"Everyone should have at least one .308."
- Thread starter kcub
- Start date
I have only two. A Stevens model 200 as my primary hunting rifle and a CETME as my shtf rifle along with two other .30 cal rifles. A M1 carbine and a Win '94 .30/30. See a pattern here?
If a .308Win=7.62x51, and a .30/30=7.62x51R, what is the metric designation for a .30 Carbine?
If a .308Win=7.62x51, and a .30/30=7.62x51R, what is the metric designation for a .30 Carbine?
Last edited:
Well there was many rifle's in 308 that I always wanted because I am in to Mil-Surp. Rifle's like the M1A,FN-FAL,G3,PTR91,etc. But I never went with any of them because most of the Mil-Surp ammo was already dried up & 308 is not that cheep to stock pile. My long range round is the hard hitting 7.92x57/8mm Mauser. I already had my gew98,k98,m48,etc Mausers. So I just added a few years ago a M76 a Yugo sniper rifle based on the ak all milled.So I have my long range rifle's in my Mauser's some of them scooped & the M76. For sorter range have the 7.62x39,5.45x39. Got plenty of Mil-surp ammo for them that did not break the bank to stock up on.
MemphisJim
New member
Why have a .308? Why not?
As a hunting round, it'll take most any North American game. The ammunition is generally available at a (nominally) reasonable cost. Depending on your circumstance, it can be a home defense tool. And it's a great all-around SHTF caliber.
My .308 happens to be a 1954 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Mom gave Dad for Christmas 1955 after his return from a 1 year unaccompanied tour in Iceland. I don't hunt any more and likely will soon succumb to son's pleas to let him take over the custodian role for it until his son is ready.
During Army training periods in 1965-66, I carried the M-14 and fell in love with it and its ammunition. Matter of fact, I just may have to get a National Match M1A to replace the M70.
As a hunting round, it'll take most any North American game. The ammunition is generally available at a (nominally) reasonable cost. Depending on your circumstance, it can be a home defense tool. And it's a great all-around SHTF caliber.
My .308 happens to be a 1954 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Mom gave Dad for Christmas 1955 after his return from a 1 year unaccompanied tour in Iceland. I don't hunt any more and likely will soon succumb to son's pleas to let him take over the custodian role for it until his son is ready.
During Army training periods in 1965-66, I carried the M-14 and fell in love with it and its ammunition. Matter of fact, I just may have to get a National Match M1A to replace the M70.
You are wrong. Somewhat. Where the .308 had a short life was as a primary service rifle cartridge. As a GPMG round it has been in constant service since it was adopted.
The decision to replace the 7.62mm NATO with the 5.56mm as a primary rifle round was done by the MacNamara defense dept, and is still "discussed" (complete with hair pulling, screaming, feet pounding tantrums on both sides)
Considering their decision came a very few short years after we basically forced NATO allies to adopt the 7.62mmNato as their primary rifle round, that decision did not sit well with a great number of people.
1. Disagree, but only because I don't feel qualified to tell everyone what weapon they should have.
2. However, when I wanted to move up to a bigger caliber, I decided that it was a good choice for me because of effective range, punch, and availability. In the process, I sold my AR-15 to my younger son (he didn't have an EBG yet). So now, when I play out EOTWAWKI scenarios in my mind, I'm the one primarily engaging vehicles, light barriers, and/or zombies at 200+ yds, while my two sons are using their ARs mostly from 200 yds in.
3. I've had my Century Arms C308 for almost two weeks now.
2. However, when I wanted to move up to a bigger caliber, I decided that it was a good choice for me because of effective range, punch, and availability. In the process, I sold my AR-15 to my younger son (he didn't have an EBG yet). So now, when I play out EOTWAWKI scenarios in my mind, I'm the one primarily engaging vehicles, light barriers, and/or zombies at 200+ yds, while my two sons are using their ARs mostly from 200 yds in.
3. I've had my Century Arms C308 for almost two weeks now.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Yes, but what's that got to do with .308? There are several other chamberings to choose from - there are FALs and many AR10 types in .260 rem, 7mm-08, and .243 win, for example.
Yes, and .260 Rem, 6.5 CM, and 7mm-08 all haves more range, better penetration, and more energy (at distance) than the relatively-lame .308, not to mention less recoil - so again, you're not making any case FOR a .308.
Because frankly, it sucks relative to other better choices (.260 Rem, 6.5 CM, and 7mm-08). Even a 6.5 Grendel outperforms the .308 win at long distances, and can be had in a lighter, handier rig. YMMV.
Hmm, I'm not seeing that. The 120 Amax seems to have about the same velocity from the 6.5Grendel that a 175 Sierra does from and .308 holding barrel length constant, and about the same BC so the trajectories are nearly identical. But energy on target isn't even close to the same.
The .308 does just fine at a wide range of things, and that's why it's on top of the heap. With the exception of the 7mm-08, most of the rest mentioned are specialist rounds that can't reasonably take heavy game. The 7mm-08 is perfectly nice, but had the misfortune of coming late to the party.
It's also worth mentioning that .308 had the good fortune of settling on the right twist rate (1/11.25 or faster) relatively quickly while the 7mm and 6.5 offerings are still under-twisted in most factory barrels. You need an 8" twist in 7mm and a 7" twist in 6.5mm to achieve the same heavy bullet stability .308 enjoys in a good fraction of rifles sold. While there are custom barrel makers making barrels in those twist rates, I haven't seen many if any rifles on the rack set up right.
Last edited:
Yes and no. In a broader sense being a chambering equally well suited to all action types adds to its popularity ensuring you'll more likely see .308 ammo on the shelf. Also, if you want one of each rifle action type your ammo stockpiling gets a lot simpler.
It's probably not the best at anything, other than being the ubiquitous "heavy" military small arms caliber for semi and full auto weapons. But it may otherwise be at least among the best at having to do everything in a pinch come what may.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
I beg to differ. It's on top of the heap solely due to inertia - inertia created by it being a military issue round. Even if the 6.5 grendel doesn't best it, the .260 Rem EASILY bests it at all ranges (especially long range), for anti-personnel purposes, and general hunting.
It's definitely NOT really even on top of the heap, among those who really know rifles and shooting - 6mms are - even the 6.5s are become passe at this point... let alone 7mms, LET ALONE ultra-passe .308 cal chamberings:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/10/14/rifle-calibers-what-the-pros-use/
INERTIA. That's it, nothing more.
See the chart? In 2013, 2% of the best of the best shooters in the USA chose a .30 cal chambering for long range practical shooting competition - in 2014, that fell to 0.00%. Zilch. 40% use 6.5 mm rounds, and 60% use 6.0mm rounds.
I wouldn't say it's worthless. It fills the smallish gap between .30-30 and .30-06 not too bad. It's not a bad choice for hunting. I do think it's overrated by the mall ninja "tactical" crowd. If you read this thread you'll get that vibe from several posts. The .308 is nothing special, there's much more powerful .30 rounds. No round is perfect for everything either. I bet there's hundreds of different cartridges out there. No reason to say the .308 is the best all around round, there's several in that lineup.