rem 700 in 30.06

[sfonelson]

Hey All, I wanted to finally purchase my remmy 700 and I am finalizing the chamber size.

Any drawbacks on choosing 30.06 over .308 in Caliber? The reason why I wanted to go with 30.06 is because I already have all the hand loading gear since I reload for my M1. So keeping it same caliber seems to make sense.

This rifle will be for hunting/precision shooting.

[GunDog]

No drawbacks whatsoever. You're making a good, wise, and solid decision in going with a Remington Model 700 in .30-06 Springfield caliber.

[HoMa506]

x2 what sfonelson said. I have a 700 LTR in .308 for target shooting and a 700 SPS in 30-06 for hunting. I think it's a wise you decide on the 30-06 since you already have the reloading equipment for that round.

[Remi_700]

Either will work well for long range target/Precision shooting......what kind of animals are you hunting?

[sfonelson]

Originally Posted by Remi_700

Either will work well for long range target/Precision shooting......what kind of animals are you hunting?

Great, thanks guys!

I haven't hunted yet, but am anticipating deer, boars, mostly North American big game. I'm going to keep this rifle for life most likely...

[sfonelson]

Also, I know it's been discussed in great detail, and I plan on doing a lot more research, but I'm probably going to go with a Leupold scope. I"m looking at a Mark 6 3-18x44mm (34mm). I'm going the "Buy once, cry once" route. I kind of want this to be a dual purpose hunting/long range precision rifle.

[Remi_700]

The 308 and 30-06 are pretty much ballistic twins out to 500 yds. The biggest difference is the action, long vs short and will come down to preference. If you want to muddy the water a little and look at some different calibers let me know. I think there are some better options out there than the 308 or 30-06 for what you are wanting to do. I do own or have owned at one time about every popular big game cartridge out there.

You can't go wrong with Leupold! That scope is a good call.

[Hunter47]

First of all I want to say you made an excellent choice for all the reasons stated in the other posts. However, there are some tradeoffs mentioned by a few posts. The difference, although this might be negligible to some, is in overall weight of the rifle (long actions have more steel) and the longer pull and push when cycling another round. I have seen guys in the heat of battle (hunting) short stroke and receive a "click" sound. I can't say it happens more often with a long action vs. short action (.308) but there is difference when chambering a round in position and trying for a followup shot. That being said. The real answer is to practice with your gun until you become proficient with it. Remember the old saying, "Worry about the man with only one gun. He knows how to use it".

[chuckshoots]

I ahve a 30-06 and a 308 rem 700. While the 308 is more my precision build for sure (well actually by a long stretch), the 30-06 is my go to for basically everything else including hunting.

[Bhobbs]

Since you hand load, you can take advantage of the .30-06's greater case capacity. Most .30-06 factory ammo is only slightly faster than .308.

[tuna quesadilla]

Originally Posted by Hunter47

First of all I want to say you made an excellent choice for all the reasons stated in the other posts. However, there are some tradeoffs mentioned by a few posts. The difference, although this might be negligible to some, is in overall weight of the rifle (long actions have more steel) and the longer pull and push when cycling another round. I have seen guys in the heat of battle (hunting) short stroke and receive a "click" sound. I can't say it happens more often with a long action vs. short action (.308) but there is difference when chambering a round in position and trying for a followup shot. That being said. The real answer is to practice with your gun until you become proficient with it. Remember the old saying, "Worry about the man with only one gun. He knows how to use it".

The same problem happens with amateurs shooting pump shotguns.

The simple training remedy is to train to unlock the bolt, drive it rearward UNTIL IT PHYSICALLY STOPS, drive it forwards, and then lock it. A distinct four-count motion. Do it by the numbers until it becomes muscle memory. Open. Rear, stop. Forwards, stop. Close. Open. Rear, stop. Forwards, stop. close.

[border.bandito]

i am in the same decisive situation as the OP (.308 vs. 30-06), and leaning toward the .308 for the moment.
sorry for the stupid question (this will be my first hunting rifle), but does the 30-06 have that much more 'takedown' power vs. the .308? i know the range is considerably further on the 30-06, but i'm more concerned about being 'underguned' in a hunting situation (big game).

[crazyalskn]

Originally Posted by border.bandito

but does the 30-06 have that much more 'takedown' power vs. the .308? i know the range is considerably further on the 30-06, but i'm more concerned about being 'underguned' in a hunting situation (big game).

I am from Alaska, and i can tell you first hand that more people use 30-06 for hunting in Ak, because of the versatility of it and the ability to handle a brown/grizzly, not if, but when you run into one....

[Virus55]

I love my 30-06 so i say stick with since you have the stuff for reloading

[1911man]

I have had a LTR 308. Shot great, bumped up to an 06 and never looked back. I took a 03 action made in 1942 put in a Timmy trigger, a hart custom 26" magnum dia. barrel, and a camo Macmillan stock with a wide forearm. I will try to post pics. '06 is 100-200fps faster than the 308, 300wm is 200 fps. faster than the '06, with a 26" barrel and superformance hornady ammo it will go just as fast as the 300wm. The gun will cloverleaf with hornady ammo. I have been wanting to chart the drop with it, when I get the chance out to 1000 yards. I recently have been wanting to get a 6.5 CM. it is a better round.[/PHP]

[sharxbyte]

I'd have said price, but if you reload, then you're set!

[patrickcondon22]

If you already reload the 30-06 then you should stay with that. Love my 30-06 , however I need to get into reloading to really maximize the cartridge. Let us know what you decide!

[sfonelson]

Thanks everyone! I'll go with the 30.06. That seems like the best move. I'll be sure and post pics when I finally get everything. It'll be after the new year for sure.