I'd get a 30-06!

Don

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Jesus is the reason for the season.

Now I will wait while .308 lovers will come on line and subject me to post abuse!!!!

Regards PC.

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Other factors would drive the choice. Is there a favorite rifle you want to get? Is there some particular condition about this hunt that would recommend one caliber over the other?

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

At this range either cartridge will be adequate. Assuming factory loaded 150 grain bullets, it will be hard to tell the difference.

If, however, you intend to do some serious load development, including chronographing, then the .30-06 offers you an easy 250 fps advantage.

I find it so laughable that the .308 is an anemic round, and the ole -06 so much better. The fire the same bullets, and the -06 has a slight velocity edge. Quality expancing bullets behave fairly reliably between 2000 and 2700 fps, though the velocity range can be spread 1700-3000 if you push it. If you really think an extra 100-150 fps at the muzzle makes any difference in bullet performance, you just don't understand how bullets work.

My wifes 20" 308 with factory rem loads pushes a 180 gr bullet 2600 fps. Are you going to tell me that if I see an elk at 250 yds, that I best not take the shot with the .308, I need a real rifle, an -06 that can push the same bullet a dazling 2700 fps?

Either of them will perform indistinguishably on game.

If you want maximum velocity in a full-sized (22" + bbl.) rifle, get the 30-06.

If you want a carbine or you're recoil sensitive, get a 308.

Regardless, I don't think there's that much ACTUAL (as opposed to armchair/ballistic chart) difference between them both.

Brad Amundson

The .308 and 30-06 are much closer then folks give them credit. I will say the -06 is perhaps good for another 50 yds, but to say animals that the 308 is inadequate for are easily taken by the -06 shows ignorance at best, or perhaps the more polite description would be pre-concieved notions fostered by gun scribes that have no basis in reality.

What one favors is simply ones business. These discussions can be quite enjoyable, or tiresome, and I have no doubt it will come up again, as I'm sure its been ongoing since the introduction of the .308 nearly 50 years ago. Keep in mind, it is the bullet that does the work, the case is simply a means of holding the fuel to launch the bullet.

I'd much rather folks asked about paticular bullets performance rather then the parent case, as that is what matters, and it is also where strides have been made in performance.

The 30-06 will generally stabilize heavier bullets.

My 308 gets 2615 fps w/ 180 grain Noslers. It is a hot load, but not very hot. My Browning A-Bolt will not extract a load that expands the base at all.

I'd still get a 30-06.

Don

I've put 220 gr Sierra rn into 3/4-1" 3 shot groups at 100 yds with booring regularity, and 3 different powders, though the velocity was 2100-2150 fps. I figure that makes the .308 a 100 yd moose gun. There is no argument that the .308 falls on its face with bullets heavier then 180 grs.

Then again, to my way of thinking, if you need more then 180 grs, you need more then a 30 caliber, and the answer is 250-300 gr in a 33-375 caliber.

And finally, the original question was deer, in which case the bullets of choice would be in the 140-165 gr range.

I suppose I should realize it is the holidays, but everyone at home is sick, temps haven't been above 0 in a week, and the range is closed for the month, bah humbug

The question was deer hunting, and that say 150 to 165 gr in my book, and there the 308 win is just as good as the 30-06.

Arild

GC

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeff S:
Paul,
I'm not an advocate of long range hunting by any means... But I have to ask why you consider a .30 caliber bullet doing around 2100 fps with around 1500-1600 ft lbs of energy at 400 yards an inadequate deer load? The .300 magnums offer no particular advantage at 400 yards either...

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My response was based on the assumption the poster wouldn't go to the trouble to establish a drop chart based on field testing, and wouldn't have a target elevation nob on the scope, do dial in an exact hold. That is what is required for 400 yd shots. There is no doubt a 30 cal bullet going 2000 fps wouldn't do the job, many handgun hunters use such a load with excellent results.

They're both awesome. Damn near perfect deer calibers.

Accuracy?...okay, the 308 probably does get the edge, but "not by a helluva a lot". For hunting, have you ever had a "good" rifle chambered in 30-06 not shoot in a satisfactory group with a 150 grain bullet?
Probably never happens.

Versatility?...30-06 has to take it, heavier bullets perform better out of the bigger case.

So, I think it is just a question of splitting hairs when comparing these two fine calibers. Long action, short action, I just don't care, if forced to take one, and only one, in a bolt rifle, I'd take the -06, simply for the ability to use a heavier bullet.
If the accuracy isn't as good as the 308, okay, I can live with a .75 group vs the .65 the 308 might give me.

what a moot argument.

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When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

The .280 is the winner, hands down, and I can prove it!!

There, how's that.

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Jesus is the reason for the season.

[This message has been edited by Ol' Sarge (edited 12-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Curtis_Lemay (edited 12-22-2001).]

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Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!

Shop around, and get the best rifle quality you can afford.

1/4-1/2 MOA is not uncommon for match grade
308's.

O6 bolt actions are a little worse, sometimes.
Depends on the rifle.

Advantages of 308 is you use less powder.

For the shots you want to take, either will work, and the deer will hardly be able to tell the difference.

Remember, only accurate rifles are really intresting.
gs