There might be more rifles out there in 06 but I would bet more are sold in 08 each year. I would also be that more 08 ammo is sold.
I serioulsly doubt it, but let's have a look-see:
OK, for starters, here are the
Remington models offered in .30-06
but not in .308:
1. 700 Alaskan Ti
2. 700 BDL
3. 700 CDL (The most popular Remington)
4. 700 CDL - SF
5. 700 CDL - Boone & Crockett
6. 700 Mountain LSS
7. 700 SPS Buckmasters Edition
8. 700 SPS DM
9. 700 XCR (Second most popular Remington)
Here are the Remington models offered in .308
but not .30-06:
1. 700 VTR
2. 700 XCR Compact Tactical
3. 700 SPS Tactical
4. 700 SPS Varmint
5. 700 VLS
6. 700 VSF
7. R25
8. Model 7
All the rest are offered in either both calibers, or neither caliber. So that's 9 to 8, seemingly about a wash. But I'd bet that the hunting classes outsell the tactical and other short action classes on the order of 3 to 1 or 4 to 1, at least.
Let's go to
Winchester next:
1. Model 70 Sporter Deluxe: .30-06 but not .308
2. Model 70 Super grade: .30-06 but not .308
The other Wins are either both calibers or neither. So that maker is 2 to zero on models
Next, here are the
Browning models offered in .30-06
but not in .308:
1. A-bolt Composite Stalker
2. A-bolt Eclipse Hunter with BOSS
3. A-bolt Medallion
4. A-bolt Medallion, Left Hand
5. BAR Long Trac
6. BAR Long Trac Stalker
7. BAR Long Trac Left Hand
8. BAR Long Trac MONBU
Here are the Browning models offered in .308
but not .30-06:
1. A-Bolt M1000 Eclipse
2. A-Bolt Micro Hunter
3. A-bolt Micro Hunter Left Hand
4. A-bolt Mountain Ti
5. A-bolt Stainless Hunter
6. A-bolt Stainless M1000 Eclipse
7. BAR Short Trac
8. BAR Short Trac Stalker
9. BAR Short Trac Left Hand
10. BAR Short Trac MONBU
All the rest are offered in either both calibers, or neither caliber.
Next,
Savage. Suffice it to say that I counted them carefully and there are: 24 models offered in .30-06
but not .308, but 29 models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .308 Win "wins" from this maker.
Next,
Marlin. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: 2 models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and zero models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .30-06 "wins" from this maker.
Next,
Mossberg. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: 14 models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and 7 models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .30-06 "wins" from this maker. {Edit: Wait, no, on Mossberg, it's not 14 in 30-06 but not .308, it's 14 in .30-06 period, and 7 in .308 period, but the difference in model numbers still give it a 7 advantage here}.
Next,
Sako. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: 1 models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and zero models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .30-06 "wins" from this maker.
Next,
Tikka. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: zero models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and 1 models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .308 "wins" from this maker.
Next,
Weatherby. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: zero models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and 3 models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .308 "wins" from this maker.
Next,
NEF / H&R. Again, I counted them carefully and there are: 3 models offered in .30-06
but not .308, and 2 models offered in .308
but not .30-06, so .30-06 "wins" from this maker.
You get the idea. They are much closer than I had suspected, but the running totals so far are 63 models offered in .30-06 but not .308, but only 50 models offered in .308 but not .30-06 - you're gonna see about the same ratio as you go along to other manufacturers, since they make what sells best. I don't think there's any contest whatsoever in terms of actual number rifles sold, and ammo sold.
And, keep in mind that the vast majority of these particular models which are offered in .308 but not .30-06 are the "Varmint" style models. I don't think there are nearly the number of varmint hunters as there are big game hunters (Bubbas who go out for deer season, and that's the extent of their hunting for the year). Yes, there are also some "tactical" models, but this is also a much smaller market than the big game hunters. Nothing to sneeze at, mind you, but much smaller.