Can the 30-06 *really* do everything a 308 can?
#21
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sweden
Posts: 279

Now Im not stating this with any certanity but I would like to hear your opinions.
A friend of mine looked at loading data for similar 180 grains bullets in these two calibers and calculated that a .308 can do anything a 30-06 can do at 30 meters shorter distance. I mean that the difference in speed is not bigger than that a 30-06 bullet has come down to a .308 muzzle speed when it has travelled 30 meters.
Can this be? What are the true numbers in this example? How far can a 30-06 travel before it is down in .308 starting velocity?
A friend of mine looked at loading data for similar 180 grains bullets in these two calibers and calculated that a .308 can do anything a 30-06 can do at 30 meters shorter distance. I mean that the difference in speed is not bigger than that a 30-06 bullet has come down to a .308 muzzle speed when it has travelled 30 meters.
Can this be? What are the true numbers in this example? How far can a 30-06 travel before it is down in .308 starting velocity?
#22

.308 vs .30-06
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra
150 CLUB
2820
2546
2288
2046
1819
1611
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra
150 CLUB
2910
2631
2368
2121
1889
1674
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra
150 CLUB
2820
2546
2288
2046
1819
1611
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra
150 CLUB
2910
2631
2368
2121
1889
1674
#23
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sweden
Posts: 279

Thanks reb!
Do I read it correctly when Im assuming that a 30-06 at 100 yds is at 2631 fps and a .308 at muzzle gives 2820? And as the distance increases the difference diminishes between the two?
OK classlets do math! All together now!
The difference between 30-06 and .308 at muzzle is 90 fps so how far must the 30-06 travel to lose 90 fps?
The 30-06 loses 279 fps the first 100 yds = approx 3 fps a yard.
90/3=30
Am I correct in assuming that for this given loads my friends calculations are correct? The 30-06 is down at .308 starting speed after only 30 yds.
So have we now busted the myth of any practical superiority of the 30-06? (
maybe Im the one who should be in a TV-show and not the honorable dr death
). Oh dear! What will come of this?
Do I read it correctly when Im assuming that a 30-06 at 100 yds is at 2631 fps and a .308 at muzzle gives 2820? And as the distance increases the difference diminishes between the two?
OK classlets do math! All together now!
The difference between 30-06 and .308 at muzzle is 90 fps so how far must the 30-06 travel to lose 90 fps?
The 30-06 loses 279 fps the first 100 yds = approx 3 fps a yard.
90/3=30
Am I correct in assuming that for this given loads my friends calculations are correct? The 30-06 is down at .308 starting speed after only 30 yds.
So have we now busted the myth of any practical superiority of the 30-06? (


#24
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 280

"Practically" speaking, the 30-06 throws a bullet a bit faster than a .308 will through the same bullet. The difference in speed grows as bullet weight increases. What does that mean in the field? Not a whole heck of alot. The difference is similar to the increase the 300 WM gives over the 30-06. A few inches flatter trajectory is about it. If the shooter knows his rifle and isnt some arm chair shooter, then there is no reason the .308, 30-06, or 300 WM wont do a fine job. Some folks like to claim there is a massive advantage by changing from cartridge A to cartridge B when in reality shot placement is the key. Always has been, always will be.
#25
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,345

Okay, so we've mulled over the different strong points of each...and the overwhelming similarity but how 'bout the question regarding short-action vs long-action? There's a slight weight savings on the short-action but (aside from military autos that operate on the fridge of red-hot), in the field, is there really enough difference to notice "speed" or "ease" or "whatever" advantage in a bolt or pump?
#26

Rebel what barrel length were those speeds at. I think if you have a 26" barrel the 06 will show what itll do but with a 22" and shorter there about the same.
ALso the guys who use chrono's know a big secret(not) is that factory ammo speeds are not always correct. We need alot more info then just the speeds with corelok's and what Rem say the speeds are. We arent even sure if they areshot threwthe same gun or not.
ALso the guys who use chrono's know a big secret(not) is that factory ammo speeds are not always correct. We need alot more info then just the speeds with corelok's and what Rem say the speeds are. We arent even sure if they areshot threwthe same gun or not.
#27

ORIGINAL: Duckbutter48
Rebel what barrel length were those speeds at. I think if you have a 26" barrel the 06 will show what itll do but with a 22" and shorter there about the same.
Rebel what barrel length were those speeds at. I think if you have a 26" barrel the 06 will show what itll do but with a 22" and shorter there about the same.
Note:
These ballistics reflected a test barrel length of 24" except those for 30 Carbine and 44 Remington Magnum which are 20" barrels.
#28

ORIGINAL: Duckbutter48
Do you think anyone here has a better set up than Remington?
We arent even sure if they areshot threwthe same gun or not.
ALso the guys who use chrono's know a big secret(not) is that factory ammo speeds are not always correct.

We arent even sure if they areshot threwthe same gun or not.
I give you three quesses and the fristtwodon't countof what gun Remington used?




#29

Basically until you start shooting at 350 yards and more you will never know the differance between a .308 and a 30-06 under hunting conditions.
Firing the same bullets the 30-06 will have a slightly flatter trajectory which will equate to only 10 - 15 yards extra when using a +-3" rise and fall from line of sight (crosshairs).
Even at 500 yards the 30-06 will only have about 7 or 8 inches less drop than a .308.
So, other than personal preferance, there is no real world advantage to either one.
Firing the same bullets the 30-06 will have a slightly flatter trajectory which will equate to only 10 - 15 yards extra when using a +-3" rise and fall from line of sight (crosshairs).
Even at 500 yards the 30-06 will only have about 7 or 8 inches less drop than a .308.
So, other than personal preferance, there is no real world advantage to either one.