There is little difference ballistically between the '06 and the .308. With heavier bullets and bigger case to reload, the nod would go to the '06. A little milder recoil, and short action, give the nod to the .308!
The .308 is one of my two favorite cartridges! If you don't need heavier bullets than say, 160 gr. the .308 will do anything the '06 will!

There's almost nothing not to like about the .308.

My only complaint is the short neck which makes it a bit more difficult to work with for shooting cast lead bullets- but 99.9% of shooters will never shoot cast lead out of their rifles anyhow.

I am with the 308 users. I have 2 of them a Win 88 Lever and a 7600 Rem, I like the lesser recoil and the shorter stroke for 2nd shot, and it will take anything on the North American continent with the proper load. I also have an 06 in 7600 that I took Bear hunting one time , long ago and it is gathering dust.

I think the .308 is a very good cartridge for all except the big bears.

Great caliber, easy to find ammunition. Avaliable in many diffrent rifles. Used to be a long range shooting competition round. I have one in a Remington 788 and love it. Probably one of the top calibers/rounds out there along with the 30-30, 30.06, .270, .243. If you dont have one you should definelty shoot one im sure you will like it.

Dave

Specifically speaking on this .308 issue - has anyone ever had one of the Ruger 77IIs in the sporter stainless version of the .308 - and if so what is your opinion of this caliber/rifle combination?

I have a Ruger Mk II All Weather in 308 Win. Really nice rifle. Shoots well and is as tough as nails.

If I didn't own any firearms and was going to buy 1 rifle for target and game up to and even larger than deer it would probably be a 30/06 or a 308 cause I could get ammo anywhere...in the world for that matter.

with a ordinary load that you buy at the store could you take moose and elk with it? how about black bears?

Yes! It's done all the time! Use 180-grain premium bullets in factory ammo for the largest stuff. (Moose and elk!) Black bear are killed every year with plain old deer calibers like the .30/30!