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Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

L

Lofty

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 14, 2008
1,307
31
57
Lenexa KS
#1
Obviously the biggest variable being the shooter....but that aside, even with todays outstanding .30 cal bullets, does anyone effectively compete with a .308 anymore?

Seems like 6 mm and 6.5 mm rounds rule the roost with their light recoil, flat shooting rounds.

Is the .308 just outclassed and outdated?

My switch barrel .243-.308 rifle is almost done and I've been looking at some of the ballistics with the Hornady 178 BTHP out of a .308 and wondering if I wasted my time with the .243. The added expenses for the barrel, the ammo components, reloading gear.

Since Im not at the top of the pack skill wise compared to regular hard core competition guys, should I look at it as "take every advantage I can get with the .243" or "Im not a good enough shooter to notice the difference anyways" mentality?
 
#2
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

The 243 is hands down better at tactical comps than the 308. Match 2 equivalent shooters and the one with the 243 will win.

There's a reason why matches give a Top 308 Shooter prize. It's so the guys shooting the 308 have a chance to win something. Take a look at the last 3 years of comp scores and show any wins by a 308, there might be one or two, by far it's the 6 and 6.5 mm rifles winning. There's also the lower recoil and being able to see impacts, that doesn't hurt your scores either.

Take every advantage you can get and shoot the 243.
 
#3
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Thats where I was going with the idea originally. Shoot the .243 in matches and use my 20 inch .308 barrel for fun (cheaper factory ammo) and if I ever want to hunt with it.

Im going to use the .243 in PMG's upcoming PRS match......we'll see how I do with it.
 
#4
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

.308 is a practical round. Military loves it because of the extended barrel life which reduces costs and that it's basically an age-old standard. In all other terms, the 6mm's do alot better.
 
#5
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Am I wrong in thinking that the .308 also has much better terminal ballistics?

Id have to think a 178 AMAX with good velocity is a sledge hammer over any of the 6mm or 6.5 offerings when it comes to doing damage to meat.
 
#6
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

I am probably going to rebarrel my 308 in 260 at the end of the summer. However, I plan to keep the barrel and switch back to 308 on occasion. I'll have about 1500 rounds down the tube at that point and I don't see any reason to let go of a perfectly good barrel. Yeah, the 260 will shoot better and will help in tactical comps. If the SHTF, I think 308 ammo will be more plentiful.
 
#7
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Simply put: YES! The 308 is outclassed - by nearly every other common(ish) cartridge other than 223.

It's speeds are moderate, even with bullets of "moderate" weight for their caliber (which means low BC).

I think it's a great cartridge to have in inventory, and one you shoot shoot quite a bit, but it is a significant handicap at a match - especially when you're in the wind.

Not to say that if you simply get a 7WSM, you'll win matches... However, once you are a proficient marksman, the 308 can really hold you back. Of course, like anything, practive enough and you can excel even with inferior tools.

I know 6mm and 6.5mm is all the rage currently, but to me, 7mm is the holy grail. The BC's are fantastic and they've got enough energy to really get ahold of steel downrange. Only downside is more recoil than the 6's and 6.5's.
 
#8
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I wrong in thinking that the .308 also has much better terminal ballistics?

Id have to think a 178 AMAX with good velocity is a sledge hammer over any of the 6mm or 6.5 offerings when it comes to doing damage to meat. </div></div>

A 7.62mm 178gr A-Max @ 2700fps will have more energy inside of 500yd than the 6.5mm 140gr A-Max @ 2820, due to the heavier weight. Beyond that, the 6.5mm retains more energy.

There's also the issue of sectional density; the 6.5mm has about 6.6% higher sectional density than the 30cal. That's not a huge difference, but increased penetration can offset the decreased energy.

Bottom line is one bullet isn't really going to kill any better than the other...
 
#9
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't have intentions to practice enough to try and get yourself to the top consistently i might actually recommend just sticking with a 308 and running 155's as fast as your barrel will let you reliably. I have a shorty 308 barrel 20" but i would be curious to see how a 28" 308 barrel with 155s would do side by side with my 28" 243 barrel. I think its only fair to compare apples to apples since most 243 shooters use at least a 26" barrel

Bottom line is there are a lot of guys out there that just enjoy competing and participating in the matches even though winning isn't the ultimate goal.

The benefits of the 308 with 24+" barrel are barrel life, ease of getting components, top 308 prize, will increase your wind reading skill.

Don't get the wrong impression i play to win and i myself shoot 243ai and standard 243. The bottom line is there is just more room for shooter error with flatter shooting cartridges that are also better in the wind. I did however shoot a couple matches last year with a 308 and my scores didn't really change all that much honestly. shooter confidence is huge and if you gain confidence with a certain caliber use it!!
 
#10
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TeamSendIt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't have intentions to practice enough to try and get yourself to the top consistently i might actually recommend just sticking with a 308 and running 155's as fast as your barrel will let you reliably. I have a shorty 308 barrel 20" but i would be curious to see how a 28" 308 barrel with 155s would do side by side with my 28" 243 barrel. I think its only fair to compare apples to apples since most 243 shooters use at least a 26" barrel

Bottom line is there are a lot of guys out there that just enjoy competing and participating in the matches even though winning isn't the ultimate goal.

The benefits of the 308 with 24+" barrel are barrel life, ease of getting components, top 308 prize, will increase your wind reading skill.

Don't get the wrong impression i play to win and i myself shoot 243ai and standard 243. The bottom line is there is just more room for shooter error with flatter shooting cartridges that are also better in the wind. I did however shoot a couple matches last year with a 308 and my scores didn't really change all that much honestly. shooter confidence is huge and if you gain confidence with a certain caliber use it!! </div></div>


Thats exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking a 26 inch 1-12 .308 barrel shooting 155's might be a great set up.

It keeps my costs down reloading wise and lets me focus on one caliber.

And like you said, if Im dont have the time to practice enough or the money to compete enough with the top shooters out there, maybe focusing my attention towards one caliber with 6-7 x's the barrel life might be the way to go.
 
#11
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

I think there are a few ways to look at this question and to answer. It depends upon your point of reference and your expectations.

1. Fact...The .308 still has plenty of fight and performance.
2. Opinion...If you only have one rifle/caliber for long range competition, make it a .308.
3. Fact...A good shooter with a .308 can perform better than a not so good shooter with any other caliber.
4. Fact...Is it possible to shoot .308 (using factory ammo) and finish in the upper ranks in tactical matches, while beating other shooters who are handloading and shooting all known "superior calibers"? Absolutely!!!

Ask me how I know...
cool.gif

P.S. - My intent with this post is to encourage other shooters to get out and shoot what you have, or what you can afford. Don't be discouraged because all you have to shoot is the "inferior" .308. I've shot a few matches and can speak with some experience. Not to say I don't wish I had one of the "superior calibers" to shoot, but I don't so I make do. I have fun shooting what I have and believe I am sufficiently competitive while doing so
grin.gif
.
 
#12
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

In match comps yes the 308 gets smoked.

As a training tool I dont think the 308 can be beat. Its easy to load for, easy to live with. You can shoot it all day and not get beat down. You can buy awesome components. You can buy good ammo. And yes it will teach you the wind. You may cuss a lot getting there but it does work. The 243 will feel like your cheating once your used to the 308.

From a comp point of view, if you the shooter are skilled enough to know when and where your lossing to the 6's. If you are able to exploit the ballistic advantage of them in the field on the clock under pressure. Then it only makes sence to take every advantage you can get to ensure your equipment is able to keep up with you.
But few shoot nearly enough to reach that level and instead arbitrarily get the same round that the winners are using. Not that its a bad thing either. The rig is still capable.

You have a switch barrel that will let you compete as much as you want. It should be successful and maybe even let you compete in a couple divisions at once so you get as much trigger time as possible in a weekend.

Win win
 
#13
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Honestly, I had no idea the .243 was that well thought-of here. From nearly every thread and most guns for sale in the other forum here on Sniper's Hide, I figured most everyone used the .308. I guess I'll have to look more into that.

Is a different twist rate needed for bullets like the 105gr Amax as opposed to smaller bullets like the 75gr?
 
#14
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TeamSendIt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't have intentions to practice enough to try and get yourself to the top consistently i might actually recommend just sticking with a 308 and running 155's as fast as your barrel will let you reliably. I have a shorty 308 barrel 20" but i would be curious to see how a 28" 308 barrel with 155s would do side by side with my 28" 243 barrel. I think its only fair to compare apples to apples since most 243 shooters use at least a 26" barrel

Bottom line is there are a lot of guys out there that just enjoy competing and participating in the matches even though winning isn't the ultimate goal.

The benefits of the 308 with 24+" barrel are barrel life, ease of getting components, top 308 prize, will increase your wind reading skill.

Don't get the wrong impression i play to win and i myself shoot 243ai and standard 243. The bottom line is there is just more room for shooter error with flatter shooting cartridges that are also better in the wind. I did however shoot a couple matches last year with a 308 and my scores didn't really change all that much honestly. shooter confidence is huge and if you gain confidence with a certain caliber use it!! </div></div>


Thats exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking a 26 inch 1-12 .308 barrel shooting 155's might be a great set up.

It keeps my costs down reloading wise and lets me focus on one caliber.

And like you said, if Im dont have the time to practice enough or the money to compete enough with the top shooters out there, maybe focusing my attention towards one caliber with 6-7 x's the barrel life might be the way to go. </div></div>

There are ONLY 3 reasons I can think of to get a 308...

1. You want to handicap yourself
2. You want easily accessible, inexpensive factory ammo
3. You want to compete in NATO only/FTR matches

Otherwise, there are several other superior choices. Consider a 7-08, which is a whole 'nother animal, but no more expensive to load, and still has excellent barrel life.
 
#17
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I ended up going with a 1-7.5 twist planning on shooting 115's.

1-8 should shoot great with 105's. </div></div>

After looking at many rifle makers, I can see that to shoot the larger bullets, I may need to get a custom barrel. Several have twist rates of 1-9.25 (Savage, for example). Thanks for the replies!
 
#18
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

As a "tactical match" round definitely YES, but as an all around readily available cheap round that will put down all kinds of creatures from the two legged too the four legged kind that every local and big box store carries, NO. Will that one day change possibly, but not very soon. That being said the 6.5 Creedmoor is in my future, but I'll always have a trusty .308 Win in my collection.
 
#19
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kHIT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I ended up going with a 1-7.5 twist planning on shooting 115's.

1-8 should shoot great with 105's. </div></div>

After looking at many rifle makers, I can see that to shoot the larger bullets, I may need to get a custom barrel. Several have twist rates of 1-9.25 (Savage, for example). Thanks for the replies!
</div></div>

The Rem SPS is a 1:9 1/8 twist and will <span style="font-style: italic">typically</span> stabilize the 105 Amax if properly reloaded.
 
#20
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kHIT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I ended up going with a 1-7.5 twist planning on shooting 115's.

1-8 should shoot great with 105's. </div></div>

After looking at many rifle makers, I can see that to shoot the larger bullets, I may need to get a custom barrel. Several have twist rates of 1-9.25 (Savage, for example). Thanks for the replies!
</div></div>

The Rem SPS is a 1:9 1/8 twist and will <span style="font-style: italic">typically</span> stabilize the 105 Amax if properly reloaded. </div></div>


Thanks for the reply!!! My father shoots a .243, and I'm kinda looking forward to such a pleasant, and flat shooting round! Thanks again!
laugh.gif
 
#22
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Tub's & Bernosky both shot 6mm / .243 in the national matches and I think Bernosky won in 2011 with a standard .243 Winchester. The ballistics and wind drift are WAY better than the .308.

The larger bore usually has longer throat life and that is a plus for the 30 cal or larger tubes. TONS of ready to use ammo, brass and bullets about everywhere is also in the .308's favor.

I still shoot the .308 and like it immensely but if your looking to seriously compete against other calibers its a serious consideration and calibers more forgiving for bad wind calls are out there.
 
#23
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TeamSendIt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The benefits of the 308 with 24+" barrel are barrel life, </div></div>

TS,

Noted this part of your post. In a month or two I'm swapping out the 24 inch barrel on my AW for a 20 inch fluted AI barrel, probably a Border. Reading into your statement above, can i expect reduced barrel life from a 20 inch barrel?

If so, I'm guessing it's because you have to load the cartridges hot to get decent velocities?

All the best,

Nick
 
#24
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

A 20 inch barrel should have just as long a barrel life as a 24 inch given the same load. The 24 inch will have more velocity. Also the longer barrel could potentially be set back as you get erosion.
 
#25
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is the .308 just outclassed and outdated?</div></div>I still run a .308 at the major matches; always have.

Run the numbers in your ballistics program: My .308 is a .580BC bullet at 2740fps out of 24" barrel, at mag length. That's .260 territory - so much so that I really don't need a .260 that pushes a .595-620BC bullet at 2770 and gives me only 1/3 of the barrel life.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There's a reason why matches give a Top 308 Shooter prize.</div></div>I wish... At Rifles Only, and ASC, and the 'Cup there's no top .308 prize. If there was I would have had it three years in a row while being surrounded by .260s. But I take my turn at the prize table like everyone else, without complaining, because there are plenty of .260s and 243s nd .300WMs that finish underneath.
 
#26
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Well why not run a 7-08 with the 162 Amax or BTHP, beats the .308, and still kills very well with the Amax. I have never hunted with the BTHP. The 7mm bullets have very high BC, and kill a .308 in the wind. Also barrel life is much better than a .243.

You never said if you reload, so the 7-08 might not be for you.
 
#27
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is the .308 just outclassed and outdated?</div></div>I still run a .308 at the major matches; always have.

Run the numbers in your ballistics program: My .308 is a .580BC bullet at 2740fps out of 24" barrel, at mag length. That's .260 territory - so much so that I really don't need a .260 that pushes a .595-620BC bullet at 2770 and gives me only 1/3 of the barrel life.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There's a reason why matches give a Top 308 Shooter prize.</div></div>I wish... At Rifles Only, and ASC, and the 'Cup there's no top .308 prize. If there was I would have had it three years in a row while being surrounded by .260s. But I take my turn at the prize table like everyone else, without complaining, because there are plenty of .260s and 243s nd .300WMs that finish underneath. </div></div>

What bullet are you using that's providing a BC of .580?
 
#31
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Aren't the Hornady 178 BTs close to .580? </div></div>

Hornady reports BC at 0.530.
 
#32
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JLK 180 grain long boat tail vld. </div></div>.....and it's a 12-twist barrel.
grin.gif
 
#34
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

This is actually kind of funny. Visit a hunting forum and extol the virtues of the .243 there and they'll call your mother bad names.

Though I hunt almost exclusively with a .243 anymore, my long-range gun is a .308. I'd echo here the same thing I promote on the hunting sites - shoot what you have, and shoot it to the best of your ability. I'd hate to see this forum reduced to the mud-slinging that I see going on in the hunting forums over debates about which caliber is best. Next thing, everyone who knows anything (?!) will be shooting a .338 LM because it's POSSIBLE you might have to shoot at something beyond 1000 yards, even if your local range only goes to 300 ("while you don't need a .338 Win Mag for elk, because you're hunting elk in grizzly country you need one" - or so seems the popular logic over there. It's just stupid sometimes).
 
#36
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

There are ONLY 3 reasons I can think of to get a 308...

1. You want to handicap yourself
2. You want easily accessible, inexpensive factory ammo
3. You want to compete in NATO only/FTR matches

</div></div>

Sadly, I must concur. But only with regard to match shooting.

It pains me to refer to using a 308 as a Handicap.
cry.gif
I am a dyed-in-the-wool 308 guy.
cool.gif


I don't even have a 223/556 AR.

BMT
 
#37
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Homers Brother</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is actually kind of funny. Visit a hunting forum and extol the virtues of the .243 there and they'll call your mother bad names. </div></div>

Same with the 308--its just a bastard cousin of the 30-06.

BMT
 
#38
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Fact it will be easier to shoot a 6 or 6.5 or even a 7mm in tac comp just because they have less drift and about the same or less recoil.. so for a tactical comp rifle you would be better of with one of the others. If you want to shoot cheap skip the .308 and go to the .223.. If you have the money to build a rifle to compete and on top of that the money to drive all over and pay entry fees then the cheap cost of a .308 is mute..
 
#39
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coug</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fact it will be easier to shoot a 6 or 6.5 or even a 7mm in tac comp just because they have less drift and about the same or less recoil.. so for a tactical comp rifle you would be better of with one of the others. If you want to shoot cheap skip the .308 and go to the .223.. If you have the money to build a rifle to compete and on top of that the money to drive all over and pay entry fees then the cheap cost of a .308 is mute.. </div></div>

Meh. Not so much.

If I were to shoot a 6, 6.5, or 7, I'd need a new barrel for starters. All the time I've put into load development for the .308 would be wasted. I'd have to throw out my data book and start over. And I don't do this for the money.

Can I just be happy shooting my .308 instead? It's already up and running, and I like it.
 
#40
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Homers Brother</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can I just be happy shooting my .308 instead?</div></div>

Absolutely! There's nothing "wrong" with the 308...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's already up and running</div></div>

There's a lot to be said for that...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and I like it. </div></div>

That's the single-most important thing that matters.
 
#41
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Considering recoil, drift, drop, It'd be tough for a 308 to match a performance-loaded 243, 6.5Creed, or 7-08.

If you load up the 308 with a heavy-ish VLD you can get it in the same ballpark for drift, but it will recoil more, slowing down recovery a bit.

I shoot the 208gr AMax at 2620 fps from a 20.5" 308, and 2700 fps from a 26" 308. With a BC of .648, it resists wind fairly well.

Just for shitz n gigglz, I ran a few ballistic comparisons at local atmo, 4500' ASL. Velocity estimates for 26" barrels.

1000 yards: velocity, drop, 10mph fv drift, energy.
Figures rounded to 1/4 moa.

Berger .243" 115gr VLD, 3000 fps
1768, 23.0, 5.0, 797

Hornady .264" 140gr AMax, 2900 fps
1693, 25.0, 5.5, 891

Hornady .284" 162gr AMax, 2800 fps
1685, 26.25, 5.25, 1021

Hornady .308" 208gr AMax, 2700 fps
1645, 28.0, 5.25, 1250

...................................
308 FGMM 175gr, 2600 fps
1308, 35.75, 8.25, 665

308 FGMM 168gr, 2650 fps
1205, 37.50, 9.5, 541
 
#42
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Lots of great info in this thread...

My rifle is sitting in the safe at Spartan Rifles waiting for a barrel change from .308 to 6.5 creedmoor

I'm psyched to get behind a <span style="font-style: italic">cheater</span> round
wink.gif


But I plan on holding on to the .308 barrel.....
 
#43
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Okay I did not mean to step on any .308 guys toes. I am just stating the obvious about them. And I am also saying that this guy wants one for Tactical Match shooting. for these reasons I believe that a 6 or 6.5X47 or a 6.5 creadmoor 7mm08 or my pick of the 7mm is the .284 because you have this against you..
1. time limit ranging targets.
2. time limit to getting rounds sent.
3. So no time to wait for the wind to stop/start
So I am saying .308 shooters call these wind cheaters for a reason. I don't know how many times i have just caught the edge of a target with my 6.5X47 and wouldn't have touched steel with a .308.. So for shooting a match i would prefer any one of these to a .308..
I am not trashing the .308 nor do I dislike it. I am just giving this guy IMHO a good truth about it. Maybe your faster a better guesser and just a plain out better shot than me. But I can make up for it with my wind cheating 6.5x47.
I haven't shot a lot of Big matches but I do belong to a club that shoots tactical long range matches once a month and I have shot a couple of fair sized matches and I shoot weekly some times daily at my own range off my back porch.. I am by no means the Law when it comes to long range but I do know how to smell common sense.
And I have never seen a .308 win a match that I attended. I know sometimes they win but almost always you can bet it will be a
6,6.5 or a 7mm that wins the match..
I am not trying to stir the pot, just give good info about what the guy asked.
 
#44
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

I don't think any of the 308 shooters are under the illusion that it is somehow ballistically superior to the hot 6,6.5, 7mm.

The 308 is what it is. But there is a siginificant difference between a 168SMK, and a 208AMax.
 
#45
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

If you can shoot a 308 in windy conditions, you can kick some serious ass in a match shooting a 260. If you want to learn to shoot in the wind, a 308 is a great way to do so.
 
#48
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

I shoot a .308....I think that if it is a tactical match 5.56,.308,.300WM,.338Lapua, should be all calibers that you can shoot in a tactical because that is the NATO calibers and that should be the restriction. I shot against alot of .260 in a big charity match in missouri (that is were I live) and have never shot against this caliber of shooters except for a few that go to the Big Piney Matches in Houston,MO. I never felt out gunned or out scoped. I shoot a SS10x42HD. A lot of them had 5-25 S&B,NF,US OPTICS, I came in 17th out of 47 shooters. That is because I F'd some shots up not because caliber or scopes. just become proficient with what you have.
 
#49
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

Interesting read. I think Para1505 hit the nail on the head with his last comment: just become proficient with what you have.

OTOH, the info on a suped-up .243 round is way more impressive than I ever imagined. Kinda neat examining and exploring what all is out there, IMO.
 
#50
Re: Is .308 outclassed as a tactical match caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I wrong in thinking that the .308 also has much better terminal ballistics?

Id have to think a 178 AMAX with good velocity is a sledge hammer over any of the 6mm or 6.5 offerings when it comes to doing damage to meat. </div></div>

Its a sledge hammer at the muzzle, but beyond, say 150 yards, the old .308 really sheds lots of velocity and has a longer time of flight. The 6.5s cover more ground in a given time and in turn kill better. I've hunted with a variety of calibers at a variety of ranges and the 6.5s and 7mms kill game much more quickly than .30s. Last week, some friends and I were shooting milk jugs filled with water at 635 yards. The 6.5mm was the only one that blew the jug up, while the .308s we kept calling misses...turned out it just drained them slowly.
 
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