308 vs 30-06

Try this:
30/06. Winchester factory load. 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip. Muzzle velocity: 2900 FPS, Muzzle energy: 2801 Foot/pounds
308 Win. Winchester factory load. 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip, Muzzle velocity: 2810 FPS, Muzzle energy: 2629 Foot/pounds
Diff: 90 FPS & 172 foot/pounds at the muzzle.
Anyone trying to make a big case of one against the other is beating a pretty dead horse.
 
StoneHorse said:
Try this:
30/06. Winchester factory load. 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip. Muzzle velocity: 2900 FPS, Muzzle energy: 2801 Foot/pounds
308 Win. Winchester factory load. 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip, Muzzle velocity: 2810 FPS, Muzzle energy: 2629 Foot/pounds
Diff: 90 FPS & 172 foot/pounds at the muzzle.
Anyone trying to make a big case of one against the other is beating a pretty dead horse.
Click to expand...

Bingo.
 
I think main difference between them is not the cartdridge itself but the rifling of the gun it fires. Military had 30.06 (7.62x54) rifles with 1:10 twist rate while .308 (7.62x51) was 1:12. And this is the reason 30.06 is capable to better stabilize heavier bullets.

If you're not interested in shooting 200gr+ projectiles, I would stick to .308.
 
IMO The .308 is going to kick slightly less than the 30.06 and thus be somewhat easier to control the muzzle. Having said that though the difference is not that great and with practice both are excellent choices.
 
The answer is whatever cartridge you get the best deal on! Find a rifle you like for the price you want and that's the caliber you choose!

However the .308 is clearly superior due to the huge amount of surplus plinking ammo, the wide availability of brass- both plinking and precision and I have one. I don't have an '06, therefore it is crap!
 
to me the 308 is the best if sticking to 150 or maybe 165 grn but if you shoot 180 grn go with the 30 06. i shoot 150's in my 308's and only 180 in my 30 06. the 30 06 isn't all that efficent with the light weights and 308's don't have the capacity of hevey weights. pick the cartridge with the bullet you want and be happy. i like them both.
 
cartwheel said:
The answer is whatever cartridge you get the best deal on! Find a rifle you like for the price you want and that's the caliber you choose!

However the .308 is clearly superior due to the huge amount of surplus plinking ammo, the wide availability of brass- both plinking and precision and I have one. I don't have an '06, therefore it is crap!
Click to expand...

This. I could not decide between .308 or .30-06, found a 300WM in the model I wanted, used, low price, good condition, bought it.
 
.308Win versus .30/06. It will come down to your preference between both rifles, that is if you are looking at two used rifles, caliber is a given.

I like the carbine idea for the .308Win as stated by boomer from 16 to 20 inches, along with a little lighter and shorter action or if autoloading I like the 308Win. I feel that when using light for caliber bullets in short .30cal barrels, 125-150,.. this is where the .308Win really closes the gap on the '06 because the smaller case utlilizes the powders available and the smaller Expansion ratio more efficiently.

Now put the '06 in a 22,23,24 inch barrel, it makes for a slightly longer and somewhat elegant featherweight type rifle for larger game, Elk and Moose at medium ranges with the heavier bullets, for good section density and penetration way out there when the velocity is starting to wane..

Also in a HB precision type rifle, the .308Win is no slouch, when barrel lengths are not an issue, or where tight groups are expected.

As most here, I could list 50 things between them, but the gentleman who said the answer to .308Win or .30/06 is "Yes", pretty well sums up how I view both cartridges. I am a .308Win fanboy a little more, could you tell from my post.........:redface:

Maybe this quote will help you decide,....The .308Winchester does it all" or maybe this one,..." Nah,...you ain't got to be born out in the sticks, with an F-150 and a thirty-ought-six!

Good luck on picking what you like.:cool:
 
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...

I'll buy this out to 200, makes sense.
 
Like any tool it all depends on what you are doing with it as well as your knowledge and ability. There are some very skilled hunters killing responsibly out to 7-800 yards or more with .308.

You really have to know your stuff, have top shelf equipment and be very selective of what you're hunting but its done effectively all the time.

You are not going to do this with minimal hunting or shooting skills with just any ol' rifle, a cheap scope and ammo available from Canadian Tire.

The majority of stuff can be done with .308.

Now if I were taking out Mastodon's at 1200 yards I'd be looking at something other than a .308.
 
you'd be surprised at how quickly a pissed-off grizzly bear can cover 600 yards- that's why I have a 338
 
Well, I really don't have a dog in this fight. While I recognize the assets of the 308, I think much like Boomer.

If I have a 30-06, I will not be hunting with a 308. :) FWIW, I have not fired a factory round out of my 30-06 rifles in 25 years.

regards, Dave
 
Dakk said:
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.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Run a .308 in a Remington auto loader. Hits hard enough and with the shorter casing, cycles light and fast. Can find factory ammo anywhere for it as well.
 
legi0n said:
wow, you're right there with Chuck Hawks and Skeeter Skelton
308 became superior to 30-06 just because you bought more than one.
sheesh!
Click to expand...

Actually that can be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps Carmel has only one .30/06 because its so good, where as each .308 is lacking in some manner, so he keeps buying more in an attempt to find a good one.:stirthepot2:
 
legi0n said:
wow, you're right there with Chuck Hawks and Skeeter Skelton
308 became superior to 30-06 just because you bought more than one.
sheesh!
Click to expand...

For me it's the Holy grail rifle/caliber combo, evidently with so many rifle gurus around here, i may be dead wrong but still wont part from any of my 308, each are special and awsome... JP.:rockOn:
 
With a .30-06, I can push a 230gr Berger OTM at 2520fps with no pressure signs. With a 0.719 BC going at that speed, it is very good performance that's very similar to factory .300 Winchester Magnum.

If you reload the .30-06, you can use the increased case capacity to push a heavy, wind bucking bullet.
 
Norma Brass
Berger 230 OTM .719 BC
61gr H1000
WLRM Primer

2520fps Ditance to chronograph : 16 feet

Barrel length 24"


No pressure signs.


I can use RL25 to push beyond 2600fps but I prefer H1000 for temperature stability.



You can't get this kind of performance from a .308
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom