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30-06

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Soft Point

30-06 ammo is a popular choice among American hunters and shooters today and the round has an interesting past. After a few modifications between 1903 and 1906, Springfield's 30 caliber military cartridge became the venerable .30-06 (officially ball cartridge, caliber .30, Model of 1906) and went on to incredible fame and distinction through two world wars and to unmatched popularity among hunters and match shooters world-wide.

The round has been offered in every conceivable action and by all popular arms makers bar none. Although the round is now a centenarian, it remains unabated in its popularity and sales. With little debate, Springfield 30-06 ammunition has likely taken every major North American big game animal, and done so with aplomb. The rifle cartridge has even been used as the "plains" rifle for African hunters.

Because of it’s versatility, some shooters believe if you can invest your hard earned cash in just one gun, this would be it. Available actions, manufacturers, and bullet offerings make it a no-brainer with full metal jacket, soft point and jacketed hollow point rounds readily in-stock and for sale. It's hard to find a location where factory ammunition for the '06 is not available. And the range of bullet choices make the round's use unparalleled - from varmints to moose!

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Common 30-06 Ammo Questions

How was the Name “.30-06 Springfield” Chosen?

The naming of cartridges can become fairly complex, as manufacturers try to brand their products with unique names or numerical distinctions. The .30-06 Springfield (usually called “thirty aught six”) however, is pretty straightforward. The “.30” comes from the fact that the bullet is roughly .3 inches in diameter; .308 inches to be exact. The “06” comes from the fact that the bullet was designed in 1906, and the “Springfield” is in honor of the Springfield Armory, which made the M1903 Springfield rifles, for which the cartridge was developed.

What is the Difference Between the .30-06 Springfield and the .308 Winchester?

While both of these cartridges fire bullets that are exactly .308 inches in diameter, the most noticeable difference between the two is the overall length of the case. The .30-06 Springfield has a case length of 2.494 inches, while .308 Winchester ammunition is slightly smaller, with a case length of 2.15 inches. The military version of the .308 Winchester, developed in the 1950’s, was designed to have a shorter case length. With advancements in propellants, similar velocities were achieved despite the smaller size. When the .308 was developed, the .30-06 was the champion of accurate shooting; today both have been surpassed by other cartridges, but they still maintain excellent accuracy and performance.

How Does the .30-06 Springfield Compare to the .30-30 Winchester?

These are actually two extremely different cartridges. Most notably, the .30-06 Springfield was developed for semiautomatic rifles, while .30-30 Winchester ammo was meant for lever-action rifles. Besides a noticeably different shape, the .30-06 has a longer case, wider neck, and larger case capacity. The result is superior velocities and straighter trajectories for the .30-06 Springfield. Want to learn more, check our our in-depth 30-06 vs. 30-30 article here.

What Can the .30-06 Be Used For?

The cartridge is mainly used for hunting and target shooting. Because of it’s accuracy and straight-line trajectory, the round is a popular choice at target ranges all across the country. For example, the American Eagle 150-grain FMJ-BT from Federal Premium Ammunition, when zeroed in to 100 yards, will only drop 3.3 inches at 200 yards. This makes is a reliable cartridge for distance shooting, but it also maintains reliable energy and speed for hunting. The same bullet at 200 yards is rated for 2,466 feet per second and 2,026 foot-pounds of energy. This makes it perfectly capable of harvesting deer, black bear, and other medium-sized animals.

What Cartridges Should I Choose for Hunting with the .30-06 Springfield?

If you are going to hunt with the .30-06 Springfield, you need to choose a cartridge that is loaded with an expanding bullet, which will deliver larger wound channels for a faster kill. Choose a jacketed hollow point or soft nose bullet for ideal terminal performance. A bullet with a ballistic tip will also give the performance you need. Avoid full metal jacket rounds, as they do not expand upon impact.

30-06

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