.308 vs. 30.06

[Old Man Rufus]

Probably a dumb question, but my old Pappy said if you don't ask, you will never know the answer.

I know both the 30.06 and .308 are 30 caliber. I have heard the .06 is the best all around hunting caliber, and supposedly has a much longer range. According to the way it is loaded, it will work for groundhogs to elephants.

If my history is correct, the M14 was 30.06. Later the military's 30 caliber of choice was (and still is) .308. Does the .308 have some kind of ballistics advantage over the 30.06 in a military setting, or in shorter range situations?

Thanks
Rufus

[JimLongley]

The M1 Garand, and several other WWII and WWI rifles were .30-06. The M14 was .308.

[MoJo]

The .30-'06 because of it's larger case capacity is a more versatile cartrage you can shoot bullets weighing from 110 gr to 220+ grains. The .308 (7.62 MM NATO) has a smaller case capacity , it is a shortened .30-'06 with less body taper and a slightly steeper shoulder, it is limited on the heavier end of the bullet weight spectrum. In military loadings, the two cartridges are almost identical - - - bullet in the 150 gr range - - - velocity in the 2600 FPS range the .308 is just shorter and a little lighter. It's design also lends itself to better performance in automatic weapons and it has a slight accuracy edge over it's larger brother.

[Old Man Rufus]

Thanks, MoJo. Explains a lot. I've always wondered why they would change a good cartridge. Now I know.

[ichy_trigger]

Another variation in the weapons disigned to shoot them is...The 30-06 is designed for a long action and the .308 is for a short action.
I think the weight of ammo had something to do with switching to a .308 as well but I cannon back that up. Both are top notch rounds.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

Another variation in the weapons disigned to shoot them is...The 30-06 is designed for a long action and the .308 is for a short action.
I think the weight of ammo had something to do with switching to a .308 as well but I cannon back that up. Both are top notch rounds.

And to add to it, the weapons were becoming lighter and troops more mobile. And with only about 100fps difference between the two rounds, not much was lost. I think the weight advantage comes out to 25-30% more .308s can be carried for the same weight in '06 (if memory serves right).

The .308 (medium duty) served all purposes as well as the '06 in the field. It only gives up a little range with heavier bullets. Plus the FR7-FR8s, CETMEs, and STG/FAL, HK main battle rifles used this caliber and most NATO countries used these weapons. Besides the M1 and BAR kicked pretty good, could you imagine how your shoulder would feel with a full auto HK chambered in '06 weighing only 8 or so pounds! Need a butt pad from hell!

[fjmjr]

you do know that 30-06 and 308 and many 30cal rifles all use .308 bullet and in some weights such as hornadys 155 is the same and many others just to pic one, only difference is cartridge

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by fjmjr

you do know that 30-06 and 308 and many 30cal rifles all use .308 bullet and in some weights such as hornadys 155 is the same and many others just to pic one, only difference is cartridge

We were talking weight of the loaded ammo, not the bullet weight in grains.

[JimLongley]

Originally Posted by einheit 13

Besides the M1 and BAR kicked pretty good, could you imagine how your shoulder would feel with a full auto HK chambered in '06 weighing only 8 or so pounds! Need a butt pad from hell!

Actually, at a loaded weight of more than 20 pounds, the BAR was a powder puff compared to the Garand in terms of recoil, and they were both pikers when compared to the '03, which hits the eight pound mark and I have fired without a"butt pad from hell" in many matches. Actually the last time I fired my '03-A3 in serious compettition was in a military rifle match in Terrell TX a couple of years ago, and I even beat some of the guys firing Garands.

I have another pic around here somewhere, of me firing a BAR off the fantail of the ship, just killing wavetops as part of our quarterly qualifications. I'll have to see if I can find it and scan it in.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by JimLongley

Actually, at a loaded weight of more than 20 pounds, the BAR was a powder puff compared to the Garand in terms of recoil, and they were both pikers when compared to the '03, which hits the eight pound mark and I have fired without a"butt pad from hell" in many matches. Actually the last time I fired my '03-A3 in serious compettition was in a military rifle match in Terrell TX a couple of years ago, and I even beat some of the guys firing Garands.

I have another pic around here somewhere, of me firing a BAR off the fantail of the ship, just killing wavetops as part of our quarterly qualifications. I'll have to see if I can find it and scan it in.

I was going by what I've seen. I've shot BARs but never a Garand. My Mosins kick pretty good, and thats a lighter caliber(like a .30. The BAR is hand full firing from the shoulder, so since the Garand is lighter, I figured it kicked harder. But I also said that basd on how I shoot, 400-500rds at a time.