Is the .308 really second class to the .30-06?

[Red Lion]

I am just asking, based off of an article I read last night. I do not own either.

[Chantecler111]

It just depends on the bullet weight, in the lighter weight bullets the .308 can keep up with and even best the 30-06, but, with heavier bullet weights, the 30-06 beats the .308 hands down.

[Chris W.]

As a deer/medium game cartridge, no, the .308 winchester will do anything a 30-06 will do and with less recoil. As mentioned, where the 30-06 shines above the .308 is with heavier bullets which will give you more thump on larger game animals such as elk.

[seattlesetters]

On paper....perhaps. In the real world, it won't make much difference at all.

[Aught Six]

They're so similar that most shooters/hunters wouldn't notice any difference in performance. Like 111 said, the .30-06 holdstheedge when it comes to heavy bullet (>180 gr.), but that's about it. For loads using 180 gr. bulletsor less,you might only lose up to 100 fps shootinga .308 compared to the '06.

Remember that the .308 is essentially a short action .30-06, with the case cut down to eliminate the empty cartridge space not holding powder.

[James B]

The 30-06 will shoot the 180 grain bullet about 150 fps faster than the 308. With that bullet, the 308 has 173. lbs of recoil where the 30-06 has 20.3 lbs of recoil. With bullets of up to 165 grains, the difference is to slight to mention.

[bigpapa]

I'll probably be one of the few to tell you this, but I think the .308 is superior to the 30-06 for deer sized game. It has less recoil. It has a flatter trajectory. Ittravels only 100 to 150 fps slower. If you add the advantages vs. the disadvantages the .308 can't be beat. Also, there is a reason why it as an commercial Nato round is still used as THE sniper caliber of choice. Accuracy. You don't seetoo many30-06 sniper rifles hanging around do you? Just my opinion.

[Red Lion]

I appreciate the feedback. Personally I have yet to shoot a caliber that I do not like for some purpose.

[ipscshooter]

ORIGINAL: bigpapa

It has a flatter trajectory. Ittravels only 100 to 150 fps slower.

This is just ridiculous. How can it have a flatter trajectory if it is traveling slower? Look at a ballistics table comparing identical bullets, and the 06 will be flatter EVERY time.

[Deleted User]

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