30-06 vs 308

[Rafael]

Thanks to the advice in this forum I found a couple of rifles I like. One is 30.06 and the other is 308.
Why would I want one caliber over the other? Is there a big difference between them?

[jim]

Not really much difference between the two. The major differences between the two is the barrel twist of 1 in 10 for the 06' and 1 in 12 for the .308 allowing the 06' to use slugs up to 240 grs accurately. The .308 is limited to 180-200 gr slugs for the most part. Usually around 180 grs. though. I never shoot anything above 168 grs anyway, so it doesn't matter.

The .308 comes in a shorter action, so sometimes it is a little lighter, or more handy.

For normal hunting, either will do. The 06' has a slight edge on larger bears, but not that much.

Good luck
jim

[Rafael]

Is there a large difference in the effective range?
What is the price difference and availablity of ammo?

[DM]

I've hunted and harvested a lot of big game with both, including moose, caribou, bear ect...

The biggest advantage of the 30-06 over the 308 is when you want to hunt the bigger animals. A 30-06 will push a premium 200 grain bullet enough faster than a 308, to make it worth while using the 06.

I hunted brown bears for many years, and a "properly" loaded 30-06 is my personal mininum.

DM

[docsoos]

Is there a large difference in the effective range?
What is the price difference and availablity of ammo?

Range for both cartridges are about even, with lighter .308-diameter bullets having a slight edge in the '06, but not enough to really have a great gain in performance. As stated earlier, the bullet selection for the 'o6 goes up to 220-240 grains, whereas .308 maxes out about 180 grains, depending on the twist-rate of the individual rifle.

As for factory ammo, prices appear to be about identical, at least at most of the gun shops and Wally World around here.

Reloading is where the real differences, and large performance gains, are seen in the '06. My pet load for the .30-'06 is a 165-grain Nosler ballistic-tip, using IMR 4350 powder and CCI Large Rifle primers. I once killed a 12-point deer at 330 yards, and I was confident in making that shot. He never took a step after the round impacted. However, this was due to knowing the exact ballistics and trajectory of this specific load, and doing my part when the trigger was squeezed. Most shots I take are at or under 100 yards, so trajectory isn't really a factor.

DocSoos

[Rafael]

So, am I correct in saying, that using factory rounds, that I would be better off with 308 since the performance would be about the same?

[Wyobuckaroo]

For what it is worth........

If I were going to spend money today for a rifle.

It would be a bolt 308 win. After the ammo turmoil of the last year about, the 308 has taken over the "nitch" the 30-06 used to occupy.

Of course, my opinion and 1$ will get you a cup of coffee, somewhere..........

Wyo

[DM]

So, am I correct in saying, that using factory rounds, that I would be better off with 308 since the performance would be about the same?

The 30-06 is the greatest all around big game hunting cartridge ever invented, and my all time favorite!

BUT, if i didn't live around, and wasn't hunting the biggest big game animals in NA... And i WAS thinking more about a SHTF round, the 308 would be my choise over the 30-06.

DM

[hunter63]

My 2 cents.
I guess I would question why you are limiting your self to those two rounds.

Either is very good at a lot of different things.

I always thought that the 30-06 was a "harsh recoil round" compared to the .308.
Don't ask me why but it feels like it to me.

So of the two, I would go with the .308 for the following reasons.
Smaller *case, (carry more rounds)
.308 crosses over into military type firearm easier, so more choices of a auto loading type rifle than 30-06. (Maybe not important to you)
Shorter action (as was brought up)
Less harsh recoil (my feelings, more harsh than my 7mm mag!)
Ballistics about the same. (depends on desired use)
Surplus ammo is more available in .308 (cheaper)
30-06, .308, 30-30 the three most found rounds in rural and small town stores, followed by the .

So only you can make the decision as to your intended use, but either, as is agreed upon by just about everyone, is a very good choice

[DM]

Less harsh recoil (my feelings, more harsh than my 7mm mag!)

At one time i built a "switch bbl. gun"... It was an Rem. 700 action, with two different bolts with bbls fit and chambered in many different cartridges from .458 Win. on down. The action held the scope, and all of it went into the same stock. I could switch bbls and bolts at the range and test many different cartridges in one range session.

By changeing only the cartridge (bbl.) and nothing else, it was very easy to see how different cartridges compared when nothing else changed...

I can tell you, the 7 Rem. Mag. DOES have more recoil than a 30-06, "especially" with bullets that have a similar S.D.!

DM

[Mr.B]

You could go between the 30-06 & the .308

Pick up a Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R, at least that is what I think, experienced and have read.


-B

[hunter63]

I have a couple of Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R carbines, a M-38 and a M-44.

Both shoot well,(at least min of paper plate).
Both have a respectable recoil.
Both are heavy, (not something I want to carry around all day, unless I have to)
Both are a PITA to mount a scope on.

They shoot cheap ammo,(full metal jacket) as long as you don't want soft point ammo.
Reloable brass and correct bullet size/different weights are hard to come by.

Both look like they were hacked out of a piece of steel with an ax and a file.

But they are still pretty cheap, and I am always looking for a M-39.

[Mr.B]

I have a couple of Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R carbines, a M-38 and a M-44.

Both shoot well,(at least min of paper plate).
Both have a respectable recoil.
Both are heavy, (not something I want to carry around all day, unless I have to)
Both are a PITA to mount a scope on.

They shoot cheap ammo,(full metal jacket) as long as you don't want soft point ammo.
Reloable brass and correct bullet size/different weights are hard to come by.

Both look like they were hacked out of a piece of steel with an ax and a file.

But they are still pretty cheap, and I am always looking for a M-39.

This is the best way to mount a scope on a Mosin Nagant.

http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html#

[Tuckahoe]

I killed my first deer with a .308 fired from an old Spanish Mauser. I killed my second deer with a Winchester Model 70 in 30.06. Neither deer complained.
Six of one half a dozen of the other.