Rifle help

[Steve_o113]

there are far better performing shooters and you can take the recoil out of any gun. .308 dont kick and can be used the same way as a 30-06, plus there more accurate with less drop

[PackerfanXD]

The .308 is a good cartridge, the only reason I choose the 30.06 over it was that I plan on reloading and the 30.06 has more options. And I'm a hunter; I plan on using it for hunting. Far more big game has been taken with the 30.06.

[Steve_o113]

but if target shooting your number one choice, .308 and even a .270. Plus brown bears the only thing in north america you shouldnt shoot with a .270. They use them for lions in africa.

[danp]

From Snipercountry.com...

When people compare the .30-06 against the .308, they usually don't do so in a scientific manner. A proper comparison should account for "time" -- then and now. With the powders of the day, when the .30-06 came into being, the way to achieve higher velocities and to shoot farther was to use a large case filled with powder. Over some years, powders improved (and of course, speaking of powders, you are aware that "IMR" stands for "Improved Military Rifle") and large cases were no longer absolutely necessary to meet the performance requirements of the military. Enter, the .308 -- with it's smaller and lighter package, it could do virtually the same job as it's big brother without weighing as much. And popularity? Well, whether it's based in a survivalist mindset or not, civilians tend to rave over whatever ammo and weapons the military are using. So, it was natural (and expected) that civilian shooters would welcome the .308 as "the" round of choice for .30-caliber shooting.
Given today's powders, the .30-06 has definite advantages in distance and energy over the .308 for any given weight of bullet. However, these advantages are only realized "in the extreme," and for most hunters' and target shooters' applications, there's very little difference in performance. Considering that many shooters handload their own ammo, it is no wonder that the smaller case is more in demand. When surplus GI brass can be acquired so inexpensively, why spend more money for .30-06 cases? Where economics are concerned, the .308 wins -- hands down.
I mentioned extremes, so let's talk about them a little. I've always believed that the .30-06 is probably the most versatile cartridge on the planet. Using extremely light bullets, it makes for a lethal varmint round. Using heavier bullets, some of the biggest game on Earth have fallen to the .30-06 on several continents around the world.
Handloaders, using some of the modern, lower-pressure/higher-velocity powders (such as those in Vihtavuori Oy's 500-series) can truly wring out the maximum performance of the bigger cartridge. In such a case, the .308 will always take a back seat. However, let me be clear about this -- I am, again, talking in terms of extremes. Most responsible hunters take game at "reasonable" distances, and the farthest that most target shooters compete at -- in NRA-sanctioned meets, for example -- is 1,000 yards, a distance that has been easily handled by the .308 cartridge for many years now.

So basically what it boils down to is if you handload you can wring more out of the .30-06...but with factory loads its a wash.

[Barbarossa]

I took 2 Elk and a mule deer last weekend with my 30-06.

furthest shot was at about 220-250 yards. It performed admirably.

~Barbarossa

[Paul]

Thanks again everyone.

Any comment on internal or removable magazine?

[boricua9mm]

I can't speak about reloading because I haven't delved into that yet, but with regards to commercially available ammo, I think the scales tip in favor of the .308WIN. I see a lot more varieties of commercial ammo available for .308 than I do for the 30-06 cartridge.

If you reload, that may not be a factor.

As far as detachable mag vs. internal mag, I'll just point out that the detachable magazine Savage bolt actions haven't been out there very long. IIRC, they debuted at the 2007 SHOT Show. I remember looking at them and reacting with a mandatory "Hmmmm....." I tend to go with what's established rather than being a test subject for a manufacturer. Unless of course, I'm not paying for it, which has happened in the past.

[PolsVoice]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

Yes, alot of what you should get depends on your use.

For deer, skip the 223 entirely. Its too light and does not have the energy to cleanly take deer. That leaves the 270 and 308.

If you are needing a rifle for shooting meduim sized game at distances, the 270 Winny is probably better than the 308. It is very flat shooting.

For an all around caliber for deer...the 308 has alot going for it.

I have a Remington 700 in 270 and have used it for deer and wild pigs for decades. It is a VERY accurate and pleasant round to shoot and kills game like lightning. I dearly love the 270 Winchester because it has never let me down.

I have never owned a 308...mainly because I own the 270 and another rifle in 30-06 and those two rounds do everything I need against deer and wild pigs in this state.

If you're only punching paper or small game, the 223 is probably the best choice.

However, the best for you will depend entirely on your needs.

- Brickboy240

+1 on the .270

[Barbarossa]

Originally Posted by Paul

Any comment on internal or removable magazine?

The option of removable, allows your gun to be "safe/unloaded" to loaded very quickly.

In addition, carrying 2 an extra removable mag can often be an asset.

Would you have an XD with a fixed mag?

[Paul]

Thanks again everyone.