.30-06 Springfield

The .30-06 Springfield has taken every North American game animal, most African plains game, and two World Wars' worth of history - and it still out-sells almost everything because the formula is complete: enough velocity, enough bullet range (110-220gr), enough energy for moose and brown bear with heavy loads, in rifles and ammo found anywhere humans hunt.

What it is

The 1906 military .30 turned universal hunting standard - a long-action case with 200 fps on the .308 and the deepest factory-load catalog in existence.

What it hunts best

Everything on the continent: the classic elk/moose/bear choice with 180-200gr, a flat deer rifle with 150-165gr. If it walks in North America, the '06 has a proven load for it.

Trajectory & energy

165gr at 2,900 zeroed at 200: ~7.5" at 300. ~3,000 ft-lb muzzle - the full-power .30 benchmark, with 180gr loads carrying elk-grade energy well past 400.

Recoil & shootability

~20-22 ft-lb - the honest top of 'standard' recoil; most adults handle it in a well-fitted 8 lb rifle, flinch-prone shooters should audition it first.

Rifles & ammo on the shelf

Everything, everywhere, always - a century of every maker chambering it and every shelf stocking it, globally.

Bottom line

The one-rifle answer of four generations and still valid: slightly more of everything than the .308, at slightly more recoil. From whitetails to moose, it simply covers the continent.