What is the better stopping round, 30-06 or 308?

Question

Up thru Viet Nam, the 30-06 was used as a sniper round. Now the .308 is the primary. I know the .308 is flatter trajectory but is the 30-06 has more energy. Any body have a favorite of the 2?

I own and shoot a very fine example of a M1 Springfield Garand.

Answer 1

06 having a higher terminal energy would have a greater stopping power in theory. But in practice anyone hit by a sniper round is going to be dead most of the time because of shot placement. Stopping power is more of a factor in a close combat weapon.

Answer 2

The very first rifle I ever shot in my life was a 30-06 and I killed a chicken (it was too sick to eat or save the eggs) at 100 yards. I was 5 years old and yea it kicked me to the ground. Sense then, I have developed a love for the Remington 700 which is a 308. I shot at a target the size of a man's heart at 230 yards and hit it 2 out of 3 times. It was much lighter than I remembered the 30-06 was but then, that 30-06 was 45 years ago and the 700 Rem. was in 2003.

I think I'd pick the 308 but with a little heavier stock. This one I shot had a synthetic black stock and it was just too light.

Answer 3

I'm a fan of the .308 personally. They both are VERY similar and can be found at almost any hunting store in abundancy. The only decent advantage to the .30-06 really is that they come in a larger range of grain sizes, and can get up to higher grains that the .308 which will pack slightly more punch. Other than that, personal choice I would say.

Basically, the .308 is a short action version of the .30-06.

Answer 4

The .308 was used in Vietnam as the predominant sniper round.

The 30-06 is bigger, more powerful and has more terminal energy but the recoil hurts. After shooting many rounds like this you start to anticipate and flinch among other problems.

The .308 is smaller and one can carry more rounds and as a NATO round, it simplifies the logistics.

I have three long range weapons. They utilize .308, 7mm Magnum and the .50 cal.

All fine weapons, the only 30-06 I have is a Garand.

Answer 5

Part of the problem with the 06 was it's high muzzle velocity. It wouldn't tumble when it hit a human target and often would pass right through the enemy. The shock was still strong but would often pass right through without doing substantial harm. That is one of the reasons why the US went to the M16, a small caliber with sufficient muzzle velocity to enter the body but still tumble.

But I'll still take my old Garand any day. Like its supreme range. I use to compete in service rifle matches at 1000 yards and had no trouble hitting the target. And never had a malfunction.,

Answer 6

well frist off great question. for sniping .308 hands down
1. flatter trajectory
2. you can find match grade ammo
3. its a nato round so you can find it pretty common in battlefield conditions

now on the other hand i hunt deer and elk so i would go with the 30-06 but i truly prefer the 7mm rem mag. just great knock down power

Answer 7

From what I've read (not having fired either), the .30-06 has better stopping power because of the higher energy.

Answer 8

both are good "knock down" rounds..308 with it's flatter trajectory is preferred due to the ease of range correction during follow-up shots.(just my opinion)

Answer 9

"06 hands down!!!