.30-06 vs. .308 vs. .338

[Golofomo]

Hey all,

I am looking at purchasing my first hunting rifle, but debating between .30-06, .308 and .338. I like the price, selection of grain size, and availability of ammunition of .30-06, but keep hearing good things of .308 and .338.

Would like any input.

Thanks

 

[LarryG]

I would pick the 308 then 30-06.
The 338 will have around 2x the recoil of the 308.
Of course you need to provide now about what you want to hunt
.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Any of those chamberings will work.

Don't get caught up in the hub-ub about this velocity vs that knockdown power vs that terminal performance BS.

Go and hold, fondle, caress a few rifles at a store, find the one that fits you and seems to balance and point easily in your grasp.Once you have a rifle that fits you recoil becomes less of an issues, especially in a hunting rifle.

Now you have one that fits you, now see what they have in stock.The only difference is that you may have a slightly shorter/lighter rifle in the .308.

You can pretty much just pick one at that stage.

Now if they have a rifle that fits you but only have it chambered in say , .270 or a .280 or a .338 federal, don't go saying no either.

A rifle that fits you and you shoot with confidence will be way more effective than something that doesn't fit and is uncomfortable to shoot no matter what the chambering.

 

[Home3]

If I had to own one rifle only, it would be a 30-06. Some think of it as Jack of all trades, master of none. I consider it the most useful/usable caliber in any gun safe.

 

[Canbill]

Snip....

A rifle that fits you and you shoot with confidence will be way more effective than something that doesn't fit and is uncomfortable to shoot no matter what the chambering.

Possibly the best 1 line piece of advice for the "what should i get" question i have ever read on here. This should be engraved above every gun store's gun rack. Took me a few ($$$) tries to figure this out.

 

[gunkle]

+1 To Kelly's comment.
The 30 caliber bullets are great - a lot of versatility. You can pickup 308 or 30-06 anywhere. My one recommendation is to stay away from 338WM (especially for now).
So - put your mind at ease.

Now, just focus on good, comfortable boots that will keep your feet warm and happy!

 

[sunray]

Hi. Kudos to Kelly about the fit of a rifle. It's essential, and not difficult to adjust yourself. A recoil pad will add about an inch or slightly less of LOP(Length of Pull). Cutting a stock(wood) is easily done with a mitre saw or box, then putting on a pad. So go find a rifle you like and feels comfortable, first.
The .30-06 and .308 are ballistically identical. Difference is about a half inch of case length and not much else. Velocities of the '06 are roughly 100 FPS faster with like bullet weights. Max bullet weight is normally 220 grains for the '06, 200 for the .308. Between the two the only thing you really need consider is what action length you prefer. Long or short? With either cartridge, a 165 grain hunting bullet will kill any game you care to hunt.
The .338, any of 'em, has excessive felt recoil, muzzle blast and noise. There's no game in North America that requires it, or any magnum, either.