308 vs 30 06

MrMag00

What are the pros and cons. I started out looking at a Tikka Tx3 308 ss lite, but found a 30 06 version for $300 cheaper. My concern is the extra kick.

savage170

About 100 fps I have both I can't tell the difference in recoil if shooting similar loads

B17-P51

Is there a question here?
 Sorry, .308 for me all day long. If I can burn 10 grains less powder and only lose 75-100 fps, I'll make that trade. I teach FAS to kids and the parents will often ask my opinion for a first gun. as they lean towards a .243.  I usually recommend 308 as the child will grow into it as opposed to out of it. They will shoot the same gun for deer and not be undergunned for any game on the lower 48 except for the biggest bears. The '06 does do well with bullets over 200gr, but those are rarely needed.

select-fire

Shot a 06' since I was 10 then went with the .308 to shoot deer. Graduated to the .300 Winchester Mag and won't look back.  It recoils about the same as an 06 since it weighs a couple pounds more. It sure packs a heavier punch and shoots flatter.

BobJudy

165 grain load in each would have about 18lbs recoil for the 308 and 20lbs for the 30/06. That is for a 6.5lb rifle plus scope and mounts. There are great selections of factory loads for both with the 06 having an option for heavier bullets if needed. If I could save $300 I'd probably get the 06 and put the leftover cash in the optics or buy components or ammo. Great rifle, smooth action and decent trigger. Bob

chiefr

I would take the 06 if given a choice. A proven winner in 2 World Wars.  Garands, 1917s, and 03A3 what are real rifles should be : Wood and Steel. 
As far as the amount of powder and recoil issue, There are plenty of reduced loads. 

NeoBlackdog

Telling us what the rifle will primarily be used for might help folks to make better recommendations. 

pulsarnc

Plenty of loads for both to manage the recoil. Like said what are going to do with the gun ? I too would probably go 3006 and upgrade the optics 

wolfpack

Both are great calibers and you could not go wrong choosing either, but for 300 Bucks cheaper it would be the '06 

danielgage

both great calibers for sure I just like the short action better

whatever a person gets used to I reckon

didn't help matters that the first 30 06's I shot hammered me when I was young

makes a difference when you are a young whippersnapper, at least it did with me, not so much now

dreher

If you reload you could reload the '06 to 308 recoil levels and you would still have the extra punch of the '06 if needed.  300 bucks is 300 bucks!!

nononsense

Once again it's important to point out that these are two cartridges of the same caliber, .30 caliber which is a reference to the bullet diameter.

Without having to shop for and pay for 'reduced' recoil cartridges, we can try a variety of solutions for managing recoil.

- Muzzle brakes. There are literally a hundred different designs and most have been tested and evaluated for best efficiency. Yes, you have to  have the muzzle threaded by your gunsmith which adds to the cost but is a substantial solution for recoil and muzzle control. Ignore the uninformed who rail against these as a solution, they don't get it.

- Suppressor. Yes these add to the cost and there is a wait period based on paperwork and authorization. But there is no other solution which should be used for hunting and shooting, which aids in helping to preserve the shooters hearing. You still need hearing protection but the suppressors reduce some of the worst sound spikes.

- Recoil reducers. Added to the buttstock, usually made with mercury.

- Recoil reducing pads worn on your shoulder.

- Limb Saver recoil pads. Replace the cheap factory pad with a well made pad which helps reduce felt recoil.

I understand the desire to save money and I'm usually in favor of doing so. If you really need to save $300 and you're willing to commit that towards bettering your scope solution, then by all means get the .30-06, otherwise buy the .308 Win.

Best.

bpost

I'd get the .308 and spend the extra on top grade optics.  New bullets make the performance about equal on the game.

Butchdog2

Only difference that I would spot is 308 is short action and the ought six it long action. With today's powders and bullets the animal harvested will never know the difference. Shooter's confidence might be better with the 308, less flinch factor.

But then I shoot a 7mm STW. I also have and shoot 7mm mag and 7mm-08. The STW is a looooong action and wallop on both ends. Kinda like a big block engine, "no replacement for displacement"

MrMag00

I forgot to mention that the 30 06 is in stock ready to buy, but the 308 has to be ordered, nobody stocks it in right hand. 

As for what I will use it for, it's a rifle... shooting stuff.  

I had a 300 win mag, won't ever do that again. If I need the power, I would go 50 cal. Barrett.  No brainer.  I like what Bob suggests as to going for a short load, and still have the option for a little more when needed. 

In this video, one guy claims the Barrett is about the same as his 30-06. 
This type of purchase won't happen on my budget. Mainly because of the cost of ammo to shoot it. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKH-_gRTAFM

Here is a water jug penetration comparison. Probably irrelevant for accuracy and punch at 2-300 yards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlzKM8VSRqc

armilite

I just think the 308 is more efficient and uses a short action.

select-fire

add the bullet type , mass, velocity and check the energy.

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/bullet-kinetic-energy.php

select-fire

Recoil comparison with a rifle .. to a shotgun. My 300 Win Mag isn't hard on the shoulder.

https://chuckhawks.com/compared_rifle_shotgun_recoil.html

Rocky Raab

The difference is analogous to a yard versus a meter: it doesn't matter much until things get way out there.

But things aren't equal here; there's a $300 difference.

hillbille

if it is just for hunting you will hardly notice the recoil, one or two shots a year, if you are gonna go to the range and target practice, yes you will notice it a lot more, $300 dollars buys a lot of ammo...

susie

I'm pushing it to say I'm 5'1", yep 11 inches short of six feet. Took these bad boys with a scoped 30.06. Didn't even realize it kicked.

Butchdog2

I have fired the Barrett .50. Kick is not bad, reason, muzzle brake, recoil system, weight.

Now an ought six light weight and no butt padded rifle will get your attention.

BobJudy

select-fire said:

Recoil comparison with a rifle .. to a shotgun. My 300 Win Mag isn't hard on the shoulder.

https://chuckhawks.com/compared_rifle_shotgun_recoil.html

I am not particularly recoil sensitive and own a 300 Mag but I can't say it is fun to shoot for an extended number of rounds off the bench. I can go out and shoot a 100 1 1/8 oz 12 gauge at clays and hardly notice the recoil. At the bench your body resists the recoil and you get pounded. Shooting the shotgun your body flexes and gives with the recoil. I love the 300 but would never try to shoot the same volume with it as I do with a shotgun. Recoil can also be accumulative when it comes to developing a flinch. I have seen shooters that need about 3 tries before they finally get the trigger pulled. Some shotgun competitors even have to switch to a release trigger to try to bypass their bodies resistance to pulling a trigger. I've been lucky and don't have a flinching problem but everyone reacts differently. Bob

jltrent

II have a few of both.  If recoil is a problem on the 30-06 put a limb saver on it.  IMO there is a better overall selection of ammo for the 30-06, but either will do.  

gesshots

Keep it GOING !

NeoBlackdog

"As for what I will use it for, it's a rifle... shooting stuff."
Well heck, if you're just wanting to shoot stuff then get a .22.  

MIKE WISKEY

"if you're just wanting to shoot stuff then get a .22.  "................why shoot 'shorts' (.308) when you can shoot 'long rifles' ).30/06) for the same money  ;-)

MrMag00

I'm curious as to why what I shoot is so important, when I'm just asking for knowledge about the difference between a 308 and a 30 06. If I tell you I am shooting elephants, won't that just bias the responses?  There is an obvious difference with a 300 win mag and a 22. But for a 308 vs 30 06, there seems to be preferences going in favor of either one. There is no right or wrong answer. 

Butchdog2

Your personal preference is all that matters,  the two rounds have little or no difference.

What you shoot?

Thick skinned critters with big teeth need a heavy bullet say ought six with a 220 grain pill.

Deer sized game and paper punching, around 168 grain and less.

My 2 cents.

jimdeere

You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.

Sam06

Both are great cartridges.

As a reloader I go with the 308.

NeoBlackdog

jimdeere said:

You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.

AMEN!

montanajoe

ott 6 and be done,,,

mohawk600

I vote .308........because that is what I have........Remington Mohawk 600 in .308

MrMag00

susie said:

I'm pushing it to say I'm 5'1", yep 11 inches short of six feet. Took these bad boys with a scoped 30.06. Didn't even realize it kicked.

That isn't any challenge, shooting em while stuck in a wall.   

I had a torn rotator cuff awhile back, and not sure if the 300 winmag was partially to blame. That is initially why the interest in the 308.  

hillbille

jimdeere said:

You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.

I thought the 243 could do anything..........

hobo9650

Guess the Marines are afraid of the recoil of the ott six..  They have been using the 308 for their snipers for more than 20 years.  Read where they are adding the 300 now.

susie

MrMag00 said:

susie said:

I'm pushing it to say I'm 5'1", yep 11 inches short of six feet. Took these bad boys with a scoped 30.06. Didn't even realize it kicked.

That isn't any challenge, shooting em while stuck in a wall.   

I had a torn rotator cuff awhile back, and not sure if the 300 winmag was partially to blame. That is initially why the interest in the 308.  

Made the processing much easier to complete.  Lol.

Meanwhile back to the OP, if the kick is an issue due to the shoulder problem I would look at the .243 instead.  Sister-in-law is leery of kick so she hunts with a .243 and has been successful.  Nothing she took was a wall hanger, but brown and down.   Range where she hunts is usually 75 yards or less due to dense forest and underbrush (Mark Twain National Forest).

bpost

MrMag00 said:

I'm curious as to why what I shoot is so important, when I'm just asking for knowledge about the difference between a 308 and a 30 06. If I tell you I am shooting elephants, won't that just bias the responses?  There is an obvious difference with a 300 win mag and a 22. But for a 308 vs 30 06, there seems to be preferences going in favor of either one. There is no right or wrong answer. 

Well that is the most important question in giving a fair and learned and experienced answer to your question, what are you shooting?  I shot Caribou at 540-550 yards North of the Arctic circle at 25 below zero with "Mexican Match" ammo in a 30-06.  It was FA 1961 ammo with the bullets pulled and 180 Sierra bullets placed on top of that powder charge.  It worked.  I killed four Caribou in a line at that distance.  Could a .308 do it?  Sure thing!  The wind was howling like the dickens, the range unknown but I killed them.

I KNOW the difference between a .308 and an aught 6 made a hill of beans difference.

Put a bullet through the boiler room, hitting heart, lungs or major blood vessels and the critter will die soon enough.

The reason the question is asked about the intended use is simple.  Would you use an eight pound sledge hammer to kill flies on you granite counter top?  Heck no, so the USAGE of the tool is vital. 

Trying to remove a straight slot screw with a Phillips screwdriver is equally absurd as your claim the intended usage is unimportant.

If you want maximum versatility, with a long action rifle, go with the 30-06.  If you want the best bang for your buck under 600 yards go with the .308 in a shorter action.  If You want to get the MOST bang from your gun dollar buy an ENCORE and a MGM or Bullberry Match barrel in each and see for yourself which you prefer.

As a closing thought, screw the price of the gun, spend your money on optics and ENJOY EITHER!!!

mogley98

7mm Rem mag LOL

TrinityScrimshaw

The 30-06 used to be my favorite round, but in 1983 I was privileged to attend the US Army sniper school, and came away from that training absolutely loving the 7.62.

Trinity +++