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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
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Besides all the known 30-06 advantages, its eaier to load the 30-06 instead of fumbling with smaller cartridges and tiny actions. Yep, it's great for the velcro sneakers set. I must qualify for velcro sneakers then. I liked and preferred the shorter action advantages in theory for quite a few years, but discovered the advantages of the slightly longer cartridges and action when fumbling to reload with fingers that have all the dexterity of frozen hot dogs. Mostly, it doesn't matter, but when it matters, it matters!
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,825
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Seems I remember that being said about smokeless powder...  DF DF you must be an OLD geezer!! With a good memory!
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I do not intend to start a brawl. I love the .30-06 and have owned one since 1984. I'm considering buying a .308, so I don't have anything against it either.
The question remains, if buying a rifle today, is there any significant reason to choose one over the other?
I'm considering replacing my .30-06. It is an inconsistent performer and I'm a little tired of jacking around with it. It is a mid-'80s vintage rifle. The rifle is pretty much dedicated to elk hunting. I use my .243 for pretty much everything smaller. The intent is to move to one of the dependably accurate modern platforms. I primarily shoot factory ammo these days. My .30-06 elk load is a 150 grain mono.
My thought regarding the .308/.30-06 question is why not consider moving to a different, yet still readily available, elk cartridge when I get a new rifle?
.308 factory loads launch 165s at 2700-2800 so I have no concern about my ability to kill elk with a .308. The .308 is known as an inherently accurate cartridge, but is it significantly more accurate than the .30-06? I do I like printing small groups and hitting 10" gongs out to 550 yards.
I know the .308 recoils a bit less and rifles chambered for it are slightly shorter and lighter. I recognize that as a small advantage, but was never bothered by the length, weight, recoil or bolt throw of my .30-06. There is some .30-06 sunk cost as I have about 270 rounds of .30-06 ammo (some of which my current -06 does not shoot well) and reloading dies, though as I mentioned previously, I primarily shoot factory ammo these days.
Thanks in advance,
Expat ......................................... Imo, your dilemma here is more emotional rather than paper ballistics. However, if you foresee using heavier 200/220 grain bullets, doing so favors the '06. Across the board, group accuracy from the bench may favor the 308 a bit but not by much. You also need to determine what your personal rifle preferences really are. If you prefer a shorter action and lighter rifle then go with the 308. But! If your heart really favors the '06 then you stay with it. Between these two, the game you hunt won't know the difference.
28 Nosler,,,,300WSM,,,,338-378 Wby,,,,375 Ruger
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,073
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,073 |
Seems I remember that being said about smokeless powder... DF DF you must be an OLD geezer!! With a good memory! Yep, you got that right... Another subject. When people talk about differences in recoil, seems to me that's more of a function of the rifle, how it fits, weight, etc. Now, if one is shooting 220's at max velocity out of an '06, that's different. But, with similar bullets, recoil can't be that much different, all other variables accounted for. Now, see how I pivoted and diverted from that rather sensitive subject. Maybe I need to be in politics...  DF
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Prolly too honest for that profession...
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Prolly too honest for that profession...  Hopefully... DF
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,495
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I choose between the 2 depending on the rifle.
Long bolt actions and older style guns are those I like the 30-06 in.
Newer models I like the 308. Semi autos (except the M1) lever actions and anything using a NATO length magazine
I reload my own ammo and I have found NO difference between the two with 150 and 165 grain bullets. The 06 is a bit faster with 180s, but honestly, probably not enough to worry about or may any difference.
With 200s and 220s I like the 06 better.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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To the OP ... since you think you've got deer covered with your .243 and you're looking at this .30 cal as strictly for elk, though I like the .308, I wouldn't step down from the '06. I'd either keep it, just rebarrel, or step up a little to .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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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.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them.
MOLON LABE
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,073
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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To the OP ... since you think you've got deer covered with your .243 and you're looking at this .30 cal as strictly for elk, though I like the .308, I wouldn't step down from the '06. I'd either keep it, just rebarrel, or step up a little to .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag.
Tom That makes sense... An '06 with the right bullet is deadly on most stuff that won't stomp you or eat you, and could put the hurt on most of those critters, as well. DF
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,081
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,081 |
To the OP ... since you think you've got deer covered with your .243 and you're looking at this .30 cal as strictly for elk, though I like the .308, I wouldn't step down from the '06. I'd either keep it, just rebarrel, or step up a little to .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag.
Tom Or, how about a .30 Gibbs? I bought one dirt cheap around 35 years ago, played with it for a couple minutes and sent it down the road. Fairly impressive improvement over the '06, probably as much oomph as can be squeezed out of an '06 case. Enough to really make a difference in the field? I didn't think so, so away it went. But, for the guy who's bored with his mundane '06 and is hankering for something new but can't afford a whole new gun, a chambering reamer and the knowledge to use it can be your ticket out of there. Today's powders may well be what's needed to breathe new life into that old wildcat. An old curmudgeonly friend of mine back in the 70's turned his '06 into a .30 Gibbs and used to whack a few Newfoundland moose (meese?). He proclaimed it to be the perfect gun for that purpose, as well as a cure for dandruff, shingles, and hemorrhoids. I think as we old farts shuffle off this mortal coil you will see less popularity for the '06. Or not, if the younger generations come to their senses and admit that it is probably the greatest all-around cartridge ever devised by mankind. 
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,767
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Best reason to choose 308,
Short action, lighter, shorter
Some accuracy advantage, mostly theoretical.
Best reason for 30-06,
Shooting bullets 180gr and heavier
For some reason you like a long action
Either,
The gun you want is only chamberd in one of them.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
Grow a pair and be unique. 8mm Rem mag. Yep - that covers all the bases !! grin Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
.... but discovered the advantages of the slightly longer cartridges and action when fumbling to reload with fingers that have all the dexterity of frozen hot dogs. Mostly, it doesn't matter, but when it matters, it matters! Klik, I'm not there yet BUT I can tell it's coming. Separating papers, picking up a dime on linoleum etc. I think you made a good point for us ELDER gunners. Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
Yep, you got that right...
Another subject. When people talk about differences in recoil, seems to me that's more of a[/b] function of the rifle, how it fits, weight,[b] etc...DF
Bingo ! There's a lot of truth in that. Some don't give credit for those differences. Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,232
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,232 |
Don't be a wuss. Stick with the .30-06. You'll gain nothing by switching to that short, squatty, dumpy little cartridge except perhaps an inferiority complex and a notice to turn in your man card. Next thing you know you'll be craving quiche and driving a Subaru.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,898
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,898 |
I will never get away from the 30-06.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Don't be a wuss. Stick with the .30-06. You'll gain nothing by switching to that short, squatty, dumpy little cartridge except perhaps an inferiority complex and a notice to turn in your man card. Next thing you know you'll be craving quiche and driving a Subaru. You are talking about a cartridge birthed by the US Army and that was right arm of the free world for decades in the M-14 and the FN/FAL. . I don't think any man cards will be needing turned in.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 19,179 |
You are talking about a cartridge birthed by the US Army and that was right arm of the free world for decades in the M-14 and the FN/FAL. . I don't think any man cards will be needing turned in.
Well...why did the 223 supplant the 308 ? Not much pertaining to ballistics ! ! Not everything the Army does is germain to hunting. Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,297
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 15,297 |
You are talking about a cartridge birthed by the US Army and that was right arm of the free world for decades in the M-14 and the FN/FAL. . I don't think any man cards will be needing turned in.
Well...why did the 223 supplant the 308 ? Not much pertaining to ballistics ! ! Not everything the Army does is germain to hunting. Jerry The 7.62 is still in use by everyone. We ran a lot of 7.62's through our Medium Machine Guns and quite a lot from the SCARS. The 7.62 is alive and well within the US Military.
Semper Fi
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