Why is the 308 better for long range shooting?
It's not.... Most people go with 308 win because it is a short action rather than the long action of a 30-06. You'll hear that a long action will flex more I don't know if there is any truth to that but it also means a shorter bolt throw on a 308. With handloads the 30-06 can be loaded with more powder and get higher velocity than a 308 as long as pressure signs are watched for. Most long range competition rules state 308 win not 30-06. Depends on what you want out of it. Nothing hard says 308 is better infact I would almost argue the other way depending on what your needs and desires are.
The increase in recoil isn't worth the velocity gains. 30-06 is every bit as capable as 308. Probably more so with the higher case capacity.
This.
.30-06 is a mule where as .308 is a large dog
Higher velocity doesn't mean more accuracy (for the most part) in either caliber and .308 is generally cheaper than .30-06 as well.
It's not - in a vacuum.
But we're outside the vacuum, and so it *IS* or can be, on a budget, due to inertia - the availability and relatively low cost (due to ubiquitousness & competition) of the (a) great low-cost and midrange-cost platforms/rifles in .308, and (b) match ammo in .308.
So on a budget, it's "better". With a higher budget, and/or for reloaders, there are lots of better choices for long-range shooting, but .30-06 is not really one of them, either. OK, it's a tiny scrunthair better than .308, but still both are frankly bad when compared to 6.5mm & 7mm rounds of various types.
If you're reloading and can afford an accurized rifle in the chambering, then it's really hard to beat something like 6.5x55 or 6.5-284 out to 800 or 1000 yards. 7mms are good too (7mm WSM is a good one, among others). Past that (extreme range), in my view, time to go all the way to a .408/.416/.50 bmg, because the .30s & .338s just don't offer enough of a step-up in vel/BC ratios to justify the extra cost and recoil. If you're gonna have to use a brake and give away your position (which you do on a .338 unless you're ironman), then you may as well get the insane BCs of the .408/.416/.50 chamberings (assuming you can afford it). Just MO.
.30 '06 is a lot cheaper than the going rate for .308 if you get it from the CMP. HXP Greek surplus, all reloadable brass, and it shoots great. When I bought .308 a few months ago, it cost me $.50 per round. .30 '06 from the CMP was around $.24 per round when I stocked up toward the end of last year.
Needless to say, I shoot the M1 a lot more than I shoot the M1A these days.
I don't know what the rates are for commercial ammo in those calibers. I shoot nothing but surplus.
Needless to say, I shoot the M1 a lot more than I shoot the M1A these days.
I don't know what the rates are for commercial ammo in those calibers. I shoot nothing but surplus.
So I the 7mm better for long range?
Yes... if you bought the HXP before about 2-3 months ago. CMP's price for HXP is now 50 cents a round, while you can pick up SA surplus .308 for about 45-48 cents a round. So it's actually the other way around these days.
Unless you got lucky and bought some of the AP 30-06 that CMP was selling last month for a little over 31 cents a round
Of course, CMP ran out of 10,000 192-round cases of the AP in about 36 hours during that sale...
There's a reason military snipers in the past relied heavily on the .308. It "usually" is more accurate.
But, the .30-06 is probably the most well rounded cartridge out there. You can load 110 grain varmint bullets, or 200 grain buffalo killers, and everything in between.
But, the .30-06 is probably the most well rounded cartridge out there. You can load 110 grain varmint bullets, or 200 grain buffalo killers, and everything in between.
...not to mention it was 'in the system' and it was easier to procure. Sometimes ease of procurement overrides applicability.
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