Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 308vs30-06

Which is a better cartridge for long range deer hunting?I think I ll stick with the 06,but I ve also heard good things about the 308.

A .308 is a .30-06 standing 20 yards closer to the target. Make your choice based on a rifle that fits well and is accurate.
Get as close as you can to the deer, then get closer.
Good Hunting.

With 150-165gr bullets, the velocity difference is so small that there's really not enough difference to notice. The 06's case capacity helps give it better performance with 180gr bullets, but it's still not that big of a difference. The only real benefits to the '06 IMO is the ability to effectively use large 220gr bullets and just about every store that carries ammo has 06 shells.

IMHO, you don't start seeing quantum leap differences between the two until you get to heavier bullets and barrels 24 inches on longer on the '06. For most practical purposes, with both having 22" barrels and bullets of 150-165 gr. there isn't enough difference to worry about.

I one single thing that IMHO makes a difference and that is the barrel twist rate. The standard for the 06 is 1 in 10" and the .308 can be 1 in 10" or 1 in 12". The 1 in 12" twist rate would be for 150gr bullets and may not do as well with 180gr or heavier bullets.

Damn! I like that answer!

BMT

Personally I've found the '06 to be quite a bit faster, even with light bullets. That said, I like the .308 and use it often just because its light and handy.

On barrel twist, I bought a 1 in 12" twist .308 so I could shoot 150 grain for deer hunting. It just will not shoot 150's at all, and I've just about tried them all too. However, it shoots 165 and 180's accurately. Go figure!

Even with compesating for the 2" barrel difference, I get 200 fps faster with the '06 in all bullet weights.

Dixiebanjo asked: What is the better LONG RANGE cartridge. If velocity equals advantage, than the 30-06 is the one to choose between the two. A 180 grain bullet traveling at 2800fps+ is a potent load indeed! The 06, will also send a 150 down range at 3000fps+. The 308 boys can compare those velocities to what they are getting, if they have a cronograph, and that will answer all those questions.

The 308 is a good cartridge, it just ain't an 06!

Jerry

Thank you Jerry!!! The .308 will never ever ever be close to a .30-06 in any arena...other than maybe "potential" accuracy. I have played with the both a lot and the .30-06 will ALWAYS best the .308 by 200 fps. If that equates to a measly 20 yards closer to the target, then I will eat my hat. The .30-06 does much better in a 24" barrel. The .308 can get away with a 22" barrel. NO .308 will shoot a 150 grain bullet at over 3,000 fps with a barrel under 24". And no .308 will launch a 180 grain bullet at 2,800 fps with a normal length barrel. The .30-06 will do this with a 24" barrel. The .30-06 holds 10 grains more of powder. If you do the math on that, the .30-06 is the clear winner time and time again, just like the .300 Win Mag is a clear velocity winner over the .30-06. Let's be reasonable.

One last thing, the .308 has always been loaded up to snuff at 60,000 psi of pressure in factory form. The .30-06 is always downloaded to 50,000 psi or less. So in factory form (non handloaded ammo) the .308 will nearly always best the .30-06 in factory form, unless you go with the high energy loads. Don't get me wrong, the .308 is no slouch, it just isn't a .30-06, especially when 180-220 grain bullets are in the case. You can always down load a .30-06 to .308 velocities, but you can never upload a .308 to .30-06 velocities <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Flinch

I have had both. For the 20-150 yard shots I get where I live, they are both about the same. I wish I had never sold my blue steel Rem. model 7 in 308. It kicked pretty good with a 180 grain bullet, only shot into a 3 inch group at 100 with anything I tried but damn was it easy to carry. I wish I could find an older one in blue steel and 7mm-08. Now I hunt with a 30-06 with a 24 inch barrel. With a 150 grain ballistic tips and a shot through the lungs it is deadly. jimyp

I'm curious as to how you define long range. In all likelihood, there will be no practical difference between the two. About 2 inches of drop and 1 inch of drift in a 10 MPH crosswind at 400 yards with a 165 grain bullet (some quick averaging from Nosler #3). 400 yards is a long, long shot for all but the most practiced riflemen. The average guy I encounter at the range should view 300 yards as an arbitrary max. Get which ever one you are most comfortable with and practice with it at the ranges and firing positions you intend to hunt from. Hope this helps.

Paul

I've always used an 06 as my do every thing rifle.It is true that the 308 is more intrensically accurate, shorter wide powder charge, but darn it, I'm not more accurate, though I've definately grown wider.
Bottom line, at any range my 06 will out shoot me, so better would be a waste.
JD

I was only trying to convey that the trajectory & energy differences are minimal, and less important than trying to turn a "long range" shot into a medium or short range shot.

Well lets start another controversy. If you want to compare a standard (ie; non magnum) short cartidge with a standard long catridge.

What about the comparison between the .358 win and the 30-06?

Hey Dixie
the standard by all calibers are measured is the 3006. The 3006 is the all around caliber in North America. I use it for chucks to cyotes to deer. The 3006 platform has been used for the 270 35 whelen 280 2506 6.506 ect.. I believe it to be the standard of the world and will be for many years. The 308
is a 3006 wannabe.
My .02 worth
Bearbeater

Oh ya I prefer the 6.5X55 for deer

"LONG RANGE" is a subjective entity,that is capably thwarted via accuracy.

Make mine a 308,with the options granted...................

IF I had a new $4000 .30'06 I'd think they were da'bomb too.

I like the way you compared the .308 to the '06...then compared the '06 to the .300Win...........I guess you weren't listening to yourself...you got it right though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi I own both and have killed deer with both the deer don't know the differance, the 30/06 held the 1000 yard record longer than any other caliber,and it was shot using a springfield 03 military rifle , Hubert <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In a full size rifle go 30-06 if you want a light weight carbine go .308.

The extra case capacity of the 06 (between 16-20%) should give 4-5% more velocity than the 08. At 3000ft/sec this means 150-200 feet /sec more velocity at the same pressure levels and barrel lengths.

This being said I have a .308 and find it to be a magnificent light caliber.
The small but efficient powder column makes for a reasonable occasional use varminter with 100-125 grain bullets and with 165 or 180 Nosler Partitions it makes a passable Moose gun. My Steyer Scout has become my all time favourite Caribou meat gun, allowing me to take entire small herds and get my families meat in one go!

In my 3" magazine the .308 even handles 250 Barnes Originals to a useful velocity. Turns the little fellow into a pocket 358, though a 10 Twist barrel might be better than my 12 for this application.

Yep, and They used to log with horses too...