30-06 vs 308 ballistics and energy
- Thread starter krchov
- Start date
A good rule of thumb Krchov is that a 308 will hit as hard as a 30.06 at about 40 - 50 yards less than the 30.06 (depending on load). So - a 308 will impact with the same speed/energy at about 260 yards as a 30-06 does at 300. (obviously that's not precise, but it's pretty close)
Some handloads may be different, but this is a decent generally rule of thumb.
not much difference between the two really.
Here's some real numbers for you.
30-06 - 150 grain nosler ballistic tip. 235 yard zero (optimum point blank for deer size animals)
muzzle - 2910 fps - energy 2820 ftlbs
200 yards - 2516 fps - 2108 ftlbs bullet drop = +1.54 in
300 yards - 2331 fps 1810 ftlbs bd = -4.77 in
Now the 308.
308 - 150 grain ballistic tip 230 yard zero (optimized for deer) - note, only 5 yards less than the 30-06
muzzle - 2820 fps 2648 ftlbs
200 - 2426fps 1960 ftlbs path = +1.43
300 - 2242 fps 1673 ftlbs path = -5.6
Now - just to show what i meant earlier, at 250 yards that same load would be 2333 fps and 1812 ftbls - almost exactly what the 30-06 is at 300.
Some handloads may be different, but this is a decent generally rule of thumb.
not much difference between the two really.
Here's some real numbers for you.
30-06 - 150 grain nosler ballistic tip. 235 yard zero (optimum point blank for deer size animals)
muzzle - 2910 fps - energy 2820 ftlbs
200 yards - 2516 fps - 2108 ftlbs bullet drop = +1.54 in
300 yards - 2331 fps 1810 ftlbs bd = -4.77 in
Now the 308.
308 - 150 grain ballistic tip 230 yard zero (optimized for deer) - note, only 5 yards less than the 30-06
muzzle - 2820 fps 2648 ftlbs
200 - 2426fps 1960 ftlbs path = +1.43
300 - 2242 fps 1673 ftlbs path = -5.6
Now - just to show what i meant earlier, at 250 yards that same load would be 2333 fps and 1812 ftbls - almost exactly what the 30-06 is at 300.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Deer can't tell the difference between the two ..... 
Deer can't tell the difference between the two .....
Only the ones that can read ballistic tables!
Only real difference between the two is the inherently better accuracy in the .308win at LONG distances, due to its case dimensions. Not really much of a concern at 300 yards.
Of coarse this is arguable and will likely result in some colourful replies.
Of coarse this is arguable and will likely result in some colourful replies.
- Location
- calgary alberta
Where in Gods name did you get that BS from?
punkrockboy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern Bantario!
I own both a 30.06 and a .308, and have fired a friends .300 win mag, the .308 is definitely the mildest recoil/most enjoyable to shoot all day! In my opinion, it is worth any minor loss in energy/velocity over the 30.06
minor difference in velocity equals minor difference in recoil....simple physics!
i think you should chronograph a 308 with a 150 gr bullet with a 22 inch barrel, i dont think its anything like the 3006 then no better than a 300 savage, mine will just get 2700 fps max, more like 2680 fps , and 2600 with a 165 max , maybe more than a max load, i shot mine a lot looking for the book velocity, i dont think with a short barrel its possible, get the 3006 with a 24 inch barrel ,,,wade,
That's not entirely true. Even if two cartridges are loaded to the same velocity, the one using the most powder will recoil more. Normally when doing the recoil calculation, half of powder weight is added to the bullet weight, but even that adjustment doesn't seem to reflect the perceived difference.
One could always get it in a semi auto...my 300 Win mag shoots like a mild .270.
But yah if in a bolt gun between .308, and 30/06 I'd go with the .308.
That is if I somehow lost my mind and sold my 6.5x55 Swedes...but I digress.
True - but really these days how much versatility do you really need? I don't know what he's planning on doing with his gun, but if it's just hunting then modern bullets and loads will kill anything in this country with either gun, hands down.
I prefer the 30-06 myself but i'd sure not turn down a 308 either, there's just not enough difference between them at practical hunting ranges to matter as far as killing power, and the 308 ammo costs less so you can practice more
Is the .30-06 Spring. more susceptible to jamming in semis than the .308 Win. ??
The .308 Win.was designed as a military cartridge to work in full automatic firearms and is relatively short for its diameter I presume to minimize jamming in rapidly oscillating actions.
The .30-06 Springfield is somewhat longer in comparison with its diameter & looks like it might have more of a tendency to bind in semi or full automatic actions.
Of course Browning designed the military full automatic Browning Automatic Rifle (not the same as the civilian BAR) around the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
Has anyone actually detected an actual difference between the two cartridges in the field with regard to jamming in semi-automatic firearms?
My experience:
I had a Remington 742 Woodsmaster in .30-06 Springfield back in the 1970's that I was glad to dump because of jamming & feed problems.
My modern Remington 7400 that I just sold this spring was in .308 Win. and I've fired handloads & a dozen different brands of commercial ammo through it with 150 - 180 grain bullets & I can honestly say that the gun has NEVER jammed on a single occassion.
Most of the police tactical sniper rifles are Remington Model 700's in .308 Win. and are usually topped with a tactically configured 3.5 - 10x Leupold scope? This combination is almost "industry standard".
I've yet to see one made in .30-06 Spring.
Maybe the cops know something we don't.
Life Memberships: NRA, GOA, CSSA, NFA, OFAH
CCW Permits: Utah, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine
The .308 Win.was designed as a military cartridge to work in full automatic firearms and is relatively short for its diameter I presume to minimize jamming in rapidly oscillating actions.
The .30-06 Springfield is somewhat longer in comparison with its diameter & looks like it might have more of a tendency to bind in semi or full automatic actions.
Of course Browning designed the military full automatic Browning Automatic Rifle (not the same as the civilian BAR) around the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
Has anyone actually detected an actual difference between the two cartridges in the field with regard to jamming in semi-automatic firearms?
My experience:
I had a Remington 742 Woodsmaster in .30-06 Springfield back in the 1970's that I was glad to dump because of jamming & feed problems.
My modern Remington 7400 that I just sold this spring was in .308 Win. and I've fired handloads & a dozen different brands of commercial ammo through it with 150 - 180 grain bullets & I can honestly say that the gun has NEVER jammed on a single occassion.
Most of the police tactical sniper rifles are Remington Model 700's in .308 Win. and are usually topped with a tactically configured 3.5 - 10x Leupold scope? This combination is almost "industry standard".
I've yet to see one made in .30-06 Spring.
Maybe the cops know something we don't.
Life Memberships: NRA, GOA, CSSA, NFA, OFAH
CCW Permits: Utah, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine
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Does that make you sure that only Remington 742s in 30.06 jammed, or is it possible that it was the rifle design, not the cartridge that was at fault? Weren't 7400s an improvement over 742s in every calibre, or do you have some reason for believing that it was only the .308 cartridge that saved your 7400 from being as bad as your 742?
The .308 cartridge was designed to duplicate the ballistic performance of the 30.06 at ranges that mattered in the vast majority of infantry combat engagements as understood at that time with a smaller cartridge principally because a smaller cartridge would allow more ammunition to be supplied for a given level of expenditure in logistic efforts, not because the 30.06 caused mechanical disfunction in weapons using it.
The .308 cartridge was designed to duplicate the ballistic performance of the 30.06 at ranges that mattered in the vast majority of infantry combat engagements as understood at that time with a smaller cartridge principally because a smaller cartridge would allow more ammunition to be supplied for a given level of expenditure in logistic efforts, not because the 30.06 caused mechanical disfunction in weapons using it.
The 308 was designed as a military cartridge as it is was shorter and lighter, thus you can carry more ammunition. That is one of the huge factors why the 5.56 was adopted over the 7.62 (308) in the standard replacement rifle. Not that the 308 was more accurate than the 30-06 or less prone to jamming.... its all about carrying more ammo.
