Difference- 30-06 and 308
 

Besides the smaller cartridge of the 308, are these two any different at all?

Up to a 165gr bullet, not really. But once you hit 180gr bullet the 30.06 has a decided advantage. The 308 is about 95% of what the 30.06 is.

In factory ammo there is little separation. The 06 will shoot the next heavier bullet at the same velocity as the 308. Meaning an 06 will shoot a 180 at the velocity that a 308 will shoot a 165 grain bullet etc. Down range the heavier 06 bullets usually carry energy better at range.

When handloading the difference is a little greater because the 06 has around 15 grains higher case capacity and the same classic pressure signs apply equally to 06 and 308.

The 06 is limited to 60,000 psi in factory loads which makes the factory load peformance similar.

If you are only hunting deer and blackbear the 308 is more than you will ever need. If elk are in the mix the 06 is the ticket.

the .308 is complete garbage, the 30-06 is awesome! Thats a joke here, I frankly love the .308, I dont own one but my father in law does and it is a splendid deer round. I have an 06 and like it as well, but the noticeable reduced recoil in the .308 is getting to be a real attractant for me. Everything previously said about buttlet weight is true though. The 06 has a slight edge in velocity in the 180 grain and up area. EJ

You know with 2 equal guns with 22" barrels you can reload the 308 to faster velocities with the 150grn bullets and lower due to higher pressures that come with the 308's. I always thought that was pretty interesting.

Not much difference until you hit the 180gr mark.

Yes one xtra number!

Something tells me I could push a 30-06 a bit faster, regardless of bullet weight. :confused:

Not to get into a getting wet contest but I've got 2 reloading manuals that discuss this and up to 165 they even give the 08 a hair advantage. But I don't own a 06 anymore (unless you count my 8-06) but I do have the full range of 308 based rounds. I find them easier to find loads that work, easier on the shoulder (ok my 338 fed is right there with an 06 pushing 180 pills) and I get more loads out of a pound of powder.