.308 vs .30-06

[Kentucky Deer Hunter]

In my previous post I had said that I was going to get a .30-06, however after reading and doing some homework, I am leaning towards the .308. Any suggestions or past experiences with these guns?

[Jaypo]

I shot my 1st deer with a .308, and I love the gun. Snipers use .308 in the military, so I guess that's saying something. The round is fairly similar to an .06, but the .06 I think has a little more knockdown power. But I just killed a large fallow buck with a .243 from 70 yds, and he dropped 15 feet from where he was standing, so I guess it's mostly shot placement. The 1st deer I shot, it was with my .308 from about 20 yards out, and it blew her back. There is no shortage of power there. I'd actually take it elk hunting with me if I ever went!

[cuzins8]

The 30-06 is the best rifle made for hunting whitetail deer to me.I shoot a .300 win mag but only because I hunt alot of BIG hogs and want the knock down power.If I were told i could have only 1 rifle to whitetail deer hunt with the rest of my life.I would without a doubt take the 30-06 over all !

[progers]

308 without a doubt. As Jaypo stated, the prefered choice of snipers is the 308. There is a reason. It is called accuracy and consistancy. A 308 will out perform the 30-06 balistically and statistically. The 30-06 will start dropping alot faster than the 308 around 250 yards. Also, the 308 will be traveling somewhat slower than the 30-06 which will allow for better expansion on impact. Both are what you want and need in a good deer rifle. However, with any rifle, shot placement is the key element. But, I will say without a doubt that you will drop more deer in their tracks with a body shot at 200 yards with a 308 than you will with a 30-06.

The ammunitions are both readily available so, that is not a problem. Get a bolt action 308 and you will not be disappointed. I would even consider a Savage as they are "out of the box" probably the most accurate guns made.

[Danman8520]

Either is fine, your just going to get peoples opinions on what they like. If you had to ask this question, im guessing that you wont notice the differences between the two at the range. There is only about 200fps velocity gain by chosing the 06. When you figure that between rounds there can be a 20 fps variation, youl never notice the other 160fps. Generally the .308 is more accurate but stuff happens. If you cant put 5 rounds in an inch you might not notice that accuracy difference. So its a toss up. They are about the same. Id go to the place where you plan on buying your ammunition and see what one is cheaper both standard and premium loads. Its not gonna be much of a differance but its a dollar in the bank. BTW I shoot a .308

[358wsm]

I'm sorry I didn't get to read your previous post. In it I'm sure that you specified what you were going to use the chosen caliber for, i.e. paper punching, deer hunting, deer/elk hunting, or larger game such as moose. If you are going to use it for anything elk size and smaller with factory ammunition I'd recomend the .308 win. However, if you think that you MIGHT go after some larger game and/or may want to someday build handloads for your piece I'd recomend the long action of the 30-06, and preferably one with at least a 24 inch barrel. with the heavier bullets that you'd want to use for the BIGGER stuff the longer action of the 30-06 will allow you to seat your bullet further ahead thus not "cramping" your powder space. That said, a Ruger #1 in 308 with a 26 inch barrel would be a tough number to beat...bullet seating would be of no concern.

[KwackWacker]

I've killed deer with both and I can say without a doubt none of them were any deader than the others. I tend to lean towards the .308, but just a little

[cuzins8]

I'm sorry I didn't get to read your previous post. In it I'm sure that you specified what you were going to use the chosen caliber for, i.e. paper punching, deer hunting, deer/elk hunting, or larger game such as moose. If you are going to use it for anything elk size and smaller with factory ammunition I'd recomend the .308 win. However, if you think that you MIGHT go after some larger game and/or may want to someday build handloads for your piece I'd recomend the long action of the 30-06, and preferably one with at least a 24 inch barrel. with the heavier bullets that you'd want to use for the BIGGER stuff the longer action of the 30-06 will allow you to seat your bullet further ahead thus not "cramping" your powder space. That said, a Ruger #1 in 308 with a 26 inch barrel would be a tough number to beat...bullet seating would be of no concern.

The .308 is no moose gun or even elk gun for that matter.You need a 300 magnum or even a 375 H&H.There is NO doubt that the 30-06 will do more damage to a deer and that it is harder hitting!Why go with a smaller gun that has that slight chance that it will wound when the 06 would have KILLED?

[progers]

I'm sorry I didn't get to read your previous post. In it I'm sure that you specified what you were going to use the chosen caliber for, i.e. paper punching, deer hunting, deer/elk hunting, or larger game such as moose. If you are going to use it for anything elk size and smaller with factory ammunition I'd recomend the .308 win. However, if you think that you MIGHT go after some larger game and/or may want to someday build handloads for your piece I'd recomend the long action of the 30-06, and preferably one with at least a 24 inch barrel. with the heavier bullets that you'd want to use for the BIGGER stuff the longer action of the 30-06 will allow you to seat your bullet further ahead thus not "cramping" your powder space. That said, a Ruger #1 in 308 with a 26 inch barrel would be a tough number to beat...bullet seating would be of no concern.

The .308 is no moose gun or even elk gun for that matter.You need a 300 magnum or even a 375 H&H.There is NO doubt that the 30-06 will do more damage to a deer and that it is harder hitting!Why go with a smaller gun that has that slight chance that it will wound when the 06 would have KILLED?

OK, lets look at a chart and compare

308 150grn: 2820 MV (fps); 2288 V @ 200 yds; 2648 ME (ft lb); 1744 E @ 200 yds

30-06 150grn: 2910 MV (fps); 2342 V @ 200 yds; 2820 ME (ft lb); 1827 E @ 200 yds

Comparing 150grn. ammo: at the muzzle, the 30-06 is traveling 90 fps faster than the 308. At 200 yards, the 30-06 is traveling 54 fps. faster than the 308. After 300 yards, the 308 is traveling faster than the 06. At the muzzle, the 30-06 has 172 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 200 yards the 30-06 has 83 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 400 yards, the 308 has more knock down power!

Summary: The 150 grain 30-06 has more knock down power and is traveling faster than the 308 from point blank to around 200 yards. After that, the 308 will be a more powerful round than the 30-06.



308 180grn: 2620 MV (fps); 2198 V @ 200 yds; 2743 ME (ft lb); 1930 E @ 200 yds

30-06 180grn: 2700 MV (fps); 2023 V @ 200 yds; 2913 ME (ft lb); 1635 E @ 200 yds

Comparing 180grn. ammo: at the muzzle, the 30-06 is traveling 80 fps faster than the 308. At 200 yards, the 308 is traveling 175 fps. faster than the 308. At the muzzle, the 30-06 has 170 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 200 yards the 308 has 295 ft. lbs. more than the 30-06.

Summary: The 180 grain 30-06 has more knock down power and is traveling faster than the 308 from point blank to around 50 yards. After that, the 308 will be a more powerful round than the 30-06.


Now, if you are only shooting game from point blank to 50 yards then YES, the 30-06 is a more powerful rifle. But, if you are shooting at game from 50 yards and beyond, the 308 is clearly a more powerful weapon of choice. The 308 clearly out preforms the 30-06 ballistically and statistically. Sorry, but the 30-06 does not win this time!


Summary: If the .308 is no moose gun or even elk gun for that matter then, the 30-06 is definatly NOT!

[DocHolladay]

I like both, but would tend to lean a little more towards the .308. As Paul and some others have mentioned, the .308 is what the military uses and it is accurate out to 1000yds plus. I think it would also tend to have less recoil so that you dont get a sore shoulder after a long day of shooting. As for it not being an elk caliber, I think it is. I know some people that use a .270 on elk. Some say that is to small for elk, but it seems to do its job. Same with the .308.

[progers]

Speaking of the 270:

You know that comparing the 180 grain, the 30-06 compares more to a 270 than the 308. Now, the 280 out performs both the 308 and 30-06 baslistically. Go figure.

A 280 is a very accurate rifle with great knockdown power. The only problem is that it's ammo is not readily available in alot of places.

However, the 7mag and 300mag out performs all of the mentioned.

[cuzins8]

.You need a 300 magnum or even a 375 H&H.Why go with a smaller gun that has that slight chance that it will wound when the 06 would have KILLED?

Nice post Prog,thanks...but like i said.Still holds water!

[cuzins8]

However, the 7mag and 300mag out performs all of the mentioned.

Yes Yes Yes....YES!You da man Progers.You will see like i did.Admiting it is half the battle!

[progers]

However, the 7mag and 300mag out performs all of the mentioned.

Yes Yes Yes....YES!You da man Progers.You will see like i did.Admiting it is half the battle!

Admit what? This topic is about which is better, the 308 or 30-06. I have clearly stayed on topic and you have went off on a tangent.

In my previous post I had said that I was going to get a .30-06, however after reading and doing some homework, I am leaning towards the .308. Any suggestions or past experiences with these guns?

Hey cuz! The 308 is better than the 30-06!

[358wsm]

With all due respect, a .308 diameter bullet (as with any other) when compared with another bullet of same diameter and weight gets it's foot pounds of energy by way of velocity. If you start out a 180 grain nosler ballistic tip at the same speed as you start out the same companies 180 grain partition the ballistic tip will begin to surpass the partition immediately. Why? Because there is a variable at play, it's a little thing called ballistic coefficient, the ballistic tip bullet with its long sleek body and fancy boattail makes it slippery and thus it has less resistance to the atmosphere than the shorter, stubbier, and flat based partition. This is the only way that a bullet of slower slower muzzle velocity having the same weight can surpass one that leaving slightly faster. Then there are other factors to concider. For one, I can usually get faster velocities out of a handloaded .308 winchester than factory loaded 30-06 loads from the same length barrel, imagine what happens when that 30-06 is coming out of a 22 inch barrel and my 308 win is being shot out of a 26 incher! Some don't concider the 308 to be an Elk or moose gun, and I don't concider the 270 win. to be a moose gun, Funny thing though, when I asked my moose guide what he used to take his 1200 pound bull moose he showed me his 270 win. Use a good bullet, learn to shoot, "the 308," it's plenty enough gun.

[progers]

Great info and knowledge.

Shot placement is key and accuracy accomendates shot placement. With that being said, how about we throw the Rem. 280 in the mix? That is a very accurate little piece of equipment.

[cuzins8]

I cant win for losing man!You guys have good aruments but im stickin with what i have "personally" learned.THE 06 IS A BETTER GUN FOR ALL AROUND DEER AND BIG GAME HUNTING.But Ill stick with my .300 win mag!

[progers]

I cant win for losing man!You guys have good aruments but im stickin with what i have "personally" learned.THE 06 IS A BETTER GUN FOR ALL AROUND DEER AND BIG GAME HUNTING.But Ill stick with my .300 win mag!

There you go! The best gun is a gun that you are personally comfortable with!

[VargetBurner]

Hello , they both shoot the same caliber bullets.......... the same brand bullets............ the same weight bullets................ ONLY difference is 100 +/- FPS on some loads, A deer is not going to know the friggin difference. The only possible advantage with the .308 is the case is shorter (more efficient) allowing use of a short action weapon if your choice is a bolt. Thus allowing a slightly shorter bolt cycle, and shorter overall length of gun. The .308 is more efficient burning its power, so a shorter barreled gun may lose slightly less FPS in the .308 than the 06. They both have very good reputations for accuracy. Personally I like shorter guns, due to the terrain I mostly hunt in, and its my preference. The military primarily chose the .308 because of the size of the round, they can carry more, same as the .223.
358wsm was right on the money with his replies. Anyone who says an 06 or 308 is going to wound game is not using the right bullet for the job or just plain just don't know jack.
As for moose/elk its all about bullet selection and shot placement, there really is not much difference in the above mentioned calibers, what counts is bullet design and where it hits, period.

But hey, shoot what you like, just chose the right bullet and sight in well with lots of practice.

[JIMBO]

I do not want to hijack. I have questions also, and did not want to start a new thread about the same subject matter.

I have used a .270 for 20 years now, and would like to add another caliber just for fun.

This is what I have discovered.

The .308 uses its powder better. Hence it will not loose as many fps from a shorter barrel as a 30-06.
The 30-06 and .308 are ballistic twins out to 200-250 yards.
The price for ammo is the same or within .50 of each other.
The 30-06 however, does have the advantage when it comes to the heavier loadings.

My question is this.
I can understand the .308 with its short throw action, in a small rifle such as the Model Seven.

Out of a normal sized rifle(s) that all weight the same(M77,M700,T3 etc) with a 22" or 24" barrel would the 30-06 not have the advantage with it ability to use heavier loads at some point?

If this is false, please correct me.

[KwackWacker]

When you factor in the advantages/disadvantages of model types I believe you are correct Jimbo. But then again there are times when the model makes all the difference in the world. In depends on the type of hunting you are doing and also the terrain.

[AussieHog]

I own and use both a .308 and a 30/06 on a regular basis on most game found here in Australia. In my experience you can't split the two when it comes to making game drop. I have shot hundreds of pigs with both calibers and have not yet seen one that was hit right not drop on the spot. I do however use my '06 a bit more often on red deer and scrub bulls.

[Wildwzl]

I have a new respect for the .308!
I just got back from a 10 day hunt in South Africa and killed the following:
Two wildebeest, Impala, warthog, zebra, bushbuck, waterbuck, red hartebeest, gemsbok and kudu .All with a .308.
All but the Hartebeest (my fault) were one shot kills including a large zebra stallion at 240 yards. Used a 170 grain bullet with a 4x scope.
The farthest any of the other animals ran was about 50 yards and none required a follow up shot.
Its all about bullet placement. Most of my shots were about 100-150 yards, broadside or quartering to.
Funny thing is many of the professional hunters and landowners who I met and do a lot of hunting actually said that they dont care for the 30-06, saying it was "too fast", whatever that means, and said that from their experience the .308 was the better choice between the two.
I know lots here would disagree but that is the experience I had.

[crosscountry2]

i've shot both of these, and brought the .308 hunting once, and let me tell you, the .308 has some nock down power

[FghtinIrshNvrDie]

I voted for the 30-06. Now that I'm reading through the thread I'm going to look into the .308. This sounds like it could be quite a rifle.

Ryan

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

308 without a doubt.Accurate,reliable and not a mule kicker. Browning A bolt,cant be beat.A tad pricey but a heck of a gun.

[DeerDope]

30-06 is the best all round gun you can buy bottom line.
The trick is can you the shooter keep it on target?
Beginner or marksmen, you have to be able to shoot first,
accurately, over and over to decide what gun is better for you.

[vahunt4me]

I'm thinking about getting the new marlin 308 lever action. Love lever's for some reason.

[ilikepie82015]

30-06 thats all i gota say
..........

[vmthtr]

OK, lets look at a chart and compare

308 150grn: 2820 MV (fps); 2288 V @ 200 yds; 2648 ME (ft lb); 1744 E @ 200 yds

30-06 150grn: 2910 MV (fps); 2342 V @ 200 yds; 2820 ME (ft lb); 1827 E @ 200 yds

Comparing 150grn. ammo: at the muzzle, the 30-06 is traveling 90 fps faster than the 308. At 200 yards, the 30-06 is traveling 54 fps. faster than the 308. After 300 yards, the 308 is traveling faster than the 06. At the muzzle, the 30-06 has 172 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 200 yards the 30-06 has 83 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 400 yards, the 308 has more knock down power!

Summary: The 150 grain 30-06 has more knock down power and is traveling faster than the 308 from point blank to around 200 yards. After that, the 308 will be a more powerful round than the 30-06.



308 180grn: 2620 MV (fps); 2198 V @ 200 yds; 2743 ME (ft lb); 1930 E @ 200 yds

30-06 180grn: 2700 MV (fps); 2023 V @ 200 yds; 2913 ME (ft lb); 1635 E @ 200 yds

Comparing 180grn. ammo: at the muzzle, the 30-06 is traveling 80 fps faster than the 308. At 200 yards, the 308 is traveling 175 fps. faster than the 308. At the muzzle, the 30-06 has 170 ft. lbs. more than the 308. At 200 yards the 308 has 295 ft. lbs. more than the 30-06.

Summary: The 180 grain 30-06 has more knock down power and is traveling faster than the 308 from point blank to around 50 yards. After that, the 308 will be a more powerful round than the 30-06.


Now, if you are only shooting game from point blank to 50 yards then YES, the 30-06 is a more powerful rifle. But, if you are shooting at game from 50 yards and beyond, the 308 is clearly a more powerful weapon of choice. The 308 clearly out preforms the 30-06 ballistic ally and statistically. Sorry, but the 30-06 does not win this time!


Summary: If the .308 is no moose gun or even elk gun for that matter then, the 30-06 is defiantly NOT!

[/quote]
Not sure where you got your info, but to compare apples to apples, once the bullet leaves the bore there is no way a slower bullet of the same type will surpass a faster one. If both are Nosler Bt's then they are the same, if they are two different bullets then it can happen. The bold letter you wrote are just BS with capital letters.

Mike