308 Winchester Caliber Opinions...

[Daga Boy]

338WM is a great round for big bears here in the States but outside of that the 300WM is more than enough rifle. Now that I have a 9.3x62 I’d rather use that for bear hunts, great round.

Agreed - and I have both ( plus a bunch of other calibres from .22 to .458).

 

[Daga Boy]

Best analogy for the .308 I’ve seen! Love it!

100%. My first .308 ( which was kidnapped by my son, forcing me to buy another one) has accounted for over 100 head of game , from Springbuck to BWB . I would not recommend it for large, thick skinned game like giraffe and buffalo, but it does the job on those too with a well selected and carefully placed bullet. In fact it has accounted for numerous elephant in these parts (in the hands of professional cullers using solids or FMJ rounds). Its as close to perfect as you can get

 

[Vegard S. Pedersen]

I compete in «jaktfelt» with a Tikka T3 tactical in .308. 60cm barrel and GRS Berserk stock. Groups 5 shots in 18mm at 100m with handloads. .308 is the most common moose caliber where I live.

 

[Fastrig]

I compete in «jaktfelt» with a Tikka T3 tactical in .308. 60cm barrel and GRS Berserk stock. Groups 5 shots in 18mm at 100m with handloads. .308 is the most common moose caliber where I live.

View attachment 324211 View attachment 324212

Sweet Rifle!!!

 

[MarkB]

Not sure what all the fuss is about, ford, chevy or dodge? 3006 and 308 are the same thing, superformance or max loaded 308 equals standard 3006, and for many years 3006 did not equal new hot 308 loads. There is no animal on this planet that will know any difference if hit in the correct place with the correct bullet from either round. If you need more power there are lots to choose from. I do not hunt coastal bears with either, have 338 or 375 for that. Personally have lots of 308's, only because I like the short action model 700s and sevens, versatile, light, small, short, very nice handling in the thick stuff and a 20" tube means less on a 308. Can only get close with 3006 guns, not same. But really from a game standpoint both are the same. If you are worried about the power difference you probably should have a bigger cartridge. Just my opinion.

MB

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A few observations on our discussion and a theory...
I find it interesting how almost every public discussion I've ever read about the merits of the .308 inevitably evolves into a discussion of it vs. the 30-06. Reasonable enough, but the presumption made by most if not all .30-06 supporters is bigger/ faster is "better". I submit that is not necessarily so, and depends on perspective, culture and history.

I am writing this from Canada. We, and the entire British commonwealth of nations started out with the .303 British as the standard military cartridge. .303 caliber 150 and 180 grain bullets going a little slower than the the same weight bullets from a .308 were proven to be adequate for any skilled hunter to take any game animal in Canada at reasonable ranges. I am reasonably sure the same was proven in Australia, New Zealand, and for non dangerous game in India and some African countries.

Scandinavia had their 6.5x55. Even milder than the .303, but just as effective on moose. Germany had the 8x57IS, not so different than the .308 with similar bullet weights. Others used the 7x57. Each country had their "standard" that formed a paradigm by which anything else could be compared.

The USA had the .30-06, which had 10% or so more "power" - and once a base line of " adequate " is formed in a culture, it is very difficult to accept anything less is just as good - or better.

For me my first .308 was a small step up in power from the sporterized No. 4 SMLE .303 that I used on my first few hunts. It was all I needed, killed well, cost little, and worked every time. Even on game as big as moose.

Similar experiences happened I'm sure to others who used .303's and 6.5s and 7mm and 8mm former military arms or sporting arms for those cartridges.

Meanwhile, in the USA, the .30-06 was very well established as the standard. Everything had to be compared to it, and when the effective, efficient, accurate, and adequate .308 was introduced as the .30-06 replacement, it was compared, not on its own merits, but against the established paradigm. It came up short.

So today, the .308 is very well regarded as a capable hunting round most places in the world, but in the USA or in places where USA hunters visit often, it doesn't quite measure up to it's older, bigger brother.

To me the .308 remains a "Goldilocks" cartridge. Just right!

Longwalker
I'm from OZ and agree with you. I have killed more game with my old 303 than I have with any other rifle I have owned. Now days I prefer my 25 or 35 cals.
My son has a,Howa 308 and loves it. He took it to Namibia and shot everything with it including Hartman zebra and Oryx. The difference between the 303,308 and 30 ought six is three fifth of five eights of stuff all inside 200yards.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers mate Bob.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Love the .308 family! Grandkids shoot a couple .243, got a 7MM-08 BLR to loan to buddies, and I shoot a Savage 99 in .308 and a re-barreled savage 99PE in .338 Federal quite often. All game takers.

SETH RINGER
you have most bases covered, all you need is a nice BLR,or Savage 99 in 358.
You could go silly and get rid of the 242 and get a nice 25 Souper. A 308 necked to 25 or 243 necked up to 25
Cheers
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I used Gamekings on my Kudu but Sierra Pro Hunter would also work quite well. I also have Load data if you need it

Rob404
That's what I love about the 308 is that standard cup and core bullets work properly because they are within the proper velocity envelope.
If you need more just go to accubonds or others premiums but the old Sierra, corelocked or hornaday will do the job perfectly 90 percent of the time.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

He is half right. It is an excellent all round choice for game up to the size of Zebra at ranges preferably not exceeding 200m - which covers the majority of African plains game hunts.
For long range applications and heavier game several other calibres come into their own.

Daga Boy

Some one forgot to tell my son you need bigger than a 308 for these animals.
Oh well to bad his 308 Did the job. I'm glad no one told him you need a bigger rifle.
Bob

 

[sestoppelman]

Not sure what all the fuss is about, ford, chevy or dodge? 3006 and 308 are the same thing, superformance or max loaded 308 equals standard 3006, and for many years 3006 did not equal new hot 308 loads. There is no animal on this planet that will know any difference if hit in the correct place with the correct bullet from either round. If you need more power there are lots to choose from. I do not hunt coastal bears with either, have 338 or 375 for that. Personally have lots of 308's, only because I like the short action model 700s and sevens, versatile, light, small, short, very nice handling in the thick stuff and a 20" tube means less on a 308. Can only get close with 3006 guns, not same. But really from a game standpoint both are the same. If you are worried about the power difference you probably should have a bigger cartridge. Just my opinion.

MB

Well but again,, if you are talking ONLY factory loads, sure, very little difference in reality. Load both to max in the same rifle, considerable difference.

 

[sestoppelman]

I hope to pick up today at my dealer, a 1967 Remington 700 ADL in guess what caliber? Yep, the shrimpy little .308 Win. Its the same exact model and vintage of my first big game bolt rifle that I had in Alaska in 1968. I mentioned it earlier I think. I will post a pic either today or tomorrow.

 

[MarkB]

Well but again,, if you are talking ONLY factory loads, sure, very little difference in reality. Load both to max in the same rifle, considerable difference.

Yes was only talking about factory, todays factory loads are far faster and hit way harder than same calibers did yesteryear, and lets not talk newer class bullets. Both still kill today. In my opinion reloads or factory both the 3006 and 308 are the same. There is no specie on the planet that will know which one they just died from. Bullet placement counts not the few extra ft lbs of energy the 3006 has.

Now rifles in 308 and 3006 are NOT the same. Small light short action 6lb 20" barrel in 308 cannot be duplicated in 3006.

MB

 

[sestoppelman]

Agree that in most cases the killing power is not much different, but that's not to say they are the same. They are not the same. One is more powerful than the other. How important that is, is debatable, but facts are facts.
The .30-06 is more powerful than the .308. Just like the .280 Rem is more powerful than the 7x57 and the .300 Win mag more powerful than the .30-06 etc etc.

 

[curtism1234]

Agree that in most cases the killing power is not much different, but that's not to say they are the same. They are not the same. One is more powerful than the other. How important that is, is debatable, but facts are facts.
The .30-06 is more powerful than the .308. Just like the .280 Rem is more powerful than the 7x57 and the .300 Win mag more powerful than the .30-06 etc etc.

Agreed. I've shot 5-6 deer / antelope with the 308 and 5-6 with the the 30-06. All were shoulder shots. The 30-06 put them all down where they stood (a couple standing in one spot doing circles). The 308 tends to have 50% run off 50-100 yards before they fall.

No big deal right? I took the heart right out of a big whitetail last year and hit shoulders. He ran hard for 100 yards. There was 1 drop of blood where he was hit - that was all. I had to do a body search. Luckily I found him. Perfect shot with a very good Sierra bullet.

I have no doubt the 30-06 would have made it easier on me.

Now of course there are some tradeoffs. My 308 Browning BLR weights less than 7 1/2 pounds with scope. The same rifle would weigh close to 9 pounds in the same rifle and many long action wood stock rifles. So I think the 308 is obviously a good round and make a nice compact rifle. It does lack just a touch of knock down.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I took the heart right out of a big whitetail last year and hit shoulders. He ran hard for 100 yards. There was 1 drop of blood where he was hit - that was all. I had to do a body search. Luckily I found him.mPerfect shot with a very good Sierra bullet.

Is this 165gr Gameking? I’ve had this exact thing happen on a number of pigs I’ve shot with this bullet.

 

[curtism1234]

Is this 165gr Gameking? I’ve had this exact thing happen on a number of pigs I’ve shot with this bullet.

Yes sir

It is a highly regarded bullet and weight so I bought about 10 boxes.

They will perfectly mushroom with almost 100% weight retention and get lodged on the opposite side. If they do make it through, the exit hole is about 1/2" but it seems to almost seal itself up and it's hard to see. Internal damage seems to be about an inch in diameter

On one hand, it is textbook perfect. On the other hand,

Other 308 bullets I have hunted with are the 150 and 180 grain coreloct spire points. I shot a whitetail doe in the shoulder with the 180's before. She took off running about 50 yards spewing blood everywhere. Surprised me she ran

As I said, there seems to something about the 308 that causes some animals to run when you would think they would be floored. Could be the 150's are better

 

[sestoppelman]

Well a day late! UPS didn't show till late yesterday, so snagged it today. Rifle looks really good inside and out. Most probably have no idea how hard it is to find this particular rifle in .308 with 22" barrel in this vintage. Took me 5 years to snag one after a couple of failed attempts. I would rate it at about 90 percent which for a 1967 rifle is really good.
Snapped this today.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Yes sir

It is a highly regarded bullet and weight so I bought about 10 boxes.

They will perfectly mushroom with almost 100% weight retention and get lodged on the opposite side. If they do make it through, the exit hole is about 1/2" but it seems to almost seal itself up and it's hard to see. Internal damage seems to be about an inch in diameter

On one hand, it is textbook perfect. On the other hand,

Other 308 bullets I have hunted with are the 150 and 180 grain coreloct spire points. I shot a whitetail doe in the shoulder with the 180's before. She took off running about 50 yards spewing blood everywhere. Surprised me she ran

As I said, there seems to something about the 308 that causes some animals to run when you would think they would be floored. Could be the 150's are better

So far I’ve shot a few dozen heads of game with this projectile (Red, Fallow and Roe deer and European Boar and feral pigs in OZ). Every single one was a one shot kill (lung shots) and about half ran around 50m. Often with very little blood trail. Like you said the entry/exit wounds seem to almost seal. This does not include Roe, they always went down instantly. On Boar shot at short distances (under 30m) core and jacket often seperate but this is after lungs are already damaged.

I’ve actually swapped to the new 165gr Sierra TGK now. I’ve only shot a few Roe with it so far and am yet to recover a bullet. 308 is an overkill on Roe so with my limited experience I haven’t noticed any performance difference as yet but reports from other users seem to indicate it is a tougher projectile. Info from Sierra indicates they tested it up to Weatherby magnum velocities.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Are you talking about the hollow point or soft point game king?

 

[Opposite Pole]

Are you talking about the hollow point or soft point game king?

soft point