.308 vs. 30-06

[nathangdad]

. . . is the trump card here but, personally, I prefer the .30-06 to the .308.
In this case the gun you shoot with the greater accuracy is the gun you should take
to the field.

Good luck and good hunting.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

Myself and a dealer friend actually did this as an experiment. We fired over 20 7.62 nato cartridges through an old 30-06 M98 mauser action & barrel bolted to a bench. Accuracy at 25 yards was same as the 30-06. No signs of any damage to the action (but it was an M98 action so no surprises there), no signs of over pressure on the cartridge case. The case looked interesting afterwards though, the neck & shoulder had expanded all the way out to the chamber dimensions, looked a bit like a tapered strait walled cartridge case if you get my drift.

If my life depended on it, I would possibly try it, otherwise there's no way I would hold onto a rifle and try it!!

Did you use a hammer to get the bolt back in battery?Since the ,06 cartridge is .441" at the shoulder and the .308 is .454,it sounds like a very tight fit and would require extreme effort to chamber a .308 in an ,06 chamber.I just tried it with a resized but empty case and there is no way you can chamber one just by pushing on the bolt handle.To others,even if it is true that someone actually did this which I doubt,it would be a very unsafe and dangerous thing to do.If you tried it while shouldering the rifle,the very least you could expect is a face full of hot gasses and powder.The worst could be a real disaster with extreme bodily injury or death.As to accuracy,moving the bullet that far from the riflings would make accuracy impossible and since the bullet is still back in the ,06 chamber when it leaves the mouth of the case,the gasses would shoot by the bullet,making for a very low pressure and possibly tipping the bullet so it couldnt start down the bore.At any rate it is flat dangerous and I dont know why anyone would want to post something like this,taking a chance that someone might try it and be unjured,even if it is true.I do know it would take considerable effort to chamber a .308 in an ,06. sam.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by samuel

Did you use a hammer to get the bolt back in battery?Since the ,06 cartridge is .441" at the shoulder and the .308 is .454,it sounds like a very tight fit and would require extreme effort to chamber a .308 in an ,06 chamber.I just tried it with a resized but empty case and there is no way you can chamber one just by pushing on the bolt handle.To others,even if it is true that someone actually did this which I doubt,it would be a very unsafe and dangerous thing to do.If you tried it while shouldering the rifle,the very least you could expect is a face full of hot gasses and powder.The worst could be a real disaster with extreme bodily injury or death.As to accuracy,moving the bullet that far from the riflings would make accuracy impossible and since the bullet is still back in the ,06 chamber when it leaves the mouth of the case,the gasses would shoot by the bullet,making for a very low pressure and possibly tipping the bullet so it couldnt start down the bore.At any rate it is flat dangerous and I dont know why anyone would want to post something like this,taking a chance that someone might try it and be unjured,even if it is true.I do know it would take considerable effort to chamber a .308 in an ,06. sam.

Well doubting Sam, It is true, I did do this and I'll do it again in a few weeks time and take pictures next time as I still have the 3006 barrelled action.

No I did not require a hammer to close the bolt, heel of hand was sufficient. if you have tried to chamber a 7.62 nato in a .3006 and found it difficult, I believe you must have a fairly tight chamber; then again you may be right but it was an old Columbian action I was using.
Let's hear what some of the other guys have to say....come on guys, how many of you can get a dummy .308 into a 3006 chamber?

On your shoulder size specifications you are correct but bear in mind that a 7.62 cartridge in a 3006 chamber the shoulder is at least 10mm further back in the chamber so maybe some of our readers will mike up a 3006 case at 39.62mm from the base and tell us what it comes in at, which is where the 7.62 shoulder would be.

As for tipping the bullet etc, well, we fired over 20 rounds with no problems and patterned nicely at 25 yards.

I concurr on your views on safety and would not advise anyone to try this;

[Bravo]

The 30-06 shoots a wider range of bullet weights. It also can be purchased much cheaper in bulk, and is better for practice.

I like the 30-06, but the .308 has proven itself to be an amazing cartridge, and will do everything you need for game up to elk size.

[LakerDad]

My love for the .30-06 came long before I got my Mauser action on a Bishop walnut stock w/USA customed barrel built in the 1930's. The cartridge is the base to many other fine cartridges [243, 257 Roberts, 22-250, 270, 280, 308, 25-06, this about half , I can't remember them all] so many fine bullets to choose from to do a wide range of shooting. I have recently obtain a .308 [7.62x51] in a CETME. I like both calibers for what I have. It's hard to NOT like both cartridges...
Just to add fuel to the subject of shooting different cartridges in guns. I remember an adaptor that twists into the chamber of the .30-06 so one can shoot .308 ammo. A broken shell extractor would be used to remove said adaptor. For a view of items that has been made to shoot different round see MCA Sports: Chamber Adapters, Inserts and Cast Bullets, Our Home Page! [.30 carbine out of the .30-06 and .308/.22 mag out of .223 etc.] I don't suggest anyone doing this, that is left for those on their own who like to "experiment" or dable in the unknown, another reason for the Darwin Awards in some cases. or buyer beware!
They have adaptors to shoot the 7.62x39 out of the .30-06 and .308 and the adaptor to shoot the .308 out of the .30-06.
Don't worry, I don't do this stuff, I just find it interesting to read about unusal inventions. I have no need to shoot the wrong stuff out of my guns. I like my guns just the way they are, unharmed and still shooting

[wunhunglo]

Well LakerDad, Thanks for that, I'd forgotten about those adaptors; supports my point about the 7.62/308 fitting into the 30-06 chamber doesn't it?

Samuel..........na na ne na na!

[samuel]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

Well LakerDad, Thanks for that, I'd forgotten about those adaptors; supports my point about the 7.62/308 fitting into the 30-06 chamber doesn't it?

Samuel..........na na ne na na!




I wasn't going to comment on the matter of first,doing something stupid,and worse,posting it in this thread so others might read it and try it and be injured,possibly seriously.One of the more emphasized safety warnings publicised is,never fire a cartridge in any chamber that is not specified for that cartridge.You not only broke a very important safety rule,you got on here and bragged about doing something stupid,you advocate that others can do the same stupid act safely,thereby risking the chance that your bragadosio statement may injure or kill another fellow shooter.It is aparent that you do not care or worry about the safety and well being of others,but I do.Did you ever stop and think(not one of your better accomplishments)that even if someone might get away with it in .308/.30-06 combo,it might lead them to try it in a more dangerous combo.Why do you care so little for your fellow shooters?I really feel sorry for you,not just for endangering yourself and many others,but for the fact that you think it is smart and compound it by bragging about it on this forum.I hope and pray no one is injured or killed by your stupidity in posting this very unsafe endeaver. sam.

[jimkim]

I had forgotten all about those inserts. Do they still make the insert for the FR-7 so you can fire 7.62X39mm in it? How about one to re-chamber to .300 savage.

[Ferroflame]

You would think that the 30-06 would have more inertia, making it more suitable for larger game, am I right?

More stoping power...

I plan on getting a Remington Model 700 in 30-06. I'ma use what we've been using for 102 Years. I think it's proven itself worthy. Haha.

They're both very good. The Military uses both. At least I think they do... have they completely stopped using the 30-06? Hrm...

If I've spelled anything wrong, I'm sorry. I don't have Firefox on this computer.

[M14man]

I have done it in-advertantly. About 20 years ago, I took an '03 Springfield and a M1A to a sand pit. I set up in prone and was using the '03 on a target set about 40 yards away and checking my progress with a spotting scope. I was getting about 1" groups when my next shot fell about 4" low. I thought to myself,"What the heck?" When I ejected the case I thought the neck had sheared off and was stuck in the chamber. When I inspected the head, I discovered that I had chambered and shot a .308. There was no escape of gas, no perceived difference in the shot at all except for it's low impact. As I recall, I did not have trouble closing the bolt. Apparantly the case sealed preventing any blow-by to the rear. I was lucky there. I now make doublely sure not to run the chances of that occuring again. I saved the shell as I do all my Uh-ohs. On the left is a .308, the case discussed is in the middle, and a 30:06 is on the right.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

Myself and a dealer friend actually did this as an experiment. We fired over 20 7.62 nato cartridges through an old 30-06 M98 mauser action & barrel bolted to a bench. Accuracy at 25 yards was same as the 30-06. No signs of any damage to the action (but it was an M98 action so no surprises there), no signs of over pressure on the cartridge case. The case looked interesting afterwards though, the neck & shoulder had expanded all the way out to the chamber dimensions, looked a bit like a tapered strait walled cartridge case if you get my drift.

If my life depended on it, I would possibly try it, otherwise there's no way I would hold onto a rifle and try it!!

From Samuel

I wasn't going to comment on the matter of first,doing something stupid,and worse,posting it in this thread so others might read it and try it and be injured,possibly seriously.One of the more emphasized safety warnings publicised is,never fire a cartridge in any chamber that is not specified for that cartridge.You not only broke a very important safety rule,you got on here and bragged about doing something stupid,you advocate that others can do the same stupid act safely,thereby risking the chance that your bragadosio statement may injure or kill another fellow shooter.It is aparent that you do not care or worry about the safety and well being of others,but I do.Did you ever stop and think(not one of your better accomplishments)that even if someone might get away with it in .308/.30-06 combo,it might lead them to try it in a more dangerous combo.Why do you care so little for your fellow shooters?I really feel sorry for you,not just for endangering yourself and many others,but for the fact that you think it is smart and compound it by bragging about it on this forum.I hope and pray no one is injured or killed by your stupidity in posting this very unsafe endeaver. sam.

Samuel, the original question was whether it was safe to fire a .308 in a 30-06 rifle. As you can see from my original posting I gave my findings on my past experiments which were carried out under controlled circumstances.
I also stated that under normal circumstances, I would not endorse trying this.
I did not advocate, in any way, that others could do this safely as you say!

[samuel]

All I am saying is,in my opinion,it would be very easy to influence someone on here to practice unsafe experiments which could lead to them being injured,I read your posts all of the time and this is the only one I have ever objected to.If you are going to post pictures I wish you would post wildlife in Africa.That could benefit everyone and I would enjoy them emensly,You do get to hunt where I can only dream of hunting.If there is even the slightest chance that someone could be injured,dont you think we should refrain from posting such info? sam.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by samuel

All I am saying is,in my opinion,it would be very easy to influence someone on here to practice unsafe experiments which could lead to them being injured,I read your posts all of the time and this is the only one I have ever objected to.If you are going to post pictures I wish you would post wildlife in Africa.That could benefit everyone and I would enjoy them emensly,You do get to hunt where I can only dream of hunting.If there is even the slightest chance that someone could be injured,dont you think we should refrain from posting such info? sam.

I will agree there are a lot of inexperienced and easily influenced people and maybe some of them do not have the common sense which I would expect from a firearm owner. Probably a lot of is the cultural difference.

On the subject of hunting, I no longer hunt animals or people but will post a few pictures of the animals I have come across in the past couple of weeks.
Which forum would be the most suitable just for a few pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat?

[samuel]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

I will agree there are a lot of inexperienced and easily influenced people and maybe some of them do not have the common sense which I would expect from a firearm owner. Probably a lot of is the cultural difference.

On the subject of hunting, I no longer hunt animals or people but will post a few pictures of the animals I have come across in the past couple of weeks.
Which forum would be the most suitable just for a few pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat?

I don't run things around here and have a little trouble understanding myself but notice they are very forgiving for posting in the wrong forum.However I would consider any hunting forum to be right as I hunt just as hard getting a picture as I ever did trying for a trophy or meat on the table.I don't hunt nearly as much as I did for something to kill.This does not mean I am not a hunter.I can shoot them with a camera and still leave them for others to enjoy and possibly some young person to collect for their trophy/game bag.I just dont get along with the picture posting,but enjoy others posts such as IM and Idaho Dave and Billy,another nonhunter,and everyone else.Thank you. sam.

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by M14man

I have done it in-advertantly. About 20 years ago, I took an '03 Springfield and a M1A to a sand pit. I set up in prone and was using the '03 on a target set about 40 yards away and checking my progress with a spotting scope. I was getting about 1" groups when my next shot fell about 4" low. I thought to myself,"What the heck?" When I ejected the case I thought the neck had sheared off and was stuck in the chamber. When I inspected the head, I discovered that I had chambered and shot a .308. There was no escape of gas, no perceived difference in the shot at all except for it's low impact. As I recall, I did not have trouble closing the bolt. Apparantly the case sealed preventing any blow-by to the rear. I was lucky there. I now make doublely sure not to run the chances of that occuring again. I saved the shell as I do all my Uh-ohs. On the left is a .308, the case discussed is in the middle, and a 30:06 is on the right.

Wow! That's kind of scary. It's good do know that the Springfield receivers are that tough though

[jimkim]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

I will agree there are a lot of inexperienced and easily influenced people and maybe some of them do not have the common sense which I would expect from a firearm owner. Probably a lot of is the cultural difference.

On the subject of hunting, I no longer hunt animals or people but will post a few pictures of the animals I have come across in the past couple of weeks.
Which forum would be the most suitable just for a few pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat?

I would say the hunting forum is the right place. Hunting is Hunting whether you make a kill or not. You still have to get close enough to shoot the picture. To me hunting is separate from killing. I enjoy the stalk and don't always kill the animal. If I need food I take my shot but sometimes it is just an excuse to commune with nature once again.

[Skibum]

Originally Posted by M14man

I have done it in-advertantly. About 20 years ago, I took an '03 Springfield and a M1A to a sand pit. I set up in prone and was using the '03 on a target set about 40 yards away and checking my progress with a spotting scope. I was getting about 1" groups when my next shot fell about 4" low. I thought to myself,"What the heck?" When I ejected the case I thought the neck had sheared off and was stuck in the chamber. When I inspected the head, I discovered that I had chambered and shot a .308. There was no escape of gas, no perceived difference in the shot at all except for it's low impact. As I recall, I did not have trouble closing the bolt. Apparantly the case sealed preventing any blow-by to the rear. I was lucky there. I now make doublely sure not to run the chances of that occuring again.

I am very serious about safety, and one thing that I have been very cautious about is having more than one firearm available which can chamber similar rounds. For example, I would never go to a range or go hunting with both a .308 and a 7mm-08, or with both a .222 remington and .223 remington. I view life as a lot like a video game where the goal is to be able to keep playing. I try to sort out what I will bring to the range before I leave my house and make very sure not to have ammo which will cross chamber easily. Murphy said that whatever can go wrong, will. If you don't bring ammo which can cross chamber to the range, you won't ever have a dangerous mix-up. While it is apparent that some here have survived .308 in a 30-06 chamber, most of us would rather avoid that, becasue the result is uncertain, and unsafe.

[jplunkett31]

shoot what you shoot well, like the old saying goes, location, location, location

[big shrek]

There's a reason the B.A.R. was so very popular...30-06 is a lovely cartridge and a BAR can sling lead like nothing else.

Of course, an M-60 will give ya a thrill too...lol

Which one is less expensive this year?? I've still got buckets of reloads & surplus 7.62 and may never buy OTC for years.

[nathangdad]

. . I would stay with it. There is a lot, and I mean a lot, to be said for sticking with a gun for which you have developed expertise.

I have seen too many people in my lifetime rush out to buy a
.300 Win Mag or larger caliber then, after some sighting in recoil experience, never become proficient with that gun.

Not that you mentioned this large of a caliber but I did want to add it to my prior post to
reinforce my original comment.