308 vs 30 06

[dross]

What are the pros and cons? Specifically:

1. Is there a noticeable difference in recoil?

2. Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy?

3. How does the velocity loss in the shorter barrel play out? The 30 06 starts off faster than the 308, but the 308 should lose less velocity per inch of barrel than the 06. How much faster is the 06 than the 308 in a 16 inch barrel?

[Eli]

.308 is cheaper and more available, and M80 is still in production. My M1 will be getting a 7.62 tube as soon as I can afford to do so!

Eli

[HerkyBird]

.308 is cheaper and more available, and M80 is still in production. My M1 will beg etting a 7.62 tube as soon as I can afford to do so!

Eli

Not to be argumentative, but I think that is debatable. Greek HXP is $0.50 per round right now. But it might make your rifle explode. ;) I wouldn't say one is any more or less available than the other, either. The .308/30-06 debate has been waged many times. Any difference is negligible. The .308 mini g conversion, however, is $175 more expensive than a standard mini g conversion. Even more so when you throw in the mag-fed option. You can get approx 350 rds of Greek surplus from the CMP for $175. Just something to think about.

[timshufflin]

Here's some .308 data
150gr bullet has approx velocity of 2800 fps. 2,611 foot pounds of energy 24" barrel
Out o f the Mini-G
barrelAverage FPS 2666
Foot pounds of energy 2368

This is reloaded M80 spec stuff I use.

[timshufflin]

There is also a stick on top of our Mini-G forum with more data.

[dross]

Thanks, and I did read the sticky and it had some good info. If I understand correctly, it sounds like the 30 06 and the 308 have pretty close to the same velocity out of the 16 inch barrel. Do I have that correct?

I was surprised to read the Whelen stats - I figured with the larger diameter the velocity loss would be less.

[timshufflin]

Thanks, and I did read the sticky and it had some good info. If I understand correctly, it sounds like the 30 06 and the 308 have pretty close to the same velocity out of the 16 inch barrel. Do I have that correct?

I was surprised to read the Whelen stats - I figured with the larger diameter the velocity loss would be less.

You are correct, mostly. It really depends on ammo and I didn't use but one type of ammo for my .308 test. I will say, the .308 ammo I did test is what I used to take my 2012 Mule deer. I can shoot that stuff pretty damn far.