I never did "return" to the '06 simply because I've never had one before. But when a nice Browning B78 chambered in '06 was available to me, I did not refuse it due to caliber. My first year out with it, I harvested a mulie buck and assisted my SIL in finishing off his doe. Both were fairly extended distances.
But tell me this : if most here truly submit to the claims that they keep their shooting within that magical 500 yard window, how is a 30-06 launching a good stout 165 gr. projectile, placed on mark less than very capable?
