.308 vs 30-06
- Thread starter XavierRED
- Start date
I load both. Both are fun to shoot, reloading I use just about the same powders, 1 using less of course. I shoot 30-06 through 1903s and a Garand and they are really fun to shoot. I soot .308 through a M40A1 and an LMT MWS and to tell the truth they are really fun to shoot.
Which one is easier to shoot probably .308 for the efficiency of the case and the less recoil experienced.
Do I want to get rid of my 30-06 rifles because of the efficiency of the .308?
Id rather cut a nut off.
Which one is easier to shoot probably .308 for the efficiency of the case and the less recoil experienced.
Do I want to get rid of my 30-06 rifles because of the efficiency of the .308?
Id rather cut a nut off.
I reload both and find that process itself is the same for both, as you would expect. Ballistically the 30-06 is of course more capable but the 308 finds a way to keep pace for everything I do. Same powders, same bullets, though i have gone heavier with the '06 . . . just because it can.
Hard to compare shooting fun, recoil, and accuracy because my 30-06 is a 50 year old stock Remington hunting rifle while my 308 is a CZ750 Sniper, 14lbs, muzzle break, and damned accurate with either a hot or cold, dirty or clean barrel. So the '06 kick seems worse than my 12 gauge while the 308 caresses my shoulder somewhere between a 223 and a 243. Some day soon I'll try to bring that old Rem 700 up to date and make the comparison a bit more fair.
Hard to compare shooting fun, recoil, and accuracy because my 30-06 is a 50 year old stock Remington hunting rifle while my 308 is a CZ750 Sniper, 14lbs, muzzle break, and damned accurate with either a hot or cold, dirty or clean barrel. So the '06 kick seems worse than my 12 gauge while the 308 caresses my shoulder somewhere between a 223 and a 243. Some day soon I'll try to bring that old Rem 700 up to date and make the comparison a bit more fair.
The 308 and -06 both have overlapping performance. They can do similar things although the -06 will have some top end performance gains (with regard to bullet weight and velocity). A good analogy is comparing a Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee. They can do about the same things with the Wrangler using less effort and gas. The Cherokee can just haul more gear and people.
Like most I load both, I use 308 for more long distance steel and prairie hunting and the -06 for mountain hunting. As for components, I have found once fired for either and ammo is equal in availability.
Like most I load both, I use 308 for more long distance steel and prairie hunting and the -06 for mountain hunting. As for components, I have found once fired for either and ammo is equal in availability.
Generally, the 308 is more efficient, but the 30-06 performs better when using heavy for caliber bullets (190-220 grain). Both are great cartridges, and I believe the reason that most match shooters have changed to the 308 is because it is a wee bit more accurate.
That having been said, between the national match 30-06 Garand I owned, and the national match M1-A I owned, I enjoyed shooting the Garand more.
I think of the two cartridges sort of like I do good motorcycles. The Garand/30-06 is old, and the 308/M14, M1-A is newer..sort of like comparing a Hayabusa and a mint 1954 Harley. Sure, the Hayabusa is faster, but I'll bet if you showed up at a bike rally with that mint 1954 Harley, more guys would be drooling over the Harley than they would the Hayabusa.
That having been said, between the national match 30-06 Garand I owned, and the national match M1-A I owned, I enjoyed shooting the Garand more.
I think of the two cartridges sort of like I do good motorcycles. The Garand/30-06 is old, and the 308/M14, M1-A is newer..sort of like comparing a Hayabusa and a mint 1954 Harley. Sure, the Hayabusa is faster, but I'll bet if you showed up at a bike rally with that mint 1954 Harley, more guys would be drooling over the Harley than they would the Hayabusa.
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I like the Jeep analogy. I was going to say Ford or Chevy. The 06 will run a little faster, farther, and hit a little harder. Key word "little". On a different forum the argument was based on stats for both from the 70's.
I have both, shoot both, load .308 and have dies for 06 but haven't loaded any.
I have both, shoot both, load .308 and have dies for 06 but haven't loaded any.
If you want a fun -06 load try a 155 Scenar over 50 or so of Varget Trajectory mimics a 7 mag 162 projectile out to around 700y where the mag leaves it. Recoils like a 308.
