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308 vs 30 06

MrMag00
What are the pros and cons. I started out looking at a Tikka Tx3 308 ss lite, but found a 30 06 version for $300 cheaper. My concern is the extra kick.
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Comments

47 comments

Date Votes
  • Sam06
    Both are great cartridges.

    As a reloader I go with the 308.
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  • NeoBlackdog
    jimdeere said:
    You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.
    AMEN!
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    ott 6 and be done,,,
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  • mohawk600
    I vote .308........because that is what I have........Remington Mohawk 600 in .308
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  • MrMag00
    susie said:

    I'm pushing it to say I'm 5'1", yep 11 inches short of six feet. Took these bad boys with a scoped 30.06. Didn't even realize it kicked.


    That isn't any challenge, shooting em while stuck in a wall.  :D 

    I had a torn rotator cuff awhile back, and not sure if the 300 winmag was partially to blame. That is initially why the interest in the 308.  
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  • austin20
    NeoBlackdog: 31542564726555/comments/31542670560027
    jimdeere said:
    You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.
    AMEN!

    😀

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  • hillbille
    jimdeere said:
    You’re all wrong. The 270 Winchester beats them all.
    I thought the 243 could do anything..........
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  • hobo9650
    Guess the Marines are afraid of the recoil of the ott six..  They have been using the 308 for their snipers for more than 20 years.  Read where they are adding the 300 now.
    3
  • susie
    MrMag00 said:
    susie said:

    I'm pushing it to say I'm 5'1", yep 11 inches short of six feet. Took these bad boys with a scoped 30.06. Didn't even realize it kicked.


    That isn't any challenge, shooting em while stuck in a wall.  :D 

    I had a torn rotator cuff awhile back, and not sure if the 300 winmag was partially to blame. That is initially why the interest in the 308.  
    Made the processing much easier to complete.  Lol.

    Meanwhile back to the OP, if the kick is an issue due to the shoulder problem I would look at the .243 instead.  Sister-in-law is leery of kick so she hunts with a .243 and has been successful.  Nothing she took was a wall hanger, but brown and down.   Range where she hunts is usually 75 yards or less due to dense forest and underbrush (Mark Twain National Forest).
    3
  • bpost
    MrMag00 said:
    I'm curious as to why what I shoot is so important, when I'm just asking for knowledge about the difference between a 308 and a 30 06. If I tell you I am shooting elephants, won't that just bias the responses?  There is an obvious difference with a 300 win mag and a 22. But for a 308 vs 30 06, there seems to be preferences going in favor of either one. There is no right or wrong answer. 

    Well that is the most important question in giving a fair and learned and experienced answer to your question, what are you shooting?  I shot Caribou at 540-550 yards North of the Arctic circle at 25 below zero with "Mexican Match" ammo in a 30-06.  It was FA 1961 ammo with the bullets pulled and 180 Sierra bullets placed on top of that powder charge.  It worked.  I killed four Caribou in a line at that distance.  Could a .308 do it?  Sure thing!  The wind was howling like the dickens, the range unknown but I killed them.
    I KNOW the difference between a .308 and an aught 6 made a hill of beans difference.
    Put a bullet through the boiler room, hitting heart, lungs or major blood vessels and the critter will die soon enough.
    The reason the question is asked about the intended use is simple.  Would you use an eight pound sledge hammer to kill flies on you granite counter top?  Heck no, so the USAGE of the tool is vital. 
    Trying to remove a straight slot screw with a Phillips screwdriver is equally absurd as your claim the intended usage is unimportant.
    If you want maximum versatility, with a long action rifle, go with the 30-06.  If you want the best bang for your buck under 600 yards go with the .308 in a shorter action.  If You want to get the MOST bang from your gun dollar buy an ENCORE and a MGM or Bullberry Match barrel in each and see for yourself which you prefer.
    As a closing thought, screw the price of the gun, spend your money on optics and ENJOY EITHER!!!

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  • mogley98
    7mm Rem mag LOL
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  • TrinityScrimshaw
    The 30-06 used to be my favorite round, but in 1983 I was privileged to attend the US Army sniper school, and came away from that training absolutely loving the 7.62.

    Trinity +++ 
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  • MrMag00
    I took a chance and bought the 30 06 version. No law yet that says I can't buy the 308 later if the 06 doesn't fit the bill. Had a Vortex Sonora mounted. Should be good fun. 
     
    Thanks for all the input. 
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  • bpost
    Good luck and good shooting!  You will like your choice.  The aught 6 with cast bullets is a hoot to shoot.  I have done a lot of shooting with Loverin style cast bullets in the aught 6, the heavier the better.  They burn a small amount of pistol type powders, especially unique, and are very accurate if kept to just under 2,000 FPS in my six aught 6's.  Out to 200 yards they will hit what you are aiming for.
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  • MrMag00
    Finally got to the range and fired this magnificent beast. 30 06 is a great choice. Enough punch to feel it (165 gr), but not too brutal.  Started dialing it in at 50 yds. and it was plenty off. Then out to 100 yds and ended with a  1/2 group.  What a wonderful firearm. It out did my expectations. 


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  • SCOUT5
    Good.  I have a Tikka in 300 wsm it's a good shooter and like it quite a bit.   I would like to get one in 7mm-08.
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  • Frogdog

    Practical difference is negligible. Save the $300!

    Frog

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