.308 or 30.06 ?

Factory hunting rifles chambered in the .308 usually have a 1:12 twist, which will stabilize any lead core bullet up to 200 grs or mono-metal bullet up to 180 grs. The .30/06 is usually, though not always, mated to a 1:10 twist, making it the better choice for 240 and 250 gr bullets or for very long VLDs like the Berger and Matrix 210s. Even when stabilized, the bullet which spins fastest often penetrates deepest on a large game animal, because the effects of precession (yaw) on impact are more quickly recovered from due to the faster rotational velocity. The shorter .308 has a slight advantage when compared to a rifle with a barrel of equal length chambered in .30/06. Because a loaded .308 cartridge is a half inch shorter, it's barrel is effectively a half inch longer that the .30/06, so if both cartridges were loaded to equal pressure, with the same powder, under the same 150 gr bullets, the bullet out of the .308 "might" be a hair faster. Once bullet weight exceeds 165 grs, the .308 can't keep up to the '06. If both cartridges were only loaded with 150 gr bullets, there would be no advantage to the .30/06. A .308 short action rifle will usually be lighter and handier than the long action rifle required for the .30/06. As you can see, attempting to make an argument of the superiority of one cartridge over the other is much a matter of semantics.

Stewart Edward White, one of the most superb practical marksmen ever to carry a rifle, spent months hunting in Africa . With his custom 1903 Springfield, he took game up to the bulk of eland, about a ton, and most recorded kills were one shot affairs. He accounted for dozens, if not hundreds, of head of game as he was providing the camp meat for a large number of men. His load was the contemporary 150 gr FMJ bullet at 2700 fps, the only load available early in the 20th Century. Today, a 150 gr TSX or TTSX could be loaded to nearly 2900 fps in a .308. This performance could be realized from a shorter, lighter, handier rifle, and would shoot flatter and prove even more effective on similar game than the old military load. If a short .308 rifle was acquired with a 1:10 barrel, there would be little need for anything else in a light rifle, although many cartridges work within the same performance envelope. Still, the .30/06 is my favorite light rifle cartridge. I prefer the look and feel of a long bolt action over a short one, even if the barrel is abbreviated, and the '06 cartridge is just too good to be bettered by the shorter upstart.:)
 
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Thanks, sweet info fellows.

bearkilr said:
That's a good price especially with that scope, if it's in decent shape. Bring a flashlight and shine it down the bore to see if it's shiny or has dark spots which could mean rust or pitting, but could be just dirt, so if possible clean it first. If the bore is in good shape you have a heck of a deal. Even so, the scope alone is probably worth about $200.

The gun has what's known as a "blind mag" and is actually pretty common.
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Thank ou very much for your information on this rifle, we bought it! It was not only in great shape, no rust, little wear, but like YOU suggested.. I had them clean the bore, and it was mint in there, like NEW!

Only thing against this rifle, was the matte syn stock grabs and hold dirt better than most, so looked dirty & really used. Now have to figure out best way to CLEAN the mess. Open to some good experience here as I have never let a gun of mine ever get like this.

Lastly, we have 12% tax here, so I asked them to include the tax, and they DID! SO we bought it for around $274:D:!:D! I think this will be a very good starter gun fr my son once it is all clean up that is lol.... now I am only conflicted in whether I should swap his rifle for his mate Bushnell 4200 mint scope, for my glossy Bush 3200? hmm that is a tough one lol.

Thanks.
 
I have both 308's and 30-06's, and have hunting with them for many many years...I really can't say I prefer one to the other. :)
 
Gemblaster said:
Thank ou very much for your information on this rifle, we bought it! It was not only in great shape, no rust, little wear, but like YOU suggested.. I had them clean the bore, and it was mint in there, like NEW!

Only thing against this rifle, was the matte syn stock grabs and hold dirt better than most, so looked dirty & really used. Now have to figure out best way to CLEAN the mess. Open to some good experience here as I have never let a gun of mine ever get like this.

Lastly, we have 12% tax here, so I asked them to include the tax, and they DID! SO we bought it for around $274:D:!:D! I think this will be a very good starter gun fr my son once it is all clean up that is lol.... now I am only conflicted in whether I should swap his rifle for his mate Bushnell 4200 mint scope, for my glossy Bush 3200? hmm that is a tough one lol.

Thanks.
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First off, congratulations on your purchase.... that is a smoking deal you got there..... secondly, 30-06 is a great calibre with many bullet weights available.... I own both 308 and aught 6 and if I had to choose one it would be the aught 6 for this reason...

Finally, ignore those saying this thread should be closed etc..... they are the same people that would be telling you to search for it if you started a new one.....

Enjoy your purchase and good luck to you this season...
 
The debate of the .308, 30-06, .270 and to a lesser level the 6.5x55 Sw is a debate that may be one of the only real fist fighters in the gun community I would shoot both and then make my choice from what works for me that I am most comfortable with.
 
OP is new to guns and hunting. Go .308 and dont spend 2500 on your first gun. Once you get used to it try out a 30-06 and see if you like the recoil.
 
I am a fan of the 308 based cartridges but as the late Jeff Cooper said "There ain't many troubles that a man can't fix with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."
David
 
I have/had both, and still like the 30-06 better in a bolt action hunting rifle. It also handles heavier projectiles better.
But if you really want a great all-rounder with softer recoil and excellent ballistics, look at a 7mm-08 or its classy older cousin the 7x57. 6.5x55 is also a wonderful calibre as I have so learned.
New to guns? Look for a quality used one.
 
.30-06 is better for everything. The. 308 is only better if you have to physically carry 500 rounds of it on your person. My 2 cents.
 
I have both and like them equally.
When it comes to target shooting the 308s get the nod and when its time to put meat in the freezer the 30-06 is the choice..
 
my take is if wanting to shoot 150 to 165 grn bullets use the 308. if wanting to shoot 165 to 180 grn go with the 30 06. there very close but the 30 06 is better with the heavier bullets. or you can do what i do own both it solves the delema.
 
If those are the only two choices then I would go with the 30-06, but only because I handload. If you are buying factory then 308.
I hunt with a 7mm Remington mag for the power of a 30-06 with the trajectory of a 270.
If cost of ammunition is a bother then shoot current military stuff (308) and buy a surplus rifle. This would make you a hunter more than a shooter.
There is nothing wrong with that.
 
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