The .30-06 Springfield was the United States service cartridge from 1906 to the 1950s and has been a world-standard hunting round ever since. It uses the same .308 projectile as the .308 Winchester in a longer case, adding 100 to 150 fps across the board and handling 180 to 220 grain projectiles the .308 cannot drive well.
In Australia it is the sambar hunter's cartridge and a common choice for anyone who wants one rifle to cover fallow through to scrub bulls. A 165 to 180 grain projectile at 2,700 to 2,800 fps is a thoroughly reliable big-deer load, and with 200 grain and heavier bonded projectiles it is used on buffalo in the north, though a 9.3 mm or .375 is the better tool there. Recoil is noticeably firmer than a .308.
It needs a long action. Factory ammunition is available from every maker in every projectile style, and it is a forgiving reloading cartridge with a century of published data. Do not confuse it with .30-30 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum or .308 Winchester, none of which interchange.
We stock .30-06 rifles from Tikka, Sako and other leading brands, hold hunting ammunition in depth, and carry dies, brass and projectiles for reloaders. Firearms are shipped Australia-wide to your nominated dealer.
