308 vs 30-06

TheTooner said:
To the question ".308 or .30-06?" the answer is "yes".
Click to expand...

Bingo!

If you shoot bullets of 150 grs or lighter, the .308 has the advantage, particularly when chambered in a short action rifle. As bullet length and weight increases, the advantage of the .308 diminishes, at 180 grs the '06 proves superior in rifles with equal barrel lengths, and when loaded with bullets in excess of 200 grs, the .308 is completely outclassed, unless you lug around a rifle with 30" of barrel, and have the chamber throat cut long so you can seat the bullet so as not to intrude in the powder capacity of the short case. I have a fast twist .308 like that, it makes nearly 2700 fps with a 210 gr VLD, but it weighs 20 pounds when equipped with scope, sling, and bi-pod.

IMHO, the .308 sporting rifle is at it's best in a carbine length, mountain rifle configuration. Light to mid weight bullets have sufficient velocity to produce pleasingly flat trajectories, and their terminal performance is prudent for the medium sized game. Conversely, the .30/06 is at it's best with a 22"-24" barrel, and will tend to weigh in the 7-8 pound range. Combining long, heavy for caliber bullets with a high density propellant means that a long bullet can be seated without diminishing the powder capacity of the long case, resulting in terminal performance suitable for game heavier than is usually considered typical for a moderate .30 caliber rifle. This certainly is substance over fluff, but the advantage is lost on the typical Canadian hunter who views a moose as heavy game.

The advantage of the .30/06 is lost to the .300 magnums, and the advantage of the .308 is lost to the 7.62X39 chambered mini-Mauser. But either cartridge has sufficient overlap to provide suitable performance across a wide range of big game hunting scenarios, and that is the light in which each should be considered.
 
Last edited:
Boomer said:
Bingo!

If you shoot bullets of 150 grs or lighter, the .308 has the advantage, particularly when chambered in a short action rifle. As bullet length and weight increases, the advantage of the .308 diminishes, at 180 grs the '06 proves superior in rifles with equal barrel lengths, and when loaded with bullets in excess of 200 grs, the .308 is completely outclassed, unless you lug around a rifle with 30" of barrel, and have the chamber throat cut long so you can seat the bullet so as not to intrude in the powder capacity of the short case. I have a fast twist .308 like that, it makes nearly 2700 fps with a 210 gr VLD, but it weighs 20 pounds when equipped with scope, sling, and bi-pod.

IMHO, the .308 sporting rifle is at it's best in a carbine length, mountain rifle configuration. Light to mid weight bullets have sufficient velocity to produce pleasingly flat trajectories, and their terminal performance is prudent for the medium sized game. Conversely, the .30/06 is at it's best with a 22"-24" barrel, and will tend to weigh in the 7-8 pound range. Combining long, heavy for caliber bullets with a high density propellant means that a long bullet can be seated without diminishing the powder capacity of the long case, resulting in terminal performance suitable for game heavier than is usually considered typical for a moderate .30 caliber rifle. This certainly is substance over fluff, but the advantage is lost on the typical Canadian hunter who views a moose as heavy game.

The advantage of the .30/06 is lost to the .300 magnums, and the advantage of the .308 is lost to the 7.62X39 chambered mini-Mauser. But either cartridge has sufficient overlap to provide suitable performance across a wide range of big game hunting scenarios, and that is the light in which each should be considered.
Click to expand...

...please explain to me how the 7.62x39 has an advantage over the .308??
 
Lexthedestroyer said:
...please explain to me how the 7.62x39 has an advantage over the .308??
Click to expand...

With bullet weights from 125-150 grs, a 7.62X39 mini-Mauser is appropriate for use on the same sized game as the .308, but due to it's smaller action, its potentially a lighter, handier, quicker to use package, while producing less recoil, for those sensitive about such things.
 
.308 vs .30-06

Pepsi vs coke

Ford vs chev

Cessna vs piper

McDonalds vs Burger King

Pauley Shore vs Carrot Top...


The epic battles continue.
 
Boomer said:
With bullet weights from 125-150 grs, a 7.62X39 mini-Mauser is appropriate for use on the same sized game as the .308, but due to it's smaller action, its potentially a lighter, handier, quicker to use package, while producing less recoil, for those sensitive about such things.
Click to expand...


Not for this cat. 7.62x39 will always be a few steps under .308.
 
The main advantage of the .308/7.62x51 is that it works better through semi-auto actions.

However I am a big fan of the .308. If I want more power out of a rifle, I'd go to a larger caliber...8mm, .338, 35 Whelan, .375 Ruger....you get the idea. But if I could have only one rifle for hunting, the .30-06 would be a compelling choice.
 
Among some of the other points raised, I've heard that choosing .308 probably offers the better selection of various 'off the shelf' cartridges, but 30-06 is often preferred by people who load their own cartridges; one of the reasons being that the longer 30-06 casing offers more room for powder. Thanks to the shorter casing body, .308 rifles allow for a shorter action.
 
if we really wanted to play ball, forget the 308 and go to the 30/284- that way you can both the short action and the higher velocity
 
The difference between the two are so miniscule that it's not every worth auguring about. To me if I'm going to shot a bullet from 150 to 168, I load my 308. If I'm going to load 180 and above, I load my 300WM. No need for me to own a 30-06.
 
Not sure if anyone posted this, but here's the muzzle energy of both:

.308 - 2297 ft/lbs
30-06 - 3178 ft/lbs

others if you want to step it up...

7mm Remington Ultra Mag - 3682 ft/lbs
.300 Win Mag - 3893 ft/lbs
.338 Win Mag - 4077 ft/lbs
.338 Lapua Mag - 4768 ft/lbs
 
of course , you fail to mention the TEN grains of powder it takes to make that difference, plus when you step up to the 300 mag, you LOSE 2 rounds capacity-and if i'm going to use something in the 300 mag case length, and the 75gr+of powder, i'm also going to step up to the 338 win mag, gain 50 grains more bullet weight for roughly the same velocity- as afar as i'm concerned, and I've said this on here many times, it's all a matter of speed and effective range- for me,save the 25-50 grains of powder, use a lighter rifle. I can stalk 50 yards closer , and carry the two extra rounds - THAT'S what the 308 does for you
 
Last edited:
DarkSkyx said:
Not sure if anyone posted this, but here's the muzzle energy of both:

.308 - 2297 ft/lbs
30-06 - 3178 ft/lbs

others if you want to step it up...

7mm Remington Ultra Mag - 3682 ft/lbs
.300 Win Mag - 3893 ft/lbs
.338 Win Mag - 4077 ft/lbs
.338 Lapua Mag - 4768 ft/lbs
Click to expand...

I think that your .308 muzzle energy value needs to be re-checked. This number seems to be the typical energy of the round at 200 yards, not at the muzzle. I think.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom