.308 Vs .30-06
 

Hey guys,

Need help settling an argument.

Is the general consensus that the .308 is very comparable in power to the .30-06 in 180gr bullets? This part we could agree on. We both thought that they are.

Then the second part of the argument is in handloaded .308 vs handloaded .30-06 also in 180gr bullets. Does a max loaded .30-06 bullet greatly out power a max loaded .308 bullet? Essentially if the difference between standard factory loaded .308 vs .30-06 equals X. Does the max loaded handload of each result in a difference of 2X or 3X? Hopefully that makes sense.

Thanks

Tom

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

I'm seeing about 150fps difference in max loads in the Nosler book.

2872 vs 2718 fps.

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

Tom, I'd say it depends on how much more power you consider to be "a lot more". You can get up to nearly 2700 FPS from a heavy .308 180-grain hand load, but as much as 2900 with the '06. So in this case, the .308 can reach factory .30/'06 velocities, but the '06 can reach 300 H&H Magnum factory performance.

But when you examine wound channels made with either round, you cannot really tell them apart, if the bullets used were the same ones and the points of impact are similar.....

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

My Hornady 6th Edition (which is what I had handy) shows the max loads of the .308 with 180gr bullets running in the 2400-2500fps range, which seems a little slow, but the data shows the loads were tested in a Win Model 70 with a 22" barrel, which might account for the lower numbers. The max loads with the .30-06 show it running in the 2700fps range out of a Win Model 70 with a 23.75" barrel. So if you factor the barrel length difference the .308 would probably run within 100-150fps through equal length barrels.

I doubt the deer would give a rip which one it was shot with, because both will kill it equally dead.

Mike

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

Thanks for the responses guys. I figured about that much maybe 150 fps. Which isn't a big deal in my book once your in that speed/energy range.

Ok let me complicate this further then.

In a short action set up, not including the WSM or WSSM cartridges, also holding that the bullet must be a 30 cal, what is the fastest most powerful cartridge in that set up? If there are multiple close ones what are they?

Thanks

Tom

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

A 308win is very much on par with a 30-06 with 150gr bullets. But past that, the 30-06 walks away from the 308win. Its just a matter of the extra volumn.

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

BC,

When you say walks away, is that to mean that it's so much better that it easily out performs it or are you saying it's just a little bit better so it walks away? So do you think 150 fps at 2700+ fps is a big deal?

Also any thoughts on the above question?

In a short action set up, not including the WSM or WSSM cartridges, also holding that the bullet must be a 30 cal, what is the fastest most powerful cartridge in that set up? If there are multiple close ones what are they?

Thanks

TT

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

The new .30 TC is the only one I can think of more powerful than .308 win. It says it is a 'medium' action round. It is supposed to be slightly smaller than a .308, yet delivers .30-06 performance.

This is just a guess on my part: This is all due to special propellants, that probably won't be available to handloaders, and therefore you won't be able to duplicate the loads. In other words, it isn't really anything new or improved, they just soup it up with special powders that they keep away from reloaders. If similar powders were available to reloaders, we wouldn't need the new cartridge. I suppose this doesn't sell guns though.

This would be my biggest beef with the round, along with the .204 ruger. You can't get to advertised factory velocities with handloads.

The new 6.5 creedmore is more like it, they give the load recipe on the box I think.

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

Thanks for the info guys.

Tom

RE: .308 Vs .30-06
 

In my Speer reloading manual it shows the .308 actually a bit faster with 150gr and under bullets, about the same with 165gr and about 150-200 fps slower with 180gr bullets and not even in the same league with anything over 180gr bullets. But all things considered, for elk sized game and under, the 308 is neck and neck with the 30.06, especially with the new bonded core bullets and a 165gr bullet able to do the things that only a 180 and up would have been considered for in the past.