30-06 Springfield

A Quick History of the 30-06 Springfield

Possibly the World’s most versatile hunting cartridge

Military History & Application

The 30-06 Springfield was adopted by the US Military in 1906. It was given birth by a short lived parent cartridge, the 30-03 Army. The 30-03 quickly proved unsatisfactory because it fired a heavy 220 grain bullet at 2,000 ft/sec. This did not outperform the 30-40 Crag which it was intended to replace. So the 30-03 was reworked, shortened slightly, and fitted with a 150 grain spitzer bullet which was fired at 2,700 ft/sec.

The result was a “new age” 30 caliber cartridge. Because it was a 30 caliber adopted by the US military in 1906 and was fired from a Springfield rifle it was given the name “30-06 Springfield”. For almost 50 years this cartridge was the backbone of the American and Allied Forces. It was used all over the world in the primary American battle rifles of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The 30-06 only saw limited use in the Vietnam War because of the adoption of the 308 Win or 7.62x51 NATO by the US military between 1954 and 1957.

The 30-06 is a cartridge worthy of all the praise that can be given it and possibly more. From the battlefield to the hands of the hunter, the 30-06 is an American icon that merits a little extra attention and appreciation.

Want more? Check out 30-06 Hunting Applications

Good Hunting! Be Safe!