Why not a 308, I have and use a 30-06 but for deer in similar rifles with similar barrel lengths and similar bullet weights there is no real difference. In bullet weights between 150grs and 180grs the 30-06 is 80 to 100 fps faster. From a ballistic stand point a 308 at the muzzle is equal to a 30-06 at 30 yards. The 30-06 has a 30 yard advantage. In a Remington 700 SPS, both rifles having 24 inch barrels, the 30-06 is 1/2" longer and 2.4 ounces heavier. That is the basic difference between the cartridges, 100fps, 30 yards, 1/2 inch and 2.4 ounces. From a handloading standpoint the 30-06 is more versatile and the 308 is more economical and probably more accurate.
I'm not sure I can agree with everything you say, at least regarding factory ammo. With properly worked up handloads I would tend to agree with you. However a test I did a few years back running some 180 gr. Winchester Powerpoint ammo in .308 Win. and 30-6 showed velocity in 22" barreled rifle gave the 30-06 about 10 FPS advantage over the .308. IIRC, velocity from the .308 was 2610 FPS and 2620 FPS from the 30-06. I also shot some 30-06 from rifles with 24" and 26" barrels and the only time it got close to the advertised 2700 FPS was from the 26" Ruger #1B.
Rifles used in the test were Winchester M70 Youth Ranger .308 Win. restocked to fit me 22" barrel. For the 30-06, 22" J.C. Higgins M50, 24" FN custom Mauser and 26" Ruger #1B.
I'm sure results from the 30-06 came be improved quite a bit through judicious handloading as I have definitely gotten close to 2800 FPS in a 22" Remington M700 running H4350 and the 180 gr. Hornady SP.
Paul B.
