30-06 or .308

how much accuracy do you expect over what kind of ranges?

AMMO

Handloads or factory ammo?

There are many more match grade choices for the 308 for factory loads.


If you handload there isn't anything the 308 can do that 30/06 can't do better


The same Reasoning also applies to rifle selection for custom vs off the shelf rifles

308 is a military round that will be easier to find in a SHTF situation. For example, the Chinese attack us. Or Obama attacks us.

Extremely Pro Gun said:

308 is a military round that will be easier to find in a SHTF situation. For example, the Chinese attack us. Or Obama attacks us.

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let me ask you a question

Has 308/7.62x51mm been easier to find than 30-06 in the past years SHasTF ammo climate?

What makes you think the military is gonna give you their ammo?

The major social upheavals in this country during the 20th century found the military & police disarming folks, not arming them.

rc

I agree that if you DON'T handload get the .308 as you will have a much wider range of premium ammunition choices. If you do handload and want somewhat better ballistics you could go with the .30-06, but either one is a more than adequate choice. I personally prefer the .308.

Extremely Pro Gun
308 is a military round that will be easier to find in a SHTF situation. For example, the Chinese attack us. Or Obama attacks us

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ROFLMAO !!

Uh Extremely have ya ever heard of the 06 Springfield or the M1 Garand ?

Both were chambered for the 30 06 and American Military main Battle rifles in their respective days so the 30 06 was a military round years before the 308 was around . FYI the 308 was derived from the 06 as a shorter version so a soldier would have more rounds available without sacraficing too much in the power department .

As far as civilian availability I have always found the supply of 30 06 is always larger then the 308 anywhere from the "Mart Stores" to the small gun and tackle shops that I often find in the "Sticks" when going hunting , but that could be a regional thing who knows .

AS to HydrostatiK question both are equally accurate at about any range but the 06 will reach those long distances easier and with more authority when it gets there since it can achieve higher velocities than the 308 . Also the 308 shines best when bullets are kept at no more than 180 grains while the 06 performs well with bullets up to 220 grains for larger game like Bears and Moose .

Which would be a better cartridge choice for long range shooting. WHich one is going to be accurate at a longer distance?

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Well, the first thing we have to do is define long range. From a competitive point of view, long range target shooting is at 800 yards to 1,000 yards. If you don't reload, then the .308 is really your only choice, since factory target ammo in .30-06 is pretty much nonexistent, and even when it is found (Federal Gold Medal Match), it is down loaded to about the same velocity as .308 match ammo is. However, if you reload, you can take advantage of the .30-06's larger case capacity, and develop match loads that will extend it's range to well beyond the .308's range. Using my standard .30-06 match load of a 190SMK at 2900fps, exterior ballistics software calculates the bullet going transonic at about 1400 yards. This should trump a .308 sending a 155gr Lapua at 2925fps, due to the 190SMK having a higher BC. With all this being said, it is not the cartridge that is accurate - it is the combination of rifle, load, and shooter. Pick yourself a good rifle, develop a good load, and practice.

Don

Speaking of which, I've heard the 308 is inherently a slightly more accurate cartridge. Can anyone explain this to me? Or is it just one of those things? Or is it a bunch of hooey?

Speaking of which, I've heard the 308 is inherently a slightly more accurate cartridge. Can anyone explain this to me? Or is it just one of those things? Or is it a bunch of hooey?

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What...? A bunch of...hooey?

You are correct...that IS a bunch of...hooey!

Numerous records set with the old -06 will prove this. If the 308 never was, and the 30-06 was still in favor with the military, it would be nothing but how good the 30-06 is.

People tend to laminate what ever the military is using....

308 is a military round that will be easier to find in a SHTF situation. For example, the Chinese attack us. Or Obama attacks us.

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GG, are you serious? The .30-06 won't even work in a SHTF scenario...it won't feed right with all of the **** on it. :banghead:

If you don't reload, then the .308 is really your only choice, since factory target ammo in .30-06 is pretty much nonexistent, and even when it is found (Federal Gold Medal Match), it is down loaded to about the same velocity as .308 match ammo is. However, if you reload, you can take advantage of the .30-06's larger case capacity, and develop match loads that will extend it's range to well beyond the .308's range.

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Well said, USSR

Numerous records set with the old -06 will prove this. If the 308 never was, and the 30-06 was still in favor with the military, it would be nothing but how good the 30-06 is...People tend to laminate what ever the military is using....

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Exactly...just like the almighty 5.56 in intermediate caliber, ooh...ah...mil-spec. [insert smiley with zombies following one another]

I have recently contemplated this question and after some study, decided on...

7mm-08

which is a .308 win case with the neck sized for .284 pills

but then again.... long range for me is 300 yds.... maybe 500

Speaking of which, I've heard the 308 is inherently a slightly more accurate cartridge. Can anyone explain this to me? Or is it just one of those things? Or is it a bunch of hooey?

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it has been said, but never really proven definitively.

the thinking behind this is that due to the smaller available space in the 308 case, that a powder charge would burn more evenly and uniformly, compared to the '06 round which of course has more unused space in the case,,,,,,,,however,,,,,,,,,,with the excellent control of burn rates with modern powders (like the hodgdon extreme line) this is really a non-issue.

in my opinion neither holds an edge in inherent accuracy. i do believe that the '06 allows more flexibility due to this very reason, as measurably better performance can be milked out of that larger case.

i prefer the '06, and always will. 103 years old and still the high power cartridge all others are measured by.

IMHO, balistically, they are very close until you get to distances where most of us aren't going to be very accurate shots given terrain, wind, elevation changes, moving targets, etc. At those distances, say 400+ yards, the 30-06 can deliver more knock down power simply because it can hold more powder in it's much larger case.

If you are recoil sensitive at all, go with the 308. if not, 30-06. Either way, you won't make a mistake.

I don't ever envision myself doing any hunting and for shooting groups at 300 yards, the .308 is just dandy. Also, most short barrel tactical rifles, like my 20" Remmy 700 SPS, only come in .223 or .308.

If I ever needed to hunt, I'd be good for elk with a 165 gr bullet out to 250 yards.

I've been having similar interests in long range shooting. I myself am looking for a heavy barrel 30-06 but, seems noone is making them anymore. At least that I can find ? Anyone know of any between 600-800 clams. I want to shoot 600 yards, possibly out to 1000. I know my 1903 can do it but I don't like shooting it very much. Thanks

The Savage 'Custom Shop' will turn you a 30-06 heavy barrel and put it on a Model 110-

I believe they still do this. Not completely sure, call them 1-800-370-0708

I myself am looking for a heavy barrel 30-06 but, seems noone is making them anymore.

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That's exactly what I found, as well. So, about 10 years ago, I sent a Winchester M70 long action out to Jack Krieger with instructions as to how to create my honest-to-God 1,000 yard .30-06. Am more than pleased with the result.

Don

Another vote for the 06. By the way he never mentioned anything about a SHTF scenario. He asked which one was better for long range shooting.

rcmodel said:

What makes you think the military is gonna give you their ammo?

The major social upheavals in this country during the 20th century found the military & police disarming folks, not arming them.

rc

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If it gets to the point where civilians are needing the ammo, those that are still in the police or military may likely be the enemy and you take it from them.

HexHead said:

If it gets to the point where civilians are needing the ammo, those that are still in the police or military may likely be the enemy and you take it from them.

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I was wondering how long the good old "I'll get my bullets form dead soldiers or police I killed" mentality would take to rear it's ugly head.

and yet you can't talk about writing your senator here but you can talk about murdering servicemen for supplies. All Very very THR

Lets try to get back on target...as Paul noted the O.P. mentioned nothing about SHTF, and certainly nothing about murdering public servants. Lets get back to the original question, before closing time.

Really...the SHTF stuff is childish at best and uncalled for!

As you probably have discerned by now, both the 308 and the 30-06 will make a fine Long Range round, that said, then there is the long or short action myths...yea, I said 'myths'...
moving on to do you reload, and if so, the 30-06 offers a bit more room for fuel.

Either one is great...hell, get yourself a 30-06 and join the club....you'll get a 308 later, just because of curiosity! loll hehehehe

Either 06 or 308 will serve you. As previously noted, if you don't reload the 308 has excellent factory loaded match ammo. 30-06 does not.

Both calibers are sufficiently accurate, however all one needs to do is look at the long range Camp Perry records that the 30-06 held for years that fell to the 308 when it was introduced. The 30-06 does have the potential for additional powder capacity which is very important with heavier bullets (over 168 grains).

Out to 900 yards I would prefer the 308 with 168 Sierra or Nostler match bullets. Over 900 I would go with the 30-06 with 190 or 200 gr Sierra Matchkings.

I like and use both calibers. For practical hunting ranges either will serve you well.

FWIW