The Lowly 30-06

If you wanted to collect only one caliber, the 30-06 Springfield would probably offer the biggest challenge. Having been continuously produced for 110 years and in at least 50 countries, the opportunities are boundless. Case types and materials, headstamps, bullet types, tip colors, blanks, dummies, souvenir items, special purpose rounds, experimentals — you could go on forever. But isn’t that what collecting is all about? 

Fortunately, there are some good books to provide a roadmap. Years ago, the late Gerry Marcello produced two publications; the first one was just a pamphlet, really. Later came a bound book. Both were entitled 30 06’s We Have Seen. In them, he compiled listings of every permutation of headstamp, purpose, and bullet type and feature that he and his correspondents could verify. It presented a daunting checklist for the collector. 

Next came the two volumes by Bill Woodin, Gene Scranton, and Frank Hackley, History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition, Volumes I and II, both of which had substantial coverage of the 30-06. And finally, Chris Punnett’s book entitled simply 30-06. The following illustrations will provide a taste of the scope and challenge of this specialty.