Originally Posted by okie john
Originally Posted by Brad
Originally Posted by Skatchewan
I think on game performance will be indistinguishable if shot placement is proper.


A true and good way to end this discussion. smile

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


Yep. My RAR .308 launches 150 Hornadys at 2924 fps. My '06 launches them right at 3000 fps. A blazing 76 fps difference.

You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it.
A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck.
Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.