Posted on 04/15/2020 12:53:22 PM PDT by w1n1
In the long range shooting world the .308 and the .30-06 have been embedded in the history of American firearms. Both rounds have their roots in the U.S. Army and was used in many conflicts all over the world. The hunting community and self-defense groups also recognized its effectiveness and highly embrace them both. However, many gun folks love to debate which caliber is better or the best for hunting elk.
Caliber Differences
The bullets are an identical 7.8mm in diameter. The primers are the same. The only real difference is in the cases. Put a .308 and .30-06 next to one another the .30-06 has a longer case.
What it all really boils down to is that the Army liked the stopping power of the .30-06, but they didn’t care for the long action round. They wanted something better suited for short action rifles that would allow boots on the ground to carry more rounds into combat.
The military wanted a round that could cycle better out of their rifles. Which is why the .308 was the better option, with the less recoil that allows faster accurate follow-up shots.
Preferences
When talking about .308 vs .30-06, a lot of people want to pick sides and ask ‘Which is best?’ But let’s face it, “best” is highly subjective, especially when we’re talking about two rounds that are for all intents and purposes nearly identical.
You can try and break things down by comparing bullet weights and muzzle velocity. Both are going to be slower as you use heavier bullets. There are differences there, but in some cases they’re so small that it doesn’t matter to most shooters.
A .30-06 has a muzzle velocity around 2,900 feet per second with a 150-grain bullet, while a .308 is around 2,800. You won’t be able to know the differences. Read the rest of 308 vs 30-06.
Ain’t much a man can’t fix with $700 and a .30-06.
I always liked the 30.06.
Never bought one.
I had an HK91 though. M60 belts were readily available.
I was given a Savage 99 in .308 from a friend of mine.
I like it best. It was free.
No practical difference. For tradition sake I like the ought 6 and it’s offspring the 270 Winchester and cousins 257 Roberts and 7 mm Mauser. At my age the 308 is a still a “new” cartridge...I was there at it’s birth. Nothing wrong with the 308 and it’s descendants...I have them too.
The second rifle I bought, when I was about 13, was a Savage 99F in .243. I had to use small base dies otherwise the rounds would stick in the chamber.
As the article indicates, they are different rounds for different purposes, therefore there is no “best” except for in regard to the intended purpose. The more flexible round, IMO, especially for home and yard defense, would be the .308, but for a one shot kill at long range, go 30-06.
Trojan Virus at website; blocked by Norton and MalwareBytes.
got the same thing.
I think about everyone agrees, there is not a lot of difference.
I quit reloading around 25 years ago but have read that with some of the newer powders the 30-06 can be loaded to magnum power. It also handles heavy bullets quite a bit better. It was designed for the 220 grain bullet so is a little over bore for 150 grain.
The .308 is a little bit better for semi or auto actions. A bit more efficient with lighter bullets.
I would probably just choose on which rifle I liked.
Mine was blocked by McAfee.
“I had an HK91 though”
Boating accident?
I had a stroke in ‘93 and in ‘98 I still hadn't recovered enough hand strength to break it down and reassemble it without special tools.
Why chose? Get one of each.
Me too.
Fwiw, the 7.62x51NATO (the metric designation of the .308WCF) can be easily loaded to EQUAL the MILSPEC 150-165 grain .30-06 loads for the M1 Garand.
Yours, TMN78247
USA, Retired
I have a k98 Israeli 7.62 conversion
Just glad that I got extremely stocked up (ball & AP) with 30-06 when it was cheaper (1988-1990)...
And the ‘06 can be loaded to match the .300 Win Mag Gold Medal Match ammo.
58.5 grains of RE-19 powder with a 190 grain MatchKing.
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