308 vs 30-06 in semi-auto hunting rifle

[TexasEd]

Is there any big difference in the performace of a semi-auto rifle chambered in 308 vs. the 30-06. Deer, Boar & Elk on the menu. I am looking at the Browning BAR. Thanks.

 

[EvanWilliams]

Not really but your choice of ammo in 30-06 is outstanding.

 

[NCsmitty]

There is very little difference between the two rounds based on factory rounds. Reloading can give the 30'06 a tiny advantage, but not enough to matter on game.


NCsmitty

 

[TexasRifleman]

Reloading can give the 30'06 a tiny advantage, but not enough to matter on game.

This is why I chose the '06 for my BAR Safari. So many loads to choose from and low cost of brass. '06 is never a bad choice.

Not that .308 is a bad choice here but, especially lately, 308 can get pricey.

Pure performance wise there's not really any difference for hunting in my opinion.

 

[GRIZ22]

30-06 has slight advantage with heavier bullets but practically that's about it.

 

[Sav .250]

All things being equal.........no but IMO, the 06 is more versatile in so far as
hand loading/ commercial set-ups go.

 

[TexasEd]

Guys, Thanks for the advice on the loads, however I am looking at the performace of the rifle not the load. Some say the shorter action performs better than a long action. I would like to know if you have any field or range time with either. Again thanks for your opions on the loads.

 

[Art Eatman]

I can't recall ever hearing anything negative about any BAR beyond opinions about its weight. Reliable, accurate...

 

[X_m1tanker]

.308 vs. 30-06

The 06 will shoot heavier bullets better, and have a slight edge in velocity. However, the .308 is much more plentiful and I tend to favor calibers that are current US military/police issue. If you reload, both calibers are great, but you may find .308 casings cheaper, and will use less powder. A good 180 grain bullet out of either will do the trick on deer and elk.

Overall, both calibers are proven shooters, and it's really a personal choice. I pick the .308 though, cause it's cheaper to reload, and I can shoot military surplus if needed.

 

[hometheaterman]

As far as the BAR being accurate I'm not sure I agree with that. The best I've seen out of mine has been about 2" groups at 100 yards and that's with ammo it likes. This to me is not that great. When I've asked of forums I've had a few people tell me that theirs shot under 1" at 100 yards but I've had just as many if not slightly more tell me theirs shot more like 2-3" groups at 100 yards.

For a hunting rifle I think they are great. However, they just don't seem to be all that accurate unless you get lucky. Now the ones I often see that people say are very accurate are also newer ones often times with the BOSS system so maybe that helps out a lot.

 

[browningguy]

Both my BAR and HK SLB2000 are in 30-06, but there really isn't a huge amount of difference. My BAR will shoot 3 shots in 1 1/4", but not 5 quick ones, the barrel seems to heat up and start vertical stringing after 3 and opens the groups up to 1 1/2-1 3/4". The HK is superb as far as accuracy, it will keep 3 150 gr. SST's in 3/4" all the time, and although is does start stringing a little it is not as much as the BAR.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Guys, Thanks for the advice on the loads, however I am looking at the performace of the rifle not the load. Some say the shorter action performs better than a long action. I would like to know if you have any field or range time with either. Again thanks for your opions on the loads.

My '06 Safari has been 100% reliable and very accurate. I've never heard of any functioning differences between the long and short actions on the BAR.

For a hunting rifle I think they are great. However, they just don't seem to be all that accurate unless you get lucky. Now the ones I often see that people say are very accurate are also newer ones often times with the BOSS system so maybe that helps out a lot.

I have the BOSS on mine and I can easily get 1" at 100 yards with several different loads once I turn the BOSS to them. It does seem to make a difference.

As for the weight that's just people talking that don't know any better I think.

The BAR Safari in .30-06 weighs 7 pounds 6 oz.

A Remington 700 SPS Buckmaster for example weighs...... 7 pounds 6 oz.

 

[Bigfoot]

Ok this is a bit in the weeds but it might be helpful when choosing.

A semi limits your powder choice somewhat so some of those slower powder loads that allow the 30-06 to really pull away from the 308 with 180s could overpower the gas port and cause damage. And those Light Magnum/High Energy factory loads are a no no for the same reason, slow powder. The 308 doesn't normaly use slow powders because of the capacity. When you throw out the top two -06 loads in my Nosler manual because of the slow powders the 308 comes within 60 fps.

Again, probably useless knowledge but the 308 ShorTrac is lighter then the -06 LongTrac and 60 fps is nuthin.

I've never had a functioning problem with my -06 Stalker. I doubt that a 308 would have any problem either.

BARs are great, I would avoid the Remingtons.

 

[alfack]

Hah! I just ordered a Remington 750 22" synthetic in .06. This was after years of good experience with my fathers 742.

Should be here by Friday. I'll let you know if I should have avoided it or not, once I get a chance to test it out some.

 

[Leaky Waders]

The couple I've shot safari's .270 and 30-06 have been very accurate. I don't know if the safaris change their receiver based upon cartridge length.

I was wondering if your scope was more of a problem than the gun hometheatreman...like maybe a loose mount or reticle?

It might be worth swapping out a scope or borrowing someone elses and seeing. It couldnt hurt to try.

 

[hogshead]

alfack helped sight one in Friday function good, felt good, accuracy good, sights POS broke the screw on rear sight adjusting windage. Gotta ordewr some from Midway . I have a Browning BAR LW Stalker in 308, shoot around an inch if I do my part no problem. Never had a problem with function or lethality.I love 308s never had any trouble with deer or bear. The action is still long action on my bar simply has a block on the back of mag.

 

[hometheaterman]

The couple I've shot safari's .270 and 30-06 have been very accurate. I don't know if the safaris change their receiver based upon cartridge length.

I was wondering if your scope was more of a problem than the gun hometheatreman...like maybe a loose mount or reticle?

It might be worth swapping out a scope or borrowing someone elses and seeing. It couldnt hurt to try.

I originally thought that was the problem too. I had a Leupold VX-I 3x9x40mm on there. I ended up thinking it was the problem so taking it off and checking all the mounts and rings. I then put a Burris Fullfield II on. I'm much happier with the scope but it still isn't the most accurate gun out there. I've asked several people I've seen with them for sale what kind of groups they get and most seem to say around 2" groups. I've seen posts on here saying they are very accurate as well as others posting saying they could never get theirs to group any better than mine.

Overall, it's a great gun and for hunting I'd recommend it. I just don't think it's the most accurate for target shooting. Some people seem to get great accuracy out of them and others are like me where only get marginal accuracy.

One other thing as already mentioned in this thread after 3 shots or so it really seems to have the barrel get hot then accuracy really gets bad. So I usually shoot one maybe 2 shots then let it cool down.

Here are groups I shot at 100 yards. Here is with the Federal Fusions in 150 grain. Out of the many types of ammo I've tried this has grouped the best for me but still not great.


Then for the Federal soft points which seem to be the next best this is the first 2 shots I shot.


Needless to say I was impressed. However, I couldn't do that much. Here is a four shot group with the Federal Soft Points.

Now I let it cool between shots so that wasn't the issue. I also had a friend come shoot it when I was having issues with it and he had the same experience I did. Only I was using Winchester Ballistic tips at that time which were all over the target.

For comparison here is a target I shot with my black powder gun at 100 yards. The first one to the left was at first. I adjusted the scope and shot the middle 3.

So that leads me to believe it's more the gun than just me.

Now I will say at 50 yards the BAR puts out great groups. I shot one ragged hole that was 6 shots. I couldn't figure out why I kept missing the target until I went up and looked and it was one big hole that you could tell all 6 shots had been through.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'm solidly in the .30-06 camp, if what you're asking about is the caliber. As you go up towards handloaded 180 grain bullets, the .30-06 is still a very good cartridge, where the .308 gets slower and slower. If you think there's a difference in the field between .30-06 and .300 WinMag, then I'd think that you'd care about the difference between a .308 and a .30-06, as well.

The .308 was designed to replicate old military .30-06 rounds, which were substantially slower than what the .30-06 has become as a modern hunting round.

BUT... There's something else to consider. Do you want the ShortTrac or the LongTrac version of the BAR? Or do you care?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Do you want the ShortTrac or the LongTrac version of the BAR?

Don't forget Safari

Long and Short Trac have aluminum receivers, Safari is steel.

Nothing wrong with the alloy receivers of course.