.223 or 30-06

[Benjamin]

The 30-06 is my favorite round ever! That being said you should go with the .223! You don't need a 30-06 to shoot varmit (although it is fun). .223 will accomplish everything you need at a fraction of the cost and recoil. You can't use a 30-06 (legally) for deer in Indiana so go with the .223.

 

[GSquared]

I would say, get both!! They have different uses/puposes. If you ever want to hit something out at 300 yards with a punch, you will need the .30-06, for closer in, smaller targets, the .223 will do fine.

 

[jeremy]

The 30-06 is my favorite round ever! That being said you should go with the .223! You don't need a 30-06 to shoot varmit (although it is fun). .223 will accomplish everything you need at a fraction of the cost and recoil. You can't use a 30-06 (legally) for deer in Indiana so go with the .223.[/quote]

You CAN NOT USE .223 to Deer hunt in Indiana either!

I would say, get both!! They have different uses/puposes. If you ever want to hit something out at 300 yards with a punch, you will need the .30-06, for closer in, smaller targets, the .223 will do fine.

Really, I can drop man sized targets 1t 800+ yards with .223 Rem...

 

[Indyhd]

Furby,

Get with me I have a Savage you can fondle and I live in your neighborhood. Send me a PM or show up at the breakfast next Saturday and I can bring it over for you to look at.

Indyhd

 

[Aszerigan]

+1 for the .223. Way cheaper to shoot. Besides, ever hit a rodent with a 30-06? I thought I did once, but I never found the proof.

 

[kboom524]

I have both, get the .223. Ammo is more than half the cost of the 30-06 and much more pleasant to shoot. I have a Remington 700 in .223, I love it. My son has a savage in .243 and he loves it. Get out and look at both see wich you like the feel of better. If you can find someone who has a Remington or a Savage that you can shoot. Then make your decision.


My bullets make nice round holes, have never noticed any yaw, and I haven't found a groundhog yet that called them wimpy.

 

[kboom524]

+1 for the .223. Way cheaper to shoot. Besides, ever hit a rodent with a 30-06? I thought I did once, but I never found the proof.

No proof just poof.

 

[steif]

rifle

either would work for me, I shoot a lot of both.
I also handload for both and have some good shooting cast bullet loads in the 06, so I tend to shoot it more than the 223. I load them down and light, not much recoil, very accurate. more like a gallery load, I would guess 1200 fps from a 120 gr bullet in the 06. plenty for the skunks and groundhawgs here..lol..

 

[SKSnut]

.223 is a varmit round, 30-06 you can hunt elephants with

 

[84VETTE]

too bad we dont have elephants in indiana, my 30-06 doesn't get out much.

 

[huntsville]

Stick with the .223 for paper and rats. It's great fun to shoot and, as everyone else said, the ammo is MUCH cheaper and available all over the place. The .30-06 is IMHO one of the best high powered rounds out there for hunting - I took two deer in SC with mine back in December.

I've got both and recomment both highly. For what you are describing, I suspect the .223 would be the better call. You really can't go wrong with either...after all you will end up with both before it's over anyway! You know it's true!!!

What ammo do you recommend for 30-06 for deer? soft nose? hollow point?

 

[Slawburger]

What ammo do you recommend for 30-06 for deer? soft nose? hollow point?

Old thread, I wonder what the OP bought?

To your question, I suggest soft point. Remington Core-Lokt in 150, 165 or 180 grain.

 

[bruno1371]

Yep, Remy core lokt150 gr. Last year in Minnesota I dropped a 230 lb 10 pointer in his tracks. Not even a step. Nice round.

 

[bruno1371]

While I believe my 30-06's are superior for hunting, I am able to shoot my 223 all day with its minimal recoil. As far as a 223 tumbling, I must b 1 Lucky sob. Marines are expected to hit a man sized target at 500 meters with open sights. I have never hit less than 8 out of 10 from that distance . Not bragging, thats simply normal.

 

[triggerhappy]

If your only going to own 1 rifle to do everything with and not shoot that often, 30-06 can and will do it all, with the proper loads. If you just want to plink and target shoot and maybe varmint hunt you can't beat the .223, but please, if you ever decide to hunt larger game buy another rifle meant for large game, .223 is not for anything bigger than a coyote.