308 vs 30-06

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For the sheer versatility, the '06 wins. However, the .308 is awfully close.

I like the '06 because, when loaded with slow modern powders, it really does exceed the performance of the .308, and can come very close to the power level of the short magnums -- which is something that you can't really do with the .308 unless you're using tight, 30-inch Palma barrels and pushing the red line.

By the same token, it's also no problem to load the .30-06 slightly down to .308 levels with powders like Varget/4064/4895 etc. and get superb accuracy, to boot. (This is what the original military and match loads did, and how the reputation of this cartridge was originally made.)
 
308 for me:
1. Much more and cooler rifles esp. semis, scouts, compacts & sniper platforms...Try getting 30-06 in RFB or FNAR, not many 30-06 in most of the new modular platforms also...
2. Better in shorter barrels/rifles which together with the shorter action allows for much more lighter and compact rifles. The comparisons for velocity and energy are done usually for 22-24" and up barrels. 308 does much better than 30-06 in shorter barrels e.g. 16-20"
3. Hotter loaded premium commercial ammo lately. Look at the Nosler's Trophy grade line - the 308 loads are equal or hotter than 30-06 ones:
http://www.nosler.com/Ammunition/Trophy-Grade.aspx
 
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Bassmaster said:
What are your thoughts on the 30/06?:rolleyes:
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The 30-06's 12mm case length advantage over the .308 makes it slightly less over-rated than the .308 since the extra length means better heavier loads with the .35Whelen being a great example of that. The .308 and 30-06 are the two popular rounds for people that don't know much about hunting and are just getting into hunting or firearms. Not that this is a bad thing since I’d rather see a newbie hunter shoot a deer with a 30-06 or .308 than use a .243 and have to track it or, like I’ve seen one idiot do, use a .22hornet. Both of the rounds capabilities of taking big game like moose and bison is also highly over-rated since most experienced hunters I know will not shoot at a moose or bison with anything less than a .338Laupa. Not saying they can't do it, but how dead do you want that moose? Then again, the 7x57 has taken down over 1000 elephants but then again, a lot of people who hunted an elephant with the 7x57 got killed because they pissed off the elephant when the bullet would bounce right off its head.
 
marlinspiker said:
OK guys first off I did do a search and found nothing related so if there is a previous thread on this just re-direct me.

I hope I am not d:h: but:

I am looking for opinions on 30-06 and .308. Which would be the better all round rifle that could be used for deer, elk and moose?
I am also considering cost and ammunition availability.
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For elk & moose the extra powder capacity to handle heavier bullets makes the 06 a hands down winner IMHO.
 
Why shoot a 30-06 when you own many 308... Just to get it all covered... in a discussion... Cheers. JP.
 
Ummmmmmmmmm, So what exactly are you trying to do here?

I don't usually say anything about a person's opinion but I think you are either trying to get folks wound up or the 70's got the better of you.;)

M'aiq the Liar said:
The 30-06's 12mm case length advantage over the .308 makes it slightly less over-rated than the .308 since the extra length means better heavier loads with the .35Whelen being a great example of that. The .308 and 30-06 are the two popular rounds for people that don't know much about hunting and are just getting into hunting or firearms. Not that this is a bad thing since I’d rather see a newbie hunter shoot a deer with a 30-06 or .308 than use a .243 and have to track it or, like I’ve seen one idiot do, use a .22hornet. Both of the rounds capabilities of taking big game like moose and bison is also highly over-rated since most experienced hunters I know will not shoot at a moose or bison with anything less than a .338Laupa. Not saying they can't do it, but how dead do you want that moose? Then again, the 7x57 has taken down over 1000 elephants but then again, a lot of people who hunted an elephant with the 7x57 got killed because they pissed off the elephant when the bullet would bounce right off its head.
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Once again, if you hit your target in the vitals, either one will do just fine.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Ummmmmmmmmm, So what exactly are you trying to do here?

I don't usually say anything about a person's opinion but I think you are either trying to get folks wound up or the 70's got the better of you.;)



Once again, if you hit your target in the vitals, either one will do just fine.
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C'mon look at the guys name, nothing say troll like the name "M'aiq the Liar"

Saying that "most experienced hunters I know will not shoot at a moose or bison with anything less than a .338Laupa" is the stupidest, most trollish thing I've ever heard here, and that's saying a lot.

Hell, I can't even think of the last time I heard of a moose being shot with a .338lapua or bigger.

If you listen to M'aiq, all the moose being killed around here must be being shot by inexperienced newbie hunters who all got lucky to make a kill with their 30-06, 308, 270, 303, 7mm mag, 7mm-08, etc.
 
M'aiq the Liar said:
The 30-06's 12mm case length advantage over the .308 makes it slightly less over-rated than the .308 since the extra length means better heavier loads with the .35Whelen being a great example of that. The .308 and 30-06 are the two popular rounds for people that don't know much about hunting and are just getting into hunting or firearms. Not that this is a bad thing since I’d rather see a newbie hunter shoot a deer with a 30-06 or .308 than use a .243 and have to track it or, like I’ve seen one idiot do, use a .22hornet. Both of the rounds capabilities of taking big game like moose and bison is also highly over-rated since most experienced hunters I know will not shoot at a moose or bison with anything less than a .338Laupa. Not saying they can't do it, but how dead do you want that moose? Then again, the 7x57 has taken down over 1000 elephants but then again, a lot of people who hunted an elephant with the 7x57 got killed because they pissed off the elephant when the bullet would bounce right off its head.
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Interesting! I've been in this game for better than 4 decades, yet those are the two .30 caliber rifles I prefer, and have no problem packing a .30/06 for bear work . . . that would be polar bear. With respect to the men who participated in the ivory trade, I'll bet there were as many who used big bores that were killed as were killed using small bores. Elephant hunting was dangerous, and done properly it still is. A heavy 7X57 solid will not bounce off the elephant's head, but penetration and placement is critical. As for your hunting acquaintances who choose the .338 Lapua for big game, loaded with a decent bullet, its a good cartridge for the man who can shoot it, and a disaster for the man who can't.
 
marlinspiker said:
OK guys first off I did do a search and found nothing related so if there is a previous thread on this just re-direct me.

I hope I am not d:h: but:

I am looking for opinions on 30-06 and .308. Which would be the better all round rifle that could be used for deer, elk and moose?
I am also considering cost and ammunition availability.
Click to expand...

Oh boy... I knew this would :nest:

Both are excellent rounds that will do the job in North America. I now have .308s as I want caliber commonality with my M14S. I had 30-06s when I had my M1 Garrand. :) As for heavy bullets, I have that covered with a 300 Win Mag.
 
if you want a real light weight short rifle go 308. if an average weight rifle works go 30 06. i prefer the 30 06 as with handloads there is quite a bit of difference. as i prefer the 180 grn load the 30 06 works better for me. in reality not a whole lot of difference.
 
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