Hey Guys,

I finally have enough to get my new rifle. Now I am torn...do I get the .308 or the 30.06? I plan to hunt elk and hope to hunt moose and caribu at some point before I die (and I hope that is a long way off!). Any thoughts as to what caliber (other than you like it) and why you might suggest one over the other? If it makes a difference I do reload.

Ballistically performance wise those are twins... 308 allows for cheaper practice if not reloading.... Both are acceptable for moose/caribou but on the low end of the spectrum....

Ford vs. Chevy. You would be hard pressed to prove true terminal performance difference in the field between the two. Either with the proper projectile will do the job.

'06 will give you a little more oomph at longer ranges, but within fairly close ranges you won't notice a difference. I'm an '06 and .308 owner myself.

I have both and would sell my '06 if I could. 308 for being a short action and less recoil. Numerous factory loads available.

I just like being able to say I have a turdy-nought-six. Haven't killed a deer with it in 10yrs, but it's there incase I need to re-establish the fact that I are backwoods.

It's personal preference.

Sounds like me.


But the heck with either... Split the differance with a 25-06 or 7-08

The only real advantage to the .30-06 that stands apart from the details some people might want to get into (many of which will be false if picked apart), is that the .30-06 case is much larger because it was originally designed for use with prill powder, which takes more space than ball powder.

If you hand load, the .30-06 is a superior choice, particularly if you like to go big. If that's your thing, consider getting a .300 mag.

I would say 30-06

You reload so ammo cost isnt a big deal and you can get .30cal bullets every where. But you said that elk and moose are on the bucket list and I think that is the swaying point.

The 30-06 has a little more POP or energy to it when you start to reach out there and any advantage on animals that big is needed.

Heres a comparison from federals website of 30-06 vs. .308 with the same bullet- 180gr partition

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/compare/rifle_compare.aspx

and since you reload you can make that caliber what you want it.

150gr accubonds for deer & 180gr partitions/ 180gr TSX for elk or bigger.....would be my suggestion.

also one trip to the rifle range a week before deer season will give you all the 30-06 cases you need for a LONG LONG TIME!



Sorry heres the right one with 180gr partitions for both

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/compare/rifle_compare.aspx

at all ranges there is about 100+ fps of velocity & and 200+ more foot pounds of energy at any given range....wont make the difference on whitetail but like I said with elk and moose...you need it.

It won't keep the table for you, each person has to select two, check the boxes, and click on "compare."

I was just looking at a pair of 180 grain rounds on that site that were within 19 foot pounds of each other at 500 yards and similar muzzle velocities. There isn't much difference in factory ammo. The difference is in the flexibility for hand loading because of the case size. Even if there is a pairing with substantial difference, I wouldn't wet myself over 100 fps for minute of moose.

I prefer the 30/06 with 180 gr Hornady Light Mags.

TRAITOR!!!!!!!!!! I thought you were a 308 man?

LOL! Well I still have my Remmy 30/06.......

Y'all are GREAT! Thanks everyone for the insight. Sounds like the 100 or so rounds of 06 won't go to waste after all! Now if I can find a Tika T3 Lite in 30-06 I will have my new gun!

Tikka T3 Lite kicks more than an -06 should ( at least the perceived recoil tells me that ). My Rem. 700 in -06 is MUCH more comfortable to shoot, heavier rifle, all else being equal.

Ruger Hawkeye stainless with Hogue stock and Leupold 3.5-10x40mm in 30-06; and you got one fine and all around well equiped rifle.

06 guy here myself, just have never got on board with the 308

I hunted with a 30-06 for a long time and bought a 308 last year and I've already sold it. There's just not enough difference in the two and the 06 had more sentimental value so the 308 never got taken out...

I have owned a Tikka T3 Lite in .308 and it was quite the little kicker. My Remmy 700 CDL in 30/06 is much more pleasant to shoot.

I just don't like that stock on the T3. Feels like it's hollow, much too light for that cartridge.

30-06 would be my choice between the two. I have a 30-06 and would recommend a Browning x-bolt over the Tikka Lite.

You could just go w/ a .300 WSM and use 165gr bullets for deer and 180gr for everything else.

Now ya got a reason for another rifle to save for.

Have tried the Hornady Light Magnum in the 30-06 and they worked well.

I recently tried a few 130gr Hornady Super Performance loads in a friends .270 Win A-bolt and the primers were flattening a lot and the bolt was very hard to open. We quit shooting them after the 4th round. We thought it was a couple hot rounds, but turned out to be wrong w/ our thoughts. Pretty sad they are factory loads and they are so hot a bolt barely opens. Be careful w/ these. It's not worth the extra 200fps that they say they are over other factory ammo. Could damage your gun or yourself. The recoil was VERY harsh compared to my max load for my 130gr .270 Win.

Mmmhmm. I'd rather load my own cartridges to best suit the performance of the rifle than rely on a factory "enhanced" light magnum loads. Of course nothing is guaranteed, but like you said..you could damage the gun or yourself. Too many "unknowns" with some of the factory stuff. Not to say all factory loads are no good, I love Remington's 150 and 180 grain Core-Lokt .30-06 loads. they shoot well and without issue in a few of my '06's.

I have always been an '06 shooter but swapped to 300 wm recently. Sorry to give you another option but you should study the ballistics and the choice will be clear.

It really boils down to the question of what kinda barrel length do you like?

If you like 16"-18" then the 308 will give you little velocity loss where the .06 is better served in a 22" barrel.

The two cartridges have a bit different burn rates.