7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

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hardcase
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7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by hardcase »

I have a little used AR 10 but have about a thousand rounds of 7.62/.308 and reloading dies for .308.

I ran into a guy at the local gun store that swore the 30-06 was hands down the better round.

Would you take a 30-06 over a .308 given these factors for a bolt gun?
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by BobbyJohn »

My little ole' .308 Remington model 600 made in 1964 has served me quite well in the 40 years I have had it, I have taken, deer, elk, moose, bear, mt goats and lions as well as pronghorn with it and never once had a problem bring down what I wanted to with it.

the .308 vs. 06 argument has been going on longer than any body remembers, they are both good guns depending on what you are trying to do and how you handle recoil. They both do what they are suppose to.

Did he give you his reasons he thought one was better than the other?
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by fishman »

.30-06 has more energy and a flatter trajectory.
It's also got more recoil, requires a longer action, costs more to shoot, and is louder.

Neither round is better than the other.

That being said, I shoot a .27-06, aka 270 win.
Edit: and a 24-08, aka .243 win
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by BobbyJohn »

fishman wrote:.30-06 has more energy and a flatter trajectory.
It's also got more recoil, requires a longer action, costs more to shoot, and is louder.

Neither round is better than the other.

That being said, I shoot a .27-06, aka 270 win.
The .270 is my favorite hunting rifle, I own two of them, and Interarms that I have had since I was 12 years old, so over 40 years now and I got my Dad's pre 64 Winchester model 70 when he passed away, I really like them both, because I can load so many different types of rounds for the type of shooting I am doing.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by poikilotrm »

The .308 nearly duplicates the 06’s performance envelope. At normal 400M or less hunting ranges, the difference does not matter. Shorter cases lead to more consistent groups, so the .308 has the edge there. Throw in the shorter action, lighter weight, and ability to use M80 and the .308 becomes a better choice. I have 3 .30-‘06 rifles and a .308. If I had to abandon my guns and flee, the .308 would come with me.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by doubloon »

If you look at the ballistics of bullets between 165-175 grains there is very little difference in velocity/energy performance and no difference that the pig or deer will notice. According to one source, with a 100 yard zero you're looking at less than a 1" drop difference at 200 yards between the most popular hunting weight bullets.

I believe the author when he says that when the 308 was first produced there may have been a significant difference in accuracy performance but I also believe modern case and barrel technology has closed the gap between the two. If all it took was a shorter case to produce more accuracy then the 7.62x39 should be kicking all kinds of ass in this category.

A link to an article that can be argued with and some graphics embedded from the article.

https://www.swggun.org/308-vs-30-06/

Image

Image

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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by whiterussian1974 »

Seems that we have a unanimous Answer here. 30-06 has slightly higher case capacity, for only about 100fps. The .308 is newer and can handle higher pressures, so can nearly duplicate 30-06 performance.

Simple answer, they are BOTH excellent and come down to which you have. If you already have .308, stick w a winner. :mrgreen:

And if you want more range, go w .300WSM. Same short case, just fatter for more capacity.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by mbogo »

I've owned rifles in both cartridges for decades.

There is about 1/2" difference in action length, and 4oz. difference in weight between the two actions - you'll never notice the difference.

With lighter bullets (150grs.-165grs.), the .308 provides about 95% or the performance of the .30-06 with 90% of the recoil - you'll never notice the difference. As an aside, anyone can shoot a .30-06 bolt-action rifle; it's not as if it kicks like a mule.

The .30-06 really shines with the heavier bullets - 180grs. and up, especially with today's super-premium bullets.

On the other hand, there are lots of FMJ rounds available for the 7.62 NATO for less expensive practice.

My choice would be the .30-06 for a hunting rifle, and .308 for a range toy.

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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by BobbyJohn »

My Remington 600 308 is the cats meow and my wife uses it a lot, I came up with a load that is very light recoil and deadly for her and she loves it. 125 Nosler Ballistic tip and she takes deer with it every year if she is not carrying her 300 black AR, it is a very effective load in a lighter weight gun, which she prefers. With the 125 grain, you don't feel much recoil over a .22 magnum and it knocks stuff down!

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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by ECCO Machine »

mbogo wrote:I've owned rifles in both cartridges for decades.

There is about 1/2" difference in action length, and 4oz. difference in weight between the two actions - you'll never notice the difference.

With lighter bullets (150grs.-165grs.), the .308 provides about 95% or the performance of the .30-06 with 90% of the recoil - you'll never notice the difference. As an aside, anyone can shoot a .30-06 bolt-action rifle; it's not as if it kicks like a mule.

The .30-06 really shines with the heavier bullets - 180grs. and up, especially with today's super-premium bullets.

On the other hand, there are lots of FMJ rounds available for the 7.62 NATO for less expensive practice.

My choice would be the .30-06 for a hunting rifle, and .308 for a range toy.

mbogo
This.

I tend to prefer long action cartridges, but unless you're going to be hunting big game with 180-220 gr. bullets, the .308 will serve you just as well as the '06 would.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by CanOfWhooppass »

Real question is what do you want to do with it, neither of those cartridges are great in the lineup of modern ballistics. Better performance can be had with a lot less recoil for many tasks.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by garredondojr »

my personal take is .308 is more plentiful and is cheaper to shoot in the regard that it's easier and cheaper to buy brass, it's more common generally, there's mil surplus ammo out there(not so with 30-06 these days) and if your into the whole steel case garbage there's that available too.

The 30-06 shines with bullets 180gr and heavier so if your into 180-220gr loads it may be for you. it also is more versatile as a hunting weapon as you can nip at the heels of a 300WM. hornady sells a "light magnum" load thats only ~80-100ft/sec behind a 300WM with a 180gr bullet. so everything from 110gr (less if your creative) to 240's (barrel twist dependent realistically rn 220's being the upper end) is viable in the 06.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by T78m6b »

Short answer for me.......308win/7.62, lots of surplus....my 91 eats'em up... :lol:
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by JustMax »

And now for something totally different...
#1 Understanding that any .30-06 can be converted to .308/7.62x51 for $20, and converted back for another $20, why not have the best of both worlds since you are talking a bolt gun?
#2 .30-06 bolt guns are cheaper due to the quantity of them available. Convert it to .308 for $20 and take advantage of the surplus ammo.
#3 Convert it back if you ever need to shoot some of the heavier bullets available in '06 that are not available in 308.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by #40Fan »

How is this conversion being done?
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by mbogo »

#40Fan wrote:How is this conversion being done?
By use of a chamber insert installed (pressure fit) in the .30-06, which will allow you to chamber a 7.623x51 NATO round in the .30-06.

the insert is removed by use of a broken shell extractor.

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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by poikilotrm »

mbogo wrote:
#40Fan wrote:How is this conversion being done?
By use of a chamber insert installed (pressure fit) in the .30-06, which will allow you to chamber a 7.623x51 NATO round in the .30-06.

the insert is removed by use of a broken shell extractor.

mbogo
Those things are not reliable. It is possible to extract the insert by accident.
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Re: 7.62 vs 30-06. For a bolt gun would you get a .308 or 30-06

Post by Siskiyous »

I prefer the 30-06, I gave my 308s to my son. When I bought him his first rifle it was a 30-06, and I have a pre-war Model 70 Winchester in 06 myself. The 06 cartridge has many great choices for the hunter, and that is what I am, a hunter. If I were a target shooter my answer would be different.

The 308 just does not have the capacity to launch 180 to 200 grain bullets with the authority the 30-06 launches them. While I generally carry a 300 Weatherby, the old Winchester has peep sights, and is a better choice in heavy rain and driving snow. Such conditions can shorten ranges, but you cannot count on that. Chances at elk happen only a time or two per season, and if you chose lesser calibers your success rate will mirror the choice.
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