30-06 Springfield Ammo

Overview of 30-06 Springfield Ammo

30-06 Springfield is one of the most versatile and widely used rifle cartridges in American history. It fires a .308-inch bullet, usually 125 to 220 grains, at around 2,400 to 3,100 fps. That range of bullet weights lets one rifle handle everything from deer and antelope to elk, moose, and black bear.

30-06 was also the U.S. military service cartridge for nearly 50 years and remains popular for M1 Garand and vintage military rifle shooting. For a shorter modern alternative, see our .308 Winchester ammo, and for a flatter-shooting option, .270 Winchester.

30-06 Brands We Carry

• Remington 30-06 Ammo: Core-Lokt soft points from 125gr to 220gr and UMC 150gr FMJ.
• PPU 30-06 Ammo: M1 Garand 150gr FMJ in 200 and 500-round cases, plus 150gr, 165gr, and 180gr soft points.
• Federal 30-06 Ammo: Power-Shok 150gr and 180gr, American Eagle M1 Garand 150gr FMJ, and Gold Medal 168gr Sierra MatchKing.
• Hornady 30-06 Ammo: M1 Garand 168gr ELD Match, loaded for Garand-safe pressure.
• Winchester 30-06 Ammo: Super-X 180gr Power Point.
• Black Hills 30-06 Ammo: Black Hills Gold 180gr Barnes TSX.

Best 30-06 Ammo for Specific Uses

Why Buy 30-06 Ammo from BulkMunitions?

• In stock and ready to ship. We only list ammunition that is physically in our warehouse. No backorders.
• Next-business-day shipping from our Knoxville, TN warehouse on orders placed before our daily cutoff.
• Case pricing for hunters and Garand shooters. 200 and 500-round cases cost less per round than 20-round boxes.
• We tithe 10% of profits to Christian-based, 2A-supporting organizations every quarter, and our customers vote on where it goes.

30-06 Springfield Ballistics Chart

The tables below show how popular 30-06 Springfield loads compare out to 600 yards, from M2-style ball ammo to heavy hunting loads. The 178gr ELD-X holds the most energy at distance, with about 1,300 ft-lbs left at 600 yards.

Loads compared:

• 150gr FMJ: Federal American Eagle M1 Garand 150gr FMJ, 2,740 fps
• 150gr SP: Federal Power-Shok 150gr soft point, 2,910 fps
• 180gr SP: Federal Power-Shok 180gr soft point, 2,700 fps
• 178gr ELD-X: Hornady Precision Hunter 178gr ELD-X, 2,750 fps

Velocity (fps)

Energy (ft-lbs)

Bullet Drop (inches, 100-yard zero)

Wind Drift (inches, 10 mph crosswind)

Calculated from each manufacturer's published muzzle velocity and G1 ballistic coefficient, standard atmosphere, 1.5-inch sight height, 100-yard zero, 10 mph full-value crosswind. Velocities come from manufacturer test barrels. Your rifle, barrel length, and conditions will change these numbers, so always confirm your own data at the range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What 30-06 ammo is safe for an M1 Garand?

The M1 Garand's gas system was designed for 150gr military ball ammunition at moderate pressure. Use ammunition labeled for the M1 Garand, like PPU M1 Garand 150gr FMJ, Federal American Eagle M1 Garand, or Hornady M1 Garand 168gr ELD Match. Heavy or high-pressure hunting loads can damage the rifle's operating rod.

Is 30-06 good for elk?

Yes. 30-06 is one of the most proven elk cartridges ever made. Use a 165 to 180-grain bonded or premium hunting bullet and keep shots within your effective range. Check your state's hunting regulations.

Can I shoot .308 in a 30-06 rifle?

No. Both fire .308-inch bullets, but .308 Winchester has a shorter case. Firing .308 in a 30-06 chamber is unsafe. Only fire 30-06 Springfield in a rifle chambered for 30-06.

More About 30-06 Springfield Ammo

The U.S. Army adopted 30-06 Springfield in 1906, updating the earlier .30-03 with a lighter, pointed bullet. The "06" in its name comes from that year. It served as America's primary rifle and machine gun cartridge through World War I, World War II, and Korea, in the M1903 Springfield, M1 Garand, and Browning Automatic Rifle.

Returning servicemen brought their familiarity with the cartridge home, and 30-06 became the most popular big-game hunting cartridge in the country for much of the 20th century. It remains a top seller today for hunters who want one rifle for nearly any North American game.