.308 VS 30-06

**40twist** · October 9th, 2008, 08:12 AM

I have been looking into a new rifle and really wanted/decided on a 30-06 on the advice of a few friends. The more I read about these two calibers I am starting to think I might want to give the .308 a harder look. Can anyone give some opinions on these two , do you prefer one over the other ? , do you think the .308 IS more accurate than the 30-06? Please give me what you think is the better performer as a dear rifle.

**markheck1** · October 9th, 2008, 08:18 AM

Yes.....

they are really in effect much the same.....both shoot a .30 caliber bullet....the '06 is a little faster, no different than the '06 to my 300 Win Mag......

Longer shots, it shoots a bit flatter, but as far as accuracy.....I can't see much difference.....

Both will be fine for a Deer Rifle.

**Hozen** · October 9th, 2008, 09:19 AM

The .308 fits in some guns the 30-06 doesn't... So, if you have a specific gun in mind, the option might be chosen for you. You really can't go wrong with either the .308 or the 30-06.

**The Drew** · October 9th, 2008, 09:33 AM

In bolt guns, the .308 is a shorter bolt throw because of the shorter case. As has been stated, the .308 fits some guns that the 06 doesn't.

Either way you really can't go wrong...

Personally I'd go with a .308, mainly because I have a bunch of 7.62 NATO laying around....

**toadyoforangeville** · October 9th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Go for the 7.62x54R and be in between the 06 and 308..............

**pa_ridgerunner** · October 9th, 2008, 12:00 PM

For the average hunter there is no practical difference between the two. I have several of each and prefer the 30-06. The main reason I choose the 06 is the ability to handle heavier bullets better. If anything bigger than deer might be hunted the 308 is struggling with 180 – 220 gr bullets. I handload for both and in hunting rifles with a good barrels there is no real accuracy difference.

**Hozen** · October 9th, 2008, 12:04 PM

pa_ridgerunner, can you go into more detail on what you mean by the 308 not handling heavy bullets very well? I'm not trying to call you out or anything. I'm actually just curious. Do you mean it doesn't have enough oomph behind it to hold a flat trajectory? Or that most firearms that are made for the 308 have a rifle twist to slow?

**pa_ridgerunner** · October 9th, 2008, 12:27 PM

hozen,
The 30-06 has more powder capacity so you can safely load heavier bullets faster. I load my 30-06 to 2590 fps with a 200 gr bullet & the best I can get with my 308 is 2440 fps with a heavy load of Varget. I can get 2475 fps with a 220 gr in my 06 & IMR 7828. Try & even find load data for a 220 gr in the 308. This is why I prefer the 30-06 as an all around gun. More powder capacity equals more velocity safely. All my velocities were taken with 22" barrels in sporter rifles.

**ALS** · October 9th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Hunting in Pa. a .308 is more than enough gun for any game we have in the state. I have no problem going to 1000 yards with 175 gn bullet in a .308.
You should have no problem with 155 to 200 grain rounds. The only difference is the 30-06 you can use up to a 220 grain round.
The difference in speed is only about 100-150 fps. At hunting distances here in Pa. which 97% of the time are under 300 yards the .308 has more than enough killing power.

**Hozen** · October 9th, 2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by pa_ridgerunner

hozen,
The 30-06 has more powder capacity so you can safely load heavier bullets faster. I load my 30-06 to 2590 fps with a 200 gr bullet & the best I can get with my 308 is 2440 fps with a heavy load of Varget. I can get 2475 fps with a 220 gr in my 06 & IMR 7828. Try & even find load data for a 220 gr in the 308. This is why I prefer the 30-06 as an all around gun. More powder capacity equals more velocity safely. All my velocities were taken with 22" barrels in sporter rifles.

I kind of figured this is what you were getting at. Thanks.