30-06's heavier bullet argument
- Thread starter GunNewb
- Start date
Using a ballistics calculator the 30-06 exceeds th 308 by anywhere from 10-20% in all catagories. If you are hunting with it than recoil means nothing as its going to be a 1 or 2 shot evening but if you plan to shoot it at the range than I use a $10 butt pad that I got at CT, I can hardly feel 40 rounds from a 30-06. 30-06 bullets are everywhere and the range of projectiles is simply second to none making the 30-06 a very consumer friendly calibre. I say go big or stay home and nothing says drop dead better than 180 grains fired from a 30-06, than again a fly doesn't care if you kill him with a paper or a brick, dead is dead, I just prefer the brick.
So the 30-06 exceeds the .308, but nothing exceeds the 30-06? Is there an invisible wall that prohibits further advancement?
Polar Man
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I seem to recall reading here years ago in one of these "Ought vs. 08" threads the short case of the .308 meant faster powder burn and more consistent burn rates for increased accuracy, or something like that. Not too sure but it was something I recalled the .308 had a theoretical leg up in something, anyway.
I like saying "aught" as well.
I like saying "aught" as well.
ALBERTA BOY
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
^^^ I'd have to call B.S. on that. I have a vanguard in 30'06 which shoots 2" groups at 300 yards (2/3 MOA) and a necked down 30'06 (270win) Vanguard Series 2 which shoots less than a 1" group at 300 yards. That's 1/3 MOA.
How much more 'inherent accurate' than that can you get?
How much more 'inherent accurate' than that can you get?
x 2
I own both in several makes of rifles. I find the best performance with the 30-06 and a 165 gr bullet. All my 308's have their best performance with a 150 gr bullet.
The 30-06 has a larger case and does produce more velocity/energy. For me, it comes down to the action and whether I want to pack a shorter rifle (308), a full size (30-06), the single shot (Ruger #1 30-06) or the M14 (308). Keep eyes peeled on the EE - took my new '54 No.4 Mk2 out today and that thing can thread needles with authority and the military peeps on it. May be selling stuff if they become safe queens.
165gr Nosler partions on top 57gr of IMR4350 in a 30-06 case has worked for me consistantly for over 30 years. Accurate, reasonable recoil, flat trajectory, and has never failed to put game down and out.
I have had opportunities to shoot many rifles of various calibres, the vast majority of would also suit my needs. But the 165gr nosler partions "simply work" and Iam not about to change my formula now.
I have had opportunities to shoot many rifles of various calibres, the vast majority of would also suit my needs. But the 165gr nosler partions "simply work" and Iam not about to change my formula now.
Not a great deal of difference between 30-06 and .308 unless you reload, and even then it's hard to say that the 30-06 advantage is anything noticeable in the field. On paper it has a small advantage. Either one will do fine.
I seem to recall reading here years ago in one of these "Ought vs. 08" threads the short case of the .308 meant faster powder burn and more consistent burn rates for increased accuracy, or something like that. Not too sure but it was something I recalled the .308 had a theoretical leg up in something, anyway.
I like saying "aught" as well.
http://riflemansjournal.########.com.es/2011/04/cartridges-sibling-rivalry-308-vs-30-06.html
from what i've read on the net the 30-06 is better if you're gonna shoot the larger bullets since the case will hold more powder, but the 308 is one of the most efficient cases for how much powder it can hold and such. i bought myself a 30-06, lots of diff ammo available and if i wanna shoot a 200gr bullet i can.
I like .30-06.... now, to me I would be more asking myself if I wanted a long or short action.... .308 being the short and .30-06 being the long of course.... if you don't mind the long action I think the .06 is the better choice imop.....
I've got one, mostly because I like the rifle its in. I'm not sure if its a poor .300 or sub-standard .375, but it does fall into that range of use. Not a bad 300-400 yard thumper, that has grizzly written all over it.
The light bullets typically have poor BCs and decent speeds. The wind eats them up at longer ranges The heavier bullets can have decent BCs, but the velocity is very 06ish.
Winchester conceived it as a replacement for the .375 with heavier bullets than are commonly available today, even to handloaders. The hunting community mostly uses it as a slightly fatter version of the .300 Win.
I am using it as a lighter version of the .375 H&H. I compare the trajectory to the .30-06 with 180gr Partitions. The .338 will launch the 250gr Partitions at a similar speed, +2700 fps, and the .308" 180gr and .338" 250gr have virtually identical ballistic coefficients: .474 and .473 respectively.
I can manage those loads in a 6 1/2 to 7lb rifle. I am not sure how a rifle of that weight would be in a .375 H&H. On the other hand, I doubt any North American game would ever tell the difference between a .338 and .375; that is why I have a .338 Win Mag now.
My .338 loads and reasoning are similar to yours; but I see mine as more of a ".30-'06 Super" rather than a ".375 light"
I've nothing at all against the '06 specifically, it's just that my 1950's vintage gun has seen lots of rounds and a bit too much abuse, so I just wanted to replace it when I got a great deal on this MOA Vangard, so now I'm a .338 shooter.
been thinkin' about that as well ..... and i think i may as well go with the 375 ruger.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I like the .30/06 and I like heavy for caliber lead core bullets which I believe edges the .30/06 into the powerful rifle class. A bullet with a long lead core which impacts at moderate velocity tends to damage less edible meat as the bullet expansion is slower than a lighter bullet's whose impact velocity is higher, but where the target is denser, it opens up a bit bigger resulting in a larger wound volume while the heavy weight provides sufficient momentum to ensure deep penetration. The effect of the larger frontal area of these heavy bullets must be seen to be believed, but on light game like deer they upset only about the same as a 150, and will tend to shoot right through. The limiting factor in your choice of bullet is the twist of the barrel. My .30/06 has a 1:10 twist and will shoot any .30 caliber hunting bullet made thus far, but my wife's 1:12 Husqvarna won't stabilize the very long ones, so I load hers with 180 gr TSXs.
Useing it as a lighter version of the .375 is probably its best use, too bad it usually isn't legal for what the .375 excells at, ie doing everything, everywhere. It doesn't fare as well as a fat .300. .473 at 2700 doesn't stack up all that well to .588 at 2900 (200 gr accubond)
Your rifle might be a few ounces less than my .338 (Kimber). Felt recoil is considerably higher than my .375s which are more conventional weight.
