30-06 and 308

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bogie

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I am changing both my hunting rifles over to Browning Xbolts and am wondering. I am a lefthander so not many brands available and have always hunted with either a 30-06 or a 308 depending on what I am hunting. I have the new Xbolt Micro Hunter in 308 already and will be shooting it this weekend but am wondering since they are so close according to some should I just keep what I have now? To my mind a 308 is a deer rifle and the 06 is better for moose and elk.
There is a fair bit of difference between the 2 cases but am told basically its a difference of 90fps. I think the 06 has more thump and would be better for larger game. Your thoughts...
 
The difference in the two cases is slight if you use factory ammo.
However, you can exploit the larger capacity of the '06 by reloading.
The difference is about 150 fps with the 180 grain bullet, and even more with the 200.
However, with lighter bullets the difference is less.
Fact is, either is capable of downing Elk or Moose.
The edge in "Thump" does go to the 30-06.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
The little you gain in energy, is the little you loose in accuracy, my choice is always a 308 before a 30-06 if the choice is given but difference is ever so slim... JP.
 
Kinda what I was hoping to hear. Thinking of running 165 in the 308 and 180 in the 30-06 which should round out any hunting I am likely to do in BC. Suppose I could up it to 200gr and the extra powder should push it pretty good. I occasionally hunt in grizz country too and prefer to carry the big boy just in case. I reload and I figured that would make a difference. Then again I am changing both to Browning Xbolts and there should be no issue with accuracy if I do my part. They sound like rifles that can shoot better than I can... :)
 
bogie said:
Kinda what I was hoping to hear. Thinking of running 165 in the 308 and 180 in the 30-06 which should round out any hunting I am likely to do in BC. Suppose I could up it to 200gr and the extra powder should push it pretty good. I occasionally hunt in grizz country too and prefer to carry the big boy just in case. I reload and I figured that would make a difference. Then again I am changing both to Browning Xbolts and there should be no issue with accuracy if I do my part. They sound like rifles that can shoot better than I can... :)
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I too live and hunt in grizzly country, constantly, and given your two choices my nod definately goes to the '06 with 180 homogenous bullets or 200 A-frames / parts / accubonds. You can load these to about 2700 in a 24" barrel with the new powders and they make a formidable killing machine out of the old '06. My son gets over 2800 fps from an 18 1/2" barrelled Ruger RSI with 180s so 2700 is easy with a 22-24" '06 with 200s. You won't do that with a 308!!
 
you will not notice much difference between the two as people have said its only once u get into the heavier grain for calibre bullets that it(06) will excel, but in saying that you can use a shorter action rifle which should give you a lighter rifle.... the difference alone between S/A and L/A is about the same as 30-06 an 308 :)
 
If you are going to buy a new rifle anyway, why limit yourself to .30-06 as your "big gun". .338-'06, .35 Whelen or .338 WinMag all give you a fairly substantial increase in "thump" without getting crazy.
In fact, the trajectory that you get from your .308/165 is pretty much duplicated by the .338WM/225
 
Splatter said:
If you are going to buy a new rifle anyway, why limit yourself to .30-06 as your "big gun". .338-'06, .35 Whelen or .338 WinMag all give you a fairly substantial increase in "thump" without getting crazy.
In fact, the trajectory that you get from your .308/165 is pretty much duplicated by the .338WM/225
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there is a big difference in "thump" at the other end 308 V 338, As you said the 35Whelen, will give you more power/energy but not as great recoil as the 338winmags or wsm calibres.
it is the poor mans magnum an has fair bit of power comparing to the 338winmag.

Thought about 338federal? they are a cracker round, would have one myself if it werent for the 35 i use :)

358Win also a great calibre. on par with 35whelen.
 
I too am lefty and looking for a bolt action. Since you already have a 308, and hunt in bear country, I would look at something with a bigger balistic difference than your 308. As already mentioned the 30-06 is better able to handle heavier than 180 gr than a 308, but not a huge difference. I'm not sure what the xbolt has to offer in larger calibers, but I would think a 300 win mag would be more in line for your needs. I'm looking at the Zastava left hand at Tradex and they are available in 6.5x55, 270, 30-06, 300 win mag and 9.3x62. Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.
 
c-fbmi said:
I too live and hunt in grizzly country, constantly, and given your two choices my nod definately goes to the '06 with 180 homogenous bullets or 200 A-frames / parts / accubonds. You can load these to about 2700 in a 24" barrel with the new powders and they make a formidable killing machine out of the old '06. My son gets over 2800 fps from an 18 1/2" barrelled Ruger RSI with 180s so 2700 is easy with a 22-24" '06 with 200s. You won't do that with a 308!!
Click to expand...

Must be some stiff loads...

Factory Federal Premium 180 grain ammo in my hunting buddies 18.5 inch 30-06 has been pretty consistent at 2500 feet per second.
 
While I personally favor the 30-06 over the 308 I would never sell a perfectly good one just to replace it with an '06.

A 308 will without question dump any moose in BC.

If you are looking for another rifle a 338 WM is the logical next step up to go with you 308.
 
Grizzlie country sort of demands the bigger chamberings.
For moose and elk, the odd six would be what I would choose.
Both good rounds, but I too agree that you can't be too under
horse powdered when dealing with mean fur.
 
guntech said:
Must be some stiff loads...

Factory Federal Premium 180 grain ammo in my hunting buddies 18.5 inch 30-06 has been pretty consistent at 2500 feet per second.
Click to expand...

Actually Dennis not that bad, RL 17 is truly a wonder powder in these cases. I had one of the longrange 308 boys tell me they are getting 2700 from a 208 gn Amax in the 308.......go figure!!
 
Hard to beat the 06 if your gonna run a .308 cal. Cheap , efficient and with todays powders and bullets its even better than ever.

Big Grizz up in this neck of the woods , I dont feel handicapped carrying an 06 with either the 200 partition or the 180 woodleigh, or for that matter any decent 180 grain bullet or up.
 
Just a comment on the venerable old '06, loaded with today's powders and in a good, modern action.

With a 24" barrel, a 200 will go 2700 quite easily.
At least 4 powders available today will do it without getting into the overpressure regions.
[I have been there with Norma MRP, RL22, Vihtavuori N560 and RL17]

Likewise, the 180 will do 2850 and pennies with the same powders.

If you really feel the need, the 220 Partition can be safely driven to around 2600, and
will break big bone and penetrate like nothing else. [RL 22 and Norma MRP work well here]

BTW, Nosler #6 lists these loads with RL22, if you wish to look there.
There is no moss growing on the 30-06!!!

Regards, Eagleye.
 
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