30.06 vs .308 for tactical rifle

[fightingquaker13]

I'd like to put a question to the board. I know that the military has moved from 06 to .308 for general tactical bolt action guns. However, given the excellent performace at 300-500 yards (the most the vast majority will ever be shooting) why go for the .308?
I've been looking in the Savage catalog, as well as some very nice reviews of their latet offers (shooting 1/2 moa at 100 yds. in 06) and wondered why .308? After all 06 was standard issue for 50 years, is cheaper, more widley available, has more good hunting (hence man stopping, cause if it will kill a 200 ilbs. deer .....) loads available. What's the down side to 06? Why is the short action/ bolt stroke of the .308 worth the tradeoffs? I'd like to hear the debate. If anyone wants to weigh in on the .270, that would be welcome as well.
FQ13

[charliefarmerboy33]

There is no down side to the .30-06 from the ballistics side. I have always read that it is the smaller size and adaptability of the .308 as to the shorter bolt throw or being able to put it into the AR platform. The .30-06 is ballistically superior, but not by much, it is not as flexible because of the length (approx. 12mm longer).

[Hazcat]

There is no down side to the .30-06 from the ballistics side. I have always read that it is the smaller size and adaptability of the .308 as to the shorter bolt throw or being able to put it into the AR platform. The .30-06 is ballistically superior, but not by much, it is not as flexible because of the length (approx. 12mm longer).

Not sure what you mean by 'flexible'.  Remington loads the 06 from 55  to 220 grains so you can find a bullet for anything (think about that 55 screaming out of the muzzle at 4080 fps hitting a ground hog or prairie dog ).

the 308 has rounds from 125 to 180 grains.  that seems less 'flexible' to me.

[ericire12]

30.06 vs .308

Push.

[Texas_Bryan]

.308 was made shorter to cycle in auto actions.  30-06 is a fine round but it seems that its days as a combat round are over, its now all about hunting.  Both would get the job done, but I'd go with the .308 for its standardization and because you can find alot of combat loads, AP, steel core, tracer, frangible, etc.  If SHTF .308 would be all over the place, LE and military.

I like the .270, its my favorite deer gun, but for TACTICAL and COMBAT I'd still go .308.  I think if I shot alot out of a bolt rifle I'd rather have a shorter action.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

Several things.

If you handload OR if you're the military and can order any load you want there isn't any difference in the two rounds.

The .308 is a NATO standard (okay, okay, technically it is 7.62 x 51mm)

The larger case capacity of the 30-06 can actually be a hindrance to using some of the more modern powders.   And faster burning powders may be called for with some of the shorter barrel guns. To that end witness the plethora of even smaller cased cartridges like the WSSMs.

Probably lowest on the list for non-military shooters is the weight factor or the cycling rate.

[charliefarmerboy33]

Not sure what you mean by 'flexible'.  Remington loads the 06 from 55  to 220 grains so you can find a bullet for anything (think about that 55 screaming out of the muzzle at 4080 fps hitting a ground hog or prairie dog ).

the 308 has rounds from 125 to 180 grains.  that seems less 'flexible' to me.

I just meant that the shorter cartridge made it more adaptable to more actions types.

[Badgersmilk]

Below, 24" Barrel / 16" barrel, both share the same ammo (.308, 168 grain, teflon coated, ballistic tip, boat tail), TOTALY different applications,  one drag bag, one ammo can.  MUCH less muzzle flash, blast, and report than a 30/06.  Significantly lower ammo cost when you start looking at thousands of rounds, plus .308 caliber is commonly found in use by military (HUGE benefit in what could possibly be a very bad situation)

Tactically: Advantage - .308



If your just looking for a hunt'n rifle: Advantage - 30/06

[1776 Rebel]

If SHTF .308 would be all over the place, LE and military.

No offense but this made me LOL. Yup, it probably would be all over the place...probably directed at you, me and all the other guys on this forum...

[m25operator]

In a bolt gun, go with either, I don't agree with cheaper necessarily these days, but I have not shopped o6 in a while. If it is plentiful in your area, and cheap, then buy a bunch of ammo and let that be your guide. The main reason I go for .308/7.62x51, is efficiency over the o6, meaning less powder for the same performance, availability, which is no longer true, except in my loading room, and much more load development has been done, compared to the 06, mainly due to popularity and match shooting, not to mention, it's use in sniping has driven every manufacturer to develop a Quote MATCH LOAD,  in several weights, 155, 168, and 175 mainly. And in a tactical, less penetrating round like Hornady Tap 125's. In a semi-auto, not much o6 to chose from in a tactical, or battle rifle other than the garand, unless the new FN allows it.

Nothing wrong with the old girl, she's just been replaced with faster, lighter more efficient cartridges, I would not sell one to upgrade if I had one I liked, I got rid of mine years ago, including a really rare battle rifle, a Danish Madsen, it was in immaculate condition and fun to shoot, but let it go. It was made for the Columbian Government by Madsen, features a short stock with recoil pad, and muzzle break that did work. Peep sight and stripper clip loading.

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