30-06 vs. 308

[kysingleshot]

I had decided to go with a 30-06 for hunting, but am now wondering about the 308.  I have heard conficting info on the 308 and am wondering what y'all think about this.  I have heard that the 308 is a little tamer on the shoulder, and just about as good on the other end of the shot.

Thanks in advance,
Ky

[Mac11700]

The main difference between the 30-06 and the 308 is in the usage of a heavier bullets in the 30-06 and the velocity difference between the 2 on the heavier bullets.. most reloading manuals will show you this.As far as conflicting info...I'm not sure what you mean...but with the 308"s  being tammer on the shoulder...that would depend on a number of factors...but given 2 rifles of the exact same make and shooting a bullet of the exact same weight at the exact same velocity...I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference.....Both cartridges are great but again the velocity advantage goes to the 30-06 when using heavier bullets for large game.


Mac

[Sourdough]

I own both, and they shoot the same bullets almost identically from 100gr to 165gr, after that the 30-06 has the advantage.  The 308 does not shoot 180gr bullets well, and cannot shoot 200 or 220gr bullets.  I live in Alaska, and the 308 is just not adequate for the type of hunting we do here.  Yes there is people every year that shoot Moose with 308s, but they are patient and get close, real close.  Also there are several lost, simply because they are not using a bullet that weights enough.  When I lived down south in New Mexico, and Nevada, the 308 was good for everything except Elk.  I took lots of Mulies and Whitetails with the 308.  I quess the real question is what are you going to hunt?  And where?  I hand load for both, and I don't care what anyone says, when you load a 150gr bullet to go a certain velocity in either gun the recoil is going to be the same.  The felt or perceived recoil may be different due to the weight of the guns, stock design, and your perception of what to expect.  The heavier the bullet, and higher the velocity, the more recoil.  Personally I would stick with the 30-06.  The only advantage to the 308 is that it can be gotten in short actions, therefore a shorter, lighter gun.  But say if you decide to hunt Hogs or Black Bears, the added advantage of being able to use the heavier bullets of the 30-06 is a definite plus.

[Airsporter]

The .308 is a more efficient cartridge with modern powders.  That is, it achieves near original 30-06 ballistics with less powder due to smaller case volume.  Therefore it produces less recoil.  I think it is at its best with 150 grain bullets for deer.   There's also tons of cheap surplus NATO ammo for practice.

The 30-06 is more versatile on the heavier end, allowing for 180-200 grain+ bullets, but you will get more recoil even with 150 grain loads.

[kysingleshot]

mac11700,
maybe i should've said a little more.  when i talked about the "conflicting info" what i meant was about the discussion from some, probably hard core current and ex military, that the 308 is inherently more accurate, and therefore a better round than the 30-06.  i know that accuracy isn't everything in hunting.  but based on what i've heard, i'm sticking with my choice of 30-06.
ky

[rmtaylor]

I had the same problem deciding so I said the heck with it and bought a 270:)

Richard

[AZ223]

mac11700,
maybe i should've said a little more.  when i talked about the "conflicting info" what i meant was about the discussion from some, probably hard core current and ex military, that the 308 is inherently more accurate, and therefore a better round than the 30-06.  i know that accuracy isn't everything in hunting.  but based on what i've heard, i'm sticking with my choice of 30-06.
ky

The accuracy difference, as I understand it, apparently comes from the 308's shorter case. This allows for more consistent powder burning, which shows when shooting over long ranges (600 - 1000 yds). In these cases, both are using a 150 - 168 grain bullet, with the Speer 168 MK being most peoples' favorite. I'd love to compare the two for myself, but for practical reasons, I'm also staying with the .30-06 as it'll take most any large animal I'm ever likely to hunt -- and even a few of the smaller ones!  :wink:

[Major]

The only comparison I have made was in the service.   I have shot both the M1 (.30-06) and the M14 (.308) and if I had to stake my life on one or the other it would be the .30-06.   I always got better accuracy at 1,000 yards with the M1 and I am always in favor of stoping the enemy as far away as I can, before he can shoot at me.   :toast:

[Fred M]

The only reason why the 308 will equal the 06 is because it is loaded to higher pressure at the factory than the 06 with the medium size bullets.

The 308 can't simply compete with the 06 when both are loaded to the same pressure regardless of bullet, the 06 simply holds more powder hence more power more velocity. In a hunting rifle like the Handi where no restriction is placed on the OAl the 06 is a better choice with much more versatility.

The same holds tru with the 06 nearly equaling the 300H&H with the lighter bullets. The 06 can easely beloaded to max SAAMI @60kpsi in a suitable bolt action. Neither 308 nor the 06 should be loaded to anywhere near that pressure.

Also there is nothing wrong with the 308, for a deer rifle. Fred M.

[Winter Hawk]

I have had both and find no practical difference.  The .308 gives up about 200 fps to the '06.  If you are reloading and cost is a concern, the .308 uses less powder so you will get more loads out of a can of powder.  The .308 can go up to 200 gr. bullets while the '06 goes to 220 gr.  As long as the rate of twist for both barrels is the same, accuracy should be similar, even with the heavier bullets.  

Perceived recoil is largely a factor of stock design and rifle weight.  I have had two Thompson-Center TCR rifles in .30-06 which were beautiful, well built guns.  Both kicked the bejeezus out of me (and subsequent owners).  My NEF in .30-06 is the most pleasant rifle in that caliber I have ever had the pleasure to shoot.  Stock design and the heavier barrel is a whole lot better, even if the gun isn't as pretty as the T-Cs.

-WH-

[handirifle]

kysingleshot
I have owned a 308 and now own an '06.  You can always download the '06 to 308 levels or lower, but you cannot bring the 308 safely as high as you can the '06.  

The long range guys swear by the 308 over the '06 but we're talking a 6-8" group at 1000yds vs. 8-10".  Not a concern for anyone at hunting ranges, and beyond what most of us could hit anything at anyway.

The accuracy advantage comes from the short fat case theory, that it burns the powder more effeciently.  Like all the new short magnums.  In my opinion, if these new short mag's make in the long run, it will be because of accuracy, not power.

The, like the 308 vs 30-06 are in a battle against VERY well established rounds and this will not be a short war.

[mitchell]

i believe we got in to a big discussion on this topic a little bit back . it was a good thread you may try reading it .

but to sum it up : 30-06=more power
                          308=more accuracy (but you don't really see the difference until past 650-700yd

oh and 308 is just a little bit cheaper if you a reloader or a milsurp fan

her that thread i was talking about http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=34044

[ratherbefishin]

Isn't the reason the 30 06 is better than the 308 for the purposes of shooting heavier bullets, the same reason why the 35whelen is superior to the 30-06 because it handles a heavier bullet?From what I have read, heavier bullets are of more practical hunting use on larger annimals like moose and bear .I define''practical hunting  use'' because while a heavier bullet will drop faster than a lighter bullet on ranges over 200 yards, probably for hunting purposes, most shots are likely within  200 yards.Further more, I'm not all that sure how many hunters are competent shots at ranges over 200 yards anyway, under actual hunting conditions

[handirifle]

ratherbe
I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head there!