I'm not sure what you mean by availability? If you are hunting and go to the only store in a town of 2000 people you will find 30-06 and 30-30 on the shelf with the 12 ga and .22. If you are talking surplus ammo the .308 is more available, but the 30-06 can still be had. For those that reload, the 30-06 goes from 110gr to 220gr which is hard for the .308 to do on the upper range. For hunting rifles my opinion is the 30-06 has the largest number of models from the various manufacturers, but that doesn't mean much since the .308 is well represented. There can't be a quarter pound difference in the rifle weight. MWT
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.308 or 30-06?
- Thread starter twoblink
- Start date
It would seem that while the 308 has some advantages, the 30-06 has the versitility...
I'm wondering about the .243 though, it would seem like a .243 would cover most uses of 308 but is a bit smaller. So my choice would seem to be then, between the .243 and the 30-06.
Or am I not reading this right?
Albert
I'm wondering about the .243 though, it would seem like a .243 would cover most uses of 308 but is a bit smaller. So my choice would seem to be then, between the .243 and the 30-06.
Or am I not reading this right?
Albert
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Basically, for critters smaller than elk or the very-large Maine whitetail, the .243 has done well for many hunters. It does require a bit more skill in stalking and shot placement, as it does not deliver the "Oomph" at longer distances.
I've killed about 20 whitetail with the .243, but my experiences to date with mule deer make me glad I used my '06.
I look at it this way: A gut shot with an '06 may well have a large deer down long enough for me to put another bullet into him. With the .243, he might get away. I always try for perfect placement, but perfection is not always possible. So, call it "insurance", if you will.
If most of your hunting will be on varmints, the lesser recoil of the .243 makes it a lot more fun.
Again, the type of hunting you do--or plan to do--and the type of terrain and vegetation have a lot to do with the selection process.
FWIW, Art
I've killed about 20 whitetail with the .243, but my experiences to date with mule deer make me glad I used my '06.
I look at it this way: A gut shot with an '06 may well have a large deer down long enough for me to put another bullet into him. With the .243, he might get away. I always try for perfect placement, but perfection is not always possible. So, call it "insurance", if you will.
If most of your hunting will be on varmints, the lesser recoil of the .243 makes it a lot more fun.
Again, the type of hunting you do--or plan to do--and the type of terrain and vegetation have a lot to do with the selection process.
FWIW, Art
Payette Jack
New member
Is there enough difference to argue about??
The '06 gives a little more versatility, bullet-weight wise, and for that reason I'd go with the old standard bearer over the .308. But beyond that, I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find an instance where, for instance, a 180 grain bullet launched out of an '06 will do anything that a 180 grain bullet launched from a .308 won't (or vice versa).
Rifle selection is much more important. And I'll concur that if you're doing a lot of humping (particularly through thick brush), you'll appreciate every ounce you can shave off.
The '06 gives a little more versatility, bullet-weight wise, and for that reason I'd go with the old standard bearer over the .308. But beyond that, I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find an instance where, for instance, a 180 grain bullet launched out of an '06 will do anything that a 180 grain bullet launched from a .308 won't (or vice versa).
Rifle selection is much more important. And I'll concur that if you're doing a lot of humping (particularly through thick brush), you'll appreciate every ounce you can shave off.