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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