308 vs 30-06

[Stumps13]

I own a .308 RSI and yesterday I came across a used 30-06 M77 (tang safety) at a gun show and the asking price was $420.00 the gun was about 95% with the stock having some issues. Do I want/need this gun when I have the .308? I only hunt whitetails and boar and the have no plans to hunt any larger animals. :?: :?:

 

[Silent Sam]

per your hunting statement - no.
As for the question "Do I want/need this gun when I have the .308?". Obviously you do on some level or you wouldn't ask the question.

 

[308longdistance]

With a 308 you don't need anything else. :mrgreen: Well, maybe a .257 Roberts.........243........7MM STW.........

30-06........Maybe........I don't know.

 

[Don Lovel]

I personally think that with heavier bullets, the 30-06 is a much better performing round in some rifles. I like shooting 165gr bullets especially the Nosler partition and Trophy Bonded Bearclaws. In my M77 lightweight 308, they just were not as accurate as 150gr bullets, but in my Garand those same 165gr bullets really shine.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Don't know about "want" but, no, you don't need it. Your .308 is handier, quicker to get into action and lags the '06 by 150 fps or so --- not much.

That said --- I've got both!!!

 

[bnewberry]

You don't need both rifles.

Buy the .30-06 and send the .308 to me!

I have a .308 International myself and love it. I would love another, perhaps in a different caliber, but hands down it is my favorite rifle.

 

[mattsbox99]

You can't really expect us to tell you not to get another gun, can you?

 

[SteveRuger]

I own a .308 RSI and yesterday I came across a used 30-06 M77 (tang safety) at a gun show and the asking price was $420.00 the gun was about 95% with the stock having some issues. Do I want/need this gun when I have the .308? I only hunt whitetails and boar and the have no plans to hunt any larger animals. :?: :?:

8) 8) 8) This is like asking your Wife if She NEEDS another Piece of Jewlery! Yes, you need it & Yes, you want it! :wink: :wink: :wink: Sorry I am just thinking of my self! :roll: I have no self control when it comes to Rugers! 8) Enjoy! J/S

 

[Trey Whitley]

I prefer to shoot heavy-for-caliber bullets so my choice is the increased powder capacity of the .30-'06 (all I shoot are 180, 200, and 220-grain loads). If I was shooting 150 - 165 grain bullets I think the .308 Win would be the way to go.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

The 308 covers medium size game very nice. If you want another rifle, perhaps you should consider a varmint rifle, or a big boomer for fun at the range. However, it is much cheaper to shoot a 223, 22-250, 6mm, or a 6.5 mm than a 375 or 416, or 458 magnum. You can easily buy ten boxes of 223, for what one box of 458 magnum cost. And the 458 is a bit much, for bunnies and bushy tails that can be easily hunted close to home. I am very happy with the 6.5 Ruger Creedmoor. It can kill medium game with ease, works nicely as a varmint rifle, and with low cost lead bullets makes a fine small game cartridge. Get the most for your hard earned dollars.

Mike 8)

 

[Kudu m77]

Maybe start a 300 collection. :wink:

 

[Calthrop]

I just bought a .308. It is not a Ruger. The last 30-06 I shot was a M-1 rifle. Before the M-1 I shot a custom set up '06 for varmints using 115gr. bullets. I think the older round is most versatile.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

contrary to what some preach the 06 is a more powerful gun even with 150s if your a handloader. Load the 06 to the same pressure as 308s are loaded and you will about allways get another 100-150 fps and thats not much differnt then the differnce between a 06 and a 300 mag. I own 2 of each and wouldnt be without either of them.

 

[Tx gun runner]

308 or 30-06 are 2 peas in a pod . The 308 holds a edge in accuracy and uses less powder . The rate of twist tell you the bullet weight you can use , not caliber . 30-06 you can use a slower burning powder to get the higher speed on heavy bullets . Most long range target shooters [over 500 yds] use 190+ grain in 308 .

 

[Tensaw]

308 or 30-06 are 2 peas in a pod . The 308 holds a edge in accuracy and uses less powder . The rate of twist tell you the bullet weight you can use , not caliber . 30-06 you can use a slower burning powder to get the higher speed on heavy bullets . Most long range target shooters [over 500 yds] use 190+ grain in 308 .

And a little less recoil with the .308. I really like the .308.

 

[Big Stu]

What if you ask the original question but add the 7mm mag into the equation. And then while you're at it shouldn't you also consider the .300 Weatherby magnum? And when you finally get the definitive answer, please tell me because I've been asking these same questions for a few months now?

 

[sargents1]

there isnt a bit of difference in practical terms between a .308 and a .30-06. People get hung up on the fact that the '06 has a bigger case and therefore it MUST be more powerful.

take two guns with identical barrel lengths, one in .308 the other in .30-06 and have them both shooting identical factory ammo, say Winchester Power points 150gr. I would expect about 50ft/s difference, maybe 100ft/s.

Recoil is going to be the same, accuracy should be the same.

One thing I know for a fact is that the Deer will never know the difference.

In fact, I got away from the '06 because I prefer the shorter action of the .308 class cartridges. (i run a bolt gun).

 

[fyimo]

Sorry guys but with the right reloads the 30-06 will do anything the 308 will do do with about 200 FPS to spare on the + side.

 

[Tx gun runner]

Sorry guys but with the right reloads the 30-06 will do anything the 308 will do do with about 200 FPS to spare on the + side.

Put your 30-06 in a light mountain gun with a 18" or 20" barrel with factory ammo and watch the 308 meet or beat it in the FPS .

 

[Big Stu]

What about the 7.62 X 54r? I just got a Mosin Nagant 1891/30 and it's supposed to be pretty darn accurate and powerful. With the enormously long bbl, I would imagine it can really reach out and touch something at a great distance (1000 meters).

 

[txpitdog]

I prefer 308 simply b/c I have 2 rifles chambered in it already and over 2000rds in Reloading components. But that did not stop me from buying a lefty Hawkeye 30-06. I've killed a deer and a hog with 150gr Corelokts in my Hawkeye, and on my next hunt I am going to take my Remington 7600 308 and 150gr Winchester PowerPoints.

Since your RSI has a 20" barrel, a 30-06 with a 22" barrel will probably offer a little more gain in velocity than what you might see between equivalent barrel lengths.

 

[fyimo]

Well dispite what I wrote above I bought a 308 last night but my reasoning is that it's going to be used by a grandson and a new hunter and I think the slightly less recoil of the 308 will be beneficial to him.

I looked for a Ruger Model 77 with a tang safey but I couldn't locate one at a price I would pay so I bought a Savage Model 14 with a wood stock, Acu trigger and stainless action for $460.

 

[fyimo]

Sorry this was aduplicate post

 

[308dave]

Ballistically speaking, you don't need anything more than the .308 (and a lot of folks use a lot less successfully) if you're only hunting deer. The 06' would be beneficial if you plan on hunting larger game. Buy it only if you want it.

 

[Bearcat]

No, you don't need it. Spend the same money on another caliber like a .243 or .338