.308 vs .30-06

Found a nice Remington 700 ADL (1st owner, 40 rounds through it) for 300 bucks. Excellent condition, FTF distance. But it's a .30-06

Then I also found a R700 ADL that's 600 bucks (1st owner, 10 rounds through the rifle, years old). Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 MT BDC, Harris Bipod, strap, laser bore sigther and a bag of loose practice ammo. Box and all original paperwork included.

If I get the .30-06 I can get the scope I want and with a bipod, i'll be right at the 600 mark.

the .308 is a more common round, (40 vs 10 rounds isn't that much that worries me) and it's pretty much ready to go. it is couple hundred miles away though, so i can't really go check it over.

What I wanted to ask in the ammo section is, is there any reason why I should choose one caliber over the other? they're pretty much the identical rifles, but 2 diff calibers.

I won't be hunting with it, but I'll be using it for practice and long distance accuracy shots.

any reason to go with one over the other?

heart wants the .308, but I think the .30-06 is a better deal. and the ballistics are on the .30-06s side...

let me know what you think!

I don't care about .308 being a more common round, what the military uses, cheaper etc.

if you like to handload, and shoot small groups... .308 has more flavors for precision shooting, otherwise.... flip a coin imho

I’m with azchevy both are great rounds and you won’t go wrong with either one, heads 30/06 tails 308.

handloading is something I want to get into, I think it could be a great relaxation tool :)

I used to have a Remington 700 ADL .30-06 and it is an excellent hunting rifle for most North American game. I think for $300.00 bucks and the scope that you want you can't go wrong.

Gotta see what scope I'd wanna use, mil dot for sure.

buy the .30-06 then try to sell it for a little profit and than buy a .308. i reload for both my .308 rifles and one is a 750m shooter all day (FN SPR). if your not hunting the .308 is better. even if you are hunting i would choose the .308.

hmmm... 30-06. For that price, go with it and put the glass you want on it.

The 30-06 will reach out and touch you...far out there and knock it down. It is a bigger round. The .308 does have more variety and rifle probably weighs less, so easier on you for carrying long distance when hunting. Depends on what you are hunting I guess. If Deer or smaller, .308 and save the 30-06 for the big game. You will probably find the .308 ammo more obtainable too.

Bullet weight effiency. The 308 is more efficient with bullets from 150-165 grains. When you get to 180 and above, the 30-06 comes into its glory. The primary use of the rifle will dictate which to choose. Deer, Elk, and black bear, both will do. Step up to Brownies, Kodiaks, Polar, Kudu, Wilderbeast , Zebra, Giraffe and such at anything over 250-300 yards, the 30-06 with 200-250 grain bullet is the ticket.

As already mentioned, they are almost identical in certain cases.

I disagree that the .308 is more common; the '06 can be found on any ammo shelf in any sporting goods store in the country.

I voted for the '06 because, in this case, it give you the option with the money you saved to get whatever scope and other accessories that you want. And I'm a sucker for nostalgia, and the 30-06 was, IMO, America's cartridge for the 20th century.

Additionally, I believe that the '06 has more versatility if you get into reloading. JMO :wave:

perhaps .30-06 is .45 ACP is .308 to 9mm?

as far as popularity, who uses it etc

Personally I would go with the .308 I just like it over the '06. I have shot both and the 308 wuld be my choice in fact if i was looking (read when my son gets old enough to deer hunt and Dad need a rifle) kid gets to 243 and dad will buy a 308. Then again I carry a 9mm over a 45 so . . !:gah:

To quote an old television ad from the 1980s: "You'll never hear butter claim to taste almost as good as margarine."

I own and handload for both the .308 and the .30-06.

I'll take the .30-06.

I voted .30-06. I own a .30-06, shot my son's .308 before he sold it to buy a .300 Weatherby Magnum. I think the .30-06 has more versatility in ammo selection (factory/retail) and gives you more downrange punch with heavier bullets. I reload and have hunted Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Colorado and have taken Florida-sized deer, Colorado whitetail, elk and hog. The .308 will do the job, but favors a lighter bullet. I shoot 165 grain and 180 grain loads and get 1/2" groups with both bullet weights.

You'll be happy with either, but you may want the bigger of the two if you ever get the chance to hunt in areas other than the southeast. JMHO.