30.06?

[Wrangler John]

Thank gosh Kestryll didn't ask which is better: .30-06 or .270 Winchester?

I won't pontificate on the virtues of the .30-06 Springfield versus the .308 Winchester, except to say that I currently own three rifles chambered for the .30-06 Springfield and one in .308 Winchester. Out to 500 yards, using Hornady's Superperformance .308 Winchester 178 grain BTHP Match versus their .30-06 Springfield 180 grain SST Superperformance loading, their ballistics are very similar, a toss-up.

In fact, the Nosler Manual #6 demonstrates that even with 150/165 grain bullets both cartridges max out at 3001 fps and 3056 fps respectively. Both sets of data were developed in 24" Lija 1:10" twist barrels. This is not enough of a margin to be concerned with. The main difference is that the .30-06 data goes on to include loads for 200 grain and 220 grain Partition and AccuBond bullets, driven by RL-22. Of course handloaders, with a penchant to push the envelope, can take the velocities and pressures up to the point just short of brazing the bolt shut.

The best thing about both cartridges is that Privi-Partizan offers .308 Winchester for $47.00 per 100, and .30-06 Springfield brass for $52.00 per 100. (www.grafs.com) Good stuff at a reasonable price. So, pick your poison knowing that it really comes down to splitting hairs.

[GJC]

Thank gosh Kestryll didn't ask which is better: .30-06 or .270 Winchester?

I won't pontificate on the virtues of the .30-06 Springfield versus the .308 Winchester, except to say that I currently own three rifles chambered for the .30-06 Springfield and one in .308 Winchester. Out to 500 yards, using Hornady's Superperformance .308 Winchester 178 grain BTHP Match versus their .30-06 Springfield 180 grain SST Superperformance loading, their ballistics are very similar, a toss-up.

In fact, the Nosler Manual #6 demonstrates that even with 150/165 grain bullets both cartridges max out at 3001 fps and 3056 fps respectively. Both sets of data were developed in 24" Lija 1:10" twist barrels. This is not enough of a margin to be concerned with. The main difference is that the .30-06 data goes on to include loads for 200 grain and 220 grain Partition and AccuBond bullets, driven by RL-22. Of course handloaders, with a penchant to push the envelope, can take the velocities and pressures up to the point just short of brazing the bolt shut.

The best thing about both cartridges is that Privi-Partizan offers .308 Winchester for $47.00 per 100, and .30-06 Springfield brass for $52.00 per 100. (www.grafs.com) Good stuff at a reasonable price. So, pick your poison knowing that it really comes down to splitting hairs.

Reason I'd want a 30/06 is to shoot the heavy bullets (190-210gr) and factory ammo. As some others said .308 Magnum

Oh and also have a couple old deer rifles in 30/06 from my Grandfather.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

I won't pontificate on the virtues of the .30-06 Springfield versus the .308 Winchester, except to say that I currently own three rifles chambered for the .30-06 Springfield and one in .308 Winchester. Out to 500 yards, using Hornady's Superperformance .308 Winchester 178 grain BTHP Match versus their .30-06 Springfield 180 grain SST Superperformance loading, their ballistics are very similar, a toss-up.

So, pick your poison knowing that it really comes down to splitting hairs.

The Hornady reloading manual is conservative on their max charges, but I wouldn't consider the two cartridges "splitting hairs" in difference.

It lists .308 shooting a 178gr at 2500 fps as max
.30-06 shooting a 178 gr at 2700 max and shooting a 220 gr at 2500 fps.

Those are conservative numbers for both, but .30-06 is launching almost a 25% heavier bullet at the same velocity.

Given that a 175 SMK has a bc of .496 and the 220 SMK's BC is .629, it's making me pretty interested in taking my Howa out for some LR fun over my .308

[elk hunter]

Honestly I was eyeballing that rifle when I made this thread.
But I had read/heard so much confusing and conflicting info on the whole 30.06 v. .308 issue I wasn't sure.

Now, I want one.

Having a 06 or two will always be a advantage for every hunter and shooter a more versatile caliber has never been made than the old 30-06. 100 grain 1/2 jacket plinkers to the 220 gr and heavier the 30-06 delivers every time. I would not take it to hunt the big and dangerous stuff in Africa but everything else that walks in this world is in grave danger of being put in the freezer or on the wall with a 06. I always love to read how just about everything is compared to the 06, ever wonder why they do that, it's because the 06 is just that good. You can buy ammo at just about any store that carries ammo even the mom and pop stores in Roy MT which is in no wheresville USA.

[Laddy]

Thank gosh Kestryll didn't ask which is better: .30-06 or .270 win.

LOL....when I first came across this thread I thought the same thing. Then I thought "is he trolling us?"

[mosinnagantm9130]

The .30-06 was not a blackpowder round. The .30-03 wasn't even black powder, don't know where you heard that.

[vliberatore]

They were both developed as military ammo. The 30-06 was a black powder round. It was replaced with the .308 which used less bulky smokeless powder for the same balistics.

[Merc1138]

They were both developed as military ammo. The 30-06 was a black powder round. It was replaced with the .308 which used less bulky smokeless powder for the same balistics.

That's funny since the .30-40 krag was developed using smokeless... so we went from .45-70 in blackpowder, to .30-40 krag in smokeless, tinkered with .30-03, went back to black powder for .30-06 up through the 50's till we went back to smokeless with .308?

[QXSOUP]

30.06 and 30.03 were both (and always have been) smokeless. Maybe you were thinking of .303 Brit?

[BillyGoatCrawler]

LoL, exactly what I did. I started to type a response and then just deleted it and closed this window.

Multiple bits of FUD.

[toby]

They were both developed as military ammo. The 30-06 was a black powder round. It was replaced with the .308 which used less bulky smokeless powder for the same balistics.

Say what?

[FISHNFRANK]

This argument is older than the bible but here's my take. I'm a hunter and a reloader and I've recently gotten rid of my .308 rifles, brass and dies in favor of the .30-06. for .30 caliber sized work. Why?
-- more case capacity for the .30-06. I don't have to deal with compressed loads
-- the .30-06 is more versatile. It handles heavy bullets better. I hunt deer and larger critters where a 180 grainer is desirable.
-- the con with the '06 to me is slightly more recoil. It's 10-15% difference and you notice it when you shoot a lot. But the 150 grain in the '06 is pretty reasonable
-- for short action rilfes and cartridges, as a hunter and a reloader, I prefer the 7mm-08 over the .308. It's flatter, has more energy at 400 yards and has less recoil. So the short action light rifle for me is a 7mm-08.

In summary, to me, the .308 is a third place finisher behind the .30-06 and the 7mm-08. It would be fourth place if I owned a .270. If you are Johnny Tactical, the .308 is probably all you'll ever need or want.

Frank

[AGGRO]

Not sure if actual ballistics but http://www.sportsmansguide.com/produ...ounds?a=691389

I'd have to see the numbers myself. I love the 06. Kicks less than the win mag and Deer don't know the difference.

[klewan]

Interesting reading all the opinions. 308 came around when all the powder research they did in the '40s enabled 30.06 ballistics with a half inch removed from the cartridge length. When you're shipping, carrying billions, a half inch less adds up.

I doubt the animal you're killing will know or care which one you wacked 'em with.

[GJC]

Info stolen from Randal

308 Winchester
This is a good midrange cartridge.
It's good to about 800yds, but heavier bullets can help beat the wind past that.
The realistic maximum range is 1100yds and there are only a few bullets that will make it that far.
There are lots of options in factory made rifles.
There are lots of factory match quality loads available.
Cost to reload is moderate, brass is available everywhere.
Recoil is moderate due to the bullet weight and moderate powder charges.
Due to it's larger bore and lower velocities, barrel life is excellent.
Expect 4000 to 8000 rounds of accurate barrel life depending on how hard/fast you push it.

30-06 Springfield
This is a good longrange cartridge due to the wide variety of 30 caliber bullets and the powder capacity to run heavier bullets than a 308.
It's good to 1000yds as the heavier bullets help it to beat the wind.
The realistic maximum range is 1300yds with 210gr bullets.
There are almost no factory made heavy barreled rifles as the 308 has generally superseded the 30-06.
There are several factory match quality loads available though as there are a ton of 30-06 rifles out there from it's 100+ year life span.
Cost to reload is moderate, brass is available from many different manufacturers.
Recoil is moderate due to the bullet weight and moderate powder charges.
Due to it's larger bore size and slightly lower pressure, barrel life is excellent.
Expect 4000 to 8000 rounds of accurate barrel life depending on how hard/fast you push it.


300 Winchester magnum
This is an excellent longrange cartridge due to the wide variety of 30 caliber bullets and the powder capacity to make velocity.
It's excellent to 1000yds as the heavier bullets really help it to beat the wind.
The realistic maximum range is 1400yds with 210gr bullets.
There are many options in factory made rifles.
There are several factory match quality loads available.
Cost to reload is moderate and brass is available from many sources.
Recoil is heavy due to the bullet weight and heavy powder charges.
Due to it's high pressure and velocity, barrel life is poor.
Expect 1000 to 1500 rounds of accurate barrel life depending on how hard/fast you push it.