I think on game performance will be indistinguishable if shot placement is proper.
A true and good way to end this discussion.
This.
But nobody here really wants clarity, so I’ll add chronograph data comparing fresh WW PowerPoint factory ammo in a 22.7” Tikka T3 in 308 and a 24” FN Mauser in 30-06.
• 308/150 velocity was 2,782 fps in the Tikka.
• 308/180 velocity was 2,510 fps in the Tikka.
• 30-06/150 velocity was 2,911 fps in the FN Mauser, or 129 fps faster than the 308.
• 30-06/180 velocity was 2,734 fps in the FN Mauser, or 224 fps faster than the 308.
Folks say that the difference between the 308 and the 30-06 is ~150 fps. I’ve tested nine common 150-grain 308 factory loads this year. Velocities range from 2,708 to 2,855 in one rifle, so at least with 150-grain ammo, you can gain or lose about as much speed by switching loads as you could by switching to a hypothetical 30-06. Not sure on 308/180’s—I need to test more of them.
In other news, the Mauser gets 2,610 fps with Federal’s cheapo 30-06/180, but 2,734 fps with 180 PowerPoints, so again you could gain (or lose) about as much speed (114 fps) by changing loads as by changing cartridges.
If you go from a slow 308 rifle/load to a fast 30-06 rifle/load, then the 224 fps difference might merit a longer, heavier rifle. But without testing both rifles with several loads, you could easily go from a fast 308 rifle/load to a slow 30-06 rifle/load. Plus you’d still have to test a bunch of ammo and keep a bunch of notes to know what each rifle does with each load.
Probably best to focus on shot placement.
Okie John
