Thread: 308 vs 30/06

When all is said and done...my choice between them would come down to which is the better deal on the day....Do you like the green one or the blue one? They are both very similar in performance so if you are looking at a 308 and a 30/06 which is in better condition , price value for money...? The animal wont know the difference between them. For the most part, to be brutal about it, the two of them are only slightly ahead of a 243... There is not much in NZ that 30cal can take that a 243 cannot....And the 6.5 cals (while a favourite of mine) are right in there too, I meant the 243 is really just a 6mm08 anyway...

perhaps looking to something slightly bigger again such as a 300winmag etc?.

Obviously you have a gap and a desire to fill it with something....I think the bigger decision will be less about calibre and more about the rifle details itself ....Find one you like and don't limit yourself to any particular calibre...and enjoy the shopping

Originally Posted by timattalon

When all is said and done...my choice between them would come down to which is the better deal on the day....Do you like the green one or the blue one? They are both very similar in performance so if you are looking at a 308 and a 30/06 which is in better condition , price value for money...? The animal wont know the difference between them. For the most part, to be brutal about it, the two of them are only slightly ahead of a 243...There is not much in NZ that 30cal can take that a 243 cannot....

perhaps looking to something slightly bigger again such as a 300winmag etc?.

Have a look at the energy numbers you will find there is a world of difference between a 243 and 30/06 . The 243 is a lot closer to the 223 in performance, yes still both capable rounds but shouldn't be compared to the ought six. I can tell you this from real world experience as well as knowing the numbers.

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Originally Posted by Cartman

Have a look at the energy numbers you will find there is a world of difference between a 243 and 30/06 . The 243 is a lot closer to the 223 in performance, yes still both capable rounds but shouldn't be compared to the ought six. I can tell you this from real world experience as well as knowing the numbers.

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@Cartman I agree there is a difference and reasonably significant. But the 243 is capable in most game situations that will arise in NZ. Will a 308 or 30/06 be better? Probably. But will they be a big enough improvement to warrant either? Maybe. The 243 is a good calibre and can do most of what the 30cals mentioned can. It is not until they all get out past 300m that the differences really favour the 30 cal options. And even then POI is pretty similar, but energy carried is better on the 30s...And if this was the reason that would cause him to consider getting a 30cal then the 300 win mag etc would be the next step up over the two mentioned. I was simply suggesting that perhaps if he wants to fill a "gap" then a larger cal again might be worth considering.



If is solely down to the option of 308 or 30/06 and if it was me I would be getting one. Not because I want to do more than I can with a 243, but because I want one full stop. Whether it would be a 308 or a 30/06 would come down to the best deal on the day as those two are close enough in most situations that it will not matter.

Put it another way- Say I have 4 kids (not necessarily mine...) that I have to take to sport once a week. I can get all 4 and their gear in my Nissan Micra that I already own and manage. Its tight and not the ideal solution but its what is at hand. DO I buy a larger car like a Maxima etc just for that task..probably not. But if I need or want a second car do I get a larger one that can do that if it also does what I want...Possibly, or do I go for an SUV (magnum comparison) that is bigger still and can do even more?

Originally Posted by timattalon

@Cartman I agree there is a difference and reasonably significant. But the 243 is capable in most game situations that will arise in NZ. Will a 308 or 30/06 be better? Probably. But will they be a big enough improvement to warrant either? Maybe. The 243 is a good calibre and can do most of what the 30cals mentioned can. It is not until they all get out past 300m that the differences really favour the 30 cal options. And even then POI is pretty similar, but energy carried is better on the 30s...And if this was the reason that would cause him to consider getting a 30cal then the 300 win mag etc would be the next step up over the two mentioned. I was simply suggesting that perhaps if he wants to fill a "gap" then a larger cal again might be worth considering.

Attachment 187822

If is solely down to the option of 308 or 30/06 and if it was me I would be getting one. Not because I want to do more than I can with a 243, but because I want one full stop. Whether it would be a 308 or a 30/06 would come down to the best deal on the day as those two are close enough in most situations that it will not matter.

Put it another way- Say I have 4 kids (not necessarily mine...) that I have to take to sport once a week. I can get all 4 and their gear in my Nissan Micra that I already own and manage. Its tight and not the ideal solution but its what is at hand. DO I buy a larger car like a Maxima etc just for that task..probably not. But if I need or want a second car do I get a larger one that can do that if it also does what I want...Possibly, or do I go for an SUV (magnum comparison) that is bigger still and can do even more?

Horses for courses for different people - out to 350 or so, there is NOTHING you can kill with a 308 I can't with my .243 and the .243 is more decisive - lost count the number of deer and Tahr I've killed with .243, just sold my shorty .308 cause it didn't cut the mustard vs my .243 for quick killing....... Went for a walk today and I had choices reaching into my gun cabinet, guess which rifle my hand came out with.....on average, if normal barrel lengths apply 3006 is .308 with an extra 100fps or so and more recoil. That's my 2cents. Now off to run a boresnake through my 6mm08 work horse!

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Horses for courses for different people - out to 350 or so, there is NOTHING you can kill with a 308 I can't with my .243 and the .243 is more decisive - lost count the number of deer and Tahr I've killed with .243, just sold my shorty .308 cause it didn't cut the mustard vs my .243 for quick killing....... Went for a walk today and I had choices reaching into my gun cabinet, guess which rifle my hand came out with.....on average, if normal barrel lengths apply 3006 is .308 with an extra 100fps or so and more recoil. That's my 2cents. Now off to run a boresnake through my 6mm08 work horse!

All this is true. But finding the right bullet helps alot woth quick kills too. I like ssts they work great in 243 but I'm not a fan of the 150s in 308 . I had a blr in 243 for years I shot hundreds of animals with it its a favorite caliber of mine. I liked the 95 ssts and 90 grain targex 80 grain corelocts.

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