This should open up a kettle of worms. I have my own ideas, but I'm trying to help a young guy just getting started in the centerfire rifle game. Me being an old cus, I started out with an 06 and was happy. I have never really had any experiance with the 308 so would like some other ideas to give him so he can make a good choice. By the way, he has settled on the new Browning X-bolt rifle.
30/06 or 308Win
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Neither you, him, the critters, or anything else will ever know the difference once the trigger is pulled. A short action rifle is a little lighter and handier, that is probably about all the practical difference in the matter.
Only the most OCD among us will bother to claim otherwise. Good luck.
Only the most OCD among us will bother to claim otherwise. Good luck.
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Tell him to handle a Browning X-Bolt in SA and another one in LA. If one feels better than the other in his hands, then that's the one he should choose as that likely makes more difference than the minute one that exists between the ballistics of the '06 and .308.
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The only real difference between them is the guns they are chambered in. The 308 is generally in more action types, and can fit into a smaller lighter weight gun. The only other real difference is the larger selection of match grade ammo and surplus ammo available for the 308. the place where the '06 beats the 308 is in heavier bullets, and delivering more energy at longer ranges. For probably 95% of the hunting done, there is no real difference.
Aside from the fact that most .308s are a bit shorter/lighter than most .30-06s, the real differences in the two don't come in to play until you get in to the heavy bullet (180 gr. and up) territory, where the '06 begins to show its stuff. With 150-165 gr. bullets, they are as alike as two peas in a pod. I own both and as a general rule use them interchangeably, just depending on what I feel like using on a particular day or hunt.
Ted Williams Model 53 (post-'64 Winchester Model 70) shortened to 18"
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Savage 99A .308, 20" barrel
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With 150s, velocities are dead even. With 180's, even with the chopped barrel, the '06 maintains a slight edge.
Ted Williams Model 53 (post-'64 Winchester Model 70) shortened to 18"
Savage 99A .308, 20" barrel
With 150s, velocities are dead even. With 180's, even with the chopped barrel, the '06 maintains a slight edge.
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Pick the one the one that turns you on and don't look back.
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With just a few hundred FPS and FT/LBS difference, it comes down to a long or short action in a bolt gun, or the type of lever you like.
It's really like comparing McIntosh to granny smith....both apples.
My personal nod goes to the .308. just a fan of the caliber, always have been... it'll kill anything dead in North America except for the Great Bears.
It's really like comparing McIntosh to granny smith....both apples.
My personal nod goes to the .308. just a fan of the caliber, always have been... it'll kill anything dead in North America except for the Great Bears.
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find the rifle he likes, no sense in debating either cartridge.
shoot straight and shoot often
GF
shoot straight and shoot often
GF
try rifles in both for fit and carrying. the 3006 is slightly more flexible with bullte wights and especially if you handload the 308 kicks a little less and usually slightly more accurate. I have both calibers in Win 70 rifles, which is perhaps the best way to wort things out.
The new superperformance Hornady loads basically the 308 is like a 3006 and a 3006 like a 300 Win Mag. Have I confused the issue more?
The new superperformance Hornady loads basically the 308 is like a 3006 and a 3006 like a 300 Win Mag. Have I confused the issue more?
Mikenz makes a good point. And I've used Federal High Energy 180 Nosler Partitions on elk for years. They literally make a 308 shoot like a 30'06 (identical fps), giving a guy the best of both worlds, IMO. Not sure if they still make High Energies, but sounds like the Super Performance bullets are the same deal.
Fer dem big nordern Minnasoder bucks, it von't make a bit o' differnce, so jes tell yer buddy to get da one what feels da best to 'im, eh.
Colloquialisms aside, you could shoot 1,000 big game animals with both cartridges and need a team of scientists to tell you which one killed stuff deader...er. They shoot identical bullets to nearly identical velocities, with plenty of extra oomph to get the job done, regardless. Any perceived superiority, one over the other, is primarily in the mind of the presenter, drawing distinctions where none really exist. Etc, etc...ad nauseum, and so forth.
Colloquialisms aside, you could shoot 1,000 big game animals with both cartridges and need a team of scientists to tell you which one killed stuff deader...er. They shoot identical bullets to nearly identical velocities, with plenty of extra oomph to get the job done, regardless. Any perceived superiority, one over the other, is primarily in the mind of the presenter, drawing distinctions where none really exist. Etc, etc...ad nauseum, and so forth.
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