30-06 Springfield Ammo

What Is 30-06 Springfield Ammo?

30-06 Springfield is a centerfire rifle cartridge introduced by the U.S. military in 1906. The cartridge uses .308 inch diameter bullets and later became one of the most widely used sporting and hunting cartridges in North America.

Modern 30-06 ammunition is offered in a broad range of bullet weights and projectile designs. Hunters can choose traditional soft point ammunition, bonded bullets, polymer tipped projectiles and other controlled expansion loads depending on the game being pursued and the performance desired.

Popular 30-06 Springfield Bullet Weights

30-06 Springfield ammunition is available across a wide range of bullet weights, but 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets are among the most common choices for modern hunting ammunition. The best weight depends on bullet construction, game, expected shooting distance and the individual rifle.

Bullet weight affects velocity, trajectory and terminal performance, but projectile construction is equally important. Lighter 150 grain loads generally produce higher muzzle velocity than comparable 180 grain ammunition, while heavier bullets can provide greater sectional density and are commonly selected when additional penetration is desired.

Common 30-06 Springfield Ammo Types

• Soft Point: Soft point bullets use an exposed lead tip designed to initiate expansion and are widely used for deer and general hunting.
• Bonded: Bonded bullets connect the jacket and core to improve weight retention and penetration while providing controlled expansion.
• Polymer Tip: Polymer tipped hunting bullets combine an aerodynamic profile with a tip designed to help initiate expansion after impact.
• Monolithic Copper: Lead free copper projectiles are commonly designed for controlled expansion, deep penetration and high weight retention.
• FMJ: Full Metal Jacket ammunition is primarily used for training, target shooting and recreational range use when available.

30-06 Ammo for Deer Hunting

30-06 Springfield is widely used for whitetail and mule deer hunting. Expanding bullets in the 150 to 180 grain range are commonly offered, with 150 and 165 grain soft point, bonded and polymer tipped ammunition being popular general hunting options.

Bullet construction should be considered along with weight. Hunters should select ammunition designed for the game being pursued and confirm that the chosen load produces consistent accuracy from their individual rifle.

30-06 Ammo for Elk and Larger Game

30-06 Springfield is also commonly used for elk and other larger game when paired with an appropriate hunting projectile. Heavier 165 and 180 grain bullets are frequently selected when penetration and retained weight are priorities.

Bonded, monolithic copper and other controlled expansion bullets can provide the combination of expansion and penetration needed for larger animals. Bullet design, expected distance and manufacturer recommendations should all be considered when selecting a load.

30-06 Springfield for Target and Long Range Shooting

30-06 Springfield can also be used for target shooting and longer distance recreational shooting. The cartridge is available with several aerodynamic bullet designs and has sufficient case capacity to drive a broad range of .308 caliber projectiles.

There is no universal maximum effective distance for 30-06 Springfield. Practical range depends on the specific ammunition, bullet ballistic coefficient, rifle, optics, environmental conditions and shooter. Use the ammunition manufacturer's ballistic data and confirm point of impact at the distances you intend to shoot.

30-06 Springfield vs 308 Winchester: What's the Difference?

30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester both use .308 inch diameter bullets, but they are different cartridges and are not interchangeable. The 30-06 uses a longer cartridge case with greater internal capacity, while 308 Winchester uses a shorter case.

With comparable bullet designs and weights, 30-06 Springfield is often loaded to higher velocities than 308 Winchester, but actual performance depends on the specific ammunition. Shooters comparing the two cartridges can browse our 308 Winchester and 7.62x51 NATO ammo category.

Bulk 30-06 Springfield Ammo

Hunters preparing for the season, sighting in rifles or spending additional time at the range may prefer purchasing 30-06 ammunition in larger quantities when available. Buying multiple boxes of the same load can also help maintain consistent ammunition between practice and hunting.

Because 30-06 Springfield is heavily used as a hunting cartridge, large bulk case quantities may be less common than with high volume training cartridges such as 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO. Available quantities depend on the manufacturer and current inventory.

Why Buy 30-06 Springfield Ammo From Top Gun Ammo?

Top Gun Ammo carries factory new rifle ammunition from established manufacturers for hunting, target shooting and sporting applications. Available 30-06 Springfield inventory includes multiple bullet weights and projectile designs for deer, elk and other hunting applications.

Browse our complete selection of rifle ammo, or compare other popular hunting cartridges including 270 Winchester ammo, 308 Winchester ammo and 300 Winchester Magnum ammo.

30-06 Springfield Ammo FAQs

What is 30-06 Springfield ammo commonly used for?

30-06 Springfield ammunition is commonly used for deer, elk and other big game hunting as well as target shooting and recreational sporting use. Its broad selection of bullet weights and projectile designs makes it suitable for several different applications.

What are the most common 30-06 bullet weights?

150, 165 and 180 grain bullets are among the most common weights used in modern 30-06 Springfield hunting ammunition. The best choice depends on bullet construction, game being hunted, expected shooting distance and the individual rifle.

Is 30-06 Springfield good for deer hunting?

Yes. 30-06 Springfield is widely used for deer hunting. Expanding soft point, bonded and polymer tipped bullets in common hunting weights such as 150 and 165 grains are popular choices.

Is 30-06 Springfield good for elk hunting?

Yes. 30-06 Springfield is commonly used for elk when paired with an appropriate controlled expansion hunting bullet. Loads using 165 and 180 grain projectiles are frequently selected when additional penetration and retained weight are desired.

What is the difference between 30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester?

30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester both use .308 inch diameter bullets, but they use different cartridge cases and are not interchangeable. The 30-06 has a longer case with greater internal capacity and is often loaded to higher velocity with comparable bullet weights.

What does 30-06 mean?

The designation refers to the cartridge's .30 caliber bullet diameter and the year 1906, when the U.S. military adopted the cartridge that became known as the 30-06 Springfield.

Can you buy bulk 30-06 Springfield ammo?

Yes. Larger quantities of 30-06 Springfield ammunition may be available depending on manufacturer and inventory, although large bulk cases are generally less common than with high volume range cartridges.

How far can a 30-06 Springfield shoot?

30-06 Springfield is capable of strong downrange performance, but practical shooting distance depends on the specific ammunition, rifle, optics, environmental conditions and shooter. Use the manufacturer's ballistic data for the exact load rather than relying on a universal maximum distance.