I am going to buy a deer rifle this year and I want some opinions. Please, I don't want to start a war of words with this thread.

I understand that the 308 is above the 300 calibre as is the 30-06. I also understand that the 308 has a smaller casing thus less powder, thus less recoil. With the smaller powder amounts, you will have less muzzle velocity, greater fall down range, etc. The 30-06 with the larger casing and more powder will have more muzzle velocity, less fall on trajectory down range, etc. It will also have more recoil.

Which calibre do you prefer? I'm torn. I like the idea of further shots and more knock down power but I don't want to be kicked to death to get it. I could go with the 300 WinMag but don't for the same reason.

I currently hunt with a 243 and I'm tired of some of my deer running off with heart/lung shots. Some of my deer have fallen DRT while others have run off in the mesquites to never be found.

I want a round that will drop them in their tracks.

Opinions?

I don't think there is such a round.

I've seen deer run off with almost every caliber. Keep shooting what you have, unless you want to jump up to a 444 Marlin for 45/70 Govt.

There are so many calibers that one can choose to put more energy on target, that it's just about personal preference!!
I shoot a .270 and .308 winchester now, but I've also killed deer with .22 hornet, .243, .270 WSM, .260 remington, .300 weatherby, .375 H&H, 12 gauge, and probably a few I've forgotten. With that being said I think a good .270 winchester with 130 grain pills would put more energy on target, but don't expect any caliber to be DRT. Always expect the unexpected!! Knock on wood, I've never lost a deer yet with a rifle. I've lost one bow hunting, that was hit in the shoulder, but that is another story!!

30-06 to 308, there really isn't a huge amount of difference in velocity until you get into shooting the larger for caliber bullets. That's when the added case capacity of the 30-06 starts paying off. But even then, not in huge amounts. Inside 300yds, no deer or hunter will ever notice a difference between the two.

If I had to make a choice, I'd choose the 308 hands down (for deer and hogs). 308 is a short action=shorter rifle and lighter rifle. 308 uses less powder=slightly lower velocity and most of the time noticeably less recoil.

If I wanted that rifle to do lots of damage, and were limited to factory ammo, I'd hope the Remington Core-Lokts shot good thru it. 150gr bullets. They are devastating on medium size game. To the point that a lot of hunters don't care for them.

If handloading, the Sierra Pro Hunter or Gameking would be my choice for DRT shooting. Again, right around 150grains for either caliber. Again, a devastating bullet when used even at moderate velocities.

With either bullet, in either caliber, if a deer does run, it ain't gonna run far....and there will be a nice river of blood all the way to the carcass.

These are my views. No doubt others' will differ. There's about 100 ways to skin your cat.

Oh, and no, I don't even own a 308. I do however own a 30-06 that has killed scores of critters.


Jay

I hate my 3006, it freakin kicks bad. Go 308 or one of the two good wsm's 270 or 300.

Come on BIL, you say the .30-06 kicks to bad, it has less recoil than the WSM's. My 10 year old shoots my .30-06 with the hornady light mags 150gr sst's. And can hit a deer or hog at 250 yards with it.

I have hunted with a 308 since i was twelve

Dude I aint lying, for some reason mine is Bad. Other have shot it and said the same! My 270 wsm is tame compared to it, plus I have a limbsaver on it.

if you read any of the shooting magazines, you will notice that most of the high performance rifles, and tactical rifles are chambered in 308. If you want to shoot long range, both will shoot a ton better than you can. I went from a 7mag to a 308, and I am very happy with it. My first kill was a coyote that I shot at 60yds, I shot it in the shoulder and blew it in half. My second and third kills came the next day, one shot 2 turkeys at about 80yds. I have killed several hogs from 100lbs to 300 with it from 40yds to 200, and the furthest run from them was 20yds. and that was the smallest one bigger ones were DRT. plan on taking some deer this year, and expect NO issues. Hogs make good tests for calibers and bullets. By the way, I do reload my own shells. My 308 likes 165gr Corelokt on top of 44.5 grns of Varget. it didnt like the expensive bullets much, thats my kinda gun...LOL!

308 all the way!! Does not use as much powder, easier on barrels. Less recoil. If you handload it's cheaper. You'll be really hard pressed to prove the differnce in performance in the field. Dead is dead.

308, before i was using 243, passed it down to my son 4th gen with it. never had run off prob with 243.
went 308 for the write off.

There is a reason that almost all of the Long Rage shooting records were set with the .308 Win. The 30-06 was used for a long time, then the .308 was allowed in the matches and they had to decrease the size of the 10 ring by half due to the .308 accuracy. Soon after records starting being set and beat by large margins, all of the 30-06 competition shooters switched over to the .308. The muzzle velocity difference is negligable (100-200 fps), but the extra amount of powder used to gain that little difference can cost a lot of money in the long run. .308 will take any game walking this continent, with the right bullet selection.

Get the .308, you won't be disappointed.

I had a 308 and traded it recently. I have a 30-06 which is a lighter rifle compared to the 308 I had. The 30-06 does have more felt recoil to me. I had a Dlusk muzzle brake installed and it tamed it significantly. I would vote 308 and if you really want lighter recoil, go with a bull barrel. Of course, if you are walking much the weight gets old quickly. that is the down side. Either round is great as is the 270 and even 25-06. You won't see any huge difference in knock down power on most game animals here in Texas.

NO round will drop an animal every time with a heart/lung shot. Thats just the way it is. No offense but your expectation is unrealistic.

I've had deer run after being hit through the lungs with a 300 Win mag and drop like a rock when hit in the same spot with a 243, and I've had vice-versa of that happen.

A fast expanding bullet can help a little, but I still EXPECT a deer to run a little ways when hit through the heart/lungs.

If you want them to drop faster shoot em' through the shoulders.

Bill

Oh, and to answer your question about 30/06 or 308.

Flip a coin.

Both are very good rounds, the trajectory difference is alot less than most people think.

If recoil is not your thing, go with the 308.

Bill

I have shot both, I would suggest that you find a rifle that fits you well and then see if it is a short action (308) or a long action (30-06). In the same gun, I don't think you would ever be able to tell a difference in the two and I know a deer would never be able to tell. Remember that actuall recoil is based on bullet weight and velocity; and the weight of the rifle (action and reaction). Felt recoil is based on many things: rifle fit, shooter technique, muzzle blast etc. Most shooters could not shoot well enough while hunting to see the trajectory difference.

Easy one for me to answer; the 06 anything the 308 does the 06 does just a little better, plain and simple. I've never owned a 308 nor will I ever for the reason given above.

I say go for the 308. I, too, had 243 and was not impressed with it. While the 308 (nor any other caliber) will always drop a deer or hog in it's tracks, it typically will leave a much better blood trail. From my experience, the larger bullet leaves a bigger hole, does more damage, and typically leaves and exit would. I own a 308 and my son does as well. I've owned many different calibers over the years, and have been the most pleased with the 308. I, too, dislike excessive recoil from a rifle. It does not hurt me or scare me, but I'll admit that my accuracy suffers with a high recoil rifle. I owned a 30 06 and did not care for the recoil.

I deer hunt with a 300 Weatherby so shooting an 06 feel's like dropping down to a 243.

I love 06 and always will recoil has never been an issue for me.

How about trying a revolver? Ruger 44 Mag good to 100yds plenty of knock down,great on hogs.

I'm getting close to 60, I've had 4 surgery's, 2 on each shoulder with the last one in December (gained a little Teflon and stainless steel with that one) and I'm still shooting magnum's. The day recoil becomes a bother I'll take up knitting.

I'll throw another vote to the 308. I've had both and loved them, but I personally prefer the 308. Both of the 308's I've had seemed to be more accurate out of the box, and I like the shorter bolt travel of a short action. I didn't notice enough difference in recoil to make a difference, and none of the animals I shot cared which one they were shot with.

If you will be reloading your own ammo, go with the /06. Hands down, it has the edge.

As far as felt recoil, you can try a lighter bullet and or less powder loads.

I shoot a Winchester Model 70, in 30/06 for a reason. 24" barrel, accuracy, reloaded ammo, and the ability to make that bullet travel 3000 ft/second.

I also have a 308. I have reloaded for it, too. I feel it has almost as much potential as the /06, which it was tailored after. I have seen deer run off after being shot with both! Shot placement is what it's all about. Reload a good bullet, have a rifle that you are confident in, and shoot a lot, be able to put the bullet on target, and you will bring home the bacon every time.

By the way,,,for the past 10 years I have only hunted with my 6mm. All kills have been one shot, no runoffs. I would NEVER be without a 6mm, imho.

308 vs 30/06; it's so close, see which rifle you like and the best price you can get it for and there's the answer.

good luck