Author Topic: .308 vs .30-06, need help! (Read 1491 times)

Rscout6945 · « **on:** November 16, 2003, 10:51:29 PM »

I am completely torn over this decision! :x I will be buying a T/C Custom shop 24" tapered barrel, that much I have decided on for sure. I just can't pick which caliber it will be in. So, I will let all of you decide. I will be hunting semi-wooded to rolling hills. Winter season. 150 to 165 grain bullets. Leupold 3x9 scope. WILL NOT be taking shot over 300 yards. Do not handload but may/will in the future(5-10 yrs). Have companions that carry both calibers already. Main game will be deer but may try black bear in future. And please try to keep sugestions to either on of the above calibers, I already have enough problems without the 7mm, 25, 300, 338 fairies dancing in my head. Thanks

onesonek · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2003, 01:47:23 AM »

With those bullet weights, either are about the same. Should you decide someday to use a heavier bullet. The edge goes to the 06. My personal preference is the 06. Although, because it (06) takes more powder to generate the same velocity, it's recoil is also increased some. Don't know if that makes any difference to you. But as been said by many,,, You can't go wrong with a 30-06.

Sixgun · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2003, 03:53:48 AM »

I have to get my 2 cents in here.

Right off I have to say that for what you are doing either will work well. A whitetail is not hard to kill and both are more that enough to do the job.

My preference lies with the 308 and this preference comes with 40 years of experience shooting both the 308 and the 06. Even though the 06 guys will not agree with me, my reloading experience has been that you will blow up an 06 trying to get that 100fps more volicity over a 308 and most of the standard factory ammo will have an extreme spread in volicity of more than 100 fps. That info comes from shooting lots of rounds over a chrono and trying to figure out how all of the data I have got makes any difference.

I shot lots of rounds over my chrony with hot loaded 308s and 30-06s and the gun that got the most volicity with the hottest loads that were safe was my little 18.5" barreled Remington 788 in 308 Win. It was slightly faster, with the same ammo, than my brothers Model 70 and my friends model 700, both with 22" tubes. Three 30-06s averaged 50fps slower with the hottest loads that I could consider safe to shoot.

I don't shoot much factory ammo because I can't afford to and because all that I have tried has been dissapointing. Some has had up to 150fps extreme spread from the same box.

When you do get around to reloading, you will find that the 308 will do everything the 06 will do with 5 to 10 grains less powder. That saves money and your shoulder.

I will have to admit that when you get into the 200gr and up bullets the 06 has a slight edge but even the 06 is underpowered with the big bullets. If you need 200gr + bullets to get the job done, the 338 Win is a logical next step.

Iowegan · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2003, 06:36:54 PM »

The 308 is an inherently accurate cartridge that is more efficient than the 30-'06. Barrel throat life is excellent. The 308 Win will do anything the 30-'06 will do and vise versa. As far as bullet weights, the determining factor is the barrel's twist rate, not the case size. Ammo is very available for both in a wide range of loads. 308's tend to be less fussy. I would give a slight edge to the 308 but you really can't go wrong with either.

pete50 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2003, 05:38:22 AM »

I have a T/C custom shop barrel in 30.06 stainless for my encore. It is 22" with the muzzle brake installed. Cost about 320.00 delivered. I am very happy with it. I was in the same situation as you with decision. Our circumstances as far as hunting ranges, leupold 3x9, game, etc are the same here in WV. I chose the 30.06 because of versatility. I have reloaded for 3 years now and 30.06 brass and components are everywhere. Factory ammo is also easily found and always in stock. I think the .308 is a great caliber, but if you go anywhere remote, you will find a store with 30.06, maybe not .308. I have seen the local stores such as WalMart and Kmart run out of ammo before, but never out of 30.06. When you get your barrel, spend the extra on the brake, it makes a huge difference in recoil. Good Luck. Pete

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2003, 12:47:58 PM »

I have had both calibers and now have a 308. I also reload. But what I would chose is the 06. I know figures and graphs etc... and I like the 308. But I would go with the 06. Why? I just have more confidence in that caliber . . . and that is what it always comes down to. But I would go with a recoil pad other than the one supplied with your Encore. You will appreciate anything that will take the kick out of such a lite rifle.

long

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:48:53 PM »

HM VERY VERY HARD CHOICE BUT IN THE END I WOULD TAKE THE 308
ALL MOST THE SAME SHOOT ABILITY AS THE 30-06 BUT LESS KICK AN IF U DONT RELOAD JUST UP ON THE SHELLS GET STANDERED FOR DEER HUNTING AN USE LIKE A NOS PARTITION FOR THE BEAR

Selmer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2003, 01:47:47 PM »

Here's how you decide. It's December, and if you live any place with snow, such as here in Iowa, you walk outside after drinking 2 liters of your favorite beverage. Whichever you can outline better in the snow while relieving yourself, .308 or .30-06, that's the cartridge to go with.

Seriously though, I shoot both for deer, I usually use my .30-06, only because I let my brother-in-law shoot my M788 .308, he really likes it and wants to buy it, but I won't let him.

They'll both work great.
Selmer

Steve E · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2003, 09:50:54 AM »

Sounds like everybody has hit it about right, close your eyes and pick. My pick would be the 308 Win. why? It has been slightly more accurate in most of the rifles I have owned than ones I have had in 06. Slightly more economical to reload when you start. Most any rifle built in both calibers will hold minute of Bambi at most reasonable ranges. Both will kill just as dead if you hit them right. Listen to what everybody has to say and then hold a loaded round of each caliber up side by side and get the one that you like the best. My 15 inch 308 Encore barrel will shoot slightly under 1 inch most of the time and my 24 inch 06 Encore barrel will only shoot 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch. I'm sure you'll like either one.

Steve E........

Bob_K · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2003, 04:42:15 AM »

They perform about equally, but I would go with the .308. It is a slightly more efficient cartridge and brass is plentiful. USGI ball can still be found for practice. I believe that all things being equal, the .308 has a very slight out of the box accuracy advantage. Both can be made superbly accurate, however. Only thing the .308 gives up is performance with 200 and 220 grain bullets. You can't go wrong with either choice.

jamie · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2003, 05:55:39 AM »

Flip a coin ..heads- -06 tails-.308 and by some chance if it lands on its edge then make it a 300 WM and call it a day.

buckeye509 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2003, 08:44:18 AM »

Opt for the .308/7.62.

msorenso · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2005, 04:21:14 AM »

HEY BRI,
wHY NOT GO WITH THE 06. YOU GET MORE BOOM, BOTH ARE CHEEP TO SHOOT PLUS ALOT MORE OTIONS. 06 GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE RANGE. NO OFFENCE TO ANYONE BUT WHO CARES ABOUT EFFICIANCY IS THIS GAS MILEAGE? iS CALLED MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK. :grin:

TScottW99 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2005, 05:09:09 AM »

I went through the same thing 7 months ago. Ended up with a .308 Encore. I love it. Shoots great and took two deer this fall. I hunt in the mountains of Va, the 8 point was shot at 25 yards and a doe at 30. My groups at the range right now are 3 shots at 100 yards for 7/8" with a factory barrel and factory ammo. I'm Happy! :lol: