I got curious about velocity differences between the .308 Win. and 30-06 so one day with a few rifles went to the range, set up the Chrony and shot some groups and measured velocity.
Rifles for the test were a Winchester M70 Youth Ranger .308 in a Ramline stock and a J.C. Higgins M50 in 30-06. Rifles has 22" barrels.
Ammo for both cartridges was Winchester 180 gr. Power Point.
Velocity is the average for three shots.
The .308 ......2610 FPS
The 30-06....2630 FPS. So much for their advertised 2700 FPS.
Test #2 was the 30-06 in 22", 24" and 26" barrels.22" 2630 FPS 24" 2660 FPS and 26" 2690 FPS.
Rifle were the Higgins 50, Custom Mauser 24" and Ruger #1B 26".
One set of hand load work up for the 30-06 produce 2820 FPS from a Remington M700 BDL with 180 gr. Hornady SP Interlocks.
I never could get much past factory level speeds from a .308 with my handloads. Naturally, YMMV.
I just thought I'd show the numbers as reached from my rifles.
Paul B.
