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An in-depth look at 30-06 ballistics including a ballistic table with velocity, energy & drop data for the most popular 30-06 loads in the United States.
The 30-06 (or 7.62x63mm if you’re from some part of the uncivilized world that uses the inferior metric system) is one of the most versatile rounds ever introduced.
Suitable for ethically hunting whitetail, black bear, hogs, and even larger game.
The U.S. Army’s primary rifle and machine gun round for nearly five decades until it was supplanted by the 7.62x51mm NATO and 5.56×45 NATO.
With recoil that falls within the range of what is tolerable for most shooters, and loads available with lightweight bullets that offer even lesser kick, the 30-06 is a comfortable round to train and shoot targets with.
30-06 Ballistic Chart
Velocity (Feet per Second)
Energy (Ft. Pounds)Bullet Drop (Inches)Ballistic Coefficient
Ammo NameBarrel LengthMuzzle100 Yards200 Yards300 Yards400 Yards500 YardsMuzzle100 Yards200 Yards300 Yards400 Yards500 YardsMuzzle100 Yards200 Yards300 Yards400 Yards500 YardsG1G7Sect. Density
Prvi Partizan 150 Grain FMJ24″274925272315211319221743251721261785148812311012-1.520-8.5-24.8-50.50.4020.2020.227
Sellier & Bellot 150 Grain FMJ2427002458223820371855-24232008166413791143–1.50-3.8-14.6-33.7-0.4050.2030.226
Federal Power Shok 180 Grain JSP24270024702252204518481667291324392026167113651111-1.52.10-9-26.2-540.3910.1980.273
Remington Core-Lokt 180 Grain PSP24270024692250204218461663291324362023166613621105-1.52.10-9-26.3-540.3830.1920.273
Federal Gold Medal 168 Grain MatchKing24270025082324214819801819271923462015172114621234-1.520-8.5-24.5-49.20.4630.2240.255
Remington Core-Lokt 220 Grain SP242410213018701632142212462837221617081301988758-1.53.120-13.1-39.3-82.80.2940.1480.333
Fiocchi 150 Grain FMJ24300027632538232421201927299725422145179814971237-0.520-3.1-11.50.3980.227
Hornady 168 Grain ELD Match24271025402376221820671921273924062106183615931376-1.520-8.1-23.3-48.60.5230.2630.253
Federal Power Shok 150 Grain JSP2429102616234020811839161928202279182314421126873-1.51.80-8.2-24.4-51.30.3190.1610.227
Federal Vital Shok 165 Grain Ballistic Tip24280026092425224920811919287224932155185315861349-1.51.80-7.8-22.4-44.90.4750.2370.25
Remington Core-Lokt 125 Grain PSP243140278024472138185315952736214516621269953706-1.51.50-7.4-22.4-47.60.2680.130.189
Black Hills 168 Grain HPBT Match24270027180.255
Fiocchi 168 Grain MatchKing24269525032320214419751816270923372007171414561230-0.640-4.1-14.60.4620.255
Federal Vital Shok 180 Grain Polymer Tip24270025222351218620291877291325422208191116441408-1.520-8.4-23.9-47.70.50.2510.273
30-06 Effective Range
According to the United States Military, which has extensive experience with the 30-06 chambered M1 Garand, expect an effective range for 30-06 ammunition of about 500 yards. At that distance, you’ll deliver about 260 foot-pounds of energy into your target. Total range that the round can travel is about 3,500 yards.
30-06’s Origin Story
The cartridge that would become the 30-06 was originally titled the “U.S. Cartridge, Model of 1903,” featured a 220 grain bullet, and designed for the Springfield Model 1903 bolt-action rifle. But two years after it debuted, the German army rolled out an 8mm round with a lighter bullet that outclassed ours in virtually every way.
Sensing that keeping up with the Germans was a good idea, the U.S. Army modified the Model of 1903 cartridge to seat a 150 grain bullet. The “U.S. Cartridge, Model of 1906,” or 30-06 for short, delivered a flatter trajectory than its precursor, lethal energy at several hundred yards, and recoil that even the slimmest recruit’s frame could accommodate.
Veterans often prefer using ammo they’re familiar with. Since the 30-06 remained in service from 1906 until the mid-1970s, many veterans became familiar with it. But its familiarity is far from the only thing the 30-06 has going for it: With its effective firing range of 1,000 yards (and ability to cover nearly five miles) and 1,000 ft lbs energy after 500 yards, the 30-06 had a good shot at universal acclaim even if it hadn’t been introduced by the Army.
Modern 30-06 Loads
30-06 ammunition is available with bullets ranging from 125 to 200 grains. At the low end of the spectrum you’ll enjoy a flatter trajectory with less energy on the receiving end of it, which is good for varmints. At the high end you’ll have a round suitable for elk and moose, slower out of the barrel but with well over 1,500 ft lbs of energy remaining after 200 yards.
The 30-06’s trajectory isn’t as flat as a magnum round’s, but it makes up for that with its comfortable recoil. A 30-06’s 165 grain bullet generates about 20 ft lbs of recoil energy, a point after which most shooters begin to flinch. If you wish to initiate a novice hunter, a 30-06’s 125 or 150 grain bullet is a great way to help them wrap their mind around recoil.
The 30-06’s popularity means you can enjoy virtually any manufacturer’s rifle or ammunition, as well as bullets suited for any kind of hunting the cartridge is capable of. If you’re selecting your first hunting rifle, a Remington Model 700 and a few boxes of ammo for it make an auspicious starting point.
How Does 30-06 Stack Up In Terms of Ballistics?
- 30-06 is faster and more powerful than 30-30 Winchester (read our full 30-06 vs 30-30 comparison here)
- .308 is a hair slower and less powerful than 30-06 but generally is cheaper to shoot.
- The 30-06 is slower and drops faster than the more powerful and more expensive 300 Win Mag round.
- It’s faster and more powerful than 5.56 but packs way more recoil than the smaller AR-15 round.
Other Attributes
- U.S. Army Sniper Course graduates aside, most 30-06 hunters have the best results keeping their range within 400 yards.
- Even the lightest 30-06 bullet produces about three times as much recoil as the heaviest 223 Rem bullet.
- After the 223 Rem and the 308 Win, the 30-06 is America’s third most popular rifle cartridge.
- For practical purposes, the 308 Win and 30-06 offer interchangeable accuracy. Whether one excels over the other for hunting boils down largely to opinion, but at the very least you could conclude the 308 Win offers a wider selection of hunting ammo.
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