.308 vs 30-06

[GKPrice]

You will get a lot of input on questions like these. I like this answer fwiw.

06 is a great round with a proven history. 308 is too. I am on the wrong side of 40 and starting to like less and lighter weight gear. 06 doesn't have enough of a ballistic edge for me over. 308 to justify the bigger heavier gun. My favorite all around rifle for what you describe is a light 308 with a 20 inch barrel. It will do the trick at 300-400 yards with a 150-165 grain bullet.

I hear what you are saying but the Tikka superlight blows your theory - With bad knees and closing in on medicare eligibility "lightweight" is the name of MY game any more, "lightweight" within reason that is - I shoot a superlight '06 and presently 180 Accubonds at close to 2900 - It's the same weight as any other chambering in the superlight, and although I realize it's maybe not a "true lightweight" it is as light as I can shoot well - I've worked with Kimber 84M quite a bit but even there you only give up approx. 6 oz to an 84L '06 over the 84M .308 - I know you can shove 1 or 2 more cartridges in your pocket if you shoot the .308 but the '06 just simply hits with noticeably more authority and there's nothing I would hesitate to shoot at out to 500 yards and a bit more if I've a steady position - A sniper will use a .308 to that same end but elk can be mighty tough to anchor so I'm gonna stick with my '06 and I've used the heck out of 7mm RM, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag and a couple of belted wildcats for years, now at my advanced age I've come to realize and respect the balance a good rifle in 30.06 offers - That is simply my opinion and I respect yours as well

 

[luke moffat]

If getting a tikka the 30-06 hands down. If on a Montana platform then the 308. You are looking at a full pound difference between a 308 tikka to a 308 kimber Montana. You don't get any weight saving brownie points by going short action on a tikka so might as well go with the more power.

My summer bear protection rifle is a kimber Montana with its 20" barrel and peep sights that is 4 points 14 oz before I put rounds in the mag. With 200 grain a frames or partitions at 2550 fps it'll be more than enough oomph or it makes me feel better than packing a handgun. It's not much heavier than a S&W 500 and I can shoot it much more accurately.
Happy New Years you guys!

 

[Thinkingman]

I agree 110% with you two guys on this ! If the argument was short action vs. long action it might make a little bit of sense but not the efficiency thing Splitting hairs is, to me, a waste of time .....

Shorter case, shorter powder column, more even burning.
In benchrest competition, you never see long cases.

 

[luke moffat]

Aren't we hunting and not brench rest shooting? I am happy with 1.5 MOA so efficieny of the cartridge is not even a worry. What about the cases like the 338 edge and 338 rum? Those guys are getting 1/4 MOA out of them long powder columns. Efficiency of a case not a consideration on a hunting rifle ever for me. You'll never see a difference in most hunting rifles even to 1k yards. Quality of the rifle, barrel, action, trigger, scope, rings, and stock have way more effect on accuracy than efficiency of the cartridge.

 

[GKPrice]

If getting a tikka the 30-06 hands down. If on a Montana platform then the 308. You are looking at a full pound difference between a 308 tikka to a 308 kimber Montana. You don't get any weight saving brownie points by going short action on a tikka so might as well go with the more power.

My summer bear protection rifle is a kimber Montana with its 20" barrel and peep sights that is 4 points 14 oz before I put rounds in the mag. With 200 grain a frames or partitions at 2550 fps it'll be more than enough oomph or it makes me feel better than packing a handgun. It's not much heavier than a S&W 500 and I can shoot it much more accurately.
Happy New Years you guys!

Luke, I'd be happier if you used the 338/06 for comparison ..... what's that one weigh all up ?