30-06 or 308

Its almost time for me to get a new rifle. I will be using it for deer, moose and black bear. I've narrowed down my choices to the 30-06 and the 308, I've looked on all kinds of websites and still couldn't make a decision, then I remembered this one. I decided it would be better to ask locals who will be hunting the same animals as me. I will probably be shooting not much further than 200yards at most. and although I am new to hunting, I am not new to shooting rifles. and although I consider myself average with a rifle, I'm not too worried about recoil, and I will probably be practicing a lot.
thanks

My Vote gors for for 30-06

I have a 308 and like it BUT if I was to buy a new rifle it probably will be 30-06
If I was hunting deer only with it I think 25-06 is definitly top choice but include moose and bear..... 30-06!

I shoot a .308 and I've owned a few 30-06. Not a whole lot of difference in the 2 calibers until you get into heavier bullets. I prefer the .308 due to the lighter recoil and it does anything I want it to do.

3006 Great cal! From personal experienc the 06 has a little more knock down power than the 308 but both great calibers.

ryhan said:

I have only used the .308 and have found it good enough for those game up to the 200 yard shots. For those that say the .308 is not a moose gun, we have taken 9 moose in my family with this cal. and none of them have run any farther than 75-100 yards. Its all in the shot placement not in how big your gun is.

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I have to agree.I wouldn,t trade my old savage 99c 308 for any of the newer guns out there.Moose deer ,bear,just never needed anythin more.

I have shot deer and moose with both calibers but my preference is the 30.06. I feel it has a little extra "umph" to it. You won't be disappointed in either.

30-06...N'uff said!

Except...no comment from Wonksy??

I own a 308 winchester blr and have always love it, but have never owned a 30-06. I have shot a deer, moose and the odd ruffed grouse. I am happy with the gun because it is light and shoots true. Shot placement is key with any gun and for a clean human kill. This gun has been handed down from my father and he has shot a few moose and a few deer. So lots of history can't retire it yet.

Like the 30-06... Its light, and as far as accuracy goes, I think they are pretty close, so it boils down to how much steel do I want to carry around with me.

Edit: I think 30.06 is cheaper in the ammo dept too.

I've used both and prefer the 30-06, either will be a fine choice.

If I had to choose it would be the 30-06. I actually had the same debate with myself a few years ago. It was the 30-06 270 or 308 and I went with the 06 and never looked back. Recoil maybe a bit more but not overwhelming by any means. You can get a good range of bullets and price is decent also.
308 will also work just fine and to be honest you will most likely not even know what your missing with the one you don't buy. My dad swears by his 308 and so does my grandfather. the 308 and 3006 have both killed a lot of deer moose and bear in this province

like someone said earlier....its all about shot placement and if you put a well placed bullet from either of these calibers on any large game in this part of the country its dead.
I reload for my 30-06 and I have 3 go to loads that work well. 150 gr 165gr and 180gr if needed.

Both are great calibers. Find the rifle that fits you and get it in either caliber.

You can't go wrong with either.

i have a 30-06 also and love it....hunt with guys who have a 308 and they swear by them...all preference
....but still doesn't beat my bear truth 2..hehehe..haven't picked up the rifle since i bought the bow

ryhan said:

I have only used the .308 and have found it good enough for those game up to the 200 yard shots. For those that say the .308 is not a moose gun, we have taken 9 moose in my family with this cal. and none of them have run any farther than 75-100 yards. Its all in the shot placement not in how big your gun is.

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i agree...
my buddy shot a moose 2 yrs ago with a 308 and it was 360 yards away(yes that is the truth..used a range finder to measure the distance!!!)
dropped it with 2 shots

30-06 can handle more variety of bullet weights all the way up to 220g and a little more velocity with the same bullet weights than the 308 but for the most part I don't think a whitetail will know the difference in what hit him. But I gotta vote for the 06.

I went through the same thing last year and I chose the 30-06. I bought a REM 30-06 and shot half inch groups while breaking in the rifle. Way more accurate than my 270WSM.
The 308 is a good choice, it will come down to what you like the most.

Best of luck.

Rick