30-06 vs 308?

Though I prefer the 30-06, I would probably buy the 308, just because I would buy a case of ammo, and put in a lot more range time. I think the extra time and accuracy"muscle memory" would make up any perceived shortfall in terminal energy
 
While the .300 magnum is a kicker, I frankly can't tell the difference between a 7 mag and a .30/06 when loaded with 175s and 180s respectively and fired in similar rifles. That doesn't matter though, what does matter is that you understand your tolerance level and work within it without being beguiled by the fancy numbers on a ballistics table. I think if you chose a 150 gr TSX/TTSX which is dimensionally similar to a 180 gr lead core bullet, and load it to 2700 fps, you would have dealt effectively with the recoil issue, without compromising either trajectory or terminal performance, regardless of which .30 caliber cartridge you prefer. In a short light rifle, a .30/06 is obnoxious in both blast and recoil, where similar performance can be realized with the same bullet in a .308 without all the drama. I like the .30/06, but use it in a full sized rifle, and when more is appropriate, I need bigger not faster.

Thank you very very much for this info Boomer. I'll switch to the 150's and go 308 this yr with a smile on my face. I'll play with the 30-06 in the off season and see if I can tame it a little.
 
In case you're interested, 56gr H4350 with a 150 grain TTSX gave me 2650 fps out of a 30/06 Remington 760. That plus a Limbsaver recoil pad made it a very shootable gun for my dad who needed to lighten up the recoil.
 
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well, we all ain't a "HE-man" such as yourself! A lot of folks agree, myself included, that the 30-06 is at the high end of the max tolerable recoil level for most average shooters. I highly doubt that I'd like needlepoint (ouch, sounds like pain)! So, I'll stick to hunt'en with 30-06 and under, mostly under!


Nothing to do with "he-man" or macho or anything else. With a little practice at the range the .30/06 is not particularly unpleasant to fire. If someone doesn't want to put the time and effort in to become proficient with a .30/06 in a standard weight rifle, I feel they really aren't that interested in becoming a decent shooter. Many lesser rifles will do fine but the .30/06 is a really fine choice for all around big game hunting, from deer to black bear to moose.
 
I always tell friends who are new to firearms, it depends if your using the rifle for hunting only, or target shooting also. 30/06 is the better choice if your using the rifle for hunting only, because the selection of factory ammo is the better of the 2. However, if your planning on some target shooting, then 308 is better, because its more common with target shooters, because it is slightly more accurate when chambered in a premium target rifle. There is specific factory target 308 ammo available, which makes the rifle more accurate, when compared to regular hunting ammo. If your planning on reloading, then either cartridge will be pretty much as good as the other. You can reload 308 with heavy bullets, with similiar petformance compared to a 30/06, and you can reload 30/06 with accurate bullets that will make it as accurate as a 308, if fired from the same hunting rifle.

A 308 is more accurate of the two, but to see the difference, you would need to be using a precision target rifle, fired from a benchrest. 99% of people who shoot a 30/06 don't have the skill, experience, or need, to use a 308 for the slightly better accuracy......and 99% of hunters that deer or moose hunt with a 308 don't have the skill, experience, or need, to use a 30/06 for hunting with 220 gr bullets at 300 yards away. If anything, it is more a cost difference, because its cheaper to target shoot with 308, because you can buy bulk 308 ammo, and it uses less powder for reloaders, so a pound of powder loads more. 30/06 military surplus is rare, so it costs more to buy regular ammo, but 30/06 does have a slight advantage if its a jack of all trades hunting rifle, because of the greater variety of hunting ammunition....Yes 30/06 is the clear choice, if your hunting moose at 300+ yards over the 308, but if that is your primary reason buy a 30/06, then really a 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag is the caliber that best suits your needs.

Just curious, what is your reasoning that makes the 308 "...more accurate of the two." And "...because it is slightly more accurate when chambered in a premium target rifle..."
 
Nothing to do with "he-man" or macho or anything else. With a little practice at the range the .30/06 is not particularly unpleasant to fire. If someone doesn't want to put the time and effort in to become proficient with a .30/06 in a standard weight rifle, I feel they really aren't that interested in becoming a decent shooter. Many lesser rifles will do fine but the .30/06 is a really fine choice for all around big game hunting, from deer to black bear to moose.

lots do with the "He-man" talk, such as you have stated, the fact is, that many many many agree that the 30-06 is at the top end of tallorable recoil level for the average shooter, time & effort aside, top end is top end, go ahead and feel like you may, Mister He-man! Grow more hair on your chest! You're look'n more and more like the macho monkey himself! some of us are just not cut out to be the same monkey as you! I guess we'll just hafta stick to those lesser rifles that you mentioned!
 
Don't tell him about that little gem, 7-08.:evil:

lots do with the "He-man" talk, such as you have stated, the fact is, that many many many agree that the 30-06 is at the top end of tallorable recoil level for the average shooter, time & effort aside, top end is top end, go ahead and feel like you may, Mister He-man! Grow more hair on your chest! You're look'n more and more like the macho monkey himself! some of us are just not cut out to be the same monkey as you! I guess we'll just hafta stick to those lesser rifles that you mentioned!
 
Don't tell him about that little gem, 7-08.:evil:

not to worry, man! Hushed! I was shoot'en almost all day today! Tried out a bunch of hunting guns from the safe, looks like the dead on ones are 7mm-08's in my long legged gals for this yr's whitetail hunt, are: my Sako A7 and my Browning Micro Medallion in 7-08 are the winners! Runner's up are Micro's in 308 and 257Bob and BLR's in 308, 7-08, and again a Bob. Just gotta love those well under the max recoil short action cartridges! Don't need a chest full of hair for them! ;)
 
Okay, a lot of internet talk, nothing that I would call a factual compelling argument.

I guess you didn't take the time to read the books by this author. it's not internet talk, this man was around long before the internet happened! So, call it what ever you like! Dip your head in the sand, deeper!
 
No need to get snotty junior just because I don't drink the koolaid too. I did not read all opf those books and I doubt you did either.

Again the internet will tell you anything you wanrt it to.

If you pull your head out of your a$$ long enough read this link.


http ://riflemansjournal.########.ca/2011/04/cartridges-sibling-rivalry-308-vs-30-06.html
 
A factual compelling argument is...............................It doesn't matter!!! For all your hunting purposes in Canada either one will kill anything you go after, end of story!

If you miss, you don't get to eat or you get eaten, simple as that.The effective killing range of these chamberings is almost always beyond what the shooters capabilities really are.How often are you shooting at game that you have to hold over? How often are you shooting at game beyond 250 yards?
 
A factual compelling argument is...............................It doesn't matter!!! For all your hunting purposes in Canada either one will kill anything you go after, end of story!

If you miss, you don't get to eat or you get eaten, simple as that.The effective killing range of these chamberings is almost always beyond what the shooters capabilities really are.How often are you shooting at game that you have to hold over? How often are you shooting at game beyond 250 yards?

Exactly. Buy what you like, use it, enjoy it. I have both calibers, use both and like both. I also like the word bothLaugh2
 
It is a fact that the 30'06 greater case capacity means it can propel longer bullets at greater velocity.

This means 180gr cup 'n' core bullets or 165gr monolithic bullets.

Consider that in NB right now, the FEDERATION OF ANGLERS AND HUNTERS is pushing for legally mandated use of monolithic bullets and they are already recommended in their hunting regulations.

You can see that at some point in the future, they may be mandatory, whether we like it or not.

That being the case, the 30'06 has a tremendous advantage over the 308 as monolithic bullets generally require greater velocity than cup 'n' core bullets to expand properly and that is the 308's weakness.

Hell, even bullets like the ballistic tip hunting and the accubond are composed of 60% guilding metal and are therefore quite long.

There is no question, the 30'06 is simply a technically superior round. Ironically, despite being 106 years old, it is more future proof than the 308.
 
In a short light rifle, a .30/06 is obnoxious in both blast and recoil,

Thats going to depend a bit on powder choices. I've got a 20" twelve shot '06 that I'm playing with, muzzle blast is no different than my 24" and recoil is somewhere in between powder puff and thistle down. Varget and 165s if you're interested.
 
lots do with the "He-man" talk, such as you have stated, the fact is, that many many many agree that the 30-06 is at the top end of tallorable recoil level for the average shooter, time & effort aside, top end is top end, go ahead and feel like you may, Mister He-man! Grow more hair on your chest! You're look'n more and more like the macho monkey himself! some of us are just not cut out to be the same monkey as you! I guess we'll just hafta stick to those lesser rifles that you mentioned!

Just stating an opinion. No need to be snotty or start name-calling.
 
No need to get snotty junior just because I don't drink the koolaid too. I did not read all opf those books and I doubt you did either.

Again the internet will tell you anything you wanrt it to.

If you pull your head out of your a$$ long enough read this link.


http ://riflemansjournal.########.ca/2011/04/cartridges-sibling-rivalry-308-vs-30-06.html

Hey, thanks for your kind word! I'll check out your link as soon as possible. And by the way, I have read a lot of Ed's books and others over the decades. Won't ya even try a sip of the koolaid, please?
 
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