308 vs 30-06

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Emmerz24

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Going to be perchasing my first hunting rifle and want a versitile cartridge. White tail, mule deer as well as moose and elk. Leaning towards the 30-06 as it can fire heavier grain bullets for the larger game. Would love to get some input from the experience on this board.
Thanks
 
6 of one , half a dozen of the other.
308 - lighter short action rifle. Smaller powder charge that almost equals 30-06 with smaller bullets (125-150gr, but begins to fall short with 180gr or larger bullets.
If you plan on shooting heavy bullets only, then go 30-06. At most an equivalent 30-06 rifle wont be more than a half pound heavier than the same 308 rifle. Just get a decent stretchy neoprene sling and you wont know the difference.
 
Chances are the game animals won't know the difference. ...that being said, 30 aught 6 just sounds better. ☺
 
I opted for the 3006 because I got a decent deal on a Sako. All in all they are very close in the battle of which one is better but in the end .308 only wins because it weighs less and is slightly more accurate.
 
For a hunting rifle, flip a coin. Trying to make a big case (no pun intended) of one vs the other is beating a pretty dead horse. Now waiting for (insert favorite cartridge here) post.
 
First thing, welcome to our Forum.

I have shot with lots of buddies and heard they prefer the .308 due to ammo availability, more platfom choices when looking at rifles, recoil, and resale.

You can buy more .308 rifles with detachable magazines, as I always prefer to have a couple of mags loaded in my pocket over fixed blind magazines. Are you hunting dangerous game or deer, elk, or moose? Are you packing? If packing you need a lighter rifle and the lower recoil of a .308 is easier.

I also understand that there is not much 220 grains out of a 3006 that won't drop.

But a .308 with 180 grain slug is no slouch either, however I am biased to common military caliber offerings and being able to find ammo easy.

Take care Mr. I, Randy from Calgary. :)
 
If you NEVER shoot over 200 yrds it doesn't matter. At longer distance the extra powder capacity of the 06 starts making a difference in trajectory and energy especially with heavy bullets. The short action 308s can be more compact and nicer to carry depending on the manufacturer. Both calibers are good. You won't go wrong with either.
 
Either one will be fine... BUT, if I only had one hunting rifle for the game you are interested in, it would be the .30/06.

Since I have lots of rifles, having a .30/06 is less important to me... but I do have one anyway... I like the round... I also have a couple .308 Win rifles, cuz I like that round too...
 
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It's been said before that the 308 win is a great target cartridge, but anyone actually using one to hunt with would also fornicate with sheep. Get the 06.
 
Thanks for the input fellas. Seems like it comes down to personal preference. Guess I’ll have to eventually buy both lol.
 
Gday,

Ive had both now, limited time with the 30-06 for now but out of those Two, personally, i would go a 308 as my First.... However if i had been shooting smaller Cals for a while, Even bigger ones aswell an needed to choose between the Two for future Use, the larger Case would get the Nod... thats as much powder as i'll ever need.
 
If you are shooting factory ammo, the difference in performance is quite small.
If you reload, the venerable 30-06 shows its superiority, particularly from 180
grains and up.
Difference in the field is not enough to make a solid case either way. I do prefer
the 30-06 myself. Dave.
 
Both have a strong military pedigree, both are available everywhere that sells ammo, both shoot a 180 grain pill between 2600-2800, both have killed and will kill more of the animals on your list with authority, to me the differences are negligible. I would buy what ever one I found in the rifle I like the best and go kill stuff.
 
300 WSM is awesome round although in a lightweight hunting rifle the recoil can be substantial for a new shooter or recoil sensitive.

Either 308 or 30-06 is a great choice.

Also don't rule out 7mm-08 or .280 Remington.

A .280 AI is excellent round and available in factory chamberings.

I would recommend a 7mm Rem Mag.
 
The .30/06 is my favorite cartridge. If I could own but a single rifle, it would be chambered for the .30/06. When the .308 is compared, its usually the 150 gr load; the first .30/06 load back in 1906 fired a 150 at 2700, and this is nicely duplicated today with a 20" .308. If you want a carbine sized rifle, the .308 is worth considering, but if you're going to own a full size rifle, it might as well be a .30/06. For the most part, a .30/06 with a 24" 1:10 twist barrel will do everything you can reasonably do with a rifle. I agree with Eagleye though, handloading turns the '06 into a different animal when bullets of 180 grs and heavier are loaded.
 
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