308 vs 30-06

[PeterPan]

.308 is militarized version of .30-06, maybe not exactly word for word, but .30-06 was a platform for designing shorter cartridge for their new rifle.
Difference is small, length of the action most notable.

 

[Gatehouse]

.308 is militarized version of .30-06, maybe not exactly word for word, but .30-06 was a platform for designing shorter cartridge for their new rifle.
Difference is small, length of the action most notable.

30-06 was a military cartridge long before the .308 came around.

 

[rookie wildcat]

.308 is militarized version of .30-06, maybe not exactly word for word, but .30-06 was a platform for designing shorter cartridge for their new rifle.
Difference is small, length of the action most notable.

What?? The .30-06 WAS a military cartridge!! Designed for the Springfield Service rifle. And designed off of the 8x57mm. It was also used throughout the US military until the 70's in machine guns, aircraft guns, sniper arms.
So, just how do you "militarize" a military cartridge?
The US was looking for another cartridge that would perform as well, but be lighter to carry. They got it in the 7.62 NATO. Although there were better cartridges in testing, they used their clout to force everyone (NATO signatories) to go to the 7.62x51mm NATO. This really pissed off other countries who were seriously looking at other rounds. Like Britain.
If you really want to get technical, the .308 is a "civilianized" version of a 7.62 NATO, because Winchester (who had the gov't contract) jumped the gun and produced the .308Win BEFORE the military switched to the 7.62NATO. Knowing full well that any cartridge popularized by the military would be picked up by the masses.