Why The 30-06 Has Been rendered OBSOLETE

[lkydvl]

Obsolete?.....says who?

 

[Arac]

“Ode to the Old-Timer”

The grand old .30-06 sat tall on the rack,
With a walnut grin and a steel-blue back.
It puffed its chest with a seasoned sigh,
As a herd of new cartridges wandered by.

First came WSM and cousin WSSM,
Both short as a sneeze,
Bragging, “I’m fast! I’m modern! I do as I please!”
But the ’06 chuckled, “Son, don’t be rash—
I was flattening elk before you hatched.”

Then strutted RSAUM, all shiny and trim,
Flexing its shoulders, looking quite prim.
“Look at my efficiency!” it said with flair.
The old ’06 shrugged, “Kid, I’ve been efficient everywhere.”

Then rolled in RCM, smooth as a cat,
Boasting, “I’m cutting-edge! Imagine that!”
But the ancient round winked, “Sure, you’re a charmer—
Check back in a century, if you’ve got the armor.”

Then in swept Creedmoor, with tactical flair,
Sporting tight groups and a man-bun of hair.
“I’m the darling of shooters! The new golden child!”
But the .30-06 snorted, “Boy, I’ve seen fads run wild”
“You punch paper pretty, I’ll grant you that—
But try packing moose where the wild things are at.
Come back when your hype has survived a few wars— Till then, you’re just yoga pants in gun-store drawers.

So the youngsters posed with their factory gleam,
Chasing velocity, pressure, and dream.
But the .30-06 just rocked in its chair,
Saying, “Longevity, boys—beat that if you dare.”

And hunters all know,
when the bragging is done,
Trends fade fast in the light of the sun.
But the old ’06? Still cool as can be—
A legend with wrinkles, and deadly as thee.

- ChatGPT. Even artificial intelligence knows where it’s at.

 

[BFaucett]

 

[Betterinthebush]

I can’t..I just can’t read this thread. Not one post, sorry. Only read the title. “.30-06…OBSOLETE”.

OK.

 

[M70375!]

This is gonna spark some debate.

My view:
It shoots comfortably, shoots accuratly and does the job from duiker all the way to eland and has a reasonable bullet weight range for the different situations that are also available in 99% of gun shops. It may be old, but it is still one of the most popular cartridges in the world - and for good reason... Yes there are better (ballistic) cartridges, but why change something thats not broken? It worked in 1906, it still works in 2012, it still takes plenty of animals. Still one of the great cartridges in my mind.

much the same as the good old 375H&H

 

[M70375!]

It is obsolete only if you believe that efficiently killing game up to eland size with a minimum of fuss, muzzle blast and recoil is obsolete.

they used to commonly use it on Alaskan brown bear in the 50 s and 60s

 

[Rare Breed]

While I know an old post I still love my 30-06 given it was my first “big animal” rifle. Let’s go back to a time when having a specific rifle for specific animals did not exist…enter the 30-06 the most vercital caliber from 120 to 220 grain bullets that would take just about anything not being picky on powder or bullets. I will always have one and still love her so!!!

 

[Velo Dog]

Jeez time flies.....and I wonder what happened to Bart....just seemed to vanish one day........

……..Perhaps he died of embarrassment ?

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

There are a number of newer cartridges that better the ballistics and terminal performance of the ancient 30-06!

will never be obsolete, we still use 3 of them, best performing guns we have

 

[Ridge Runner]

Let's agree that the fabulous 06 is the new 22 of the small mid bores. And with the variety of bullet weights of 110 to 220 grain the 06 is good for varmits, small game, and for North America big game and many African PG and other worldwide game species. When the 30-06 barrel/rifling is worn out it can be bored to 303, 338, then to 35 Whelen. After that it's time for a new barrel and rebirth of the 30-06; and repeat.

 

[mark-hunter]

There are a number of newer cartridges that better the ballistics and terminal performance of the ancient 30-06!

Of course, there are.

But why do you need better ballistics (potential barrel burners) for what the 30-06 is offering now as it is with modern powders and modern premium bullets, at hunting distances up to 300 meters?

Next step, is again vanilla 300 win mag.

Bigger hole, heavier bullet, again vanilla 338 win mag.

And you have everything.

Yes it is boring with these three - almost nothing to talk about - but in all reality, it covers everything for serious hunter. They get the job done.

There is nothing special that modern cartridges bring to hunting table, for serious conservative hunter.

Exhibitionist users and industry marketing for new products are different story.

 

[spike.t]

Of course, there are.

But why do you need better ballistics (potential barrel burners) for what the 30-06 is offering now as it is with modern powders and modern premium bullets, at hunting distances up to 300 meters?

Next step, is again vanilla 300 win mag.

Bigger hole, heavier bullet, again vanilla 338 win mag.

And you have everything.

Yes it is boring with these three - almost nothing to talk about - but in all reality, it covers everything for serious hunter. They get the job done.

There is nothing special that modern cartridges bring to hunting table, for serious conservative hunter.

Exhibitionist users and industry marketing for new products are different story.

See you took the bait ....must be a bit smelly now ....since it was cast back in 2012....

 

[grand veneur]

The cartridge 30-06 Springfield is a very good cartridge for shooting medium-sized and, to a lesser extent, heavy game at not too long ranges. It is no a coincidence that this cartridge replaced for hunting gradually the cartridge 8x57IS in Germany after the World War II. She also enjoyed some popularity in France after the laws on military calibers were lifted. Unfortunately, she is replaced more and more by the cartridge 308 Winchester in our countries.

 

[DG870]

 

[spike.t]

The cartridge 30-06 Springfield is a very good cartridge for shooting medium-sized and, to a lesser extent, heavy game at not too long ranges. It is no a coincidence that this cartridge replaced for hunting gradually the cartridge 8x57IS in Germany after the World War II. She also enjoyed some popularity in France after the laws on military calibers were lifted. Unfortunately, she is replaced more and more by the cartridge 308 Winchester in our countries.

OK so France lifted the military calibre ban...didn't know that...Good news ..but won't apply to me now as don't think will be doing anymore driven boar there.....

 

[mark-hunter]

See you took the bait ....

I am getting old! I must be more cautious in the future!

 

[Odinsraven]

As long as the .303 British is ok....

Who knows how many are still laying around????

Sir there is a round that is close to perfect ....

 

[skydiver386]

I remember the first person that told me the 30-06 is old, slow and obsolete was the same guy that was scared to shoot his new lightweight 7mm Eargasplittenloudeboomer magnum.

 

[Surgeon1]

OMG what BS!
My favorite truck gun is a Dakota 76 with a Swaro scope in 30-06 Shooting a HOT load
of Swift 180 Scirocco's Good medicine for anything from coyotes to elk! And it shoots 1/2 MOA

 

[steve white]

Don't worry, we'll either rename the 30'06 as a Creedmore, or a Whelen, and if all else fails, put a magnum belt on it. It will be far more powerful then.