 with a blown out shoulder. Just like the A I.
Hello Son, when I bought a elk rifle I checked out the 30 -- 06 A I but went with the 300 W S M because I did not need to shoot a every cartridge to have the efficiency of the 30-- 06 A I.
Thank you Ron for another informative pod cast/video.
Pre-64 model 70, Pac- nor 25in barrel. 30-06 Ackley Imp.
190gr ABLR
61gr Superformance
WLR primers
2970 fps, half inch all day!
Ron, really informative video, keep up the great work. We all know ammunition manufacturers tend to hype up the velocities of their cartridges. In light of the fact that less than 10% of hunters reload, I believe it would be of interest for you to run a series tests where you shoot factory loads in commonly available rifles with standard length barrels. Thanks CW
Appreciate your cautious approach on the question of increasing pressure for, specifically, newly rebarreled .35 Whelen on either a Remington 700 or Remington 7600 action. Have considered this question myself over the years with both those guns in mind, both guns having been purchased new in 2001. The catalyst for the consideration was noting that the recommended max loads for the similar .338-’06 were allowed to operate at greater pressures to drive similar weight bullets (200 grain, 225 grain, 250 grain) from the smaller bore as fast as, if not faster than, the lower max pressure .35 Whelen loads.
The somewhat more conservative approach to max pressure standardization in the .35 Whelen probably reflects the greater popularity of the .35 Whelen as a wildcat from 1920s, and the variable vintage of wildcat donor actions. This is more of a question to occupy mental free time: at my age the purpose of the .35 Whelen is to produce larger, more easily resolved holes in the paper targets. There is no need to change the .35 Whelen’s steady push against the shoulder into something harder. If a bruised shoulder is wanted, then the very curved ‘rifle’ style steel butt plate of a Winchester 1886 in .45-70 will produce that bruise sharpish.
I like the recommendations for the new hunters. I think any short action 7mm or under would be a great place to start. 243 Win, 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm-08 would be great. 243 and 6.5 would have more ammunition choices, but the others can be found reasonably well, and they would work well for coyotes or even woodchucks going down.
I like your explanation between the 300 win Mag and 338 win Mag. I have a 338 and it is amazing. Ammo is just now coming back to the shelves and I have found it around 62-70 a box. Finally back to normal!
Your dog is beautiful ! ❤ I love seeing covey on your video, And seeing you interact with him !
Dan could get something like a 6mm arc or 6.5 grendel upper for his AR. He could also get a drop in .22LR conversion or a .22 upper is an option as well.
Great video Ron as always. Thanks for sharing!
I personally like the 280 ai. I would kind of like to try the 3006 so. I love the standard 06 But the Ackley is interesting.
I've done both the AI 30-06 will push bullet conceivably faster depending on choice off powder.i have four 280ai
The 6.5 Grendel or 6 ARC in a Howa mini carbon stalker is great rifle to start kids on.
I can't decide between those 2, I have a run of the mill AR in 5.56 and I'm trying to get something to hunt something bigger.
Both the Grendel and the ARC are excellent upgrades to the 5.56 but which one is a better balance between performance, load variety, availability, and affordability.
@@linkbond08 I got into Grendel before the ARC came to market; so I won't be changing over. If I was in your shoes today, the decision would be much more difficult.
The 30:06 has actually been upgraded quite a bit as the 308 has been also. The o6 with a slight edge over the 308 simply from more capacity with powder. Today's bullets and newer powders have taken both cartridges to greater efficiency than in the early days. Hornady has a 150 grain bullet doing 3000 FPS out of a 308. That is quite a jump in velocity. I was getting that out of my 06 in the 70s but with a 130 gr. Bullet.I think both cartridges are plenty enough gun in the Northwest including Alaska. Most AlaskanS own a 30:06 because they ammo is easy to find and todays bullets allow 200 to 250 gr. For bears. Most are shot up close and the old 06 will do the job. Rifles can be found under 400 dollars.
💯 % agree 👍
We have talked about how fast twist twist barrels, modern powders, and longer heavier bullets have nearly reinvented a thirty-ought-six. I think it would be interesting if the same were to happen with the.250 Savage. Ideally in the Ackley improved so Boulder ammunition could still be used. By using the actually improved chambering on can't even increase the average pressure a bit without endangering old guns. Unfortunately the last time I looked there were not very many high ballistic coefficient bullets for it to the slow-twist rifling that is traditional.
What a beautiful dog. Can tell she is loved and like my dogs part of the family. Thanks for the info. I really enjoy how you explain it all in a clear accurate manner.
For a gun and dog lover like myself, this is the best video on youtube. :)
I believe the 44GP would be a 44-06 in a 1.8" case or OAL making it nearly a straight wall case. Years ago there was a 44-06 wildcat based on 30-06 brass.
An old brother always summed it up with stay on the page!
I have been working on a very special projectile. Could call it a wild cat but its an old bullet with modifications. It does one thing. It uses the air to maintain point blank range out to much greater distance. I can't talk about how we accomplished it. We are still working on it but it's jaw dropping.
Were would a person be able to find out more about this, and will the results be presented?
I like to imagine a guy spending countless hours reading literature and pondering scientific studies just to finally come to the conclusion that he'll use .30-06
Yep, I am that guy lol
Yep, that's me, 30/06 as my go-to with a 370 Sako as my backup "big gun"...😂
No stunning ballistical heroism, just effective every time from either one.
(Just had to have something a tad different on the 370...¯\_(ツ)_/¯).
Each time I look at another gun, my wife asks: " What will it do that your '06 won't?" I just shake my head and say "Not much." Being married to a bookkeeper has helped my bank balance, but stunted my rifle collection.
The .44gp is a straight wall case for states with a maximum case length of 1.8 inches, so yes .30-06 cut down to 1.8 inches with a .429 projectile so you don't have to ream out the neck to .45.
What bullet, coal, barrel length are you using and what are you getting for velocity?
No idea, I don't live in a straight wall state.
It can also be made by shortening a 444 marlin case or straightening and shortening a 356 win case.
Point blank range is just how far within your bullets trajectory does your bullet stay within 3in (high or low) above your zeroed distance. So say I’m zeroed at 200yrds, my bullet will still be within 3 inch of my aimpoint at 300yrds. So I can still aim as if my bullet won’t drop, bc it’s still hitting the vitals. It just saves time when hunting so you don’t overthink your shot.
I love hunting with my ar. For me it's the same gun I train with for other things so I'm extremely comfortable and confident with it.
I come from a bow hunting background first so making sure the first shot is right had long been ingrained in me. I've passed on shots both with rifle and bow that I wasn't confident I could make with one shot. It's all in our heads and we use and do what we let our heads think.
Sierra's current book has .30-06 AI. I think they probably have the largest range of AI cartridges. They use .250 AI to test their .257 stuff.
I believe nosler has a bunch too. I know they have 30-06ai
Excellent advice!
But I think I should envision a larger pipe(due to possible deviations in point-of-aim/point-of-impact), and a shorter maximum range, since I'm just not as good a shot as I once was in the 70s and 80s. Just my personal limitations. Thank you for so many helpful videos.
Love your co-pilot. thank of the AI segments for us Wild Cat (TC) users.
Ron, You talked about reading pressure signs on a 30/06 AI. When looking for pressure signs, have you used a technique that compares the case head expansion of factory ammo compared to the case head expansion of reloads? I read about this technique in a reloading book by John Withers.
There are some brilliant nuggets of gold in this spiel!
One key point; If a tight barrel can cause pressure spikes then it must be that a worn barrel can sustain greater powder loads or higher pressure.
Makes me think I want to AI and reload a simple .308. Could get .300-06 velocities until the barrel is completely shot, and also fire cheap and available .308 factory loads.
I do wonder what would happen if steel case .308 were fired in an AI chamber.
Great discussion Ron…pt blank zeroing is the way to go for sure.
Excellent looking 👀 Dog ❤
Are there any bears in the Kenai? 338 is a great choice for Bear Defense, along with the moose hunt. Heavier guns tend to lead to more wounding on griz, even if the bullets that could reach their target from stuff like the 375, are going to hit harder. 338 seems to be the client sweet spot.
If you are planing on hunting and not sniping, the 9.3x62 is a great choice, ammo is available, but probably good to have reloading as a backup.
While recently researching load data for a future rifle build, I ran across .30-06 AI data in my Nosler manual. The numbers tell me that it's very close to the .300 H&H which I've long believed is probably the most ballistically perfect .30 caliber inspite of that infernal belt.
I'm now seriously considering AI-ing my Tikka T-3 Lite.
Beautiful to see your dawg friend
Ron being left eye dominant I had adjust my position in Marine Corps Boot camp as my Primary Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) said oh your one of those. I have been working with a AR platform in 6.5 Grendel. It's accurate and with no felt recoil. I also enjoy my Remington 760 pump action but unfortunately the prices have sky rocketed. But you can find them now and then.
The most killing gun I ever owned was the 338 win mag. It was either there or you missed it. Great gun. I'm building a 338-06 AI. That's how much I like that 338 bullet. Just want a little less recoil. Still a great caliber.
The Ackley rounds are impressive 👍
Regarding the MPB sight in, Ron, very surprised you have not given Bob Hagel his deserved kudos for this, another Idaho boy.
❤ ron used what i said! 😢 my hero. Hah “ if u were to drop a bullet and shoot a bullet at the same height they drop at the same time/rate”
prob not from “ME” but it great to hear cuz if helps shooters understand velocity and time of flight.
Just like throwing a baseball. Gotta aim up.
Love your puppy. Miss my Abbie...
300 BO is a good first centerfire
Such a Good Puppy 🐶 ❤
My 30-06 does everything I ask of it. It does not need to be improved I do. It shoots far better than I do especially the older I get.
Thank you.
RON, I believe the question about barrel makeup from old guns to new. Was asking if new metals are superior to earlier additions. The metallurgy has created a false impression in modern fire arms. The battle rifle platforms used thinner wall constructed barrels. Yet newer barrels on bolt rifles are subject to heat and warping.
With my military background, I learned that platforms with thin barrels and full length encased stocks can easily take abuse. While newer platforms need harmonics to keep accuracy together. Some demand free floating barrels.
In my experience and opinion. The newer barrels are much softer and are subject to the heat and abuse. 5 consecutive rounds and the barrels are flexing. Older rifles can be continuously shot without changing the accuracy.
My trusted M1 was dropped,hammered, submerged in gunk, dragged, and shot thousands of times. All that and held a zero.
My newest ruger loses zero after 5 shots. There is definitely something missing from today's hammer forged barrels. The drilled out billet barrels are hefty.
Who’s here for the woof! Absolutely gorgeous
Very much looking forward to this! Big fan of 7.08 AI, 280AI and 243 AI.
Always wondered what the .308 and the 30-06 would do as a AI cartridge🤔
308 win has not a significant change..
Now" the 06 AI..it will run almost toe toe with the 300 WM.
You’re saying “30-06 AI Will run toe to toe with the 300 Winchester magnum“. If that’s the case, I’m surprised we don’t hear more things about the 30-06 AI🤔
@jheasley1 it is not fairly known to the shooting world..
But yes"..up to a 200grn 30cal bullet the 30-06 AI will run toe to toe with the 300 WINCHESTER magnum
Not Many people are willing to jump in to wildcats...
@cliffclark9249 I have built two of them with different barrel twist.
1n12twist and the other in 1n10twist.
Both using Howa 1500 long actions..
I can say with all certainty that with my loads I can easily meet 300 WMag speeds.....
280ai is my jam!! Absolute unit!! Lol
Hey Ron. Love the channel. About the 6.5 Creedmoor, I always hear you mention that the max bullet weight is 147 but I have found a heavier factory load. A sako 156g leaves my muzzle just under 2700fps.
Doesn't surprise me. Ammo makers are often trying new/different bullets.
Maybe someone should just release a 30-24 or ‘06 Modern… The only change from what would be the the backwards compatible 30-06, would be Modern Creedmoor or PRC style throat and Modern Twist rate and maybe little more length and room for high BC bullets. Or maybe the AI variant instead for reloading.
Mr Spomer. My wife is joining me for this video. We are both enjoying watching Covey seeking your affection. He loves ya. What breed is covey. I guessed (and may be way off)…Brittany Spaniel/English Setter mix. I may be way way off. You have his adoring gaze😂.
Thanks Milo. Covey is a female English Setter from Beirl Setters in Wisconsin.
Ron, that is one *gorgeous* English Setter!
6.5 costs about the same as .308 in my part of the country. .243 is a few dollars more but with less selection than the other 2 cartridges
Hey Ron😎✌🏻 If you did a short with a picture while you explain the maximum point blank I think it would clarify for people that seem to be confused or not grasping the concept. Just a thought. 😁🤓🙏🏻
I love your dog ron i can tell he loves you reminds me of my cat gotta get into everything 😂
Something they should ask is what kind of rifling do he and others prefer, standard cut edge or formed (octagon) polygon sided style.
Ron AR 15 System Changes Caliber Barrel Length Magazine any round count.
Really like your videos
Hey Ron, how do you feel about the .592-06x61TPv3.287R867-5309? It was invented in 1582 in Buttholioslav by a guy named Bevislavski Cornholiowitzaslavski. I'm sure you have heard of it.
get a 22 conversion for the AR
And i like side by sides very versatile shotgun
Very nice video thx 😊
Hi Ron, great video as always, just wondering with regards to lead free ammunition coming in down the line, will it be the death bell for smaller lighter calibre bullets such as .223,.243 etc with regards to barrel twist rates and the ability to stabilise these small light bullets that in lead free, are going to get lighter.
Just wondering if some older rifles might be hard to get heavy enough bullets to shoot good groups going forward. What's your take. Thanks.
Wildcatting is FuN. I think the 44GP is for those states require a max length of 1.8" to hunt deer in "shotgun only" states. I have a 35-30/30 in a contender just to have a "primative weapon" in my state. Low recoil and eassy to shoot.
Covey is such a sweet dog.
Love your dog.
Usta sight my 30-06 3" high at 100 yds. Good to 300 + yds.
For a new hunter who already has an AR, especially if you're going to hunt with one or more of your kids, get a rimfire conversation for your existing AR for fun plinking at the range. A new bolt action Savage 22 rimfire or a used Marlin bolt action is a great (and very accurate) option.
For a hunting cartridge, I'd start with a bolt action or single shot chambered in something that you can also get in an AR. Most of these options have a lot less recoil than more popular choices like the 6.5 creedmoor. These cartridges include 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, and 350 Legend. All of these will take medium size game to at least 200 yds with very little recoil. The blackout and Legend are not super accurate (accurate enough for 200 yds), but the Grendel and SPC are literally tack drivers. I'm not aware of any factory bolt action rifles chambered in 6.8 SPC, but CZ and Howa both offer a bolt action 6.5 Grendel. 7.62x39 is another option and it gives you the option of some cheap FMJ ammo for plinking around.
If you get into reloading, the 223 Remington is an EXTREMELY versatile cartridge. It may not be legal for deer in your area, but it's inexpensive to load for, very accurate, and can be loaded to give velocities from under 2000 fps to over 3500 fps.
Every time I shoot a game animal with a .30-06 it dies !
Enjoy!
Ron, have you heard about the Warner Tool and Gauge’s Flatline bullets? Makes the 30-06 a 2,000 yard laser.
Love the 30-06🇺🇸
For the person wanting to start hunting with there daughter go with a 30 30 in a lever gun . Light weight to carry and not much recoil . Good luck
For the guy shooting with his daughter. If you can find a CZ .22 Scout bolt action rifle, try it out. I was looking for a compact .22 and found I could not use most of the children model .22s out there due to not being able to get my cheek low enough to gwt onto the iron aoghts. I found a CZ Scout on clearance and tried tue fit. Being Eiropean, it had the low sliping comb to the atock and I was right in thw aights thw first time and Im 6-1. Its a 452 receiver with a 16" barrel. It comes with a plastic 3 round magazine, but you can swap better 452ahazines. i grapped a couple 10rd myself. I added a new Redfield acope and love this little thing. Vwey accurate, fun and durable.
What type of dog ? So cute !! Thanks Ron
It's an English Setter, my favorite breed of all.
My 45 Raptor with a 300 grain projectile is goot out to 300 yards with a 6 inch restriction.
That Dog has some awesome Eyes.
Shoters do not have means to meassure PSI. Pressure signs and case head expantion with a Micrometer will tell you. Some rifles might show early, some might let you go beyond manuals. That's why everyone recomends starting a bit under Max. 30-06 vs 30-06AI about 2-3 grns extra powder and 100FPS faster. Randy Selby talks about how to ,meassure case head for signs of overpressure
I think Kevin from Michigan was asking about 44 bullet in a '06 cut down to 1.8" case length to use in the shotgun zone.
.44 GP, a quick overview
1.8" straight wall.
Made from any approx. .470" base diameter case.
Rimless or rimmed.
Think of .44 GP as a stretch version of .44 Auto Mag
or a shortened .444 Marlin case to meet 1.8" case hunting regulations.
.44 Auto Mag is based on a .30/06 or .308 Win. lopped back to 1.3",
.44 GP is 1/2" longer, much more potent, and does NOT require case reaming!
A 25-06 is a verry good gun.
*44 GP .430"06 x 1.8" 'short' must be a restrictive state compliance cartridge for the 1.8" long straight wall rules. 45-70 short 1.8" would be a very similar cartridge as would 444-06. So, 'similar' stuff has been done. Simple handload solution to the rules problem : 45-70 MICHIGAN SPECIAL with 1.8" short 'over-trimmed-brass' and 'long heavy bullets' or long copper bullets, loaded to same cartridge overall length and power factor as the typical standard {full power} 45-70 >> would become a 'Michigan 1.8 inch rules compliant' load. Looks weird, fits the chamber, fits the rules >>> and, actually works.*
30-06 A-I SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO A .300 H&H VERY SWEET
On your statement of the .270 Win vs. 30-06 pressure SAAMI specs: My understanding has always been that the larger the diameter bullet (in the same case, i.e 30-06 vs. 35 Whelen) , the less pressure is needed to move the bullet down the barrel, but the upper limit of pressure stays the same. Can you explain why this is different with the .270 and 30-06? I recognize that my understanding may be incorrect, but I would like to hear it explained.
Ron, you're one of the most educated and knowledgeable men in the shooting industry. I'm really surprised that you talk about the 243 like that when you know the 6 mm Remington is a blistically superior around and then the ackly improved under that you have a much better round or are you trying to be what's popular because popularity sells?
Cool video 👍
*35 WHELEN extra speed... might be hiding within extra barrel length. Example : 27" {Twenty-Seven-Inch} barrel and a slow burning powder might get those extra 'feet per second' you are looking for without increasing the pressures.*