[AnAmericanMother]

I'll give you that .303 is ballistically similar to .308 - they use about the same size bullet (174 gr) and deliver MVs in the 23-2500 fps range.

But the .30'06 is quite another breed of cat. It's bigger, more powerful, and will throw a much larger bullet out there at the same velocities as the .308 or .303. There's also no mistaking that it's a more powerful round when you pull the trigger!

The SMLE was a fine rifle (I have a couple of them) but the Springfield and then the Garand delivered more punch.

[Farmer Dean]

The SMLE had a knockdown advantage when using theMK7 loading.Ith Brits put an aluminun front core in the bullet,moving the center of balance to the rear.The bullet would tumble when hitting it’s target,the wounds were massive.

[Smokin' Joe]

Actually, ballistics tables show the .30-06 and the .308 to be closer than the .303 when the bullet weight is the same (and the manufacturer). Felt recoil depends on the firearm as well,(especially for me because the '06 I have is a bolt rifle and the .308 is semiauto). I'm fairly good sized and do not notice that much difference.

The .303 is the lightweight of the bunch, though. Hard to believe many aircraft machine guns were in that caliber well into WWII. I have an old Ross, but it is incomplete and until I get a round tuit and go over it pretty thoroughly, I won't shoot it (straight pull action). Maybe I will pick up a SMLE, just to check it out.

[norton]

Better'n Springfield - 1917 Enfield pattern 30.06.

(Might want to note that whenever they get bored a General Staff will start to look at smaller and smaller calibers; .223 wasn't a new concept but it fit the spray and pray role nicely.)