.308 vs .30-06 - Best for Big Game? BALLISTIC GEL TEST 

I'm a diehard 30-06 guy myself. I've hunted with the same rifle for over 30 years. It's never let me down once.

30-06 for 43 years now. It’s taken bear, elk, mule deer, sheep, pronghorn, whitetail, assorted varmints, pig, and on and on. I hand load for the animal from 220 gr down to 125 gr and all in between. You cannot do that with a .308. Many cartridges shoot softer than the ‘06 including the .308 and are touted as “superior” but there is NO cartridge that is as versatile as the 30-06 and when properly hand loaded, is the equal to many. Goodness knows it seems to be the round everything else is compared to.

These showdowns are always fun. The verdict: We need one of each

Hunting as a child in Wyoming I had my dads 30-06 winchester. We hunted deer and elk. My dad loved the heart meat. So we shot our game in the neck. We learned where to target our rounds by cutting up our own game. Dad was an engineer he served in WWII as a major in the Army Corps of Engineers. He was very particular about validating bullet performance at ranges from 50 yards out to 500 yards. Dad was a stickler at wind direction msking sure we were always up wind. We tracked our quary and stayed in the tree line. Until we got with the 200 yard range of our deer and elk. I learned a lot from dad. We always had lots of elk and deer in the fridge. Which we shared with our friends and neighbors. My mother was there showing how to cook the meat so it was flavorful and tender. Dad was slways look up at for his knowledge. It was not until shoryly before he died thst I found out he was the first to enter the NAZI concentration camps. Disarming the explosives the SS set under the jews. The greatest generation. 4:29

Mark, you and Ryan are nailing this. Smooth, clean, clear, concise, and on point. Well done!

The 30-06 is just a cool cartridge. Amazing history, huge bullet selection, and extremely effective.

I think you should have used the same grainweight in both.

It would have been nice to see the same projectile to be used in both cartridges so you can see the performance difference apples to apples.

Townsend Whelen said .30-06 is never a mistake.

I'm sure we all knew that the 30-06 was going to penetrate further, but I had no idea that it would penetrate THAT much further! I'm impressed.

That slow-mo shot of the copper exiting the gel was fantastic

I've used both for the last 30 years. They have been flawless. Learn your cartridges and run with it.

I'd say it's more of a tie. If you don't mind the recoil then the 30-06 is just better

I get that only factory offerings where being compared here, but really versatility should have at a minimum been a draw. Any bullet weight the 308 can shoot, so can the 06, including the 110 grain bullets. If you you factor in what you guy's said, that the 06 handles the heavier bullets more effectively, then really the 06 should have won the versatile category. Love the video though!

Tremendous video series! Thanks for all the hard work you put into this!

I don’t know if y’all hired a new producer or what but these new videos have been a big step up. I really appreciate the little bits through out, really brings up the entertainment value.

As a solo hunter, the 308 is much more manageable, especially with semi-auto rifles. I have a BAR in 308. I enjoy carrying this rifle so much in the field; I am prepared for any game, including the dangerous ones, to pop into a close encounter suddenly. It's very comfy and accurate, especially without scope, just like my 30/30-another versatile round.

Personally I think the performance difference between the two lies at ranges beyond 350-400 yards. All things being equal with respect to bullet weight, composition, and construction, the 30-06 simply has more gas in the tank, and so pushes the ethical mean point blank range just a little further out. When you introduce hand loading the differences become even more distinct with heavier projectiles. To pick a clear “winner” is difficult, as there needs to be a strong consideration for the task at hand, as both rounds are more than capable for most game species inside 400 yards. So as with many, my chief consideration will have more to do with the platform most appropriate for where I’m hunting, as weight, terrain, and the distances I anticipate on encountering become the deciding factors on what I will bring into the field.

You would think these comparisons would get old, but y’all made it very entertaining and interesting. Great job!

I shot the M1903 (modified in 1906) 30-06 on the military range when I was in the Corps. I was able to reach 500 yards with the old iron sights. However, I don't believe I could do that as a senior without a scope.

I have always thought of .30-06 for pushing grain weights of 200 or so for those who did not want a .300 Win Mag. But .308 is so practical and has also killed just about every game animal out there. And it does have a managable recoil and so a shooter can get comfortable and good at it. And .308 with shorter barrel length was a smidge more maneuverable. a 16 or 20 inch barrel will get you to about 600 yards fairly well.

Thank you Men. Appreciate the format of the ballistic gel tests. Looking forward to future installments. Please include a 280 Remington vs 280 Remington AI in a future ballistics gel test.

Love the ten minute talks I’ve learned a lot from you guys, keep ‘em coming!

Can you guys please do a 300 win mag video and a 7mm rem magnum talk please !!!!!!!!! Love listening to you guys while at work!… keep it up the great content

I love both calibers, and, like a discussion on which tool is the best, with every factor that can be considered, it is really going to come down to application and personal preference. I'm excited to watch the episode when it comes out.

The 30-06 is the undisputed all around game king cartridge. I used it for the first 28 years of my hunting life. Finally, I went to a 300 win mag but I still miss the 30-06.. there's reasons why marine snipers in world War II were shooting 1 mile kill shots with the 06.. you guys are making up the figures on the unique loadings for the 06, I loaded everything from 110 grain Hornady amax all the way up to 220 grain Sierra match King in mine. At least 70 different loadings..

Harry was a guy I worked with and hunted with in Oklahoma. He and I had the 30-06 vs 308 discussion many times. I would point out the ballistics were better on a 308, he would say "yes, but if you go hunting and forget your ammo you can stop in at any Wal Mart and get 30-06 - not so with 308. So when I bought my first deer rifle 15 years ago I got it in 30-06. 12 deer later it's getting the job done, although I find there's less tracking with the 180 gr bullets as opposed to the 150 gr bullets.

I have rifles chambered in both calibers and they are comparable but useful in different ways. Realistically the 30-06 is virtually tied with the .308 in accessibility, no real edge to the .308. In terms of a hunting cartridge, hands down the 30-06 takes the edge. Especially when you give more weight to the attributes that really matter most for hunting, wound channel+penetration, as well as wind drift…winner 30-06

Love these new videos keep them coming!!!

You have a great head to head format going here. A few ideas for upcoming projects. 450 Marlin vs 45-70 .204 vs .22-250 .243 vs 6 Creedmoor 17 Hornet vs 17 WSM 17 HMR vs .22 Mag .17 HM2 vs .22 LR .22 Hornet vs 17 Hornet. 7-08 vs .308 9mm- .40 SW 357 vs .44 Mag. .338 Rum vs .338 Lapua ………. You get the idea.😊

Love your work, gents! Wanted to share: A friend and I went hunting for Russian Boar at Tioga Ranch in PA end of April 2023. I used my 7mag but my buddy used my M700 in 30-06, using the exact same Federal Blue Box Powershock 180 grain rounds you're testing here. One shot on his hog, about 220 pounds, anchored it. The damage was absolutely devastating, the entire thoracic cavity looked like it went through a blender, and the bullet managed to exit on the far side of the animal. I did NOT expect such performance out of Federal 180 grain blue box ammo.

Holy cow, y’all did it again! Can’t wait to see results..😃👍

The test I wanted to see and didn't even know it! I moved on from the .308 to 30-06 last year and have enjoyed the change. I never had an issue with the .308, just wanted something new.

Hopefully Mark will speak up and we get 300wsm vs 300winmag next and if not that maybe 6.5 prc vs 270win

Great video! Keep em coming!

Thanks, guys. Love the video 🙂

In factory loads, same bullet from the same manufacturer (say 150gr Winchester PowerPoint) the 06 typically has 75-125fps advantage. So out to 400 yards, can't imagine there is much difference. Now, 06 has the advantage of powder capacity for when shooting 180gr and up.

Thanks for the comparison video. If I ever lost my 30-06 and all my stock-piled 30-06 ammo in a boating accident, I might consider replacing it with the more popular 308.

Loving this new format!!!

I'm watching this episode and noticed when you talked about bullet selection between the two that you must not be consisting reload options as with 30-06 there is published load data from 110 grain up to 220 grain. I have personally loaded 110 grain v max to velocity of 3400 fps and put them at times through the same hole @ 100 yds. The only beneficial difference I see in 308 is 1- less recoil 2- less powder to be used per cartridge. Both are so capable that for me it is a toss up in preference. Like your show.

This series is amazing! I'd love to see the 220 Swift vs 22-250

I am a .308 guy. I like the smaller recoil. try the 165 gr sst in the .308 for deer. So effective. If you love the 30-06 try the 35 whelen.

I purchased a new Savage weather warrior in 30-06 a couple years ago and a Leupold 3 x 9 scope to sit on top. I need to purchase base and rings still to marry the two. This podcast is just what I need to get my juices flowing again for my 06 project.

Nice job, really good work.

Nothing is more versatile than the 3006, period.

Would love to see the 7 Rem. Mag vs the 280AI

I love the new podcast. I would love to see you pit the 45-70 government vs 450 bushmaster vs 12 ga sabot slug

Wished you had tried with terminal accent. That is copper shank and bonded lead. I hear they are amazing

My all-time two favorite rounds. 308 because my grandpa gave me a Winchester 88 in 308 when I was 9, and 30-06 because my uncle who took me hunting all the time, and loved and used the 30-06. I get warm fuzzies whenever I load up either, thinking about the family history

Both are great cartridges. Just curious as to why you didn't use the same bullet weights in both? They are available, seems it would have been a more even comparison, especially on the gel. A 180 will definitely penetrate more than a 150, with a bigger wound channel.

Awesome content, would love to have seen what you guys could have achieved experimenting with powder and high BC,etc.. (self loading the ultimate bullet/cartridge combo.

Great video! Hope you could do an episode comparing the 260 Remington and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Maybe a 300 RUM vs a 300 PRC.

You can also shoot 110 gr bullets from the 06.now I understand the 308 is becoming more popular than the 06 and that you can have it in a lighter rifle.the little more performance I get from my 06 makes it my choice over any other cartridge. I used to favor rems big 7 and though it outshines the 06 in most areas the 06 is still more versatile and ammo is more readily available and cheaper.ill take my 708 over the 308 also.the 308 is a fantastic cartridge no doubt about it.great video guys

30-06 vs 300 win mag or short mag or both. I already know the outcome but hey would be fun with heavy and light bullets.

Love the production quality

Good job nice seeing you again Ryan

My argument for the 30-06 is it gives you a bit more options when it comes to different types of hunting. More than enough for the deer woods but very capable on elk. With the same grain bullet it outcompetes the 308 in velocity and if you hand load you could load down to 308 levels for a lighter shooting rifle. I think it sits perfectly between the 308 and the 300 winmag!

Definitely should’ve used the same bullet out of both cartridges! Give us an apples to apples comparison. Especially since both cartridges are capable of shooting the exact same bullet.

Awesome great job guys .

Thanks guys. I'm really enjoying these videos.

Y'all are zeroing in on a fantastic video format. The camera angles are great. A touch less background music would suit my taste better. Keep these coming!

During the recent shortage, there were times when I couldn't find .308 anywhere. As for .30-06, even though it got to be exorbitantly expensive, I was *always* able to find it. "Case closed" as far as I'm concerned

Excellent quality video, lighting and photography top notch. The really only difference is the 1/2" case length advantage of the 30-06. The 06 will shine with a slower powder, heavier bullet and longer barrel for larger North American animals (and your shoulder will immediately feel it). For deer, the .308 or 6.5 CR is excellent.

That was pretty cool. Do more!

😁 Thank You For Putting On This Series! 🥳 What I Am Hoping People Get Out Of This Is: 1.) People Realize That You Don't Need a Magnum To Kill Any North America Big Game Species (Except As Recommended For Grizzly 🐻's)! 2.) That Bullet Selection Is More Important Than Caliber - Again, "No Magnum Necessary"! 3.) That Copper Bullets Are Very Affordable, But Still Can Provide Some Of The Best And "More Than Adequate" Penetration On Big Animals! THANKS AGAIN FOR PROVIDING THESE VISUAL AIDS! GOOD JOB GUYS! 👍 WELL DONE! 👏👏👏

.308 came out on top but this makes me want a .30-06 hunting rifle so much more haha. The versatility and accessibility seem irrelevant between these 2 in particular. Great video guys!

Great work thanks

Great video! Thank you guys! I’d really love to such a comparison between 6.5 PRC vs .308 specially copper and CX bullets!

Assuming two things, it's no contest. 30-06 wins hands down. At worst it's a tie. First assumption, you handload and your rifle isn't junk. Load the 06 to the same pressure that the newer .308 is loaded to. The only reason the smaller cartridge can compete ballistically with the larger, is the pressure ceilings are different. Keep your Garand and M95 away from those loads and all is well. The second assumption is that you know how to properly operate the action of your rifle. Anyone that short strokes a 1/2" longer cartridge, is not operating the rifle correctly. There might be a slim advantage for a short cartridge in target games, but not in the game field.

Always a vortex fan but this series is pure genuis

Great job, but really should have had equal weight bullets for test. But I agree, both very good choices.

Thanks for the video

Both of the cartridges should be tested with equal bullet weights. I'm sure there would have been fewer differences between either loads .

Good test, but you should have used identical bullets AND bullet weights. I think you would have gotten much closer results in the gel test, with the 30.06 wound cavity being slightly larger with maybe even LESS penetration. Heavier slower bullets penetrate deeper to a point. There is no doubt in my mind that the 30.06 is superior to 308, but depending on what you're using them on any comparison could be moot, like stepping on a bug with a size 7 shoe versus a size 10 shoe.

"Barely"!! 😂😂😂 Entertaining and at least for me, very educational videos guys. Thanks so much!

I’d like to suggest to revise the comparison to segment for application/game size, and do the scoring on a 5 point scale. It’s tough to say that .308 outright beats .30-06 in a category like accessibility, whereas it’s more like .308 is a 5/5 and .30-06 is 4.5/5. Absolutely love this content…Keep it going!!!

Great video guys. I always look forward to new releases. I like the .308 for it’s lower recoil and almost identical performance. The .30-06 is a great cartridge, but the .308 wins for me.

308 can’t push a 215 berger hybrid at 2800+ with RL-26. 30-06 can. Game over

Thoughts on 45-70 and other big thumping cartridges shooting all copper. Will the slower speeds still expand?

this 73 yr old dog has shot a lot of muley and white tail deer in my life useing cheap remington 150 grain 30-06 core-loct ammo usually from 50-150 yards.i have no problem with 308 but where i lived in north idaho and montana 06 was readily available and for less money.good vid thanks

There's no way 308 should've beat the 06 in versatility. It can shoot anything the 308 can, but better. Love the podcast, BTW. Always look forward to new episodes.

Excellent video!

As a new hunter and new shooter. I’ve been taking advice from my friends who have years of experience in both on me. I had narrowed it down, to these 2. I was very heavily leaning towards 30-06, until I went out with my friend a few weeks ago and shot that, the 308 and a 6.5 creed. I liked the feel from the 308 best. And then he told me something I didn’t know and it was the reason he switched from 30-06. Granted we’re in Canada so our gun laws and selections etc are garbage compared to my American friends. But what sold me outside this video comparison was the fact that if I needed a rifle in an emergency situation I could also use 7.62x51 in a 308. And that’s a super common police, military and surplus round here in Canada. So that settled it for me.. but I still wondered what the actual penetration and performance would be. So thank you for this video. I’m going to 308

Exact same projectiles can be shot out of both calibers but the 06’ is 100 to 200 fps faster in most loadings. So to me the 06' wins and is more versatile because it can be used for larger game with better pentration and knock down power. You can also load 110's in the 06. Heck do you guys remember the goofy 55 grain saboted 30-06 load offering? I hand load so I can bump one up a grain or two, as long as there is no signs of pressure, or download the other so both caliber’s projectiles act exactly the same. It all comes down to how accurate the caliber choice is for me. I’ll take the 06’ for hunting because I like to load the 180’s,200’s, and 220’s to maximum horsepower. I’m sure a deer couldn’t tell ant difference between the two cartridges. Guess I’m just old school and to me the 06’ has very little felt recoil. Probably because I shoot it in a 7600 and American enfield. I’m sure 5.5 pound bolt gun in 308 problem has more recoil than my heavier guns. I see you have KDF brakes on the 308 bolt gun. I use to run those when I was a kid.lol. After blowing my ear drums out I removed All of them accept on my 375 RUM. My 300 RUM doesn’t kick much more with it removed and is very manageable. I get a kick on how all the generation or two below me has to put a brake on everything…all the way down to 5.56! First thing I did in my AR10’s was remove the brakes and install thread protectors. IMO If you need a brake on anything below a magnum caliber you should be looking at a smaller caliber choice till you get use to recoil and learn not to flinch. The main reason the 308 came about is because of alot of complaints of "little" framed shooters in the military complained about the recoil of the 06' so they switched over to the 308'. I'm sure the same ones that complained about the 06' recoil were less than impressed with a 308 cartridge that only shoots 100 to 200 fps slower. Imo there's not enough noticeable recoil difference between the two calibers. Pick up a little Remington 600 in 308 and run a few rounds through it. It kicks violently vs my 7600 30-06 pump and 1917 Enfield. To me(and the military) the 308 came out for little light small framed shooters who can't handle recoil. Still a great round but not needed if you own an 06'...or go after larger game.

You should do a 30-30 vs 45-70 out of some lever actions. Would love to see how the two match up!

Great Video ! Hunting - '06 Target & Tactical - .308

like that you can tell they have FUN, but also give you the hard data

Excellent episode

Any chance of this test using the 16" 308 tikka vs the standard length. But keep the rifle weights as they are. Then see the gel results?

I have settled on a semi custom 18.5” 30/06 with a 165 sgk hp and a 208 amax. It is a killer practical rifle. #5 contour suppressor 3-9 perfect 350yard and in rifle. I like it and that’s what matters.

Now, with the calibre being the same, the faster bullet will always win. However, these cartridges are no joke. Not many animals walk away from being shot with either; the difference regarding performance on game is very minimal. I prefer the .308 because it is a smaller package (shorter cartridge, a little less recoil).

Mighty interesting! I would like to see the 130 grain copper also.

I handload for both so availability of different loads is whatever I want to build. This season it's 30-06 130gr Barnes TTSX at the speed of God

During the covid years it was really hard to find 30-06 or 7mm ammo. .308 was back on the shelves sooner and in much greater variety. So, number of potential factory loads doesn't mean much if you can't find them. As a reloader I even found it hard to find 7mm bullets or any kind for several years.

I'd say this comparison is pretty much spot on, but I would give the .308 more of an advantage in accessibility. I usually see 20 to 30 different ammo choices for .308 at a gun store versus 5 to 10 choices for .30'06. And actually the .308 Win/7.62x51 usually has the best selection of any rifle caliber, including .223/5.56. It is worth mentioning that .223/5.56 is usually more plentiful, which is different than selection. This is a recent development and was a major factor for my latest rifle to be purchased in .308 Win caliber.

Question for Mark - I'm looking for a new optic for my .30-06. Curious which Vortex optic you have on your Remington?

I have one of each. Both are great.

Great video, can y’all do a 7.62x39 vs a .300 BLK out of an AR ?

Since the drift was compared at 500 yards, the average accuracy of each cartridge becomes an issue. The 308 is generally considered more accurate than the 30-06. Determining if this is really an issue would be a big project though (it would take numerous different rifles and numerous types of ammo). A large part of the accuracy difference is that the 308 has a more modern chamber design with a section of straight "freebore" (only 0.002" larger diameter than the bullet diameter) to help align the bullet with the bore before it hits the taper down through the rifling. The standard 30-06 chamber just has a taper to funnel the bullet down into the rifling, allowing a larger misalignment of the bullet as the rifling is engraved. This tends to increase shot-to-shot variation and slightly worse average accuracy. It is possible to get a 30-06 with a "match chamber", but as far as I know, this means going with a custom barrel.

that jump at 2:50 from the observer lol