.308 vs .30-06

[bruceflinch]

You do realize the .308Win/7.62x51mm was expressly developed, in the late 1940's and early 1950's, to duplicate 30-06 ballistic performance in a shorter cartridge designed for semiauto and MG use. This performance was achieved with improved propellants and a higher operating pressure.

If you handload in a bolt-action rifle, you can run the same pressures and the 30-06's greater powder capacity yield greater velocity, especially in bullet weights greater than 165grs.

I was thinking about that as I was reading the other posts. Plus the weight difference in loaded cartridges meant the soldier could carry more ammo.

I'm curious why more people don't handload 30-06? Prefer the recoil of the .308? I love shooting my Savage 10 in 308.

But I already have dies in case I ever decide to get a 30-06. Ooo, Am I a bit twisted?

[CaliforniaSon]

Anyone know the price difference of the 2 calibers? Or are they the same?

For 'plinking' the .308 is much cheaper (about 50cents a round compared to $1.00-$1.25/round retail) (but pretty close in price to reload)

As for a comparison...

I have a Remington 7400 and a Remington 1903 in -06 and I also have a buddy's M1A in .308, that I have fired side by side. What most of the other guys on here have said is true, the -06 is going to kick more, but you can also push about 100fps more out of it.

so this all comes down to what everyone else says...

1. is it for plinking / target? if so - go .308
2. how far are you planning to shoot? if 250-300 yards - again .308

however if you plan to hunt some major game, the -06 is still one of the best rounds ever made, no competition. The only thing that ranks higher would be a 300win mag.

I personally love the -06 over everything, at this point though, even reloading, it is more expensive and it kicks a lot harder that most prefer. The .308 is not a bad second up and you can have the same fun.