Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Long Range, .308Win or 30-06?

I know there are other calibers probably better suited, a 300 Win mag or a .338, but if given the choice of these two calibers to build yourself a long range shooter, which do you go with and why?

Would the accuracy of the .308 out weigh the extra powder capacity of the 06?

IMO, accuracy is in the build/barrel/smith, not the cartridge.

In a good build the long range accuracy of either cartridge is probably better than a shooter is able to hold from a solid bench rest (let alone under actual 'field conditions').

Plenty of .308's that won't shoot worth a damn out there and I've had a couple. That headstamp alone don't imply a shooter. Inherent accuracy of .308win rifles should be added to the three lies. (check's in the mail, I'll only stick the tip in, I won't come in your mouth). Savvy?

Totally agree. A lot of hype out there in regards to the 308 and its accuracy potential being greater than that of the 30-06. From my 3 samples that I own in 308, I'd have to say all of my 30-06s will outshoot them. I've never had a bad shooting 30-06 too if that says anything about their inherent accuracy. Also, don't make oldfenderguy or myself post pics of what our 30-06's are capable of

Barkoff,

Given equal accuracy I'd go for the 30-06 every time. It handles the heavy bullets better and that a big deal.

While the benchrest guys might have sniffed out a .0564 MOA accuracy advantage for the .308 <grin>, I'll plus-one to the notion that a good build with either (hell, just a good BARREL, really, even a factory one) will work about equally well.

Well bigger case capacity of the '06 would give it an edge as far as long range goes I would think...

I don't think you can go too wrong either way.

I started out with a LR 30-06 before Rem offered much in the way of short action LH rifles. Now I have two 308 Varmints along with the heavy 30-06.

I'm shooting mostly the 208 AMax as a LR bullet.

In the 30-06 it would make 2800 fps in a 26" bbl. I cut that bbl to 22.5, and still get 2720 fps.

My 20.5" 308 makes 2600 fps with the 208, via RL17. The 26" 308 makes 2675 fps. The caveat is they are loaded long to 3.00", and are too long for a Rem 2.8" magazine.

The 30-06 still has a velocity advantage, but new powders are really giving the 308 new legs. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time and the new powder technologies will boost the 30-06 potential as well.

For a high-volume rig, the 308 is a little easier on powder, and the barrel will last a bit longer. I shoot my 308 to 1200 yards with great consistency. Depending on your local elevation, that will differ some. I'm shooting mostly at around 4000-5000 ft elevation.

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/

the guy who writes this blog is a local shooter here in Phoenix who is really good, really detail oriented and really likes the '06 even though most match shooters have considered it obsolete.

Poke around on it and find his .308 and .30-06 articles.

Everything he writes is geared towards NRA prone rifle shooting but accuracy is accuracy, so there is a lot hunters can learn from it.

Poole

I was once a huge fan of the .308, but a few years ago I switched to the .30-06 and never looked back.

As a dedicated .308 shooter, that makes me feel better.

The thirty ought crowd needs you on their team.

Second that

I just can't see giving up that much velocity. The 7.62X51 is ok for what it was designed for.

There is not enough difference in the two rounds to matter IMO, but, assuming we are talking about a rifle used for hunting, I'd go for the irrelevant advantage in speed offered by the 30-06 over the irrelevant advantage of accuracy offered by the .308. Yes there is the heavy bullet thing, but if I were going to use either cartridge for long range I'd be shooting 165 grain boattails out of both so......same same.

Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who freely admits he can't come close to outshooting a 30-30 Marlin lever action from field positions!

It's all about the rifle and how it's assembled. Many cartridges will work just fine and of the two, I might choose the 30-06.

So it doesn't matter where you hit that deer as long as the bullet gets there a little faster?

If you can't hit the vitals of a game animal with a custom built 30-06 at whatever given range, the same rifle in .308 ain't gonna help you much. I did use the word "irrelevant" a lot in my somewhat tongue in cheek post because I do believe that whatever differences may exist between the two rounds do not matter in the real world.

200 fps seems relevant to me and I only use the 180s.

Never fired a 308 ,I've always loved 30-06s don't really see the need for a 308