Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 308 or 30-06

Beauty of the 308 Win - light rifles, low recoil, 20" pipes giving great velocity, 400 yards in
good hands can easily slay 1000 lbs critters. As a hunter what more can you ask.

If your hunting game smaller than elk there is no real world difference between .308 or 30-06. So go with the lighter less kicking .308. If you're hunting elk size game or larger do the animal a favor and step up to a .338 win mag of larger and do it right. If you can't handle the kick of the .338 win mag then you probably can't handle all the other things that go with hunting game >= elk.

30-06, because with 180 partitions it starts to show some distance, atleast in my biased mind.

Have owned 308's and in my mind the advantage is either:
A- the rifle you want is better suited for a SA, like a Kimber.

or

B- the particular scope you have a penchant for requires odd-ball mounts to use on a LA. Scopes seem to be getting shorter and shorter, especially stuff in the 2-7 range which I prefer.

Truthfully if going the SA route for one of the reasons above, I'd opt for a 7mm-08.

You have previously stated that you liked the short bolt throw on your Ruger 77 in 6mm. That will be duplicated by the 308. Stop overthinking it.

Further, both are great 30 caliber hunting rounds. Nearly everyone I know who starts with a 30-06 migrates to the 308 as they get into middle age and beyond. It's the smarter person's choice.

Only reason to get a 30-06 is if you are going to go with a pre-64 Winny.

I own six .06's bolt action rifles and three .308 bolt actions. I don't feel strongly one way or another except that if i was shooting an M1 Garand I would choose the .30-06 and if I was shooting the M-14 or M1A Springfield Armory I would choose the .308.

I like the 30-06 but this is my go-to right down to the bullet I use.

If limited to factory ammo, there is no practical difference. IMO, this is because of conservative loading for the 06. If habdloading, the 06 pulls away, particularly with heavier bullets.. I shoot both, and hunt with both. Just my .02.

I either need to drink more or drink less to understand.





P

You can’t make this stuff up...

Got both and hunt both.

308 because I like my short action light rifles when the terrain is steep and hiking is far. The only time the 06 would get the nod is when heavier bullets are warranted...which isn't often...kinda never in the lower 48.

I first started hunting with a .308 in 1964. Over the years, I have killed a lot of elk with that cartridge, and never felt that it was in any way inadequate for the task. Oh well-everyone's experience in these matters is a little different. CP.

I like my Rem. Carbine .308. It's very accurate with either 150 or 165gr bullets, plus I like the shorter stroke. The 06 auto gets used occasionally.

wen i canot make a case for a 3006 or a 308 i take my 3030 an go hunt with my cast lead bullits

Surely, (long pause) .......you jest?

What were some of your longest shots?

I do.

Easy way to decide between short action and long action. If your "Johnson" is short, get a short action, If it is L O N G, get a long action.

Have hunted with 308’s since I was 17, still do at age 60.

I think you've got it backwards... think "over compensation."