30-06 or .308 - Page 2

.22hustler · 03-13-2008, 10:58 AM

.308 in M88 Winchester.Owned it for 40 years.

rfc357 · 03-13-2008, 12:16 PM

ArkansasHunter, any bullet that can be used in a .30-06 can be used in a .308. However, in the heavier bullets, .308 performance is pretty weak.

andrew cochran · 03-13-2008, 12:18 PM

If you have a 30-06 stick with it.

vikingpreacher · 03-13-2008, 02:07 PM

.30-06 for me, hands down.

turner · 03-13-2008, 03:36 PM

These are my favorite 2 cartridges. I have over 15 rifles between the 2 calibers and enjoy using most all of them. If you had specified deer or deer sized game only in this comparison, I'd say a .308 is best. After all, it has what it takes to harvest any deer sized animal cleanly at ranges most hunters have no business shooting; certainly in excess of 500 yds with some loadings. It actually is, quite literally, a 30/06 when using light magnum loadings. If other, larger game, is to be considered as well, such as elk, moose, or large bear I'd opt for the 30/06 instead with it's ability to launch larger bullets and even having a 220gr loading available. And the '06 becomes a ballistic twin of the great old .300H&H when using light magnum loads. The .300H&H WAS the big boy in town before the .300 Win and Weath and .338 Win loadings were born. They are both very versatile and excellent performers.

utahvarminter · 03-13-2008, 04:44 PM

.308 is the same thing only a little smaller. The ballistics are too similar to me to justify 5 cents more a round at my local dealer.

Ron AKA · 03-13-2008, 05:14 PM

I've shot them both, and reloaded for both. However, I would not own either one, and for that reason did not vote. Much better cartridges out there to choose from. For competition target shooting, I can see someone buying a 308, but even there I would go for a smaller bore cartridge so the velocity can be kept up without getting punished with recoil.

Ron

Magnumsrule · 03-13-2008, 06:10 PM

Personally i would go with the 308. I dont think i will ever have a reason to own a 30-06. A 308 is at lest recoil mild and can be accurately sighted in for long ranges. The 30-06 is not my favourite cartridge. Just my opinion. I agree with ya ron.

jv101 · 03-13-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron AKA

I've shot them both, and reloaded for both. However, I would not own either one, and for that reason did not vote. Much better cartridges out there to choose from. For competition target shooting, I can see someone buying a 308, but even there I would go for a smaller bore cartridge so the velocity can be kept up without getting punished with recoil.

Ron

like what other smaller calibers?

Ron AKA · 03-13-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jv101

like what other smaller calibers?

Check out the 6mm cartridges at this site for BR competition. They are listed along the top and down the side. You can get a story on each. I would check them all out, but suspect I would likely end up in the 6mm range for a lot of target shooting.

6mmBR.com -- Best Guide to 6mm BR Rifle Shooting and 6BR Reloading

Ron

jv101 · 03-13-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron AKA

Check out the 6mm cartridges at this site for BR competition. They are listed along the top and down the side. You can get a story on each. I would check them all out, but suspect I would likely end up in the 6mm range for a lot of target shooting.

6mmBR.com -- Best Guide to 6mm BR Rifle Shooting and 6BR Reloading

Ron

ok thanks, not meaning to hijack anyones thread here.
just heading to the gun shop tomorrow and probably picking up a new toy (you guys have probably seen my thread) and im still not 100% sure on a caliber, i was leaning towards the .308, but started looking into the 7mm rem. mag. and still looking at other possibilities

Don357 · 03-13-2008, 10:00 PM

I have found that with factory loaded rounds with 150gr bullets, that there is only about a 100fps advantage with the .06. For comparable performance with half the pain I'll stick with my 2 .308's. 1 Stevens Model 200 bolt action, and 1 CETME 7.62x51.

Pumpkinheaver · 03-13-2008, 11:55 PM

Keep your .308, there is not enough difference to warrent the price of a new rifle. Now if your filthy rich or just have money to burn then go ahead and buy a '06.

Deep13 · 03-14-2008, 10:29 AM

I might lean towards 06 if I didn't already have a .30 cal. rifle. In a SHTF situtation, .308 might become unavailable due to police and military need for them.

jaeger · 03-14-2008, 04:37 PM

Thanks for all of the opinions fellas. I think I will just stick with my .308 for deer out to about 300 yds and past 300 I will get closer

. Went to the range yesterday with my brother in law again and he brought out his "hot .06 loads and I brought some warm .308, and I also brought my
"anti-BS O meter" (chronograph) His loads 2960fps. Mine 2891 with 150gr FMJ hornadys, and 48 gr of Varget. I love pulling the BS card and using it

dyeager535 · 03-14-2008, 05:00 PM

I didn't see it mentioned, but you and he were shooting identical bullets?

Doing some comparison, looks like at "max" loadings, same 150GR bullets, the 308/30-06 are very close in pressure, and the 30-06 is 150FPS faster at best.

With a 175gr bullet (next higher weight testing using identical bullets) the 30-06 is about 120FPS faster than the 308, but the big difference is in pressure...that is done with roughly 20% less in the 30-06. Still a lot more powder to do about the same thing.

At longer ranges the 30-06 is going to be "flatter shooting", but with a theoretical 150FPS difference at best, I'm guessing that's not really an issue, it can't be much flatter if the same bullet isn't moving at a significantly faster speed.

samuel · 03-14-2008, 05:25 PM

150fps is a significant difference.It is about 1.5" difference at 300yds and 3" at 400yds. sam.

jaeger · 03-14-2008, 06:27 PM

He was using a 175 gr.

jv101 · 03-14-2008, 06:34 PM

hunting id go with the 30-06 for target shooting id go with the .308
both are great rounds, pretty much cant go wrong w/ either of them for whatever your doing! i ended up going with a .308 (just picked it up today)

dyeager535 · 03-14-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaeger

He was using a 175 gr.

That should tell you something. 25 grain bullet going 100FPS faster is pretty significant. The speed somewhat, the weight a bunch. 10%+ increase in bullet weight with more velocity?

He was obviously way off on his speed, but you can't compare a 175 vs 150. Put a 150 over his same load (if safe) and it would likely be a heck of a lot faster than what you chrono'd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

150fps is a significant difference.It is about 1.5" difference at 300yds and 3" at 400yds. sam.

What is it at 1000? Some people apparently think the 308 is so great at that range, I suspect it drops a fair bit more if 400 is already a 3" difference.

I don't see any reason why a 30-06 or 308 has any better chance of being accurate than the other. Firing the same bullet (caliber and weight), given an equally well made platform, the accuracy potential is the same.

Recoil should be the same as well the way I see it...similar pressures, (sometimes less, sometimes more based on load) similar velocity, same bullet weight.

03-13-2008, 12:18 PM	#23
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,155	If you have a 30-06 stick with it. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-13-2008, 02:07 PM	#24
vikingpreacher Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 269	.30-06 for me, hands down. __________________ Join the cartridge comparisons group! http://gunandgame.com/forums/group.php?groupid=3

03-13-2008, 04:44 PM	#26
utahvarminter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 487	.308 is the same thing only a little smaller. The ballistics are too similar to me to justify 5 cents more a round at my local dealer. __________________ My Photo Album

03-13-2008, 06:10 PM	#28
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 593 Blog Entries: 2	Personally i would go with the 308. I dont think i will ever have a reason to own a 30-06. A 308 is at lest recoil mild and can be accurately sighted in for long ranges. The 30-06 is not my favourite cartridge. Just my opinion. I agree with ya ron. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE!

03-13-2008, 11:55 PM	#33
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,340	Keep your .308, there is not enough difference to warrent the price of a new rifle. Now if your filthy rich or just have money to burn then go ahead and buy a '06. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

View Poll Results: 30-06 or .308
.308	28	50.00%
.30-06	28	50.00%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

03-13-2008, 12:16 PM	#22
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	ArkansasHunter, any bullet that can be used in a .30-06 can be used in a .308. However, in the heavier bullets, .308 performance is pretty weak.

03-13-2008, 03:36 PM	#25
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	These are my favorite 2 cartridges. I have over 15 rifles between the 2 calibers and enjoy using most all of them. If you had specified deer or deer sized game only in this comparison, I'd say a .308 is best. After all, it has what it takes to harvest any deer sized animal cleanly at ranges most hunters have no business shooting; certainly in excess of 500 yds with some loadings. It actually is, quite literally, a 30/06 when using light magnum loadings. If other, larger game, is to be considered as well, such as elk, moose, or large bear I'd opt for the 30/06 instead with it's ability to launch larger bullets and even having a 220gr loading available. And the '06 becomes a ballistic twin of the great old .300H&H when using light magnum loads. The .300H&H WAS the big boy in town before the .300 Win and Weath and .338 Win loadings were born. They are both very versatile and excellent performers.

03-13-2008, 05:14 PM	#27
Ron AKA Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 704	I've shot them both, and reloaded for both. However, I would not own either one, and for that reason did not vote. Much better cartridges out there to choose from. For competition target shooting, I can see someone buying a 308, but even there I would go for a smaller bore cartridge so the velocity can be kept up without getting punished with recoil. Ron

03-13-2008, 10:00 PM	#32
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 272	I have found that with factory loaded rounds with 150gr bullets, that there is only about a 100fps advantage with the .06. For comparable performance with half the pain I'll stick with my 2 .308's. 1 Stevens Model 200 bolt action, and 1 CETME 7.62x51.

03-14-2008, 10:29 AM	#34
Deep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 203	I might lean towards 06 if I didn't already have a .30 cal. rifle. In a SHTF situtation, .308 might become unavailable due to police and military need for them. Last edited by Deep13; 03-14-2008 at 10:31 AM.

03-14-2008, 04:37 PM	#35
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 298 Images: 3	Thanks for all of the opinions fellas. I think I will just stick with my .308 for deer out to about 300 yds and past 300 I will get closer. Went to the range yesterday with my brother in law again and he brought out his "hot .06 loads and I brought some warm .308, and I also brought my "anti-BS O meter" (chronograph) His loads 2960fps. Mine 2891 with 150gr FMJ hornadys, and 48 gr of Varget. I love pulling the BS card and using it

03-14-2008, 05:00 PM	#36
dyeager535 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 52	I didn't see it mentioned, but you and he were shooting identical bullets? Doing some comparison, looks like at "max" loadings, same 150GR bullets, the 308/30-06 are very close in pressure, and the 30-06 is 150FPS faster at best. With a 175gr bullet (next higher weight testing using identical bullets) the 30-06 is about 120FPS faster than the 308, but the big difference is in pressure...that is done with roughly 20% less in the 30-06. Still a lot more powder to do about the same thing. At longer ranges the 30-06 is going to be "flatter shooting", but with a theoretical 150FPS difference at best, I'm guessing that's not really an issue, it can't be much flatter if the same bullet isn't moving at a significantly faster speed. Last edited by dyeager535; 03-14-2008 at 05:03 PM.

03-14-2008, 05:25 PM	#37
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	150fps is a significant difference.It is about 1.5" difference at 300yds and 3" at 400yds. sam.

03-14-2008, 06:27 PM	#38
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 298 Images: 3	He was using a 175 gr.

03-14-2008, 06:34 PM	#39
jv101 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 145	hunting id go with the 30-06 for target shooting id go with the .308 both are great rounds, pretty much cant go wrong w/ either of them for whatever your doing! i ended up going with a .308 (just picked it up today)