308 Winchester Caliber Opinions...

[MS Hitman]

I like the round and currently own one in a Ruger American that I have taken several deer with it. This rifle likes the 168 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.

 

[Daga Boy]

I own more than half a dozen hunting rifles. Some are better than others for particular applications; however the .308 remains my "go to" for all close to medium range applications not involving large, thick skinned beasts like Giraffe and provided there are no buffalo or other big nasties which might have a go at us.
It is also what I advise most people to buy as their first (and potentially only) hunting rifle.
If you adjust the loads according to the application then its very hard to beat as a general purpose hunting rifle.

 

[curtism1234]

I own more than half a dozen hunting rifles. Some are better than others for particular applications; however the .308 remains my "go to" for all close to medium range applications

This is exactly why I have the 308, though mine is a Browning BLR : as light as a 30-30, as quick on a follow up shot as a 30-30, but 400fps faster and 600 ft/lbs harder.

 

[sgt_zim]

This is exactly why I have the 308, though mine is a Browning BLR : as light as a 30-30, as quick on a follow up shot as a 30-30, but 400fps faster and 600 ft/lbs harder.

Looking at a Savage 99 in 300 Savage at GB right now. Looking at it HARD for only $400.

 

[curtism1234]

Looking at a Savage 99 in 300 Savage at GB right now. Looking at it HARD for only $400.

Another good close-mid range rifle and cartridge.

By no means am I dissing the 30-30, but it is most effective at 150 yards and under. Even at 150 yards, it's unlikely to drop an animal on the spot (which may be required in the rain, by property lines, etc).

The 30-30 is a great woods gun (maybe the best aside from the 35), but sometimes you want to hunt the highline cut or field in the afternoon.

 

[Von S.]

The 308 is most certainly not a darling of any handloader who believes that he is going to hot rod it as the factory loads are already at about the limit.

It can be most assuridly be one hell of an accurate round in the right rifle.I can hit things at really stupid ranges with one but I honestly wouldn't attempt to drop a deer much more than 400 yards, probably a bit less as hitting and killing aren't necessarily the same thing.

 

[sgt_zim]

Another good close-mid range rifle and cartridge.

By no means am I dissing the 30-30, but it is most effective at 150 yards and under. Even at 150 yards, it's unlikely to drop an animal on the spot (which may be required in the rain, by property lines, etc).

The 30-30 is a great woods gun (maybe the best aside from the 35), but sometimes you want to hunt the highline cut or field in the afternoon.

I have other guns for when a long shot might be appropriate.

 

[bruce moulds]

experience with the 308 and the 30/06 has shown that the latter has a noticeable edge in trajectory, and hence point blank zero.
150 gn and lighter bullets put the two a lot closer than heavier bullets in this respect.
horses for courses.
bruce.

 

[Gregjr]

In the right hands, the 308 is deadly for close to medium range hunting. Mount a right scope on it and you're ready to hit the target!
By the way if you're interested, I compiled a list of the best scopes you could get for 308 . Would love to know your opinions on the same.

 

[Ray B]

I compiled a list of the best scopes you could get for 308 . Would love to know your opinions on the same.

I haven't seen your list, but I suspect it differs from mine. My preference is for scopes that have no internal movement. As such they are fixed power and externally adjustable. the mounts that I prefer are those that are fixed without Quick detachable features. However by most scope makers marketing, I'm about 60 years behind, but that's my preference.

 

[Gregjr]

I haven't seen your list, but I suspect it differs from mine. My preference is for scopes that have no internal movement. As such they are fixed power and externally adjustable. the mounts that I prefer are those that are fixed without Quick detachable features. However by most scope makers marketing, I'm about 60 years behind, but that's my preference.

By some reason i can't share the link to my article (guess its because I'm a new member here).

You're correct! I prefer QD mounts and variable power scopes. Some of my all time favs are Nikon M, Crossfire II and PA 1-6x24.

 

[Fastrig]

I own more than half a dozen hunting rifles. Some are better than others for particular applications; however the .308 remains my "go to" for all close to medium range applications not involving large, thick skinned beasts like Giraffe and provided there are no buffalo or other big nasties which might have a go at us.
It is also what I advise most people to buy as their first (and potentially only) hunting rifle.
If you adjust the loads according to the application then its very hard to beat as a general purpose hunting rifle.

Couldn't agree with you more on the 308 win. I've got two 308's and both are extremely accurate, very flexible by switching loads (168 and 185 grains are my preferred), and good for most game in the States, though I wouldn't be going after big bear with it. Great GP rifle. For Africa, or any place with big bears, I'd prefer a heavier caliber "just in case" something with an attitude showed up on the scene. 308 ammo is cheap which is another plus if you just want to go to the range and enjoy a day of "shooting". Have a new 9.3x62 though that is quickly becoming my favorite rifle for places I'd prefer a bit more power, i.e. Africa and bear country.

 

[Fastrig]

Lots of people don't like .308 Win and 30-06 because they aren't "sexy" flat-shooters. As I always say, it doesn't really matter because if the shooter isn't practicing at long range, past 300 yards, a flat-shooting magnum isn't going to get him anything he doesn't already get with those two non-magnum 30 cals. I don't believe I'd want to put anything heavier than 180 gr in a .308 Win, and I'd be more than fine with a 200 or 220 gr in a 30-06. And anything inside 200 yards is a chip-shot for any of them with pretty much any bullet.

Give the Federal 185 grain rounds a go some time...400 yards is about as far as I could go out in the areas I've had access to shoot, and this round is very accurate at that distance. The ought-six is definitely better any heavier than this.

 

[sgt_zim]

Couldn't agree with you more on the 308 win. I've got two 308's and both are extremely accurate, very flexible by switching loads (168 and 185 grains are my preferred), and good for most game in the States, though I wouldn't be going after big bear with it. Great GP rifle. For Africa, or any place with big bears, I'd prefer a heavier caliber "just in case" something with an attitude showed up on the scene. 308 ammo is cheap which is another plus if you just want to go to the range and enjoy a day of "shooting". Have a new 9.3x62 though that is quickly becoming my favorite rifle for places I'd prefer a bit more power, i.e. Africa and bear country.

Don't know if I pointed out on this thread or another, but the nice thing about 9.3x62 250 gr and 308 W 180 gr...BCs for those bullets are generally pretty close, as is MV. Sight them both in at 200 yds, they'll both get you to about 250 or 260 for deer-sized game without adjusting for holdover. Their ballistic arcs are as close to being an exact match as you will ever find.

 

[bruce moulds]

30/30, 300 savage, and 308 win are both good cartridges where they suit.
but the 30/06 overshadows them both in versatility and trajectory.
bruce

 

[sgt_zim]

Depends on how well a given 30-06 rifle shoots a given bullet at a given velocity. Best case, with 180 gr bullets, is about 150 fps faster in the '06. But...there is quite a bit of overlap in the reloading tables for those 2 cartridges in every manual I own (Nosler, Hornady, Swift, Woodleigh, Norma, Western Powders, Barnes, and Lyman).

For a 180 NP, as one example, with MV of 2575 vs 2725, there's a 15 yd difference in MPBR for deer-sized game.

308W and 30-06 are considerably closer in performance that most people realize.

 

[Fastrig]

Depends on how well a given 30-06 rifle shoots a given bullet at a given velocity. Best case, with 180 gr bullets, is about 150 fps faster in the '06. But...there is quite a bit of overlap in the reloading tables for those 2 cartridges in every manual I own (Nosler, Hornady, Swift, Woodleigh, Norma, Western Powders, Barnes, and Lyman).

For a 180 NP, as one example, with MV of 2575 vs 2725, there's a 15 yd difference in MPBR for deer-sized game.

308W and 30-06 are considerably closer in performance that most people realize.

I’ve own both, hunted with both, and IMO both are two of the best GP rifle calibers ever created. Agree with your assessment. They are basically interchangeable inside 300 yards or so for most game. If you need a heavier grain round for something then the ought-six is the obvious choice, but most of the time 150-185 grain in either one is plenty within the 300 mark. Whichever one you shoot the best is always the correct choice to take to the field and either will serve most hunters well, again IMO.

 

[Daga Boy]

.308 is an excellent all round cartridge for all African game up to the size of Kudu , BWB, etc.
It can be used on heavier game, but then range, bullet selection and shot placement all become critical. NOTE: A little known fact is that this calibre was previously widely used for elephant culling!
My "go to" .308 has taken over 100 animals ranging from springbuck to BWB at ranges from less than 10 to about 400m. I mostly use it at bush ranges loaded with quality 180grn bullets (have also used 200grn with good effect), but for mountain and desert applications I use 150-165grn non bonded bullets. With an appropriate rifle, scope and ammo combo it an be used effectively out to about 400yds on small to medium game and out to about 1000yds (and more) on paper or gongs. Scope choice depends on application. My son and I both use 3-9x scopes on our .308's for bush and savannah applications; however higher magnification target type scopes (up to 16 or even 20x ) are better for target shooting and open country applications. I use steel mounts and do not use QD's on this calibre as there is no need, and its just another thing to go wrong.

 

[Daggaboy375]

I have a baby 308 ( 300 BO )
A real 308 ( 308 win )
A manly 308 ( 30-06 )
And a reach out and touch 308 ( 300 Win Mag )

Same car different engine. Always pokes holes in the right places.

I just started playing with 6.5 CM. The Dark Side.

 

[CBH Australia]

It’s popular in Australia. We can have bolt actions , pump actions and lever actions in .308 no semi autos for hunters now.

I’ve had 3 bolt action sporters and currently use the Tikka T3 for hunting.

It’s used on targets and some long range steel plate shooting events, it is capable.

I would like a cartridge or more so a hunting rifle chambered in. Cartridge that I feel or see has a bit more prestigious reputation some people refer to the .270 as the venerable .270, I really like the 7mm-08. but the .308 works.

I’ve shot plenty of pigs, foxes, some goats and feral cats with it and others .

In Australia the .223 and .308 may be the more common chamberings with .243 and .22-250 in the mix.

We have plenty of options but these are common and ammo is found in all good Gunshop’s at affordable pricing because it’s volume of turnover.