.308 or 30-06???

[drill702]

I went with the 308 but missed the versatility and nostalgia of the old 06. But now would go with the 270.

 

[xdmer]

Given the game and distance mentioned, 308 all the way for me.

 

[Sidearm Sambo]

Both are widely used in the deer hunting community. Our camp members use both calibres. I have seen more damage from the 30 06 than the 308. However to each their own. I do the majority of our chasing so use a 30 30 Lever Winchester. Most of my deer seen and shot are within 50 yards. Good hunting

 

[Chef777]

Very well said. The only thing i would add is that if the 2oz difference between a actual short action and a long makes a difference, perhaps hunting isnt for you.

Hahahaha!!

 

[Chef777]

Decide which rifle you want, without concern for the cartridges it is chambered for. Choose the most effective big game cartridge (within reason) that is available in that rifle. Perhaps you'll discover that the rifle you want is only available in .308, in which case the choice is made for you. While overall performance in factory ammo is similar, the .30/06 has greater powder capacity than the .308, and when loaded to the same pressure, it produces higher velocities, so is the better choice as a big game cartridge. A good argument can be made that the .300 Winchester is a better big game cartridge than the .30/06. But once you move up to the .300, particularly in a light rifle, issues related to recoil and its effect on marksmanship come into play, whereas the .30/06 in an 8 pound rifle is usually viewed as manageable by most adult shooters.

Great explanation. Thank you!

 

[Travis_m]

I prefer a short action vs long action so 308 would be my choice. Either way you can't go wrong. Ammo is always available pretty well anywhere.

 

[Nic3500]

308 because of less recoil == more range time, better accuracy. At those distances, 30-06 will not improve anything.

 

[Magellann]

As mentioned both are perfect choices, see which one you can get the best deal on.

 

[Trimmer 905]

85% deer and 15% elk
99% of opportunities inside 200 yards..

And go..
(Thanks in advance!)

Flip a coin. One is just as good as the other,so,it comes down to which rifle you choose. I'm partial to Ruger M77 Hawkeye.

 

[Magellann]

As mentioned both are perfect choices, see which one you can get the best deal on.

 

[woofer2609]

.308 for the purposes and range you are looking at. I own both, but the recoil on the 30-06 is considerably more, with a similar weight rifle, meaning less practice with it at the range. Both are excellent choices.

 

[Nestor]

Both will do the job, but 30-06 is more versatile if you will ever decide to extend your interests.

 

[northern skies]

My personal choice would be the .30-06, being slightly more versatile when handloading. There are light loads out there that will bring the recoil down to 15 ft-lbs, making for great practice sessions. There are fast loads for longer shots, and it will handle 200-220 grain bullets for bigger stuff closer in. It's like having a few different rifles all in one.

Of course, I must feel that way because I have a .308 and want a .30-06. It might be different the other way around.

 

[hawk-i]

Both are great but the edge goes to the 06.

 

[WhelanLad]

here we go agaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


get a 270, theyre better

 

[Boomer]

here we go agaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


get a 270, theyre better

You're hunting buffalo with your .270. Now how is that better than a .30/06 loaded with 240 gr Woodleighs?

 

[sgt.rock]

.17HMR should do the trick

 

[sunnydin]

30.06