Need Help 30-06 Questions

[winchester1886]

Boys I need ya help, I have a friend in B C. Canada that is a trapper, they are having Wolf trouble around his place, he has two lakes near his house and the wolves come out on the lakes so he wants to try and shoot some when they are on the lakes.
He was thinking of buying a new rifle and scope but doesn't really want to spend a heap of money, he has a Springfield 30-06 and I thought that the 06 would be up to the job, the shots will be long 300yds min out to maybe 600 or 700 yds, he will be using factory ammo because it is not worth reloading for the few shoots he will be taking each year.
I have been through all the factory ammo ballistics charts and I think the best round I could find is the Federal 165 grain Nosler Ballistic tip, it is made for long range shooting and seems to retain the most energy at long range it still has about 1350 ft pounds at 500 yds.
So do you think the 06 is up to the job and do you think the Federal 165grain is a good choice of ammo, or do you think there is a better round, I am not experienced with the 06 so I need your help, also he would need to buy a scope so what are your thoughts on the best scope for the job, and where would the best place in the States to buy a scrope.
Any information or advice you can give I can assure you will really be appreciated, these people live in the middle of no where and a few wolf skins to sell in may will make a difference.
Thanks boys. Winchester 1886.

[HEAD0001]

I do not think that bullet would make a good choice if he wants to sell the pelts. I shoot that bullet in my 30-06, and it is a real expander. Big Big hole on the other side. Even at longer distances.

I would look for a load that loads the Nosler Partition bullet. That bullet should leave a small hole going out. Or any other minimal expanding bullet. But not a Ballistic tip.

The 30-06 is definitely up to the job as long as the shooter is also. Tom.

[O.S.O.K.]

If his Springfield O3 is in original condition, he may want to sell it and use the proceeds to purchase a nice Savage with a Nikon Prostaff with bullet drop reticle or Leupold scope if he gets enough cash. Springfield 03's in good condition can fetch $700.

I would recommend NOT drilling and tapping his Springfield as that will drop about $300 or more from the rifle's value.

I say Savage because I think they're the best - most accurate for the money and they now have the accutrigger.

And he may want to go with a 25-06 or .270 Winchester unless he plans on pointing it at moose or elk or grizzlies - then the 30-06 is much better.

[arjunky]

Like Tom said, if you're trying to save pelts the Ballistic tip probably isn't what he would want to use. Although at 5-600 yards it shouldn't be real explosive, but if he ever shot one at a 100 yards or less it would pretty much be gutted.
Hornady light magnum 165's should be right at the top actual velocity available, Factory or handloaded.


Byron

[mescalero1]

1886,
Way back when dirt was still rocks, I shot centerfire rifle silhouette with a .30-06, I used a 168 spitzer boatail, the rams are at 500 hundred meters; so he does have the capabilty.

[mescalero1]

I forgot scopes, One of the Weaver K (fixed power ) in the higher magnification, make sure it is a Micro-Trak model.
These micro-traks had carbide balls swaged & peened into the inverters, the screws that rode on the balls were hardened 68 Rockwell C scale, these were and are rock solid scopes, and if you get a chance to look at it, turn it upside down, look at the glass of the objective lens at an angle, if it is straw colered; pay the man what he wants & run!!!!!!!

[plinkin pete]

I agree about the pelt dammage, that round will leave a hole on exit that a softball can pass through. I have a springfield, semi sporterized, good shooter, use 110 gr for chucks.
I have shot yotes with my 25.06 and the lighter bullet brings home the pelt without to much dammage.

[86er]

Any of the match bullets would work nicely - with very few exceptions they are in 168gr weight. For 500+ yds shooting the heavier 180's actually carry better but you really have to try them to see if the difference is measurable at the ranges that will be considered.

[MT Gianni]

Alaskan used to feel a 22lr was enough even out of a pistol at less than 50 yards. I would use what he has with the idea of accuracy over fur. Pelts can be sewn but misses can't be sold. Gianni

[Rusty]

There is a fellow that posts on the Handi Rifle boards over on Graybeards outdoor forums. His handle is Sourdough and he lives in AK. You might try contacting him. He hunts wolves with a .30-06 Handi and does quite well with it.

[Don McDowell]

Any of the 165 gr ammo should work alright. I've shot quite a few coyotes with the hornady 165 gr interloc bt, it didn't tear the pelts up to bad. The further those wolves are out the less damage the bullet is going to do.
Any of the "surplus" match ammo would likely be good,tho those light jacketed hollowpoints might get a bit vicious with the pelts at close range.
The mean accuracy of the standard military load was 6.5 inch groups at 600 yds. That should be equal to minute of wolf, so some of the surplus ball ammo would work, as long as he watches and doesn't get into the corrosive stuff.

[Old Time Hunter]

Keep the 03 original first off. Then find a cheap M77 Ruger chambered for 6.5X55 Swedish and put a decent scope on it (quality is a given, price is the only decider now days). I am sure that people might contest my choice, but personally I've yet to see a cartridge that can shoot the distance as accurately without the recoil. Check it out! Heck, I have a M96 Swedish Mauser with iron sights that will maintain 3" five shot groups at 300 yards. If I scoped it, I could see the same at 600 yards, weather permitting. Check the ballistics.

[Modoc ED]

The .30-06 will do just fine. I have a Savage 110 .30-06 (no accutrigger) that I use on coyotes sometimes. I shoot/use the Winchester Super X 150gr Power Soft Point ammo.

I could care less about pelt damage. I shoot them for pest/varmint control on some of the local rances for ranchers who have a problem with them.