.308 vs 30-06?!

Often imitated; seldom equaled.

The 308 Winchester is more like the 300 Savage than the '06. Both were intended to approximate the Springfield's performance and with 150 grain bullets they put up a fair show. On the other hand, the 300 H&H was designed to match the 30-'06 in hot climates with more forgiving pressures as the powders in those days were more temperature sensitive than some of today's propellants. And the H&H really delivers the goods and more. If the 30-'06 were a woman she should feel flattered that so many others wish and claim that they could replace her.
 
In .308 is there are so many rifles to choose from. (22", 24", and 26" heavier barreled rifles)
Most .30-06's come with only 22" barrel.
Huh? (Big time...)
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What is there to be confused about? The .308 can be had with longer barrels, light barrels, and heavier barrels. I haven't seen a .30-06 with longer than 22" barrels in a long time.

Actually, that's (a bit) akin to saying that whatever the 300WinMag can do, the 30-06 can do a well.
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Of course the .30-06 can do whatever the .300 Win mag can do. The only difference between all the .30 calibers is in range +/-. If you aren't shooting past 350 yards then .30-06 does just fine.

With less than 80 fps between the two (.308 to .30-06) with 180 gr bullets, I don't see any real significant difference.
Deer and black bear don't know the difference. Even with moose the .308 does just fine no problem.

The .300 WSM is shorter than the .300 Win mag and uses a bit less powder. Yet it achieves the same performance because of it's more efficient powder burn.
 
Plenty of 30-06 out there with 24'' barrels. I have 2. I actually prefer the longer barrel so you can squeeze out all that velocity. If you rebarrel a rifle Im sure you can get whatever length barrel you want.
 
I have both calibers and reload for them. The 308 will produce slightly smaller groups than the 30-06 when both are loaded to the same velocities with the same bullet, powder, and primer
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I think you should add "in my rifles" to that statement. While the .308 has "inherent" advantages over the .30-06 (according to the engineers), my experience in over 40 years of use and observation of use of both cartridges, AND the rifles they are in, is that it is the invidual rifle and ammo combination that makes one more accurate than the other.

In other words, on any given day, a particular -06 can out shoot a particular .308. And tommorow, with different rifles, the .308 will outshoot the -06.

The .308 will have about .5" more drop, per hundred yards than the same weight bullet in the .30-06. Field performance on game is identical.

If you are a good enough shot to actually benefit from the small advantage the .30-06 can deliver, great. Get an 06. IF the type of rifle that suits you best only comes in .308, fine, get it and use it. If you can hit it with one, you can hit it with the other. For game up to elk, you aren't undergunned with either one.
 
As an example, Winchester factory...

150gr ammo

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180gr

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If you buy commercial, it's a practical tossup until 175's

If you are a handloader -- and "ballistic efficiency" isn't the prime concern -- it's clear 30-06.
 
I read this on another forum somewhere, and I think it sums up the argument,
it said something along the lines of 'If you buy the .308, you'll always wonder 'what if' you bought the .30-06. If you buy the .30-06, you'll never have to worry about that.'

What that basically means is that the only thing you are gaining by going with the .308 is a nominal reduction on recoil. You loose range and the ability to fire 220 grain bullets. But if you buy a .30-06, you will never say 'Ow, I wish I had 40 yards less range' because you aren't loosing anything to get it.

Unless you're in competition, where 0.08 of an inch makes a difference, there is no reason not to buy the .30-06. Because you will never be sorry you did.

Ken B.
 
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