Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Why isn't the 308 more popular?

It would seem to me that a short action 30 caliber that virtually matches the 30-06 would sell like hotcakes. All of its offspring that have been necked up and down seem to get plenty of press,but it seems like the 308 gets overlooked. In all the rifles I've shot it in it has been superbly accurate and it has always gotten the job done when it comes to dropping game. It may just be the most efficient and accurate cartidge out there but nobody seems to give it a second look.

Boring. Pedestrian. Just competent.

There's nothing wrong with a .308 ... however, there's nothing really impressive about one either. IMHO, it's popularity came mainly because it's been around so long, and that it's a small arms staple of most countries military units ...

I prefer the 7mm-08 by a mile and then some, and the .243 as well considering today's bullets and powders ... I'd say each of those is as efficient, or more efficient, as the .308 ...

another aspect is that (as far as I'm concerned) you can pretty much do the same thing as a .308 with either the 7mm-08 or .243win, with less recoil, and same or better accuracy ... so I'd skip right over the .308 to something even bigger if the 7mm-08 can't do it ...

that's why I have no love for the .308 ...

It depends on how you define "efficiency." If it's energy produced for the amount of powder burned, then the .308 beats the .243 and 7mm-08.

If you want to talk accuracy, then every lab technician for ammo and bullet companies I've talked to says the .308 will beatr just about any other cartridge for accuracy across a wide range of bulet weights and powders. And they shooting indoors, sometimes from machine rests.

If you want to talk availablity, .308 ammo is available in more places in a wider variety than either the .243 or 7mm-08.

It also comes close enough to the .30-06 to do the same things with factory ammo, especially with todays bullets.

It's boring, but it works. And actually, a LOT of .308 rifles are sold, far more than most rifle loonies realize, because average people buy them, instead of those who get custom rifles built. That's why every major bolt-action rifle maanufacturer in the world chambers the .308. It's very popular.

what would it have to do to be considered popular? beat out the hundred year old '06?


it's by far the most popular short action cartridge over 6mm caliber in the world. what does it have to do to be considered "popular"?


Mickey is building me my first one right now...so I guess its popular with me, finally.

My Rem 788 in 308 is the most accurate rifle I own , except for my 6mm250 of course.

Mike

It is not new but it just works. Reading here for a little over 2 yrs. I have never read anything bad about the 308 just that it didn't turn a few on.

I have always had a soft place in my heart for the .308.. maybe it's because my dad shot one when I was growing up and I wanted a "big" rifle. I started out deer hunting with a single shot .20 ga. with a slug and then moved up to a borrowed 30-30.. I now have a 3006 and a .308 and......... you know the rest of the story..lol

I love the round! Maybe it lacks cachet, but it's solid. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago.

As for popularity, someone who keeps records on such can tell how man .308 dies are sold. And probably how many .308 rifles.

To me, it's ideal. There are other rounds that seem to be popular for the moment, but I don't think it's ever a mistake especially for bullets up to and including 165 gr.

Everybody has to have bigger stuff. I think it has something to do with Viagra and little dic........

I don't think it is a reach to say that the 308 is available in more actions than some other rounds!!!

+1... but so are the 30-30 WCF & 30'06 Springfield, but I have one of each of those...

I remember a great article by a certain gun writer who graces this site regularly in which he almost had me convinced that I should build a pimpin' .308 Win so I'd be that man with one rifle that you're supposed to beware of. But then what would I do with my 257 AI, or 338-06 ??

It just plain works for 99% of the hunting that most do. I guess that is what makes it boring to some, a 165 at 2700fps is just not sexy but it sure is effective. I have recently gone to a .270 for deer hunting but it was strictly for nostalgia, not because the .308 was somehow lacking.

Ditto MuleDeer. I certainly like my boring 308 Win., its mighty accurate, and a EASY round to shoot off the bench or in the field. Whats not to like? As opposed to a 7-08, probably not much, but the .308 Win is a great round no less. Rifletom

Seems to be your problem right there.

Cartridges that have BT/DT, don't sell glossy magazines.

The .308 sells like hot cakes in nearly all areas of the world for general hunting, and to people who just want stuff to work and could care less about "press".

Huh? Re: popularity, isn't the .308 on the list of the five most popular cartridges sold as factory ammo and as reloading dies?? (right along with the 30-06, .270, 7mm Magnum, and .243)??

If I go into the local Walmart or Canadian Tire, the only cartridges available are those five, plus the 303 British, 30-30, and the 300 WinMag.

In MN at my in-laws every adult male has a 308 either in a Savage 99 or Remington pump. The kids get 243s and a brother-in-law and his 16 year old son have a 30-06.

To John G: I was referring to popularity among rifle loonies not just general civilians.

popular and flashy are two different things.
the 308 is like the Sun,it's always there doing the job so why hype it.
it's the perfect cartridge IMHO

...........The 308 may not be as overlooked as much as you might think. Setting everything else aside, such as boring or any other minor titty-tat criticisms of the 308, it is an extremely popular hunting and tactical round.

However, the 308 cannot "virtually match" the ballistics of the faster 30-06.