semi

I have a few rifles and want to get rid of one to my brother so he can start hunting. I have a 308 and 30.06. Both decent rifles but I really like the 308 and consider keeping it over the 06.

My question is, what can the 06 be used for that the 308 can't? We generally hunt deer but I don't want to be left under gunned if I ever go to calorado or Canada hunting ( elk or bear ) so again what is the 308 to small for? Currently shooting 165 forelimbs in both guns.

Sheridan

The .30-06 has much more varied factory ammo available.

If that's what is most important to you ?

sconnyhunter

Realistically, the .308 is under gunned for brown bears, and that's about it. The two calibers are so close to each other that neither is really better than the other.

country1

I would prefer a .300 Win Mag or larger if I was to shoot a large bear so I would keep the .308. If you go to Colorado or Canada for a hunt in the future, keep the .308 and buy a larger rifle if the time comes.

Sfury

When you say bear, do you mean black or brown?

Both calibers are very similar to one another. Both are perfectly capable for taking black bear. For brown bears, I would feel undergunned. Really undergunned.

bigbulls

If the .308 is under gunned then so is the 30-06. They are that close to one another in performance.

Nothing.

The .308 only gives up about 40 - 50 yards to the 30-06 in terms of down range energy at any practical hunting distance and the average hunter.

The .308 only gives up about 1.5 inches in trajectory at 400 yards if both are zeroed at 200 yards.

In other words.... same same.

IMO, only large dangerous animals like brown bears, etc...

streetglideok

308 is just as fine for elk as the 30'06. As bigbulls said, they are very close in performance, what one can do, the other can to. That being said, I would be less confident on moose, and would not push my luck with bison or bear of the non-black variety. Keep whichever gun you like best, and sell the other, if you like, or keep both. For the nastier critters, you may consider a 35 whelen, or a 375H&H.

semi

Not brown bear. . Most likely and Elk hunt or black bear would be all i would ever do. thanks. right now leaning towards selling the 06. (the 308 is also stainless -savage weather warrior 16)

bronko22000

I would prefer the '06 over the 308. I must be crazy but I am just not a fan of the .308. I love the 7-08 and .243 but not the 308. That would be my first reason. The second is the longer case of the '06 makes it better to handle the heavier bullets should you decide to use them for bigger critters. I mean the bullets over 180 gr. The 200 and 220 grainers. They would have to be seated too deep into the .308 case to have them reach their full capability. (same could be said for loading a 175 gr bullet into a 7-08 case.)

bigbulls

If you need a bullet heavier than a 180 grain bullet out of any 30 caliber cartridge then you need a .338.