Savage in .308 or 30.06? Help!

[TheArchDuke]

So I'm seriously considering getting a brand new Savage rifle. Mostly because of the great low cost involved. I'm torn between getting it chambered in .308 and 30.06. People have told me that the rounds are similar in performance. What about cost? I've heard that 30.06 is cheap but every where I look, it costs more than even .308.

What do you think? Thanks.


EDIT: This is the rifle I'm looking at: http://savagearms.com/11fxp3.htm

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 30-06 and .308 are very close in performance like you said. Both are great calibers and will do a good job for you. Ammo prices are just about the same and you can find surplus in both from time to time.

IMO, the real question is, do you want a long action rifle or a short action rifle? When you answer that question you will have made you decision.

BTW, I like the new Savage rifles especially their AccuTrigger. From what I'm told the scopes that come with the package deals fro Savage aren't very good. I would suggest buying the rifle without a scope and adding it yourself. Nikon has a great Buckmaster 3-9X40 scope for just under $200. http://www.riflescopes.com/products/6420/nikon_3-9x40_buckmaster_riflescope.htm If you want to spend even less Nikon's ProStaff line is good too. http://www.riflescopes.com/products/6310/nikon_3-9x40_prostaff_riflescope.htm Add another $50 for a good Leupold base and rings and your good-to-go.

 

[FXR]

Great rifle choice!

My thoughts: if you reload or are at all ammo price-sensitive, then go .30-06. Reason: see:

http://www.odcmp.com/ammo.htm

Their surplus is about as good as it gets.

Otherwise, go .308. Ammo prices on .308/7.62 Nato are going up for a while but if that's not an issue for you then that's fine too. Not much of a real-world performance distinction between the two calibers unless you go to 180 grain or higher bullets. If you absolutely need the extra punch of 180+ bullets then .30-06 is the way to go.

 

[R.W.Dale]

OH boy! I can't wait until somebody chimes in on how a 308 has more inherent accuracy than a 30-06

 

[Frog48]

I have a Savage in .30-06.

Choosing between .30-06 and .308... flip a coin. Performance is nearly identical.

 

[mustanger98]

OH boy! I can't wait until somebody chimes in on how a 308 has more inherent accuracy than a 30-06

It probably won't be long.

But now, regarding ammo cost, you can handload .308 or .30-06 either one cheaper than you can buy it off the shelf. I don't know what range our OP wants to shoot to, but regardless of that, by handloading, the ammo can be tailored to the rifle.

Most hunters, as has been covered in other threads, shoot deer at ranges effective with .30-30's... anything inside 200yds... but deride the .30-30 as not having enough range compared to .30-06, .270, .300Win.Mag., and whatever else that's good past 600yds. Sorry, since I don't have a .308, I couldn't comment on .308's superiority over .30-06... is mentioning .30-30 good enough?

 

[mustanger98]

If you absolutely need the extra punch of 180+ bullets then .30-06 is the way to go.

+1

 

[itgoesboom]

I don't think there is a wrong choice. Both calibers have proven themselves over the years.

At others have mentioned, until you get up to 180gr and above for bullet weights, there really isn't much effective difference between the two.

Sorry that isn't much help, but atleast you know you are choosing between two great cartridges.

I.G.B.

 

[Old 112]

For me, as I do reload, my 06s have advantages that I want. I usually end up with loads in the 308 power range or mabe a little less(a little easier on me, getting older, and the rifle) as long as it is at least MOA. Old 112

 

[4fingermick]

I have heaps of rifles in both calibres. My license plates are SP3006 and my initials are MM, as you can see I have a liking for the old warhorse. Having said that, I will be the first to admit that every 308 I have owned has been very accurate, moreso that the 3006, but they have been acceptable also.

I think the only advantage the 3006 has over the 308 (apart from a bit of old 'warhorse' cred) is the fact that it can handle heavier bullets well. Load the 308 with premium bullets and the big game is in peril.

I'd buy the first one that comes up unless you are going to be shooting elk all the time. If he has a 308 on the shelf, whine that you really wanted a 3006 and vice versa, There is generally not much fat inthese deals to be bargaining though. Don't take the package scope, always spring for a better quality one and you will enjoy the better perfoemance over the years. I'd rather go with a second hand Leupold than a new Tasco, have a sniff around the shop and see what is there. I picked up a M8 6X Leupold the other day for not much more than a new Tasco. Like the Rolls Royce salesmen used to say, "The quality is appreciated, long after the price is forgotten." Tat goes with Leupolds as well.

 

[brentwal]

If putting holes in paper is your game, then go with the .308.

If putting holes in game is your game, then go with the .30-06. (pun not intended)

 

[Rem700SD]

I'd go with the 30.06. You can always download the 30.06, but it's much harder to upload a .308. IIRC, Savages also have an easy-to-change bbl. With the long action, you could convert to almost any calibre later on.
The only advantage I see would be the lighter action and shorter bolt throw in the .308.
FWIW Federal makes match ammo in both .308 and 30.06.

Dan

 

[USSR]

I'm torn between getting it chambered in .308 and 30.06. People have told me that the rounds are similar in performance.

Only if firing factory ammo. If you reload, you can easily drive a 190SMK at 2900fps. That is near .300WM factory ammo performance.

Don

 

[keyser223]

Like Rem700sd said, Savages are great for making switch-barrel rifles. If you go with a Savage 110 in 30-06, you can swap out barrels and bolt heads and basically create a rifle in any caliber including magnums. If you go with a Savage 10 in .308, you still have options, but they will be limited to basically the smaller .22 calibers and SSmagnums. The 110 is a long action and it is really long, and the 10 is a short action, but it is still longer than other short actions.