308 vs 30-06

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marlinspiker

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OK guys first off I did do a search and found nothing related so if there is a previous thread on this just re-direct me.

I hope I am not d:h: but:

I am looking for opinions on 30-06 and .308. Which would be the better all round rifle that could be used for deer, elk and moose?
I am also considering cost and ammunition availability.
 
There both very good cartridges. I prefer the 308 win, because when i reload my ammo i dont waste as much poweder and i get about the same preformance.

Its your choice. Both of them are AAA+++
 
I have both ,the 30.06 performs better when the bullet exceeds 180 grain, and there are more rounds available in commercial loads.. Short of that, its preference. If you shoot 150s, there is no difference at all.
 
In my extremely humble opinion. Either one is an excellent all around round. The .30-06 does carry a bit more energy and that really becomes a factor at 3-400 yards. Inside 200 yards there both hard hitting pretty close. If you do your part (shot placement) either round will drop anything in North America, bottom line. The-06 does have a better selection for factory ammo. You can't go wrong with either, I use a .308 and my son just bought a 30-06.

Find the right rifle for you, if you are between those two calibers, finding a rifle will be easier because either caliber is the right one. Buy one, shoot lots, you'll be fine. Good luck
 
What did the Rock used to say??

"IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!!!!"

If you are looking for a new rifle, take that one that is comfortable in your hands, if it is between two that are the same but different chamberings, flip a coin!
 
In standard factory loads with bullets of 180grs or less they are so close it's not worth splitting hairs over! With handloads and bullets of 180grs or heavier the .30-06 leaves the .308 wanting!
 
The .308 case is 51mm and the 30-06 case is 63mm but they both fire the same bullet and the diameter of the shells are both 12mm so the 30-06 is 12mm better than the .308. In my opinion, the .308 is a highly over-rated round that all first time rifle buyers, including myself, tend to get when they realize the only thing going for it is it’s cheaper to shoot then most full size rifle rounds. Not saying I hate the round its very accurate and I actually really like the round in a Norinco M14 and I really like it’s little brother, the .243 or 6x51mm. But some annoying .308 lovers with argue with you until their face turns blue that its the king of all rounds and its about at annoying as listening to a glock fan go off about how glock is the only pistol in the world and no other pistol exists. In a bolt action hunting rifle for deer and elk, I’d rather get a .270win or a 6.5x55.
 
Mistake the bong water for juice???


M'aiq the Liar said:
The .308 case is 51mm and the 30-06 case is 63mm but they both fire the same bullet and the diameter of the shells are both 12mm so the 30-06 is 12mm better than the .308. In my opinion, the .308 is a highly over-rated round that all first time rifle buyers, including myself, tend to get when they realize the only thing going for it is it’s cheaper to shoot then most full size rifle rounds. Not saying I hate the round its very accurate and I actually really like the round in a Norinco M14 and I really like it’s little brother, the .243 or 6x51mm. But some annoying .308 lovers with argue with you until their face turns blue that its the king of all rounds and its about at annoying as listening to a glock fan go off about how glock is the only pistol in the world and no other pistol exists. In a bolt action hunting rifle for deer and elk, I’d rather get a .270win or a 6.5x55.
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308 / 30-06

I don't believe in the game fields, there is a whit of difference in these two cartridges. The difference is more the platforms for the 2 cartridges. The 308 lends itself to a nice short action short barreled little woods carbine (just bought one in a Ruger 77 RSI) while the '06 in it's longer action and working better with a slightly longer barrel lends itself more to a full size rifle. IMHO

This was also the thinking of the US military in 1952 when they switched from the '06 to the 308, shorter lighter rifles.
 
It really doesnt matter which one you get

I had the same question over a year ago - BUT IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER WHICH YOU GET ..because once you get one you will want to get another rifle in a different caliber & then another & then ...... sigh. They told me this would happen but I didnt believe them. :redface: I started with Husky 7x57, then I needed 2 12 gauges, 270 wsm, 22LR, then 300 Wby mag, then 270, then my SBEII, then a 308 and now 30-06 but I think I still need a 257 Wby ... You will NEED a bolt action, a lever action, a Semi ... and then you will need back up guns ... just in case Laugh2
 
The best comparison I ever heard was the 30-06 is 6% faster, but uses 17% more powder as an average comparison given the same bullet weight.

One day when Iam bored I will get out the calculator and check.
 
M'aiq the Liar said:
The .308 case is 51mm and the 30-06 case is 63mm but they both fire the same bullet and the diameter of the shells are both 12mm so the 30-06 is 12mm better than the .308. In my opinion, the .308 is a highly over-rated round that all first time rifle buyers, including myself, tend to get when they realize the only thing going for it is it’s cheaper to shoot then most full size rifle rounds. Not saying I hate the round its very accurate and I actually really like the round in a Norinco M14 and I really like it’s little brother, the .243 or 6x51mm. But some annoying .308 lovers with argue with you until their face turns blue that its the king of all rounds and its about at annoying as listening to a glock fan go off about how glock is the only pistol in the world and no other pistol exists. In a bolt action hunting rifle for deer and elk, I’d rather get a .270win or a 6.5x55.
Click to expand...

What are your thoughts on the 30/06?:rolleyes:
 
dgradinaru said:
There both very good cartridges. I prefer the 308 win, because when i reload my ammo i dont waste as much poweder and i get about the same preformance.

Its your choice. Both of them are AAA+++
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:agree:

I have both. I am a handloader. I have a Weatherby Carbine and M14 in 308. In 30-06, I have a Savage 111 and a Ruger 1A.

My story, I find that I use the 308 for 150 gr bullets. Less powder. However for the 180 and 220 grainers, I use the 30-06. they just perform better.

Now for the anomaly. The 165 grain, really shines in my 30-06 and is my goto load for this caliber (Elk/Moose). For Black Bear I use the 180 grain.

The 308 will do the same job, and those are my truck guns, my kick arounds, because they will do the job at closer range. This is my opinion and experience.
 
fiddler said:
I have both ,the 30.06 performs better when the bullet exceeds 180 grain, and there are more rounds available in commercial loads.. Short of that, its preference. If you shoot 150s, there is no difference at all.
Click to expand...

VLT79 said:
In standard factory loads with bullets of 180grs or less they are so close it's not worth splitting hairs over! With handloads and bullets of 180grs or heavier the .30-06 leaves the .308 wanting!
Click to expand...

Bingo; we have some winners!!

30/06 light = can
30/06 heavy = can
308 light = can
308 heavy = fail
For an all around hunting rifle (especially if your in the land of big bears) it is nice to have options so the answer is kind of easy really.
 
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