.308 Win or 30-06 Springfield

adrock1978

adrock1978

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I always feel guilty asking off topic questions here in the Busse forum, but I like the level of respectfulness and maturity (usually :D) I get. And I also trust the feedback. Ok, here goes:

I'm soon to be purchasing a Remington 700 in some configuration for hunting within the U.S. (Alaska included). I want to stick to either a rifle chambered in .308 or 30-06 due to the proven performance, popularity, availability and price. I'm pretty sure the "which is better" between the two is an age old debate. I'm guessing either will work effectively. The issue is, not all models are chambered in both .308 or 30-06. So which do I focus on in order to narrow down a model?

Also, what is the benefit of a short action rifle (ie. .308). 30-06 is a longer cartridge, right?

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I've always been a fan of .308 for it's accuracy, reliability, and how easy it is to find. Nothing against 30-06 though
 
I have a Garand, so need 30.06 springfield (7.62x63). But I want a .308 (7.62x51) rifle as it is a great round. The milsurp price of .308 is much better than it is for 30.06 (Unless you are buying from the CMP, but they have run out HXP in spam cans, all that is available there now is loose and in Enbloc's in 30 cal cans).
 
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Ok, so far price is a good reason. I generally see .308 cheaper than 30-06. Whats the advantage (or disadvantage) of a shorter action?
 
From what I've seen stated, the shorter action is stiffer and has less felt recoil both resulting in better accuracy for the shooter.

EDIT: In addition to a shorter throw for the bolt, hence a quicker firing cycle for semi-autos.
 
Dick Proenneke used a 30.06 as his one rifle for all the years he was in Alaska. I don't recall ever reading about him having something else. I recall reading a story where he was fine using it if necessary as a stop-gap against a very curious Grizzly, though he did not have to actually fire the weapon in the story I read.

Teddy Roosevelt also loved the 30.06, using one once to kill an elephant.

Honestly, I don't think you'll go wrong either way. Your choice may boil down to simply weapon preference.
 
lsheldon is right on. I had a big long post typed up but in short I went with 308 for all those reasons plus you can shorten the barrel on a 308 without losing long range accuracy. IIRC 21.5" is the ideal barrel length. I ended up with a Remington 700P LTR and it shoots sub MOA out the box at 900+ yards.
 
I prefer the .308's lighter recoil. But with that said, if I was going to be hunting some in Alaska I would definitely go for the extra power of the aught 6. They are both great calibers, but if I was charged by an Alaskan Kodiak, I would rather have the 30.06.
 
Hmmm. Interesting. Let me add this: For hunting applications, should I worry about a free floated barrel? Fewer models have them and they're more expensive. I can't imagine they are a must, if Remington makes so many "non-floated" models. I understand the benefits, but do they come into play for hunting.
 
both are great calibers but if your going to go to Alaska, I would prefer something a little heavier--7mm Remington mag or a .300 Winchester. Most guides up there will tell you the same, especially if your going after the big mean critters up there. To add, I think you will find more different variations of ammo for the 30-06 than any other hunting caliber (there is alot of .308 winchester also)

NICE piece of INFI by the way!!
 
If your going to use it mainly for hunting I would get the 30.06. The biggest reason is bullet selection for the 06', anywhere from 110 grain bullets to 220 grain bullets for a variety of different game. You can also get the ammo in most mom and pop stores for a 06'. The cheaper surplus ammo for the .308 is FMJ and you wouldn't want to use that for hunting.

For a strickly target or range rifle the .308 might be your best option, but you can't go wrong with either of them.
 
adrock1978 said:
Hmmm. Interesting. Let me add this: For hunting applications, should I worry about a free floated barrel? Fewer models have them and they're more expensive. I can't imagine they are a must, if Remington makes so many "non-floated" models. I understand the benefits, but do they come into play for hunting.
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For hunting, probably not. Unless you have a wooden stock which will shrink and swell under humidity, temperature and elevation changes which will affect your zero. And even then it probably won't make enough of a differnce to matter unless your shooting at extreme ranges.
 
I lived in Alaska for several years, and have used both for hunting in the past... For larger Game hunting, I prefer the 30.06...I prefer the .308's accuracy/compactability for other uses. If you plan on actually going after a Kodiak--you'll def want a large cal sidearm...It's pretty much mandatory carry there...ask any good Guide.
 
With the '06 you have the option of going to the higher weight projectiles (over 200 grains). With the .308 you start to run into pressure problems bc of the obvious reduced case capacity. Something to thing about if you find yourself going after the big bruins of Alaska.
 
I would recommend and personally use a .308 Win. Virtually identical balistics in a shorter, lighter rifle. I have my .308 and an Active Duty with me every time I go deer hunting.
 
Make sure to take a look at my recent post in the hunting forum. A lot of good opinions in there. I personally am going to go with the 30-06 over the less powerful .308 and more powerful magnums. For shorter ranges with typical bullet sizes, it seems that the .308 can give you the same ballistics as the 30-06. If you pump up the grainage or start talking about power at longer ranges, however, the 30-06 gives you a lot more versatility. Bottom line for me is that if I were just hunting medium game like deer and antelope, I would go with a .308. Cheaper, more abundant ammo and smaller rifle. The extra power potential of the 30-06 is really unnecessary in that case. Since I have aspirations of elk, moose, mean hogs, bighorn, etc., however, I will go with the 30-06, which is also a popular, abundant, time tested caliber.
 
The venerable '06 has a great deal more potential if you reload. Otherwise these round are near the same. One other thing, a lot of short action rifles have shorter barrels, which would affect interior/exterior ballistics.

That being said I do not own an '06, and have .308 Win. in;Win 88, Win 100, Savage 99, and even my garand is a 7.62X51 (not X54.) But I hunt elk with a .338 WinMag and if going to Alaska I would take nothing less.
 
I mostly hunt with my Rem 700 in .30-06. Actually, that's really all I ever use. It's available in so many different loads you can go from Prairie Dog to Moose. And it it's sold everywhere, so you'll never be without it. That said, I adore .308 and you can still get good 7.62 X .51 surplus for $700 ish for a 1000 rounds. So, if I feel like going out and shooting just for the pure joy of shooting it's going be my LRB Arms M25 or my Steyr Scout, both in .308.
Life is too short not to have both.
 
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