.308 vs .30-06

Bullzeye

Is a .308 really that much better than the venerable 06? I'm talking about the accuracy. If it is, Why? I was just thinking same bullet with the larger capacity of the 06 case would give you higher velocities , consequently flatter trajectories and less time for wind to act upon the bullet. Just something I was thinking about.

Bullzeye

Well, I've heard lots of good things about the .30-06, but when it comes down to brass tacks they are quite similar in size.So what makes one better than the other? Give me specifics please, I'm in the middle of possibly reevaluating my choice of calibers.

22WRF

I always heard the shoulder angle of the 308 was a major improvment over the 06.

gap1916

Both are excellent. if you reload you can get your best bang for the buck from the 3006. it will hold more powder and give very good results. If you do not reload then it is up to you. The mfg rounds are almost twins. Thats why the government went with the .308 ie 7.62 NATO. Now if you look at the rifles that use the rounds and you want a clasic like the Pre 64 winchester. You will find more 30.06 then you will .308. But the new Winchesters use the same large claw extractor that the pre 64 did. Just my 2 cents

jeenyes

The 308 is more accurate. Not that the 30-06 is not. The 30-06 can handle heavier bullets. You can also buy a insert for the 30-06 to rechamber it for the 308. I have one for my garand and love it.If I could only have one it would have to be the 30-06.

Bullzeye

Well, assuming I dont plan on doing my own reloading any time soon, and I'm going to be using it in a Rem. 700 bolter, is there any ostensible benefit to one over the other? Or is it just personal preference?How about the recoil?

turbo

I'm partial to the 30 06, and own three rifles, one semi, two bolt actions.This cartridge is undoubtedly the most flexible, useful, all round big game cartridge available to any hunter, in North America.Here is three reasons why the 30-06 has been so popular with serious sportsman in this hemisphere:1. Use of 100 to 130 grain bullets for varmint hunting, 150 to 165 for deer, antelope, goat,sheep,black and brown bear under most conditions withi the continental boundarys, and 180-220 grain bullets for elk, moose or the big bears in Alaska,Kodiak Isld. 2. It can be handloaded to take 250 grain bullets for hunting all but the heaviest or most dangerous African and Asiatic species; this cartridge (250 grain) practically duplicates the performance of the British 318 Rimless Nitro.3. For hunting, with the proper bullet, this cartridge can be adapted to any game or hunting situation, whether in the mountains, plains, woods or jungles. Few other cartridges can claim equal versatility.A minimum of fourteen current cartridges can be converted from the 30 06 casing. Not to mention other obsolete cartridges.I don't take anything away from any of the other cartridges, they all make a good choice, for what ever reasons people choose them and will undoubtedly do the job, but none have such a wide spectrum of flexibility as I stated before.But just think about it, why own several rifles for different hunting situations, when one cartridge can do the same job.30-06, + loading equipment, equals; versatility to hunt whatever, and money in your pocket from having to buy rifles and ammunition for different hunting.You can't lose..And there is plenty of military ammo available, some even armour piercing, cheap!If you don't load, none of this matters... [This message has been edited by turbo (edited 12-12-2001).]

ghotie_thumper

I think, all things being equal, the 06 is about 200 fps faster than the 308. This is a general number used with equal bullet weights. The 308 is usually considered a more inherently accurate round. Apparently the Shorter action rounds have a slight edge over long action rounds in this respect. The 06 can be loaded effectively with heavier rounds than the 308 but both can be loaded with all the light 30 cal and even the accelerator rounds. There are a few ammo manufacturers "hornady light magnum" comes to mind, that load the 308 to equal factory 3006 velocities. As far as Recoil I would guess that the additional velocities of the 3006 should give a proportionate increase in recoil. My 3006 kicks more than my son's 308 but this isn't a fair test because he has the Boss on his winchester 70 and mine is an old Husqvarna with no kick pad or porting of any kind. The recoil with the 06 isn't bad though as long as I don't shoot a lot of hot hand loads using heavy bullets, which I don't. Good Luck.

paul1231

I could be wrong, but I believe the .308 was selected and/or developed for military reasons: works better in autos, and a GI can pack a few more bandoleers. As always, the civilian market picked up on the "new" standard military round, and quite a few were sold. And still being sold. I understand the .300 Savage round was passed over in the testing phase simply because of it's short neck: couldn't be trusted to hold the bullet under ruff and tumble combat situations.

ref44

I moved to SW Colorado two years ago after a lifetime in Texas. The most popular caliber here for elk, as best I can tell from barber shop talk, is the .30-'06. But many use .270 or .308. As always, it depends upon where you put the bullet.

gruntled

As time goes on it will be harder & harder to find surplus 30/06.

ru492

The best way to start a figth is to ask what is better .30-06 .270 win or .308 . For deer they all work nice but all are just barly good for elk . A good shot will have no problem but elk are unforgiving of a poor placed shot . As to the 06 over the .308 , with in 250 yards it dosen't much matter . The 06 is a little better out to 300 - 350 yards. Also like was pointed out befor 06 can carry a heaver bullet upto 200 grain .I myself don't like any of the three . I like a .280 imp .

royc38

I have both so I don't have to worry which is really better. I really can't see why anyone would even think either one would have a decided advantage over the other except for long long distance.