30-06 vs 308

jason · 05-29-2009, 02:05 PM

Ok. Not a hunter. At least not yet. It is on my mind and there is a gun show coming up in two months, which I'm thinking of attending and getting a rifle for a good price. From my understanding a .30-06 will shoot farther and flatter then a .308. On the other hand everyone tells me they are more accurate with a .308 and that is what sharp shooters use.

Which would be a better all around for hunting?

Bushman · 06-01-2009, 02:50 PM

What I think you should do is buy a box of both rounds and try them out.

Shooting is about your personal comfort and what you like. The 30-06 may go straighter longer but that may conflict with your shooting style.

Besides you are going to have to zero the rifle once you buy it anyway.

Go with the round that gives you the tighter shot group.

outsideman13 · 10-15-2009, 12:00 AM

I would go with the 30-06. 308 is too big of a caliber, unless you plan to hunt big game...bigger than deer.

Grandpa · 03-09-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outsideman13

I would go with the 30-06. 308 is too big of a caliber, unless you plan to hunt big game...bigger than deer.

Wow, ya gotta love some of the experts that post on here.

Refrigerator · 03-10-2012, 06:03 AM

For me I prefer a 308....shoots flat at a longer range. Bolt action even better.

oldsarge · 03-10-2012, 06:13 AM

I prefer the 308 myself. If I'm not wrong here 30-06, 308, 300win mag are all .30 cal. Of course you can get bullets if varies weights and design to achieve a given task. For ranges that you'll be engaging targets for hunting make a difference also. What will you be hunting anyway? Go to a local gun shop and ask theses questions, you'll get an honest answer. If you ask at the gun show, the answer you my get is what will make the sale. Another good round is the 338 Lapua.

dinosaur · 03-10-2012, 06:57 AM

The 30.06 bullet diameter is actually .308 inches as is the .308 caliber which is the same as the 7.62 NATO. Oddly, the British .303 measures .311 inches. But they are all essentially .30 caliber rounds.

How far they will shoot flatly is more a function of bullet mass and muzzle velocity. Of course there are many other factors but I don't want to get into a physics discussion. You can easily hunt with either the 30.06 or the .308 at ranges up to 300 yards with no problem. My personal advice is to use a 150 grain soft point. You can use factory ammo and won't be disappointed as long as you use brand name.

I'm not saying I prefer the 30.06 but the best bang for the buck (my opinion only) is the 700 series Remington 30.06. But, check the trigger pull. Some of the earlier versions of this rifle were quite stiff. That problem has been corrected and if you're buying new you should have no problem.

oldsarge · 03-10-2012, 07:27 AM

Nicely put Dino! There are many factors that be be weighed in making this decision. All I can say is, what ever you buy Jason, get to know the weapon inside and out, practice, practice, practice. Consistency is the key here. Use good quality ammo and steadfast marksmanship techniques, you'll have no problems.

ppine · 03-10-2012, 10:29 AM

I like Grandpas post. Both calibers are great. I am a .30 fan because you can buy that ammo in any convenience store in the North. You can handload a ton of different bullets for it. It is accurate and fairly flat carrying energy a long way. Energy wise the .308 is similar. You can buy military ammo fairly cheap. It is not as flat but close.

Edit- Check the Weatherby Vanguard. For the money you can't beat it and it comes in standard as well as magnum calibers.

**CozInCowtown** · 03-10-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa

Wow, ya gotta love some of the experts that post on here.

I almost fell out of my chair on that one also, I gotta call the shop and let them know there has been a change!!

Okay Jason, the 30-06 is a great cartrige for most North American hunting.
Load it with 110 grainers for coyotes, 165 grainers for whitetails to muleys or up to 220 grainers for elk.
The 308 is a 30-06 with a shorter case. The 30-06 is the parent cartrige to several great cartriges and grandparent to many more. 243, for example is a 308 necked down to 6.5mm. The new 338 Federal is a 308 necked up to accept a 338 bullet.

Both 308 and 30-06 are superb cartriges, cant go wrong either way.
DC