Hunting Rifle - .30-06 vs .308 WIN

I prefer the 308 for target shooting / Deer hunting because of the availability of inexpensive milsurp ammo. I picked up Norinco steel case ammo for 50 cents per round. Do more shooting for cheap.
 
Of the two rifles mentioned the Thompson Center Venture .30-06 is the more practical all around hunting rifle for most people. The Savage you mentioned is a bit heavy for most people to carry long distances or in the mountains, the Thompson Center will be a bit handier. Either the .308 or .30-06 cartridge would be suitable for the purpose, I personally prefer the 30-06 for a general purpose hunting rifle and the .308 for a target rifle.



Most importantly ignore the inane and boringly repetitive argument which will occupy most of this thread about whether the .308 or the 30-06 is better. If possible handle both rifles and pick whichever feels best to you.
 
I know this is the age of Lightweight Rifles & Lightweight Kit, but I have no problem carrying a bull barrel rifle on certain hunts or when set up in a stand.
Prefer 308, always have, always will, the Savage 10TR would be my choice, cheers
 
No brainer. What calibre/rifle combo do you shoot the best?

The rest is spoke & mirrors, good ol' boy hot stove league talk.
 
In factory ammo, they are darned near identical, but the '06 can take a heavier bullet. However, that was more of an advantage 50 years or so ago. A modern premium 180-190 gr. bullet is probably more lethal than a 220 gr. bullet of a generation ago. If you handload, you can get 300 H&H performance from the '06. The 308, being a short action, makes for a more compact rifle, all else being equal. Now, of the 2 rifles you mentioned, both are excellent choices, with very different attributes. The TC would be a better bet if you are going to be trekking a lot, whereas the Savage would be excellent for stand hunting or long range hunting.
 
T/C by a mile, not because of calibre. About two hours ago I just finished mounting a scope on my 10TR that I picked up on Boxing Day. For the brief time I was holding it up to make sure the scope was where it was supposed to be before I tightened everything down, the thought "Glad this is only a target rifle" passed through my mind more than once. It would get quite tiresome lugging that around all day.

The Ventures and even more so the Icons seem to punch well above their class. Every one I've seen is a shooter!
 
For hunting I think the thompson is the better choice because it's lighter and 30-06 gives good commercial hunting loads on the heavier side. But between 308 and 30-06 there is not much difference.
 
If I was buying new I'd probably look at a .308.
If used, an old HVA/Parker Hale in 30-06. Lots around and are nice rifles.
 
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