This has probably been cussed and discussed quite often. I have seen reputable shooters here recommend a .308. I know that a 30-06 has a larger variety of factory made ammo.

So why would anybody recommend a .308 over a 30-06? What will a .308 do that a 30-06 won't?

What are you using it for?

I shoot .308 because it's a short action, easy to load for, easy to find components for and I use it for shooting long range matches and practicing.


I don't think you gain much by shooting 30-06 ballistically.

Yes you do. Recoil.

The .308 is a very predictable round. Velocity/powder charge go hand in hand with the bullet weight. With the 30-06, this is not as predictable. The 30-06 is a great round, but long action vs short can be a draw back as well.

very true, if you reload the 30-06 is a GREAT rd.

For most there is a common misconception that the 308 is more accurate, which it is no more than any other cartridge.

the 308 put the nail in the 30-06 coffin, back when the 06 dominated longrange shooting, the 308 came out and smacked the 30-06 like a red headed step child, so much so that the rules had to change cause of the 308, they cut the target size in half.

wrong

Ill stick with the 30-06 for hunting, I would not want to shoot a 180-210gr pill in a 308 very far, Just not enough velocity generated.

Have any facts to back that statement up? Most shoot the 308 for the shorter action and lighter recoil. The 06 also uses slower burn rate which requires more shooter discipline in proper follow through.

Give this a read as it is a direct comparison of the 2.

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2011/04/cartridges-sibling-rivalry-308-vs-30-06.html

yes, history.

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/AccuracyFacts.asp

short cartridges are inherently more accurate, wanna know what dominates competition, all short cartridges, the most accurate 100 yd gun would be the 22 ppc.
6.5x284, 243, 308, 708,260, 6,5 creedmore, 6mm ppc, 22, ppc
all dominate and share one thing, short cartridges, they are more efficient at burn and do it consistently.
yes some cartridges are indeed more accurate than others

You might want to research a little more and find some actual facts. Powder charge/ load density has more to do with accuracy than case design. Picking the right powder that fills the case the most will usually yield the best results in accuracy.

As far as the cartridges you listed 6.5-284 is run in a long action or a single shot. Jump up to F-Class open and you will find every thing from 243 to 300win mag with just about anything in between. Last record was set with a long action built 284 Winchseter with 180gr Bergers.

the ppc was specifically designed for accuracy, case design does make a difference

I really have no opinion on the matter as I do not shoot a .308 to compare it to my 30-06, but after reading those two articles it sound like the first one was actually written with first hand experience and extensive testing. The second article favoring the .308 seems to be written entirely on opinion and second hand knowledge. There were no actual facts or data presented in his argument. He kept refering to the shooters of the past, but presented no data of his own.

these are the facts the 308 dominated the 30-06 in competition back in the 60s and by the 70s no one used the 30-06 any longer, the 308 shot so good they shrunk the target size in half due to not being able to break ties, those are facts.
same thing happened when the 17hmr came out it domiated rimfire matches and now i believe is only allowed in its own class.

It is the smallest part of the equation, 90% of shooters can't shoot the difference to notice even in rail gun configurations.

I'd be interested to read them if you have the links? Recent data would be of interest to me too as much has changed since the 60's as well.

I agree. Myself included.

thats a different topic, for us mortal hunters using off the shelf guns does it even matter, prolly not, but as a gambling man ill take the 308 over the 06 because odds are youll end up with a good shooting gun, seen to many guns not shoot worth a darn, the 308 isnt on that list that i have seen.

In a hunting rifle you will never know the difference besides with the greater recoil the 06 might be a bit harder for some not to develop a flinch. I've never personally seen one of either that wouldn't shoot good.

Now if you can just find ammo for the .308! Might just have to dig out my old .06...



(at least I've got plenty of brass, bullets, powder & primers)

It's a simple answer. The '06 can push the exact same .308 bullet about 150 to 200 fps faster than a 308 Win. More speed equals more energy, less drop and less wind drift. More speed also means more recoil. Simple.

Yeah no kidding. I'm glad there isn't any ammo I need at all right now.

Stop confusing us with facts. You're killing a good argument!