Author Topic: 308 VS 30-06? (Read 771 times)

Big Blue · « **on:** January 04, 2005, 03:10:21 PM »

When given the choice between the 308 and the 30-06, I would rather go with a 308. I'm undecided as to the Survivor or the Ultra, but the problem I have is the 308's habit of not ejecting. Is it a big enough reason to go to the 30-06? I also believe the long action calibers seem to shoot more dependably accurate from the Handi's. What do you all think?
Don

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:19:29 PM »

No...I don't think so...the 223 is probably the most accurrate round going for the handi...and just about all of the various calibers have FTE problems...not just the 308...and I haven't seen anyone post a group smaller than what I shot with my bull barreled 308 from last year,in the 308's.....I'm not saying there isn't one that shoots better...but I haven't seen one so-far...and I am hoping my 30-06 Ultra -Comp does out shoot it...but I wouldn't take any bets right now...there are advantages of going with the 30-06 over the 308..in bullet weights from 165 grains up...you will see a velocity advantage..and that's always been the biggest draw to it...but in the Handi...you can get the bull barrel in 308...you can't get it in the 30-06...and I lucked out big-time just finding my like new Ultra-Comp 30-06...

If I had to chooose between a bull barrel 308 and a standard 308...I'd go with the bull barrel everytime...especially in the Handi...it doesn't heat up as fast.. it's heavier and that makes it more stable to shoot off hand.but since it is heavier...it makes it more of a chore to carry.....if I had to choose between a bull barreled 308 and a 30-06...well I did this time around...and went with the 30-06...I couldn't pass it up...but if it was just the plain 22" 30-06...I would have gotten a 308 bull barrel back...

Oh...one last thing...unless you have a nice set of stocks to use with the 308 Survivor...you'll have to swap or trade to get them...you can't just order the complete gun already set up...

Mac

Sourdough · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2005, 09:29:11 PM »

Give me the 06!!!!!!!! I hunt Varmits to Moose, and the selection of bullets for the 06 is the best. My shots range from 50 to 600 yards. The 06 is the only gun I've found that I can accurately shoot at all ranges. I have a .223 barrel that is very accurate out to 250 yards, after that it goes to pot, and is affected by wind too much. The .243 will reach out and touch things at long ranges, but does not have the punch left to do a good job out at 400 to 600 yards. The .308 comes close to duplicating the 06 with lighter bullets, 100gr thru 165gr. The .308 will not shoot the 180gr well that is too much bullet for it. The 180gr is the optimum heavy weight bullet for the 06. It shoots it well and range is fair. The 180gr is the bullet needed for Moose and Bears. While the .308 will shoot the 180gr, it does not shoot it well, and should only be used at close range. My 30-06 is the one gun I carry everywhere and use for everything, EXCEPT Big Bears. For them I carry a .338.

Big Blue · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:52:18 AM »

Thanks guys! My biggest concern was with extraction problems. I've experienced them in my 7mm-08, along with inconsistant accuracy problems. I've also had extraction problems with my .223 Ultra. I've cleaned repeatedly, and polished chambers, but was never able to cure the extraction i'lls. I still remember a post from the H+R/NEF Forum regarding the .308's extraction problem. It just seemed to me, based solely on owner posts, that the 30-06 was less prone to the extraction problem. I really like the idea of the Survivors bull barrel, but if I can aviod extraction headaches by getting a 30-06, I would. I have dies and brass for the .308, so that's another plus. Going with either, I will probably get a Buffalo Classic stock for it. I think that would be nice with either the .308 bull, or the 30-06 S.S. barrels. Most of my hunting is done under 300 yards, my personally imposed limit, and on deer sized game. The 150gr. loads would suit me fine. I'm surprised that the .308 doesn't shoot the 180gr. bullets well. With the same 1-10" twist rate, I would think they would be comparable at that weight.

Don

cgturner7 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2005, 02:52:48 AM »

I shoot an Ultra in .308. The only trouble I've had with extraction was with a box of cheapo S&B ammo. I'll never shoot that brand again. Since then I've shot Remington, Federal and Winchester ammo and not had a single ejection problem.

fish280 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2005, 04:25:28 AM »

no ejection problems in my son's .308 ultra or my standard .30-'06 - except for crappy indian mil-surp in the .308. i suspect it was the neck seal goop in the indian 7.62x51 ammo that caused that problem. in the long run, i'd go with the .30-'06 because of lower pressures in factory ammunition. you can load .30-'06 to .308 pressures, but why bother? :wink:

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2005, 07:21:16 AM »

Quote

Going with either, I will probably get a Buffalo Classic stock for it. I think that would be nice with either the .308 bull, or the 30-06 S.S. barrels.

While it may look nice...it may be a-bit low for scope usage...I guess you could build it up with the available stock pads...

Mac

Big Blue · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2005, 12:46:42 PM »

Quote from: Mac11700

Quote
Going with either, I will probably get a Buffalo Classic stock for it. I think that would be nice with either the .308 bull, or the 30-06 S.S. barrels.

While it may look nice...it may be a-bit low for scope usage...I guess you could build it up with the available stock pads...
Mac

Mac,
I must be a bit on the fat headed side, I scoped the BC and it fits just right. Gunstocks may also have the solution, not to mention make for a really fun project. They have quite a few options to play with.
Don

george · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2005, 11:21:29 PM »

Hi Sourdough!

Quote from: Sourdough

Give me the 06!!!!!!!! I hunt Varmits to Moose, and the selection of bullets for the 06 is the best. My shots range from 50 to 600 yards.

Are shots in Alaska regularly taken at 600 yards? I don't think I can see that distance, let alone shoot it. :shock:

You're using a scope, right? (my open sights would never cut it)

Lone Star · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2005, 03:24:31 AM »

Quote

Are shots in Alaska regularly taken at 600 yards?

Not in my 27 winters they weren't. I did do some shooting at 400 yards at marmots, but all my many head of big game were shot at under 250, most under 100 (including caribou). A lot depends on the shooter's hunting skills - can he stalk worth a darn, is he in too much of a hurry to actually hunt, etc. There are few instances when a hunter cannot get closer to game than 600 yards!

It is true that some guys just like to shoot at long range, but the truth is that few can hit there. Lots of Alaskan game is wounded and lost each year by amateur hunters who bang away at long range then are too lazy to walk out across the tundra to actually check to see if they hit the animal or not. Hits at long range have a lot less power and they often do not result in an obvious reaction from the animal. Experienced hunters know to check out each animal they shoot at for evidence of a hit.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2005, 05:49:02 AM »

I think Sourdough explained things very well.

Sourdough · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2005, 09:32:16 AM »

In response to George and Lone Star: For Moose 80 yards is my average, although this year I shot my Moose at 250 yards. A head shot with my 30-06 Handi. Caribou my usual shots are 200 to 250 yards. The Caribou are usually above tree line and there is nothing to hide behind. With Moose I've stalked to within 35 yards of them.I've also stalked mule deer in New Mexico, and whitetail in Tennessee with my bow to within 30 yards, still hunting.

Most of my shooting in Alaska is varmits and Wolves. I hunt Wolves during the winter on snowmachine. They already know I'm coming because they hear the machine. When I get off the machine and ease across the top of a mountain and look down into the drainage they are either standing looking for me or are running the other way. It's take the shot or forget it. It sometimes takes two or three shots to get my yardage and wind figured out and make a good hit. Nobody can stalk up close to wolves, they are too canny. Occasionally on a snowey day I might run across a pack while running down a river bed. This is the only time I can get within 200 yards of them. If the snow is real deep they will run the snow machine trails. And the falling snow will deaden the sound of the snow machine.

In 45 years of hunting, only once have I needed a second shot to kill an animal once I've hit it. Another hunter had made a poor shot and gut shot a Moose. The Moose had got away from him. I was sitting on top of the track machine and saw the injured Moose running out in the middle of a big meadow. If you have ever hunted in Alaska you know you can't walk across the meadows, the tussocks are just too much to try and cross. The Moose stopped and was standing all humped up, but kept looking all around. My range finder showed him to be just under 500 yards. I put my .338 in a varmit rest on top of the cab while I stood in the bed. At that range with the scope setting of the time my bullet would have a 38" drop, so I took the shot. The Moose stumbled, and I saw I had hit him in the rear quarter. I also noticed that I had a strong cross wind out in the meadow. I made adjustments, my second shot dropped him where he stood. I would have never made this shot if the animal had not already been shot.