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I was out looking for a .308 Rem 700 and I found a great deal on a 30-06

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woodsja

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Like the title says, I was out looking for a .308 and I found a 30-06 ADL (mfg in 2006) for $400+tax and then an additional $40 off with rebate. I had them put a hold on it while I gathered some more info. As far as I know 30-06 and .308 are fairly similar; good for deer, similar ammo costs: I'd be happy with either.
The rifle's never been fired so why would it be such a bargain versus the $550 gun broker average for 308? Are there any precautions or other things I should be wary of before handing over my hard earned?
Thanks for your time and happy hunting!
 
Very similar. 30-06 has slight advantage in velocity and is capable of handling
heavier bullets. In typical factory loads they use the same bullet as they are the same caliber. The .308 has a slightly shorter case developed to save weight in NATO weapons. The .308 is more widely available in match rifles as it is the NATO round. In hunting rifles there is no difference in accuracy and
little difference in recoil and velocity given the same load in the same weight rifle. Both are great all around, capable of taking all North American game although some prefer the 06 for dangerous game wich would be Brown and Grizzly bear. Maybe a really mad buffalo or moose. I've shot hundred of rounds in both.
 
.30-06 is not considered a match gun because it usually is not filled with compressed loads. Some people think that .308 is better because they can get more consistent shots with a compressed load. I have seen sub moa groups from a .30-06 though. You will most likely not notice a single difference.
 
Thanks! I was guessing since a 30-06 case has a larger volume (4.43 vs 3.64 mL) I'd assume with everything else constant it would drop less for a given distance. Is that about right?
 
Thanks! I was guessing since a 30-06 case has a larger volume (4.43 vs 3.64 mL) I'd assume with everything else constant it would drop less for a given distance. Is that about right?
Click to expand...
Not, by a large amount, but yes. 30-06 has a very slight edge in velocity, and therefore, considering they use the same bullet, a very slightly flatter trajectory.
 
I have several guns in both .308 and 30-06, prefer the .308 in semi autos and the 30-06 for bolt actions. The shorter case in .308 works great for magazine fed guns, the 30-06 for bolts. Just my personal preference. Both are more than capable for anything I'll ever hunt. I get MOA with a FN Mauser in 30-06 and a M1A in .308. Accuracy is more a combination of gun+optics+shooter than caliber.
 
Accuracy is more a combination of gun+optics+shooter than caliber.
Click to expand...

Maybe for the rest of us with our hunting rifles. But in the 70's there was a big difference between 30-06 and 308 accuracy from similar rifles and good shooters matched in high power competition. They ended up shrinkin the 1000yrd target to half it's original size due to the 308's accuracy over the 30-06. The shorter case of the 308 helps promote more consistant powder burn (think 6mm ppc) with more consistant velocities.

I shoot and reload both calibers my 30-06 shoots 3/4" groups at 100yrds the 308 will shoot 3/8" groups (when I shoot straight) and that's plenty good for what I need them for.
 
The inherently accurate .308 .vs .30-06 thread comes up from time to time, and it seems that few people really delve into the subject. Here is a link in which it is, as well as containing information and the thoughts of someone who was actively competing (and winning with the .30-06) at the time when both cartridges were being used in LR competition:

http://www.eotacforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=55397

Don
 
I've never cozied up to the 308 much, with it's too short neck and short magazines. I cut my centerfire teeth on an '06, so give me a 30'06 any day. Good choice!

NCsmitty
 
I don't think there is much in this calibre argument. Both cartridges are so similar that
it all comes down to the "gun+optics+shooter" factor mentioned above. The emphasis being on the shooter.

My 30-06 experience is limited, but I have shot .308 for about 40 years. Both in the FN service rifle and in my own hunting rifle (which fortunately happened to be in the same calibre as the freely available military ammo). Both rounds seem to be pretty equal to me.
 
As others have noted, the 30-06 has a slight ballistics edge over the .308. However, most bolt-action rifles chambered in .308 come with a slightly shorter action, making for a slightly shorter bolt throw. If the respective rifles were priced the same, the choice would be a toss-up for me. If one of the rifles were priced significantly less (as in your case) I'd definitely opt for the cheaper one and never look back.
 
I just got a .30-06 ADL last year and shot my first buck with it this year. I can shoot sub 2 MOA and, for all I know, it could shoot better if I was a better shooter. I like the .30-06 caliber because of the history and all the offerings for it (I don't handload... yet). Also, I just ordered an M1 Garand through the CMP, so I'll have the added benefit of caliber commonality between hunting rifle / MBR (w/ certain loads).

The only difference that I can find between the ADL and BDL, by the way, is that the ADL does not have an opening magazine floorplate to drop the ammo out of when unloading. Extracting them one by one by cycling the bolt takes all of 5 seconds, though, so no big deal to me.

One of the common arguments of 308 vs .30-06 is that 308 may be cheaper in the long run, as milsurp bulk becomes more widely available. You can still buy buy military surplus for .30-06 but it may become more rare in the future. Just another consideration.
 
The only difference that I can find between the ADL and BDL, by the way, is that the ADL does not have an opening magazine floorplate to drop the ammo out of when unloading. Extracting them one by one by cycling the bolt takes all of 5 seconds, though, so no big deal to me.
Click to expand...

There is one other factor to consider when deciding between floorplate and no floorplate (being able to unload from the bottom or not): In the (albeit unlikely) event of a jam, it's a lot easier to clear one if you can access the jammed cartridges from both ends of the rifle as opposed to just one end.
 
There are no flies on the 30/06. Buy the gun and enjoy it. It will do everything the 308 can do and more unless you are competing in highpower matches. For most of us, the difference in accuracy is keyboard-based.
 
I think the only real issue with the ADL is the lack of a floorplate. It was the #1 reason I skipped a good deal on an ADL and went with the SPS instead.

Also, if you were out looking for a .308 and you end up with a .30-06 you're still doing just fine. The fact of the matter is, no matter how many times the accuracy debate is brought up, nobody, and I'm speculating here, is shooting 1000 yard competition with factory "deer-hunter" rifles whether they are .308 or not.

I personally went with the .30-06 for several reasons. My 700 shoots MOA and that's really all I need.
 
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