Sniper Country Duty Roster collective wisdom
30-06 VS .308:
I am looking for information on using a .30-06 for
sniping. I know the most popular rounds are the .308, .300 WIN Mag, and
.50 BMG, but why isn't there much mentioned on the .30-06? It has ballistics
similar to the .300 WIN Mag, with less recoil. Please send your responses
and give me any info you have. I currently have an old M1903-A3 fitted
with a synthetic stock and a 4-12X50 with BDC. The rifle is a tack driver.
James R <JRRSLLR@AOL.COM>
FL USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 00:00:24 (EST)
James R,
If you go back into the archives you will find pages of discussion
on the 06 vs the 08 and I think you will find that the 308 wins hands down
for many reasons butd if you have an 06 it will make a fine "Sniper" rifle
for you.
Pat <mrbullet@hotmail.com>
USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 07:37:46 (EST)
The 30-06; Ah what a great rifle in 03 springfield. It will never
go out of favor with me. Most moderns have gone to the 30-06 short. (sometimes
called .308 nato or a variation .308 Winchester) and are perfectly happy.
There was a guy once who used a 30-06 in Winchester MOdel 70. another fine
old piece and did quite well as a sniper with it or so the legend goes.
IT is said in some circles that it's day is done and that may be so. Like
old legends it will eventually wind up in the museums but the 30-06 is
hard to beat. You will hear how it is not as accurate as .308 but it is
a matter of loading and design I suspect. We've been through the contraversy
to many times. Check the archives for the discussions. It is a wonder to
me that no one has ever built a action that feeds and loads as good as
a Sprinfield. All other rifles are wannabees in my book. Give it modern
steel and new bedding designs and what else would you want. I need to shut
up now!
B.Rogers <brogers@elkhart.com>
USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 08:45:42 (EST)
The great 30-06 vs 308 debate. Someone made the claim that according
to the duty roster archives, the 308 wins hands down. I think the jury
is still out on that one. Just because a bunch of guys here say so doesnt
make it true.
On the 03 Springfield. I have a few, If I didnt like them I would
not have bought the second one. I have had parts break on them. 2 ejectors
to be exact. I have heard that the firing pin design is not the best. The
best thing about the Springfield or any other popular mil-surp rifle is
that the parts that are prone to breakage can be picked up at gunshows
for next to nothing and can be replaced by the home gunsmith. I have had
little parts break on M700's and M70's and the wait to get replacement
parts can take months. 2YK can be expected to delay this downtime even
more. A functioning Springfield beats a non functioning Remington, Winchester,
or Savage any old day. I have never had anything break on a Mauser yet,
but I am ready for the day that it happens, if I live that long.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 18:04:39 (EST)
Steve (nato@bright.net)
You should read the article titled "Accuracy Facts: The .308 versus
the .30-06 "
It's found in "Articles and Commentary" on Snipercountry's website.
Then tell us what you think about it.
Ken <kknjoey@webzone.net>
Broken Arrow, OK USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 20:35:35 (EST)
Ken,
I have re-read the article that you mentioned for the umpteenth
time just for you. And I have the same thoughts about it now as I had 3
years ago. Some of the statements the author made are untrue and others
are misleading.
If you are comparing Lake City Match ammo in 7.62 vs 30 cal. Some
of what the author says is true. Air space in a cartridge does not help
things as far as accuracy is concerned. The powder used in the .30 cal
was selected to function in an M1 and if the burning rate of the powder
was slower in would have filled the case better but would have created
excessive port pressure in the M1. The same powder in a 308 fills the case
and this is the reason that Lake City 7.62 is more accurate than Lake City
30-06. This is no reason to condem the 30-06 and a bolt gunner does not
have to use medium burning powder. In all the tests and target groups the
author mentioned there is not one word of the actual loads used. Furthermore,
Lake City 30 cal has never been loaded with the 168 Sierra bullet. It has
always used the 172 gr. To comapare Lake city 7.62 with the 168 gr. Sierra
with Lake city .30 cal using the 172 gr. is also an unfair comparison.
I could go on quite a bit more, but I think that this is enough
for you to chew on for a while.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 21:44:14 (EST)
Steve...
Your comments about the .306 vs .30-06 are very well made.
It's unrealistic to compare the two, unless they're both being shot
witn current barrels, powders, and bullets... under those condx, I doubt
if there would be an important difference, and that difference might go
either way.
Pablito <condor@mags.net>
USA - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 22:47:34 (EST)
My 2 cents on 30.06
Did't Carlos win at Camp Parry in the 60's with a Win 30.06.
LeMay OUT
LeMay <lemayj@mdot.state.mi.us>
MI USA - Thursday, January 14, 1999 at 16:26:29 (EST)
Also I believe that Carlos won that competition in the 60's with
a .300 win mag. Tell me if I'm wrong. Open for comments here.
LeRoy <leroy.brown@MCI2000.com>
Lawson, Mo USA - Friday, January 15, 1999 at 01:06:30 (EST)
I believe Carlos did use a 300 win in that match but ain't absolutely
sure. But he could have won with a 30-06 if it has the same stuff we do
to rifles to clean them up these days. Ain't nothing magic about a 30-06
case. He is said to have used the 30-06 for most of his work in Vietnam.
B.Rogers <brogers@elkhart.com>
USA - Friday, January 15, 1999 at 05:07:40 (EST)
For Gunny Hathcock's fans, he took the 1000 yard match at Camp Perry
in 65 with a 300 mag, scoped bolt gun. The day before this he got a sliver
metal for the National Match course with a M1 (30-06) also went distinguished
with that match. In RVN he used a 30-06 on his first tour and a 308 on
his secound.
Pat II
Lakin <nrdwr.plakin@state.ut.us>
north of area 51 N.M., UT, USA - Sunday, January 17, 1999 at 01:22:44
(GMT)
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