The 30-06 Springfield has filled deer camps for more than a century. It shoots light bullets fast and heavy bullets hard, and you can buy it almost anywhere. But 30-06 ballistics change a lot with the load. A 125-grain soft point and a 220-grain soft point act like two different rounds. This guide lays out the published numbers for the loads we carry, shows you how to read them, and helps you match a bullet weight to your game.
What Is the 30-06 Springfield?
The 30-06 is a .30 caliber centerfire rifle cartridge. It fires a bullet that measures .308 inch across. The name tells you its story: a .30 caliber round adopted by the U.S. Army in 1906. It replaced the short-lived .30-03 and served in the 1903 Springfield and the M1 Garand.
After the wars, hunters took it home. Today it chambers in bolt guns, pump rifles and semi-autos from almost every maker. It needs a long action. If you also shoot a .308, our 308 Winchester ballistics guide shows how the shorter case compares.
30-06 Ballistics Table
These are maker-published muzzle numbers for a spread of loads we stock, from light to heavy. Click any load to see the product page.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-06 125 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point | 125 | 3,140 | 2,736 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Superformance 30-06 150 Grain SST | Hornady SST Polymer Tip | 150 | 3,080 | 3,159 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-06 150 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 2,910 | 2,820 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Partition 30-06 150 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 3,000 | 2,997 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Whitetail Country 30-06 165 Grain Soft Point | Nosler Solid Base Jacketed Soft Point | 165 | 2,900 | 3,081 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Superformance 30-06 165 Grain SST | Hornady SST Polymer Tip | 165 | 2,960 | 3,209 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond 30-06 165 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond Bonded Polymer Tip | 165 | 2,950 | 3,188 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX 30-06 168 Grain TTSX Lead-Free | Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) Polymer Tip | 168 | 2,800 | 2,925 | 20-round box |
| Federal Gold Medal 30-06 168 Grain Sierra MatchKing | Sierra MatchKing Jacketed Hollow Point | 168 | 2,700 | 2,719 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 30-06 178 Grain ELD-X | Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tip | 178 | 2,750 | 2,989 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-06 180 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 180 | 2,700 | 2,913 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Partition 30-06 180 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition Jacketed Soft Point | 180 | 2,750 | 3,022 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Expedition Big Game 30-06 190 Grain AccuBond LR | Nosler AccuBond Long Range Bonded Polymer Tip | 190 | 2,750 | 3,190 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-06 220 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 220 | 2,410 | 2,837 | 20-round box |
A few things stand out. The light Remington Core-Lokt 125 grain lists 3,140 fps and 2,736 ft-lbs. The Hornady Superformance 150 grain SST lists 3,080 fps and 3,159 ft-lbs, which shows what a modern powder blend can add. At the heavy end, the Remington Core-Lokt 220 grain lists 2,410 fps and 2,837 ft-lbs. It is slower, but it carries close to the same energy with far more bullet weight.
How to Read Velocity and Energy
Reading 30-06 ballistics starts with two numbers. Muzzle velocity is how fast the bullet leaves the barrel, in feet per second. Muzzle energy is the work the bullet can do, in foot-pounds. Energy comes from both weight and speed. Speed counts more, because it is squared in the formula.
That is why a fast 150-grain load and a slower 180-grain load can post close energy numbers. Look at the Remington Core-Lokt 180 grain soft point: it lists 2,700 fps and 2,913 ft-lbs. The lighter 150-grain Core-Lokt above it is faster but posts less energy.
Keep in mind that energy alone does not kill game. Bullet construction decides how the bullet opens and how deep it goes. A bonded or copper bullet holds together. A cup-and-core soft point opens faster. Read the bullet type column as closely as the numbers.
Why your rifle’s 30-06 ballistics may not match the box
Makers measure speed in test barrels, often 24 inches long. A 22-inch sporter will usually run a little slower. Temperature matters too. Cold powder burns slower, so a load chronographed in summer can lose speed in a November tree stand. Thin air at high altitude adds less drag, so bullets hold speed better out west. Use a chronograph if you want true numbers from your own rifle.
Which Bullet Weight for Which Game?
The 30-06 is good for deer and a lot more. The trick is the bullet weight.
125 to 130 grains: light recoil and small deer
Light bullets kick less and shoot flat. They suit smaller deer, coyotes and new shooters. The Barnes VOR-TX Reduced Recoil 130 grain TTSX lists 2,760 fps and 2,199 ft-lbs, which tames recoil while keeping a copper bullet that holds together.
150 to 168 grains: whitetail and pronghorn
This is the classic deer range. A 150-grain soft point opens fast on thin-skinned game. A 165-grain bonded bullet adds depth for bigger bodies. The Nosler AccuBond 165 grain lists 2,950 fps and 3,188 ft-lbs.
175 to 180 grains: elk, moose and black bear
Big animals call for weight and a tough bullet. The 180-grain load is the old elk standard. The Nosler Partition 180 grain lists 2,750 fps and 3,022 ft-lbs, and the Hornady Precision Hunter 178 grain ELD-X lists 2,750 fps and 2,989 ft-lbs.
190 to 220 grains: heavy game at closer range
These loads trade speed for weight. They make sense for big bears and moose in thick cover. For longer shots on elk, the Winchester Expedition Big Game 190 grain AccuBond LR lists 2,750 fps and 3,190 ft-lbs.
Hunting rules differ by state, and some areas require lead-free bullets. Check your state’s rules before you pick a load.
How Far Can a 30-06 Shoot?
A 30-06 bullet can travel a very long way, so always know what is behind your target. The useful range is much shorter than the danger range. Your real limit depends on your skill, your rest, the wind and how much energy the bullet keeps when it gets there.
Most hunters do best when they keep shots inside the distance they have practiced. High ballistic coefficient bullets like ELD-X and AccuBond Long Range hold speed better, but they don’t replace practice. We don’t print drop tables here. Use the maker’s published 30-06 ballistics chart for your exact load, then confirm it at the range.
30-06 vs 308: Is the 30-06 Bigger?
Yes. Both fire the same .308-inch bullet, but the 30-06 case is longer and holds more powder. That extra room shows up most with heavy bullets. Compare two 180-grain Core-Lokt loads. The 30-06 Core-Lokt 180 grain lists 2,700 fps. The 308 Core-Lokt 180 grain lists 2,620 fps and 2,743 ft-lbs.
The 308 fits a short action and often feels a bit softer. The 30-06 gives you more room for heavy bullets. For deer, either one works fine.
Match and Range Loads
Not every 30-06 round is for hunting. Match loads use hollow-point boat-tail bullets built for accuracy. The Federal Gold Medal 168 grain Sierra MatchKing lists 2,700 fps and 2,719 ft-lbs. If you shoot an M1 Garand, use loads made for it, like the Winchester M1 Garand 150 grain FMJ, which lists 2,740 fps and 2,500 ft-lbs. Garand-specific loads are built to keep pressure suited to the rifle’s gas system.
Shop 30-06 Ammo
Browse every load in our 30-06 ammo category, from soft points to copper and match rounds. Planning a magnum? See the 300 Win Mag ballistic data guide for the next step up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can a 30-06 shoot?
A 30-06 bullet can travel miles if fired at an upward angle, so know your backstop. Useful hunting range is much shorter. It depends on your skill, wind, the load and the energy left at impact. Practice at the distances you plan to shoot and use the maker’s drop chart for your load.
What caliber is a 30-06?
The 30-06 Springfield is a .30 caliber cartridge that fires a .308-inch bullet. The 06 stands for 1906, the year the U.S. Army adopted it. It uses the same bullet diameter as the 308 Winchester and 300 Win Mag, but the cases are not interchangeable.
Is a 308 bigger than a 30-06?
No. The 30-06 has the longer case and more powder room. Both fire a .308-inch bullet. In our stock, the 30-06 Core-Lokt 180 grain lists 2,700 fps while the 308 Core-Lokt 180 grain lists 2,620 fps. The 308 fits a short action.
How fast does a 30-06 bullet travel?
It depends on the load. Among the 30-06 loads we carry, published muzzle speeds run from 2,410 fps for the Remington Core-Lokt 220 grain to 3,140 fps for the Remington Core-Lokt 125 grain. Your rifle’s barrel length will change the real number.
Is 30-06 good for deer?
Yes. With a 150 to 165-grain soft point or bonded bullet, the 30-06 is a fine deer round. It has plenty of energy, and lighter or reduced-recoil loads make it easier for new shooters. Check your state’s hunting rules for any caliber or bullet limits.
