Caliber .30-06 good enough?

[Jmh05]

Thinking of getting a .30-06 for N.american game and some exotics.

Elk
Mule deer
Bear
Axis
Aoudad

Any problems with these game?

I know their trajectory isn't as flat as a .270.

[HELLRAZOR]

30-06 all around caliber IMO

[Cropduster]

You bet. The 30-06 is one of the most versatile round that you can get. I have owned one for about fifty years and for those type game, you can hardly beat it. Good luck.

[Jmh05]

That's what I had always thought then read commentary about an elk guide with a policy saying he required a .300 or 7mm as a minimums....I thought that was crazy in regards to excluding the .30-06

[Tilladaddy]

The 30.06 has been getting it done for over 108 years. I have taken all of the game listed above except a bear. Only because I have not had much time to lately.

Don't ever doubt the 30.06. that is my go to gun.

[Jmh05]

I'm looking at the Browning xbolt medallion or hunter. I've lifted many makes and it fits me very well.

[Tilladaddy]

If if fits and you can shoot it without any hesitation. Then I would not think twice about the rifle. Shoot what fits you best.

[Lynn21]

It's nickname is the dirty ought six- enough said.

[Cridder]

My Ruger 77 .30-06 kills 'em just as dead as my Remington .300 RUM with a lot less shoulder thump. You can get a bullet for anything you want to shoot for an '06.

[Coach W]

I'd be good for everything on you're list except for elk with the 30.06... I own a 30.06 and carried it all over this great state. I've downed all sorts do game with it. I enjoy sending 165 grain pills down range.. However if I was headed elk hunting I'd grab the 7mm rem mag or the 300 win mag.

Trajectory never was a problem for me with the 06 I've taken game out to 500 yards just judging elevation.

But like you said the guide said a minimum of 7mm rem mag or 300 Winnie. I'm not missing out on a chance to go hunt because I only own a 30.06... Buy a good safe and fill it.

[bluelund79]

Killed my 2 largest bucks with a 30/06. I won't not have at least 2 in the safe at all times...

[Seacoal]

W.D.M Bell killed over 800 elephants with a .275 rigby (7mm mauser) which performs very similarly to a .280 Remington, which is a necked down 30-06. The 30-06 will kill everything on your list with ease, assuming to place your shot. It's the most versatile cartridge in the world, and if I could only own one, it would be a 30-06.

Only issue you might run into is I believe you have to have something over .338 to hunt legally Grizzlies in Alaska. But, you don't have to own just one, and it would do the job, just isn't legal

[ElGatoBandito]

If you can't kill everything on your list with a 30-06, then the issue is not in the caliber.

A 30-06 can capably kill anything in the world, and easily kill anything on the N. American continent. You can't legally kill grizzlies and Moose with anything smaller than .338

Considering the Swedes kill moose with a 6.5x55,
There are guides in colorado that kill elk with a .243
My relative (I think she is a second cousin once removed, but close friend of mine) shoots elk with 25-06,
I think the 30-06 can kill anything on your list without any trouble.

[TXHunter12]

Are elk any tougher than Nilgai?
Dropped one with no problem with the 30-06.
Seems to be like anything else. Shot selection is more important than the size of the gun generally speaking. Assuming the ones mentioned in this thread.

[az2tx]

The 30-06 will anchor anything on your list for sure, good choice