.308 Win vs. .30-06 Spr for big game

I love the .308 cartridge. I have never been a get the biggest gun you can type. Shot placement is 90% of the battle. Yes the 30-06 shows a little edge on speed and knocks down but does that really matter? Everything I have ever shot with my .308 has never complained that they died from my .308 instead of a 30-06. Plus on the other end of it you use less powder and save a little money all at the same time. Sure it is not much money but it is a little back in your pocket every time you pull the trigger. Recoil is obviously less with the .308 also, so if you are the jumpy type with recoil anticipation get a .308.

I made the jump after 18 years with a .308 to a 7mm this year and I will see what happens, but I sure love the ole .308. Good luck.....or happy shooting if you have already bought the rifle.
 
if you don't shoot elk past 500 yds i'd go with the .308. i actually kinda wish i'd gone with a .308 on my custom instead of 30-06. 06 is overkill on almost everything. (now you know how i feel about guys shooting white tail with 300RUM: it's like buying a 1 ton pickup so you can haul a shovel)
 
If you load your own, the 30.06 is very versitile. Varmint or big game from 50yds out to 1000yds. I like the .308, dont get me wrong but if I was forced to choose one or the other, I would choose the 30.06.........Firearms are like golf clubs. Each one has its purpose but some are more universal than others. The 30.06 is one of those universal calibers.
 
Love the 308. I sold my old 30/06 years ago, and I'm glad I did. For what I hunt the 308 is all the gun I need. I like that 1 Ton truck analogy
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Mark2
 
Originally Posted By: nightcallerif you don't shoot elk past 500 yds i'd go with the .308.


There are no elk in Maine, but we have moose, black bears and our whitetails can grow old and big, 200 - 250 lbs dressed is fairly common.

i thank you all for your opinions.
 
Long actions chambered for short cartridges do not appeal to me, unless they are necessary to achieve certain performance levels, like some 6.5x284s and such. In this case, they aren't, and 30-06 would be the way to go. I think some are still missing the fact that Tikkas only come in long action form and utilize a bolt stop for the short action cartridges. Tikka on top.......

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I agree with 2muchgun, if you're set on the Tikka, which only has the one length action, than go for the '06. I'm not saying anything bad about the .308, in fact, it would be my round of choice but only in a short action, light weight gun that I'd use for deer or bear mostly but with the right bullet it would work just fine on elk too. I've used the 150 grain Sierra pro hunters for deer but I'd go to on of the premium 180's for elk or even moose. Really either round will work fine just choose the right action to fit it.
 
I and my kid both shoot .06's, we load our own and the .06 will shoot everything from 110 grain V-Max's to 220 grain solids. I do see in my future adding a RRA in 308, I will have the same bullets for both calibers. Both .06 and 308 are great choices so you will win either way on your selection. ----Riflemann
 
Originally Posted By: nightcaller (now you know how i feel about guys shooting white tail with 300RUM: it's like buying a 1 ton pickup so you can haul a shovel)



Or a diesel so you can tow your lawn mower
 
I have both, I would go with the 30-06 but that's just me, both are excellent rounds. As far as recoil goes I'm 20 and weigh 150 lbs. I have always shot 180g and the recoil is defintley felt but tolerable Best of luck
 
My feeling has long been that the .30-06 delivers just that little bit more than the .308. It only matters, however, if you need that "more". In a lot of hunting situations you just don't, but if you do. . .

It is very hard to better the .30-06 for pure versatility. This round has had a remarkable ability to change with the times because it had the versatility to simply be improved by modern powder and bullets rather the be replaced by other cartridges that could take advantage of them.

I think you need to pick your choice for your own reasons.

Grouse
 
Recoil? What's that? I shoot the 165 gr out of my 30-06 and have had no problems with them. I have used it for deer and elk(bulls and cows).
 
Originally Posted By: RiflemannI and my kid both shoot .06's, we load our own and the .06 will shoot everything from 110 grain V-Max's to 220 grain solids. I do see in my future adding a RRA in 308, I will have the same bullets for both calibers. Both .06 and 308 are great choices so you will win either way on your selection. ----Riflemann

+1 on the 06
 
I like the .308 in a short action, but if the rifle's going to be long-action anyway, go with the 30-06.
It has an advantage with heavy bullets, the .308 runs out of case capacity around 165 gr.+.
 
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