Need advice in choosing a 308/30-06 rifle.

A

AnimalMother

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My eyes are tired from researching this. I was looking for a budget rifle in either 308 or 30-06. I am leaning towards the 308 due to cost and availability.

I decided on a Savage rifle but wanted the professional options of others.
There are many models though.
I planned on taking a trip to hunt bigger game such as elk.

I read in a hunting guide that the Savage 11 /111 and 11/111 are the way to go. With many models I've had a hard time deciding.

I also heard the ruger American is good as well but I think I may go with the Savage. I want it*to last decades to give to my kids.

What would suggest?

I have availability to 308 and 30-06 at the lgs at decent prices. So I chose these rounds. I wonder what others have to say
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/78128
I found this, looks like it might fit the bill. I heard it had a nice trigger as well.

10/110 International Trophy Hunter XP
10/110 Trophy Hunter XP
11 International Trophy Hunter XP - Youth
11/111 International Trophy Hunter XP
11 International Trophy Predator Hunter, Snow Camo
11 International Trophy Predator Hunter, Mossy Oak Brush
11/111 Trophy Hunter XP
11 Trophy Hunter XP -
11 Trophy Predator Hunter, Snow Camo
11 Trophy Predator Hunter, Mossy Oak Brush Camo
11 Trophy Hunter XP - Youth, Muddy Girl
16/116 International Trophy Hunter XP
16/116 Trophy Hunter XP
 
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I'd buy the Ruger, but any of the Savage 11/111's will do you good too. It is really personal preference between the various models and which features are more important to you.

At one time I'd have said 30-06, but would go 308 today. Especially in a Savage. Their long action rifles are insanely long and make scope selection and mounting difficult. It is simply impossible to use the scope and mounts I prefer on one.
 
Any of them would do well. I have a fondness for 30-06, but its a waste unless you are doing moose and brown bear.

None of those guns is a hand me down gun for the kids in the sense that they are beautiful and to be cherished fire arm

don't get me wrong, they are well done by all reports and functional and do the job. they fall into the tool category. Nothing wrong with that if that’s all you want and need.

If I was going to look for a heritage gun I would buy a nice 1903 Sporter, a pre- 64 Winchester, A Sako Finnbear etc.
 
Savage makes good guns

.308 will be a bit lighter because of action length. There is not all that much difference, performance wise, between the two cartridges.
 
Your link is a good budget rifle and it'll last decades with the proper care. Before buying though I would go to your LGS and handle different rifles to make sure which you prefer. Look at the features each brand/model offer and make your choice on which works best for you.

Cartridge choice between the 308 Winchester and 30-06 is not something I would waste a lot of time on. Both are more than capable of taking big game. The important thing is to use the right ammunition and put the bullet in the right spot.
 
For what you pay, and the performance they offer, the Savage is a good choice. Their accuracy is excellent, and they have the ability to out-perform much higher priced rifles. A 30-06 is a good 'all around cartridge' and is my personal favorite due to its versatility.

My friend Matt out shot me with his Savage 111 (right out of the box w/ the Nikon Prostaff on it) and me using my old Model 70 with a vintage Redfield.

Both of us were shooting 30-06s, and he was able to get just under 1/2" groups at 100 yds and I only managed right around 3/4" at my best. Thats my personal experience with it. (He used Federal 150 gr Powershok ammunition)

As far as it becoming something to pass down to your kids, it will certainly last in order for you to do that!
 
Thanks for the reply. I like those links!
30-06 seems like it's similar in price to the 308.

I read that the military surplus has dried up. Does this mean the round will get more expensive? I am thinking ahead for the future.

Another quick questions. Would it makes sense to use a Lee Enfield MKV as a hunting rifle? My father has passed down the Enfield to me as well as a SKS. He told me it fires 303.
How rare is this round? I cannot find it anywhere locally. I did find it online however. Would this make a good hunting rifle? Has anyone hunted with an SKS?
http://grabagun.com/savage-arms-111hunter-xp-30-06-bl-syn-pkg.html
This is an amazing deal. Although it does not come with the trigger I still think i may get this instead. I can use the rest of the money on ammo.

How hard is the 30-06 kick? I have only fired a Garand and that was when I was in my teens. I cannot remember how it felt though.

Thanks for all your help, I am excited and cant wait to get my rifle.
 
Recoil is kind of a personal limits thing and it varies from gun to gun as well. My 1903 and Garand both shoot 30-06, but the 1903 tries to drive through the other side of my shoulder while the Garand is a pleasure to shoot. That being said, neither those rifles nor any other 30-06 rifles I've fired are painful or difficult to shoot for either myself or my wife. This is just my personal experience, yours may vary.
 
No mention of Marlins X7 series. Nice smooth functioning rifle right out of the box. Good or better cosmetics than the Savage no doubt. Marlin appears to be built as well as the Ruger American or anything else in that tier of rifles. Having all the bells & whistle including Marlin'd idea of the adjustable trigger. 50.00 to 100.00 cheaper in price is a welcome site for those looking for reasonable price tag. Yup!! I'd suggest a closer look at Marlin's X-7 line-up. For a caliber. I'd buy a 308 for its shorter action bolt pull.
 
30-06 price is very comparable to .308 prices, but a little more versatile (on the heavy side) compared to a .308. 30-06 recoil is not bad and completely relative to how heavy the rifle is, personal tolerance, shooting position and whether it is semi auto or not, Like SHE3PDOG's comparison of the Garand and '03 Springer.

The load that you are using in the rifle has a huge part to play as well. For instance, 180gr Remington Core-Lokt rounds are going to kick much more than standard 150gr military ball rounds. This can be somewhat tamed by the weight of the rifle itself, especially in bolt actions, hence part of the reason I prefer wood stocks. The butt pad and or plate comes into play as well.

As far as a .303, it is a great round but as you stated it is 'harder' to find ammo for it. When you do it is a bit over a $1 a round. Most of the major ammo manufacturers still make it in a 'hunting load' with a soft pointed bullet vs FMJ.

The military surplus as I recall virtually dried up in the early 2000's, but occasionally you'll come about a Mom and Pop shop or an old timer at a gunshow that has a crate-load of the stuff and that has been collecting dust in his basement for decades. The market price on commercial ammo for the .303 is stable and has increased only with inflation over the years.
 
If you are not a handloader and if the selection of rifles is mostly in barrel lengths around 20" to 22", the .308 is equal in hunting performance to the .30-'06 for most game animals.
 
I definitely agree with Art's previous statement. I should have clarified in that a 30-06 has the ability to hold more powder in the case and lob heavier projectiles with a little more 'oomph' should one need to (for use on a grizzly bear maybe?) That was my meaning behind 'more versatile'

You won't go wrong with either cartridge choice though :)
 
I bought a Savage 11 Trophy Hunter in 260 Remington. It's cheap, light and accurate.
I hunt elk with a 30-06, but a .308 is fine enough so long as your shot doesn't cross distances better suited to artillery.
Good hunting
 
I'll put my 2 cents in and cast a vote for a Howa 1500/ Weatherby Vanguard. Accurate, reliable and with good looks that suggest a higher priced gun than they are.

06 does everything a 308 can, just better with 180s. Seems to be more match grade factory loads for 308 though.
 
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30-06 seems like it's similar in price to the 308.

I read that the military surplus has dried up. Does this mean the round will get more expensive? I am thinking ahead for the future.

Another quick questions. Would it makes sense to use a Lee Enfield MKV as a hunting rifle? My father has passed down the Enfield to me as well as a SKS. He told me it fires 303.
How rare is this round? I cannot find it anywhere locally. I did find it online however. Would this make a good hunting rifle? Has anyone hunted with an SKS?
http://grabagun.com/savage-arms-111h...l-syn-pkg.html
This is an amazing deal. Although it does not come with the trigger I still think i may get this instead. I can use the rest of the money on ammo.

How hard is the 30-06 kick? I have only fired a Garand and that was when I was in my teens. I cannot remember how it felt though.

Thanks for all your help, I am excited and cant wait to get my rifle.
Click to expand...

Questions answers in the order above.

1. 308 cost Vs 30-06 : As the difference is only a chamber reamer (30-06 goes deeper) the prices are close to the same if not identical.

2. Ammo availability : Looks like you are new to the context. 30-06 is like dandelions, its a ubiquitous round. If a gun shop is going to have anything its going to be 30-06. Single most popular cartridge in the universe, the sun will go dark before they quite making it.

3. 303?: Ubiquitous at one time in the British empire and still common there, not as much in US as they were bring homes. Fine cartridge as it took on anything in the world in Brit hands and hand me down heritage in Africa even after they left. Like all ex miligary cartridges , its military loading is not for hunting.

4. SKS: fun, but not a serious hunting cartridge (maybe can hand load with right bullets, mostly mil surplus penetration rounds. per military 30-06 and 303.

4: 30-06 kick?: About max level for most people without a lot of training. Use of a recoil absorber can help if its an issue. More so in light hunting guns like Ruger American, and Savage Axis budget offerings. If you shoot a lot it can be a problem, if just range rounds and hunting no.

Mil Suprlus Ammo: intended to penetrate helmets and barriers, not all that accurate.
 
I just got a Ruger American in .308, because I wanted one and I won a nice rifle that I did not need as a door prize and could trade for very little money. I have shot a .270 since the dark ages and I just wanted a .30 caliber rifle. Took it out this afternoon, after 15 rounds I had it shooting less than 1 inch groups (5 rd groups) I had to tighten up the scope mounts, lighten up the trigger, otherwise it was as accurate as I could hope for, especially for a budget rifle. I do not think there is a nickel's worth of difference between the .308, .270, and 30-06 for 90% of shooters. And for reloaders, maybe not that much difference.

In the budget class, things like the detachable magazine and the metal sling studs made it a better choice for me over the Marlin or the Savages that are readily available in my area.But I really think that you could flip a coin to decide which budget rifle and which caliber and whatever the outcome you would have a rifle you would be happy with.

David
 
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