308 vs 30-06

I had vaguely understood that the change from 30-06 to 308 was motivated by form factor rather than performance.

They do the same thing, but the 308 took advantage of a few more decades of developement to do it with a smaller case / shorter receiver.
 
Rayleigh_Scattering said:
I had vaguely understood that the change from 30-06 to 308 was motivated by form factor rather than performance.

They do the same thing, but the 308 took advantage of a few more decades of developement to do it with a smaller case / shorter receiver.
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But they didn't need a new cartridge. For what the military needed, a slightly modified .300 Savage with its short neck (military bullets have cannulars nearer the base than sporting bullets do) and modest powder capacity, when loaded to high pressure would have done the same thing as the larger .308, which was to drive a 150 gr bullet, and later 144 gr bullets, to 2700 fps.
 
Take your pick.

308 will have less recoil, cheaper to shoot, the rifle will weigh less and it will still kill any big game animal you want at reasonable distances.

30-06 will have more recoil, more expensive to shoot, rifle will weigh more, and it will kill any big game you want at a bit longer range than the 308.

I’d go 308 if not shooting over 450yds (which you probably aren’t)
 
Shhhh don’t let the hypocritical Leberals know about these abilities of the .30-06 and .308 out into the ignorant public. Kittens will die. Justard Turdeau will come after your hunti ...er I mean sniper rifles capable of bringing down a Boeing 747! :evil:

Okay seriously I load for both cartridges, my deer shot s are inside 100m here at WMU 47 , Ontario’s Pickerel River area....the 308 is always a reliable performer...

Shot placement , shot placement!

Cheers, Barney :wave:
 
Are you going to handload and are you interested in shooting military surplus and bulk steel cased ammo? If the answer to those questions are both no then I would flip a coin or decide what make and model of rifle I wanted and see which cartridge it was available in for the best deal.
.308 is easier to source bulk and military surplus ammo for if that appeals.
 
Like both, have both. Prefer my 30-06 for handloading as its much more capable when handloading to full capability. I don't buy surplus crap, so I don't care about the bulk ammo advantage. Rifle weight difference is like picking fly sh*t out of a jar of pepper.
 
The debate between these two could go on for ever with very little resolve. Kind of like arguing which is better a blond or brunette. Personally I would take the 30-06 as I have very successfully used one for the past 45 yrs.
 
In my Moose & Deer Hunting group we have: Two .338's, Two 7mm Mag, Two 30.06s, Two .270s., One 6.5X55 SE
All of us have 12 gauge Pump Shotguns, most of us have .22s for Grouse/Squirrel hunting too.
Not arguing...Most Der & Moose shots are 1 shot kills ( 100m or less usually).
 
mrgoat said:
The debate between these two could go on for ever with very little resolve. Kind of like arguing which is better a blond or brunette. Personally I would take the 30-06 as I have very successfully used one for the past 45 yrs.
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".308 or .30-06?" "Blonde or brunette?"

The correct answer is "Yes."
 
Short action equals 2oz of weight saving. If that makes a real world difference to you, perhaps hunting isnt your hobby.

Both push 30cal projectile, the 06 perhaps 150-200 ft/sec faster. Might not seem like much, but it is a real difference. The 30-06 is also a common line for many in recoil tolerance. Lighter projectile helps that. Personally i have never noticed recoil when shooting at game.
 
Emmerz24 said:
Going to be perchasing my first hunting rifle and want a versitile cartridge. White tail, mule deer as well as moose and elk. Leaning towards the 30-06 as it can fire heavier grain bullets for the larger game. Would love to get some input from the experience on this board.
Thanks
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Keep leaning towards the 30-06. Its probably the most versatile cartridge out there. The 30-06 is the jack of all trades, master of none. :)
 
After spending 23 years of playing with a host of cartridges I’m right back to where I started. The 30-06 is just so dam good you needn’t look any further. The options are endless with both the 308 and 06. I prefer the 06 case for heavier bullets. So I would say go the 30-06 route. But the 308 is no slouch either.
 
Emmerz24 said:
Going to be perchasing my first hunting rifle and want a versitile cartridge. White tail, mule deer as well as moose and elk. Leaning towards the 30-06 as it can fire heavier grain bullets for the larger game. Would love to get some input from the experience on this board.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Making a choice based on consensus of the board isnt always the way to go.
sgt.rock made a good argument for not going the 308.
My thoughts are the cost of ammo vs availability of ammo depending on where you live.
308 usually costs more $$ and availability and choice of bullets can be a concern.
I'm talking hunting choices and considerations.
From a re-loaders point of view the concerns are negligible.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
I'm very partial to the .308, always will be.

I like the compactness off it (compared to 30/06), I like more compact carbine type rifles.
The round does what I need it to do so no need (for me) to have one that does more than necessary (recoil, cost, size, weight etc.)

Also, have a great old American friend who fought in Rhodesia. We've spoke at length about the prowess of the .308 when it really counts. And he did A LOT of culling on ranches in his younger days with the 06'. Hands down his "one gun" choice would be a .308. I've been of the same opinion since before knowing him.

So there might be a bit of nostalgia there from him and my father but I've always loved the .308.
 
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