308 vs. 30-06 under 400 yards

[thinhorn_AK]

165g copper bullets seem heavy for a 308. The only copper bullets I shoot from my 308 are the 130g ttsx and for awhile, the 137g hammer hunter. Both of those get good speed out of my 18” 308.

I shoot a lot of 30-06, I never shoot copper from it, just 180g ABs and partitions but if I was shooting copper from it, the heaviest I’d choose would be 150g, probably the ttsx.

I personally don’t think Barnes is a good choice for factory ammo, if your gun shoots them well then good but I’m my experience I’ve had better accuracy with them when I can vary the searing depth. You can’t do that with factory ammo.

 

[Tennpin]

I love both 308 and 3006 I use nosler partition 165 gr in both you can't go wrong.

 

[SDHNTR]

With lead bullets, the difference is irrelevant, but I would probably give the very slight nod to the 308.

With monos, you want all the speed you can get, so there is a slight edge to the 3006.

 

[echampion8]

Thank you. I live in CA so I need non-lead unfortunately or I’d be shooting ELDX. Already have a Maven RS1.2 and a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18. Will move one to the new rifle.

Factory Barnes 130 ttsx out of my 16” Ruger American was doing 2925ish and the barrel was brand new. Out of a 20” I would expect to be hitting that 3000 fps mark. That’s potent medicine for any deer or black bear even at 400 yards. Should still be around 2050-2150 fps at that range which is plenty for expansion (depending on your elevation).

I’ve also shot 123gr Lapua ammo from a 30-06 and it was way more mild than 165s from a 308. So 130 ttsx from a 30-06 would be super nice and you will have a little more on the top side if you ever go down that road.


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[Packmansion]

I did not read every subsequent post but a handful of them. If you shoot 400 rounds a month you should buy reloading equipment. Copper really neuters you. What I would do if I were you is get a 6.5 creedmoor and some reloading equipment and buy some Cayuga or apex outdoor bullets. These bullets are designed to fracture and expand at lower velocity and they have way higher bcs. Id also argue you do not need to shoot 400 rounds a month off a bench or prone. Alternatively 100 rounds positional shooting will do you great. Id recommend shooting off a backpack, bipod and tripod to simulate actual field shots. This is more advice for shooting better not hunting. Some of the best hunters I know are not amazing marksmen they are amazing hunters and you don't need to be a great Marksman to be a good hunter. Most of the people I know who are very successful shoot stuff at 50-200 yards for the most part. A lot of them 25-50 yards because they only do bow hunting now. Id also plan to invest in a good scope with exposed elevation turrets. At 600 yards as long as wind is not crazy 600 yards with a 6.5 creedmoor is a chip shot. Tall grass is your biggest enemy. For powder hands down h4350. You should be able to find starline brass very easily and it will do the trick. There is no real major difference between 30-06 and 308 especially with factory ammo. I would lean 308 but 6.5 will smoke both of them.