308 vs 30-06

[chrisb]

Here's my question: 308 and 30-06 have the same bullet right? if so then the difference between the loads (for arguments sake lets just presume we are only referring to factory ammo) is the amount of powder behind it right? Based on the side by side comparison the 308 appears to me to be a 30-06 shortened. So why is it then that the 308 is recommended for long range (300+yds) over the 30-06 by so many? My assumption is that the 30-06 would be better for long range b/c it carries a larger powder charge behind it.

What am I not understanding?

[Bofire]

 :)1 everybody has an opinion.
2 higher bullet speed is not everything
3 the 308 has probably had more research put into it for long range work than any other cartridge
4 probably the most widely used sniper cartridge in the world
5 consistency is what counts for long range work, not 2-400fps.
6 I do not know many people who would reccomend the 08 over the 06, just based on  cartridge.
7 you are much more likely to find a good buy on a set up 308 than 06, just cause there are so many.
there hope I helped.
Carl

[chrisb]

Thanks Carl. I've actually got both and was wondering more for my own education than a purchasing decision. I personally love my 06 bt the kids 308 is a nice shooter too so 

[270Shooter]

The .308 is supposed to be inheritantly (sp?) more accurate than the 30-06.

[44 Flattop]

My assumption is that the 30-06 would be better for long range b/c it carries a larger powder charge behind it.

What am I not understanding?

Your assumption is correct.  The case is longer, holds more powder for the same bullet weight and therefore has higher velocity.  The difference between the two calibers is 'maybe' 50 yards, 75 at most. 

I'm really not sure who would have made such recommendation, certainly not anyone who has any understanding of ballistics.

44

[Thenewguy]

My assumption is that the 30-06 would be better for long range b/c it carries a larger powder charge behind it.

What am I not understanding?

Your assumption is correct.  The case is longer, holds more powder for the same bullet weight and therefore has higher velocity.  The difference between the two calibers is 'maybe' 50 yards, 75 at most. 

I'm really not sure who would have made such recommendation, certainly not anyone who has any understanding of ballistics.

44

Here we go...

[chrisb]

Ok since you brought it up lets talk ballistics.... OK so I don't actually know anything about the ballistics of either round ( i don knwo that i like them both) but maybe someone will chime in with actual ballistic data.

And I'm not a reloader so i'm really only concerned with the ballistics of readily available factory ammo. I'm a big fan of Remington Core-Lokt if that helps the discussion any.

[ADAMS]

"So why is it then that the 308 is recommended for long range (300+yds) over the 30-06 by so many?"

For reasons I am unable to articulate, a shorter powder column appears to be advantageous for accuracy. 

Oh, and for the record, that was your 308th post.

[chrisb]

"So why is it then that the 308 is recommended for long range (300+yds) over the 30-06 by so many?"

For reasons I am unable to articulate, a shorter powder column appears to be advantageous for accuracy.

but shouldn't the 30-06 be able to reach out further?

[ADAMS]

Both the 30/06 and .308 will push bullets over 2 miles.  Accuracy is about getting the smallest terminal grouping where the rifle is held in precisely the same position shot to shot.  Just because the 30/06's additional 150fps of velocity will give the same bullet a flatter trajectory doesn't necessarily mean that it will group better.

Again, I understand that a shorter powder column is advantageous to accuracy and I wish I could explain why.  There are some very knowledgeable people here who can hopefully shed some more light on the issue.

[bobcat]

The 30-06 is better than the 308 at longer ranges in the same way that the 300 Win. Mag. is better than the 30-06 at longer ranges. More velocity. I've never heard anybody say the 308 was "better" in any way than the 30-06. The only advantage the 308 might have over the 30-06 is less recoil. Another comparison, the 30-30 and 308. They also shoot the same caliber bullet, but the 308 does so at a little more speed. Is the 30-30 a better long range cartridge than the 308? Of course not.

[Bob33]

Most (more?) individuals would state that the 308 is inherently more accurate than the 30-06.  That is due primarily to the shorter case of the 308.  Shorter cases means the powder burns more consistently.  In reality the differences are so small that anyone other than a competitive shooter should not even care to enter the debate.   A typical hunter should have no concern about inherent accuracy differences.  If you are a competitive shooter, shooting at 1000 yards, then perhaps you will care.

The 30-06 shoots a .30 caliber bullet faster than an equivalent bullet from a .308: about 150 feet per second more.  Whether or not that matters to you depends on what you are shooting and at what distances.  99 percent of the hunting population would find either caliber adequate.

Google "308 30-06 accuracy" and check back in a year after you've read up on the debate

[BigGoonTuna]

7 you are much more likely to find a good buy on a set up 308 than 06, just cause there are so many.

i think the opposite is true, mainly since the '06 had about a 50 year head start on the 308.  i very rarely see used .308s on the racks...but the '06 is a dime a dozen.

i think the biggest advantage to the 308 is the ability to shoot 7.62x51 military surplus ammo for cheap practice.  no other "big" centerfire rifle can be fed as cheaply as the 308, except maybe the 7.62x54R.

The 30-06 is better than the 308 at longer ranges in the same way that the 300 Win. Mag. is better than the 30-06 at longer ranges. More velocity.

accurate and flat shooting don't have to go together.  it may be *easier* to shoot a caliber with a flat trajectory, but accuracy is being able to put the bullet where you want it.  as an example, the .45-70 may have the trajectory of a slingshot, but it is a very accurate caliber, despite velocities under 2000fps.

[littlemac]

This should keep you up for awhile making comparisons between the two.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/308_winchester.html

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/30_06.html


 

[bobcat]

I understand higher velocity doesn't necessarily mean more accuracy. But with all else being equal, more velocity is an advantage at longer ranges. I don't believe the 308 is "inherently" that much more accurate than the 30-06. I think it is the rifle itself that matters. If the 308 was the best long range 30 caliber cartridge, nobody would be using the 30-06, the 300 Win Mag, the 300 WSM, the 300 Weatherby, etc.

I think Bofire meant it was easier to find a 308 that was "set up" for long range shooting. Not necessarily a hunting rifle.