.308 vs 30-06

[DJB]

I personally prefer the 308. If you plan on joining a moose group, go with a 30/06 as you will find that to be the most common and you could borrow ammo in case you run short or forgot to pack which happens to people in a hurry. I don't own an 06 but have done enough test firing to feel that there is little difference. I also reload my 308's and have developed something to suit my 308's.

[SongDog]

I would say 30.06 is the most popular out of the two for Ontario hunters. Both very common and very good cartridges. I have had both, Sold the 30.06 and kept the .308. Mostly because I have shot moose/deer/bear shot with my.308 and all 1 shot kills.I love the short action too.


My .22-250 and .308 in the same gun take the same magazine....Another bonus..

[JoePa]

Just one other point to mention - get a rifle that is a popular caliber - that way you can more easily get ammo for it - the 06 and 308 are popular so you shouldn't have any problem getting ammo in the future - I use to hunt with a 06 years ago but as I got older I started using a .35 Rem lever action Marlin - I like the gun because it has less recoil and is somewhat lighter - most of my shots are 50 yards max because of where I hunt - the one problem I am now having is getting ammo for the .35 - it seems that this caliber is very popular here in Pa. and the ammo sells out very fast - the manufactures don't make it right now because of the inventory that exists in other states - I have enough for now but will have to make sure that I get some this summer when it shows up on the shelves again - I use the 200 gr Core-Lokt cartridges

[sharps4570]

I have both and there's virtually no difference.

I have to put in a plug for my favourite cartridge though - the 6.5x55 Swedish (mine is in a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight). Next to no recoil, will kill anything from groundhogs to moose.

Ok so caliber is pretty well the same I'm looking at a vangaurd sportsman in wood stock just need some optics thinking a 3 x 9 should do the trick also I have a 243 for yote control

Is 7 mm larger then 308 I don't know a whole lot about rifles we mostly use shotguns since I'm in southern Ontario

Due to the various attributes already cited, the .308 Win would be an excellent choice although there won't be a visible difference in terms of ballistics and performance at the distance you (OP) are planning to use the rifle. It would certainly be a bonus if you were to acquire the rifle with a scaled action for the shorter cartridge. Anyway, either calibre will suit your hunting scenarios just fine.

Personally, I've never used a Weatherby rifle, however, it may be an excellent choice and many of my relatives preferred that brand for big game. The Vanguard S2 receives excellent reviews and I'm debating whether to try one myself in 7mm-08 since I already have a .308 in Mod 70.

Not sure if you (OP) are talking about 7mm Rem Mag or 7mm Mauser (7x57). As far as the former is concerned, it boils down to individual preference and need. Personally, I do not view 7mm Rem Mag as a hard requirement for hunting scenarios in ON. As already mentioned, your only true gain will be enhanced recoil and ammo cost when compared to the .308 Win.

The 6.5 Swedish Mauser and .275 Rigby (7mm Mauser) are two of my most favourite cartridges and I've used both to take big game in Asia (such as Sambhar, Gaur, Nilgai etc). The 7mm Mauser may be a great all round choice specially if you reload and you come across a quality rifle to match the chambering. Having said that, there are many other suitable calibres available in current production rifles that will perform equally well or better that the 7mm. I own a CZ550 in 6.5SE and am also on the look out for the right rifle in 7x57 although I do not reload.

[RonGo]

30:06 and 3.08 aren't ballistics twins. 30:06 has about 10% more velocity than the 3:08. The 30:06 also has about twice the bullet selection. The advantage to the 3.08 is a slightly shorter action if you were to buy your guns in a semi automatic. Who really needs a semi in 30 cal anyways. Bullets are the same price. The 3.08 is to the 30:06 what the 30:06 is to the 300 winchester.
The 30:06 does have a much longer neck so if you reload, you have much more flexibility and options for seating depth, etc. I don't like short necks like the 3.08 for reloading if I have the option for a longer neck. The 3.08 is limited to about 180 grains at the top weight but with that it is pretty slow and not a great choice. The 30:06 has a lot more case capacity and neck length to go even up to 220 grain but more realistically 180-190.

Separately, someone mentioned a 0.275 bullet diameter limit and someone else said that allowed a 270. Sorry the actual diameter of a 270 is larger than 0.275.

[Roper]

RonGo - nice comparison.

[greatwhite]

Nice comparison, except the MNR does allow the 270 to fall under the .275 right or wrong. It has even been mentioned by the MNR in their old ask the CO.

30:06 and 3.08 aren't ballistics twins. 30:06 has about 10% more velocity than the 3:08. The 30:06 also has about twice the bullet selection. The advantage to the 3.08 is a slightly shorter action if you were to buy your guns in a semi automatic. Who really needs a semi in 30 cal anyways. Bullets are the same price. The 3.08 is to the 30:06 what the 30:06 is to the 300 winchester.
The 30:06 does have a much longer neck so if you reload, you have much more flexibility and options for seating depth, etc. I don't like short necks like the 3.08 for reloading if I have the option for a longer neck. The 3.08 is limited to about 180 grains at the top weight but with that it is pretty slow and not a great choice. The 30:06 has a lot more case capacity and neck length to go even up to 220 grain but more realistically 180-190.

Separately, someone mentioned a 0.275 bullet diameter limit and someone else said that allowed a 270. Sorry the actual diameter of a 270 is larger than 0.275.

[Fox]

30:06 and 3.08 aren't ballistics twins. 30:06 has about 10% more velocity than the 3:08. The 30:06 also has about twice the bullet selection. The advantage to the 3.08 is a slightly shorter action if you were to buy your guns in a semi automatic. Who really needs a semi in 30 cal anyways. Bullets are the same price. The 3.08 is to the 30:06 what the 30:06 is to the 300 winchester.
The 30:06 does have a much longer neck so if you reload, you have much more flexibility and options for seating depth, etc. I don't like short necks like the 3.08 for reloading if I have the option for a longer neck. The 3.08 is limited to about 180 grains at the top weight but with that it is pretty slow and not a great choice. The 30:06 has a lot more case capacity and neck length to go even up to 220 grain but more realistically 180-190.

Separately, someone mentioned a 0.275 bullet diameter limit and someone else said that allowed a 270. Sorry the actual diameter of a 270 is larger than 0.275.

I like this comparison, on another note, the short action limit of the 308 and the case design is not ideal for heavier bullets. 220gr works in a 30-06, it is a problem in the 308, not that either is a shabby 30 cal by any means.

Remember when 30-06 and 303 were the only things you could find at the shop by the camp, now it is 308 and 270.

Both are great, both should be owned

[terrym]

Not many people actually use a 220gr bullet in a .30 cal. In fact the 180 is likely the most useful/popular for both the .30-06 and .308. The other thing is the .30-06 is notoriously under loaded by factories so the two are far closer in velocity than most would expect. At the distance the OP stated as his intended use there is no deer,bear,moose that would ever feel a difference. Worry more about selecting a rifle you prefer, the cambering is secondary if choosing between the .308 and .30--06.

[mox72]

Worry more about selecting a rifle you prefer, the cambering is secondary if choosing between the .308 and .30--06.

Great advice. My personal preference is the short action.