I found Salazar's blog when I got into long range shooting. Wish I would have got to meet him before he left the range.
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
30-06 still relevant?
- Thread starter Blount8
- Start date
I feel the same way....he left us way too soon...
Germán Salazar Obituary - Scottsdale, AZ
Celebrate the life of Germán Salazar, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery.
www.dignitymemorial.com
Don't argue with the chicken. He was there for the development and testing.
Still love shooting mine as I get time to. My barrel was cut with the Serengeti rev. D reamer and it shoots nice small groups. Berger 200.20x’s at 2750ish with H4831sc. This is a 5 shot group the day I brought it home from getting rebarreled. Thats a 3/4” orange dot if i remember correctly. Barrel had about 10 rounds down it
Yes for hunting and plinking. Easy to reload for, modern loads are close too and cheaper than 300 win mag factory loads. For competition, there are better rounds than 3006... Hell there are better rounds than 6.5 creedmoor, doesn't mean its shitty either...
You are absolutely correct....
In the same way that the 300 Whisper, isn't the same as the 300 Blackout.
Been spying on here for years, my first post though. Decided to build a 30-06 for target and fun shooting. Picked up a old (1974 i think) Remington 700 30-06 years ago, then a few years ago found a good deal on a chassis I couldnt pass on. So I had this with a old barrel and stock action. Recently I decided to put a good barrel on the 700 and make it accurate and try and get some distance out of it, but after adding up costs to true the action up I decided to just buy an aftermarket action, return the 700 to its old stock and leave it be. For just a few hundred more I get a good action and also another complete gun (the old one back together). Might be a few hundred more than I planned but decided on the Kelblys Prometheus. Dropped it off with a Bartlein med palma 1-10 tonight to get threaded and chambered and finished to 28". Now I wait for a month.
If you dont reload or until you start, you won't see any benefit. Factory match ammo is scarce and is no more then a .308. Most are limited to just 168 grains.
You are really handicapping yourself until you get into slower powders and heavier match bullets. Well it may not matter if you're not shooting at long distance...
You are really handicapping yourself until you get into slower powders and heavier match bullets. Well it may not matter if you're not shooting at long distance...
Last edited:
So I found out something funny this weekend, 30-06 subs through a Nomad L are roughly as loud as a push broom from 40 yards away.
Also the drop to 296 yards is 45 MOA from my standard supersonic zero. There is something hilarious about having push broom quiet subs and 1000 yard supers in the same magazine.
Also the drop to 296 yards is 45 MOA from my standard supersonic zero. There is something hilarious about having push broom quiet subs and 1000 yard supers in the same magazine.
Last edited:
I had this in a chassis but put it back in the plastic stock, serial number comes back to around 1974 so im guessing it was originally a wooden stock BDL but this is how i picked it up at a gun show. Someone had modified the trigger so if you just breathed on it, it would fire (it was bad) so I put a Timney 2 stage in it, and found a deal on a vortex strike eagle. I thought about using the action and putting a good barrel on it but then i'd have a old barrel laying around, old stock, a bunch of useless parts so put it back together, got another trigger, a Triggertech primary and its a good old functional rifle again.
Below it is in a Killer Inovations Orias chassis I picked up few years ago... I'll put the Timney trigger on the Kelblys Prometheus along with the scope. Dropped off at gunsmith feb 9th so few more weeks yet before I get it back. Also picke up an Ace brake for the new setup. I cant wait to get it all together. Im in southern WI so im 20 miles from Rock Creek Barrels, 80 miles from Bartlein, and 80 miles from Krieger, I had contacted a few gunsmiths and most dont even reply back to me, I wanted to find a good one so I contacted those barrel makers to see who they suggest, Krieger recommended one to me that their emplyees go to 2 miles from them so I drove up there to drop parts off.. Im paranoid about letting others work on anything of mine.. im so OCD, but im just not capable of chambering a barrel so my fate is in someone elses hands.
Right on. My newest 30-06 is a 1950s Sears/Roebuck Mauser fuddhammer that I’m going to set up as an Elk rifle:
still the best round in North America
nothing says Merica like ought six
nothing says Merica like ought six
It's still relevant in the sense that it still sends your choice of .30 cal bullet downrange. An it's going to work just fine.
However, if someone new to shooting or rifles or loading.....it wouldn't be on my list of recommended cartridges unless someone just wants to do it for the sake of doing it.
I'd recommend 6cm, 6.5cm, 7prc, and 300prc to cover all bases.
I like and we still load ammo for customers for .308, 300wm, 30-06, but I just wouldn't pick any of those if starting over. Nothing wrong with them, I'd just use the more modern cartridges.
However, if someone new to shooting or rifles or loading.....it wouldn't be on my list of recommended cartridges unless someone just wants to do it for the sake of doing it.
I'd recommend 6cm, 6.5cm, 7prc, and 300prc to cover all bases.
I like and we still load ammo for customers for .308, 300wm, 30-06, but I just wouldn't pick any of those if starting over. Nothing wrong with them, I'd just use the more modern cartridges.
I'm currently building a 30-06 as a do-all rifle. It's an Origin with a PVA barrel, KRG Bravo, and Zeiss S3. I'm planning to use MKM mag extensions to give me 8rds. I'll use it for some outlaw PRS style matches, field matches, NRL, and some ELR. I've got everything but the barrel so far. I'm going to try a 208 ELDM load first, but I'm interested in the 215 berger hybrid and PVA/Warner solids. I to workup some subs as well as a load for short range plinking that can be shared with an M1 garand.
I like how 30-06 is legal for matches where magnums are a no-go. While the PRC family is superior, I almost never see PRC ammo on the shelves. Factory 30-06 falls short of handloads but I like being able to find ammo anywhere in a pinch. Lastly, 30-06 can use a much wider range of bullets and powders than a magnum. I won't be competitive but that's OK- I just want to have fun shooting.
I like how 30-06 is legal for matches where magnums are a no-go. While the PRC family is superior, I almost never see PRC ammo on the shelves. Factory 30-06 falls short of handloads but I like being able to find ammo anywhere in a pinch. Lastly, 30-06 can use a much wider range of bullets and powders than a magnum. I won't be competitive but that's OK- I just want to have fun shooting.
Come back? You are implying it ever went away!
Maybe not the flavor of the month for precision tactical shooting a-la Snipers Hide.
But it has never gone away!
Cheers! Sirhr
Somewhat interesting, if also somewhat anecdotal, info regarding rifle/cartridge popularity…
I have a hard time believing the PRC cartridges outsell .308 let alone .30-06...but maybe the numerics are not rankings? Fact is .308/30-06 is found everywhere; PRCs not so much. Again, Jim noted it was based on Google searches, not any cited industry data.Somewhat interesting, if also somewhat anecdotal, info regarding rifle/cartridge popularity…
I can especially believe this as PRC cartridges are used mostly in competition, where handloading is the norm.
Exactly, people who reload PRC cartridges buy once and reload. With .30-06, most just buy and shoot WallyWorld brands and don't bother reloading; hence my surprise at PRC cartridges, allegedly, outselling .30-06. As @FNG1001 said, these guys and their surveys promote brands they get kickbacks from. I can find .30-06 anywhere, not so when it comes to PRC cartridges.
People don't buy a ton of .30-06 ammo. Probably a couple boxes when they buy the rifle which will last them for years. If a person does own a PRC, odds are that they are shooting it much, much more than the average .308 or .30-06 owner. Even if the number of rifles owned chambered in PRC was 1% of .30-06 or .308, it would probably go through more rounds in a year.
My grandfather hunted with a 30-06 for 30 years before he passed then my brother and I took that rifle and started hunting with it off and on for another 15 years until we started hunting suppressed. Now it comes up the opening weekend of deer season for its yearly zero check as a way to honor our grandfather.
I said all of that to say that in 50 years time his main rifle with a maximum estimate of 1500 rounds has been shot approximately 700 less times than my 6.5 PRC in only 5 years.
Possibly based on recent sales, due to "straight walled case" states.
I love the .22-250 but seeing it there surprises me.
I'd still like to pick up a Steyr Mannlicher MC or MCA in in .30-06, to add to the already over loaded hunting rifle rotation. (since my "never owned a .270" itch got scratched last year) Still looking for one in the "just right" price range.
This is the only .30-06 I've ever hunted with.
Just looking at the picture makes me want to do it again soon. Thought provoking and something very visceral about freezing sitting in the snow with an M1.
Yeap, not a real life volunteer target yet, for any cartridge type I shoot....at any range!
Just finished round 1 of load development for my 3006. I'm getting 2650 with 54.2gr 6.5 Staball and 208gr ELDM's. I'm using virgin Starline brass and Winchester magnum primers. 54.2gr is the max load according to Hodgdon, but I have zero pressure signs. I bet I could get another 100fps easy, but 2650 gets me 1500yds before going transonic. It gets very hot where I live, so I'd rather settle for a mild load. I haven't shot this load for groups, but with 178gr ELDX factory loads it shoots great. It hits steel different than 6.5 or .308.
Good, recoil is surprisingly light. I've got a 24" 1/9 twist M24 barrel.
I'm late to join this thread. First centerfire rifle I ever fired was M1 Garand, I was probably 13. Our local sportsman's club had them and we did the CMP program. So, of course my first centerfire rifle ended up being a Interarms Mark X in 30-06 when I was 14. I learned so much from shooting that rifle and reloading for it. Still in the safe. (I'm 62) Ended up with a Sako 75 in 30-06 in 2001, used it to hunt with for years. Mule deer, elk, black bear, and varmints.Properly loaded for what its being asked to do it still is a very capable cartridge.
Finally got my barrel and action back from gunsmith and just got it together. 30-06. Kelblys Prometheus, Timney 2 stage trigger, Bartlein 1-10, 28" med palma, ACE Brake, My home made leather cheek pad and scope cover i will likely re-do, I messed the stitching up underneath. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x50, and Mega Arms/Killer Inovations Orias chassis w/ A*B Arms stock w/ a rubber limbsaver i just stuck on, might trim it up some.. Of course we are having a blizzard so cant go test fire it today... all I can shoot is pictures . - Weighs 14lbs 7oz. as pictured (mag empty).
Just picked up a Tikka T3X lite veil alpine in 06.
The only problem I have with it is the 1:11 twist, much prefer a 1:10 or faster.
I'll have to see how it shoots first and then decide on any tweaks to be made.
It does have a twist fluted bolt and a straight fluted barrel with a ceracoat finish over stainless so I will be hesitant to change either unless the benefit is worth it.
I have owned numerous 30-06 rifles so I have all the obligatory reloading supplies good to go with an absolute metric shit ton of 208 Amax's and 190 Bergers....I seem to remember some 170-180 Amax's too....but don't hold me to that.
The only problem I have with it is the 1:11 twist, much prefer a 1:10 or faster.
I'll have to see how it shoots first and then decide on any tweaks to be made.
It does have a twist fluted bolt and a straight fluted barrel with a ceracoat finish over stainless so I will be hesitant to change either unless the benefit is worth it.
I have owned numerous 30-06 rifles so I have all the obligatory reloading supplies good to go with an absolute metric shit ton of 208 Amax's and 190 Bergers....I seem to remember some 170-180 Amax's too....but don't hold me to that.
That’s Morris Fisher, and a 300m target. He was a top shelf USMC and Olympic shooter back in history.
Some further updates for those like myself who like to chase .30-06 Serengeti chamber performance with today's modern powders and projectiles...
Unfortunately, German Salazar's .30-06 load data with his Serengeti reamer has drifted away when his 'The Rifleman's Journal' blog site went down some 10-12 years ago:
Some lucky ones were able to save his blog site info but did not want to re-post out of respect to German Salazar () who kept certain things to his blog site. In contrast, the public articles German wrote, as a contributing editor, are still seen today on various well-known forum sites (see below), and this one here posted by BearCat74 on this site back in 2019 which outlines the 3 part series German wrote on .30-06 accuracy secrets (see PDF attachment below for more details):
www.marlinowners.com
Found a good amount of dedicated research by German Salazar using his .30-06 Serengeti reamer/chamber with load data here:
DIfferent angle on his .30-06 Eliseo tube gun research (lot of picture links down, it seems, due to his blog site no longer being active) found here:
German answers some .30-06 posts here (his nick is GermanS1) and comments on his favorite .30-06 load (53.5gr H4350 and a moly 190gr SMK in a Serengeti chamber):
Another poster, Don/USSR, has additional relevant 1000 yard .30-06 190gr load data (although not sure what chamber used, SAAMI?):
On that note, recent conversations with Frank Green of Bartlein Barrels (real nice guy who takes time to explain things to randoms who call) related the Serengeti reamer/chamber is really only best for 190-200 grain class projectiles. That is, hunters will really get no benefit from this reamer using factory loads. German Salazar related as much in his articles saying even 200 grain class pills would ideally most likely need 0.070" more freebore over the 190 smks using current Serengeti chamber dimensions. In other words, 90% of most .30-06 users will never see the benefit of the Serengeti chamber unless using 190gr class projectiles that are seated far out enough from the powder column to either necessitate single loading or the use of 4"+ DBM options from the likes of Wyatt Magazines:
Interestingly, using factory Lapua 123gr .30-06 ammunition was surprisingly accurate for banging 12" steel plates with cold bore shots out to 600 yards using Kestrel data. A bedded 10-twist 26" Bartlein Serengeti chamber did not seem to hamper performance given the amount of jump these tiny pills did with speeds hovering around 2950-3050 (went up as morning went to noon at an altitude of 1100 and 75F-->81F as the day went on). Still need to load 190 smks Salazar-style and try longer ranges to see what kind of accuracy I can get out of a mag fed rig.
Anyone with Rifleman Journal Blog info, on this topic, they are willing to share would be appreciated. May his legacy live on... (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/scottsdale-az/german-salazar-10803900)
Unfortunately, German Salazar's .30-06 load data with his Serengeti reamer has drifted away when his 'The Rifleman's Journal' blog site went down some 10-12 years ago:
Some lucky ones were able to save his blog site info but did not want to re-post out of respect to German Salazar () who kept certain things to his blog site. In contrast, the public articles German wrote, as a contributing editor, are still seen today on various well-known forum sites (see below), and this one here posted by BearCat74 on this site back in 2019 which outlines the 3 part series German wrote on .30-06 accuracy secrets (see PDF attachment below for more details):
30-06 Load Development
I did some load development today out of my Winchester P17, made October of 1918. The rifle is in immaculate condition, with a pristine bore. The load was as follows... 168 Gr. Nosler Match HPBT Hornady Brass CCI LR IMR4895 Seated .025 off the lands I eventually settled on a load of 47.1gr...
www.marlinowners.com
Found a good amount of dedicated research by German Salazar using his .30-06 Serengeti reamer/chamber with load data here:
Eliseo RT10 30-06 Long Range Rifle
6mmBR.com is the best guide for 6mm BR Benchrest precision shooting, complete with 6BR FAQ, Reloading Data, Shooter Message Boards, Reader Polls, and Photo Gallery. Match event calendar and rifle competition accuracy training tips. Equipment reviews (.243 bullets, 30BR cartridge, 6mm Norma...
www.6mmbr.com
DIfferent angle on his .30-06 Eliseo tube gun research (lot of picture links down, it seems, due to his blog site no longer being active) found here:
German answers some .30-06 posts here (his nick is GermanS1) and comments on his favorite .30-06 load (53.5gr H4350 and a moly 190gr SMK in a Serengeti chamber):
Another poster, Don/USSR, has additional relevant 1000 yard .30-06 190gr load data (although not sure what chamber used, SAAMI?):
1000yd 3006 load
Looking for input based on EXPERIANCE for a good 1000yd load preferably with 190 SMK's or 220 SMK's. My rifle is a Rem 700 that i true'd the action up and put a 1.25 shilen barrel on, Match spec chamber was cut by me, has a HS precision stock, so the rifle is set up right. Just looking for a...
www.thehighroad.org
On that note, recent conversations with Frank Green of Bartlein Barrels (real nice guy who takes time to explain things to randoms who call) related the Serengeti reamer/chamber is really only best for 190-200 grain class projectiles. That is, hunters will really get no benefit from this reamer using factory loads. German Salazar related as much in his articles saying even 200 grain class pills would ideally most likely need 0.070" more freebore over the 190 smks using current Serengeti chamber dimensions. In other words, 90% of most .30-06 users will never see the benefit of the Serengeti chamber unless using 190gr class projectiles that are seated far out enough from the powder column to either necessitate single loading or the use of 4"+ DBM options from the likes of Wyatt Magazines:
Interestingly, using factory Lapua 123gr .30-06 ammunition was surprisingly accurate for banging 12" steel plates with cold bore shots out to 600 yards using Kestrel data. A bedded 10-twist 26" Bartlein Serengeti chamber did not seem to hamper performance given the amount of jump these tiny pills did with speeds hovering around 2950-3050 (went up as morning went to noon at an altitude of 1100 and 75F-->81F as the day went on). Still need to load 190 smks Salazar-style and try longer ranges to see what kind of accuracy I can get out of a mag fed rig.
Anyone with Rifleman Journal Blog info, on this topic, they are willing to share would be appreciated. May his legacy live on... (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/scottsdale-az/german-salazar-10803900)
Last edited:
It's not even close to a stupid question!
The answer is yes 100% shoot the barrel out and buy another 30.06
The answer is any moose to Coyotes
This long range caliber was used by military and the surplus including ammunition, powder and projectiles were almost free for Americans in the 1950s The m1Garande 30.06 tens of thousands free to Americans thru the civilian marksmanship program
For years there was debates about 30.06 vs 7.63x51 (.308) most long range shooters perferd 30.06 saying 30.06 could shoot same sized projectiles but 30.06 had more powder capacity. The military chose the.7.62.51
Because the ammunition was shorter therefore more could be transported more effectively. Carlos Hathcock used a 30.06 in Country.
So after Bragging up the 30.06 I'll get off my soap box
And say shoot it learn it . It's not a .300win ,but it can be safely loaded damn close to one
I feel it will hone your skills without beating your shoulders up
You will wind up so comfortable with that rifle you will take the Pepsi challenges with any of the big boys
Yes you will have limits but once you know what you're rifle limits are you are deadly
Don’t forget, for decades, the .30-06 was a staple round in the 1000 yard matches, only the 300H&H was better and not by much.
Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but my Serengeti reamer (LRI) Chamber is one of my most accurate barrels shooting 185 bergers at comfortable mag length, 3.3” if I remember correctly.Some further updates for those like myself who like to chase .30-06 Serengeti chamber performance with today's modern powders and projectiles...
Unfortunately, German Salazar's .30-06 load data with his Serengeti reamer has drifted away when his 'The Rifleman's Journal' blog site went down some 10-12 years ago:
Some lucky ones were able to save his blog site info but did not want to re-post out of respect to German Salazar who kept certain things to his blog site. In contrast, the public articles German wrote, as a contributing editor, are still seen today on various well-known forum sites (see below), and this one here posted by BearCat74 on this site back in 2019 which outlines the 3 part series German wrote on .30-06 accuracy secrets (see PDF attachment below for more details):
30-06 Load Development
I did some load development today out of my Winchester P17, made October of 1918. The rifle is in immaculate condition, with a pristine bore. The load was as follows... 168 Gr. Nosler Match HPBT Hornady Brass CCI LR IMR4895 Seated .025 off the lands I eventually settled on a load of 47.1gr...
Found a good amount of dedicated research by German Salazar using his .30-06 Serengeti reamer/chamber with load data here:
Eliseo RT10 30-06 Long Range Rifle
6mmBR.com is the best guide for 6mm BR Benchrest precision shooting, complete with 6BR FAQ, Reloading Data, Shooter Message Boards, Reader Polls, and Photo Gallery. Match event calendar and rifle competition accuracy training tips. Equipment reviews (.243 bullets, 30BR cartridge, 6mm Norma...www.6mmbr.com
DIfferent angle on his .30-06 Eliseo tube gun research (lot of picture links down, it seems, due to his blog site no longer being active) found here:
German answers some .30-06 posts here (his nick is GermanS1) and comments on his favorite .30-06 load (53.5gr H4350 and a moly 190gr SMK in a Serengeti chamber):
Another poster, Don/USSR, has additional relevant 1000 yard .30-06 190gr load data (although not sure what chamber used, SAAMI?):
1000yd 3006 load
Looking for input based on EXPERIANCE for a good 1000yd load preferably with 190 SMK's or 220 SMK's. My rifle is a Rem 700 that i true'd the action up and put a 1.25 shilen barrel on, Match spec chamber was cut by me, has a HS precision stock, so the rifle is set up right. Just looking for a...www.thehighroad.org
On that note, recent conversations with Frank Green of Bartlein Barrels (real nice guy who takes time to explain things to randoms who call) related the Serengeti reamer/chamber is really only best for 190-200 grain class projectiles. That is, hunters will really get no benefit from this reamer using factory loads. German Salazar related as much in his articles saying even 200 grain class pills would ideally most likely need 0.070" more freebore over the 190 smks using current Serengeti chamber dimensions. In other words, 90% of most .30-06 users will never see the benefit of the Serengeti chamber unless using 190gr class projectiles that are seated far out enough from the powder column to either necessitate single loading or the use of 4"+ DBM options from the likes of Wyatt Magazines:
Interestingly, using factory Lapua 123gr .30-06 ammunition was surprisingly accurate for banging 12" steel plates with cold bore shots out to 600 yards using Kestrel data. A bedded 10-twist 26" Bartlein Serengeti chamber did not seem to hamper performance given the amount of jump these tiny pills did with speeds hovering around 2950-3050 (went up as morning went to noon at an altitude of 1100 and 75F-->81F as the day went on). Still need to load 190 smks Salazar-style and try longer ranges to see what kind of accuracy I can get out of a non-tube mag fed rig...
Anyone with Rifleman Journal Blog info, on this topic, they are willing to share would be appreciated.
I think 3006 is all but dead, but I’m going to resurrect mine when I finally get my Magnus RR.
Similar threads
