7.62x63mm (.30-06 Springfield)

The -06 served as the United States primary sniper round from WWI up until sniper rifles were standardized during the later part of the Vietnam conflict. The -06 offers good ballistics and served as an outstanding sniper round. While its purpose might be limited in the Law Enforcement arena, due to possible over penetration, but with the selection of the right ammo, the -06 would serve as a stellar round in a Law Enforcement situation. There is a shortage of sniper grade weapons in the .30-06, which I have never understood why. The -06 falls in-between the .308 and the .300. and there has always been match grade ammo produced by Federal. I personally think this is the ideal military sniping caliber, it offers better ballistics then the .308, but doesn't punish the shooter like the .300.

Recommendations: I recommend the .30-06 highly for military applications, but I am a little reluctant to recommend it for Law Enforcement use, unless you take the time to research and find a good, rapidly expanding round.

Military Applications

Note: I have chosen the Federal Gold Medal Match .30-06 for military use. It is more then adequate, but I really wish that they would load the 175gr at 2700fps, this would really be a good round, and it would be any easy change, its all done with the .308.

Federal Gold Medal Match - .30-06 168gr Sierra Match King at 2700fps

Bullet Drop (Inches)

100y

92m

200y

183m

300y

275m

400y

366m

500y

458m

600y

549m

700y

641m

800y

732m

900y

824m

1000y

915m

+16.2

+28.4

+34.1

+32.3

+21.7

Zero

-33.8

-82.8

-150.6

239.7

Energy (Muzzle - 2720 Ft.-Lbs.)

2350

2010

1720

1460

1230

1040

870

730

620

530

Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind

0.7

3.0

7.2

13.2

21.4

32.4

45.9

62.4

82.4

105.5

Law Enforcement Applications

Note: I chose the 150gr ballistic tip round over the 165gr do to the reduced penetration. The ballistic tip round has rapid expansion and lends itself well to Law Enforcement, but some tests should be executed to test for exact penetration and to see if excess fragmentation occurs.

Federal Premium .30-06 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2910fps

Bullet Drop (Inches)

50y

46m

100y

92m

200y

183m

300y

275m

-0.2

Zero

-3.3

-12.2

Energy (Muzzle - 2820 Ft.-Lbs.)

N/A

2420

2070

1760

Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind

N/A

0.7

2.9

6.8


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