.30-06 Springfield Facts for Kids

.30-06 Springfield

.30-06 Springfield cartridge with soft tip

Type

Rifle round

Place of origin

United States

Service history

In service

1906–1970s (US Armed Forces) 1906-Present

Used by

USA and others

Wars

World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, to present

Production history

Designer

Springfield Armory

Designed

1906

Manufacturer

Springfield Armory, others

Produced

1906–present

Specifications

Parent case

.30-03 Springfield

Case type

Rimless, bottleneck

Bullet diameter

.308 in (7.8 mm)

Neck diameter

.340 in (8.6 mm)

Shoulder diameter

.441 in (11.2 mm)

Base diameter

.471 in (12.0 mm)

Rim diameter

.473 in (12.0 mm)

Rim thickness

.049 in (1.2 mm)

Case length

2.484 in (63.1 mm)

Overall length

3.34 in (85 mm)

Case capacity

68 gr H₂O (4.4 cm³)

Rifling twist

1-10" (254 mm)

Primer type

Large rifle

Maximum pressure (C.I.P.)

58,740 psi (405.0 MPa)

Maximum pressure (SAAMI)

60,190 psi (415.0 MPa)

Maximum CUP

50,000^[1] CUP

Ballistic performance

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Bullet mass/type	Velocity	Energy
Test barrel length: 24 inch (61 cm) Source(s): Federal Cartridge^[2] / Accurate Powder^[3]

The .30-06 Springfield cartridge, pronounced "thirty-aught-six", is a bullet used for guns made in the United States. It was first used for the M1903 Springfield rifle.

The ".30" means that the bullet is .30 inches (7.62 millimeters) in diameter, and the "06" means it was first used in the US military in the year 1906

The .30-06 is known for having high stopping power (meaning it does a lot of damage to a human or animal body), high penetration power (it can pierce through thick layers), and a long effective range (it is accurate for a long distance).

In the US military, it was the main bullet used for rifles and light machine guns for the first half of the 20th century. Guns that shot the .30-06 include the M1903 Springfield, the M1 Garand, the M1917, the M1919 Browning machine gun, and the BAR.

However, when the US created NATO, it replaced all the .30-06 military weapons with those that used the 7.62 x 51mm NATO bullet. This is because NATO requires the militaries of all its member countries to use the same kinds of ammunition.

However, there are still many American hunting and sporting rifles made today that fire the .30-06 because it is still very popular with hunters and competitive shooters.

.30-06 Springfield Media

M1 Garand 30-06. Note the ammunition clip at 12 o'clock. It is ejected from the rifle after all eight rounds have been fired.
A Winchester Model 70 Super Grade hunting rifle in .30-06 with Leupold 6×42 scope
Winchester .30-06 cartridge
From left to right 9.3×62mm, .30-06 Springfield, 7.92×57mm Mauser, 6.5×55mm and .308 Winchester
Eight .30-06 cartridges loaded in an en bloc clip for the M1 Garand
.30-06 Springfield cartridge dimensions. All sizes in inches
.30-06 Springfield maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm)
This dummy cartridge uses a modified case bearing the headstamp F A 4 09 indicating manufacture at Frankford Arsenal in April 1909. The case has been tin-plated, fluted with six longitudinal indentations, and perforated three times in alternating indentations. The hollow brass bullet retains a spring-loaded steel rod exposed in the primer pocket with 1/8-inch of possible forward movement when struck by the firing pin. This rod is intended for the Hollifield Target Practice Rod device -- a pointed rod within the barrel that would be propelled out of the barrel when struck by the steel rod in the dummy cartridge to prick a paper target held just in front of the rifle.
View from the turret of an M67 "Zippo". On the right is a mounted M1919 Browning machine gun with an attached box of linked .30-06 ammunition.