.308 vs .30-06

[jmoln]

My question is how does the recoil compare between .30-06 (bolt action) and .308, either bolt or semi-auto? The one hi-power rifle I used to own (now long gone) was a Savage 110CL in .30-06; it was a tack driver but with lots of recoil. My memory of it also includes a great fitting stock. So, if I were to go for a new bolt action or possibly something like an M1-A how does the recoil compare? I recently saw my first Scout Squad at a gun show and was impressed with the fit and feel of it on my shouder. Your thoughts please.

 

[DT Guy]

I understand the measured difference in recoil is about 10%. In use, I doubt you'll notice the difference, since rifle stock fit, action type and other factors will have much more noticeable effect on recoil.

My dad's Garand kicks MUCH less than my model 70 in 30-06, for instance.


Larry

 

[walking arsenal]

IMHO the two run about the same, recoil wise that is.

however bullet grain plays a factor.

a 150 grn .308 is going to kick a lot less than a 185 grn 30-06 obviously.

play with a rifle of either caliber if you can and see what you like.

i recomend the 06 but im biased

 

[dakotasin]

i have both. i handload for both, and i shoot quite a bit, though it is an extremely rare occasion the 30-06 gets shot anymore.

all things equal except the cartridge itself, the 30-06 kicks more. you could probably tell a difference between the two, but, the difference is small. if the 30-06 kicks too much, then so does the 308... they are pretty close.

 

[Sunray]

"...a new bolt action or possibly something like an M1-A how does the recoil compare?..." A gas operated rifle has much less felt recoil in either calibre. They tend to weigh a bit more and with some of the gas being used to operate the rifle the felt recoil is less.
Ballistically, in the same bullet weight, the .308 and .30-06 are identical. This was the whole idea behind the .308. It was designed to take advantage of the then new powders but give the same ballistics as the .30-06. The only advantge the '06 has is the ability to use heavier bullets.
"Scout" rifles are a marketing thing. Their short barrels do not make maximum use of the cartridge. If you go with an M1A, buy a whole one.

 

[Fumbler]

I had a Winchester M70 in 30-06 and currently have a Tikka T3 in .308Win.
The T3, with scope, is a pound lighter than the scoped M70.
The two guns recoiled the same.
I assume if the T3 weighed the same as the M70 it would recoil just a little bit less.

If the 30-06 bothers you a lot then the .308 will bother you at least somewhat.

 

[nico]

The ballistics data I've seen for the two cartridges agrees with Sunray if I remember correctly. If you put the same bullet with the same powder/amount of powder in each cartridge, they'll basically have the same recoil.

 

[Art Eatman]

Just generalizing: If there's a hundred ft/sec difference, for the same weight of bullet--say, 150-grain--you're talking three percent difference in recoil for same-weight rifles.

Mostly, semi-autos have less perceived recoil than bolt actions...

Art