30-06 (1-10) vs .308 (1-12) Non toxic ammo

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UnderWaterHunter

UnderWaterHunter

Member
Good day fine marksmen!

I'm finally getting down to buying my first rifle, and with some good fortune - enjoying a freezer full of game this time next year.
Unfortunately it has become quite a chore to find a reasonable rifle in left handed, stainless steel guise with a 20" or more barrel.

After much back and forth the choice seems to be a stainless X-Bolt Nordic in either .308 or 30-06.
Initially the choice of a 6.5X55 made more sense as I'm sure even that caliber will be plenty for most game types up here in Norway.
After a reading few reports of less than optimal efficacy on a reindeer cull (non toxic rounds) I now err towards the other two main (local) calibers.

Unfortunately the twist seems in my mind a little less than optimal on the .308 when it comes to pure copper, making the 30-06 more of a future safe choice?
Weight is about 100 grams up on the 30-06 and 2cm longer total length in the 20" barrel.
Plan to take the gun with me on sailing trips up our long coast. Already loaded up with two spearguns so the missus might lose her mind if I start collecting powder weapons!
Therefore the need for one rifle capable of handling birds to reindeer, possibly moose if I find the oppurtunity...

Have a decent discount on a new .308 or 30-06 from a local shop. Also negotiating a used (300 shots) 30-06 with adustable cheek comb, silencer and 30mm rings for a paltry 12% less than store bought rifle.

Help me choose dear forum denizens?

Best regards.
 
Personally I think I would get the 30-06 as it will handle heavier bullets better - but what I really want to know is what type of bird you are going to be shooting with a 30 cal!
 
Hah! For sure I'll work on my grouping way before I go out birding. Most likely geese if the population looks good... And of course not midair.
Roe deer will be a priority when the season arrives and I'm booked for a red deer hunt just before winter. Reindeer population seems a lil pressured so not so sure that'll happen anytime soon. Same for moose.
 
Last edited:
It really does not matter which you choose. They will both handle lead free ammo and plenty of options available in most UK gunshops.

I shoot .308 and it handles lead free up to 180gr without any issues.
 
Being a fellow left hander I share your pain.

I personally prefer longer cartridges with a faster twist barrel. This allows you more flexibility in terms of bullet choice in particular using longer more ballistically efficient bullets regardless of whether they are traditional or monolithic construction.

So I would go for the 30-06 in your case.
 
UnderWaterHunter said:
Good day fine marksmen!

I'm finally getting down to buying my first rifle, and with some good fortune - enjoying a freezer full of game this time next year.
Unfortunately it has become quite a chore to find a reasonable rifle in left handed, stainless steel guise with a 20" or more barrel.

After much back and forth the choice seems to be a stainless X-Bolt Nordic in either .308 or 30-06.
Initially the choice of a 6.5X55 made more sense as I'm sure even that caliber will be plenty for most game types up here in Norway.
After a reading few reports of less than optimal efficacy on a reindeer cull (non toxic rounds) I now err towards the other two main (local) calibers.

Unfortunately the twist seems in my mind a little less than optimal on the .308 when it comes to pure copper, making the 30-06 more of a future safe choice?
Weight is about 100 grams up on the 30-06 and 2cm longer total length in the 20" barrel.
Plan to take the gun with me on sailing trips up our long coast. Already loaded up with two spearguns so the missus might lose her mind if I start collecting powder weapons!
Therefore the need for one rifle capable of handling birds to reindeer, possibly moose if I find the oppurtunity...

Have a decent discount on a new .308 or 30-06 from a local shop. Also negotiating a used (300 shots) 30-06 with adustable cheek comb, silencer and 30mm rings for a paltry 12% less than store bought rifle.

Help me choose dear forum denizens?

Best regards.
Click to expand...
If you shoot 30-06 from a 24” barrel you’ll be dropping it to .308 ballistics anyway!

I’d go .308 and look for one with a fat twist, or shoot lighter bullets that are shorter.
 
Heym SR20 said:
Being a fellow left hander I share your pain.

I personally prefer longer cartridges with a faster twist barrel. This allows you more flexibility in terms of bullet choice in particular using longer more ballistically efficient bullets regardless of whether they are traditional or monolithic construction.

So I would go for the 30-06 in your case.
Click to expand...
Yep. Add the need for SS componentry and it's a tough tossup between Tikka T3X and X-Bolt - same pricing but Browning wins my eye weight for weight, stock material and factory threading for the suppressor.
 
Border said:
Seen as you are in Norway go with your original thought.
6,5x55 will be fine for your plans and non toxic 120 grain rounds will put elk on the deck and also be fine for geese.
Tikka T3X in 6,5x55 would get my vote.
Click to expand...
No doubt, my only worry is the twist rate being a little slow on the Browning. Tikka is probably better at 1-8 and the Browning I have yet to find data on. Could actually just wait and see if a cheap Tikka pops up on the used market. Would be great to get hunting hare before the season ends in a couple months.
 
UnderWaterHunter said:
Good day fine marksmen!

I'm finally getting down to buying my first rifle, and with some good fortune - enjoying a freezer full of game this time next year.
Unfortunately it has become quite a chore to find a reasonable rifle in left handed, stainless steel guise with a 20" or more barrel.

After much back and forth the choice seems to be a stainless X-Bolt Nordic in either .308 or 30-06.
Initially the choice of a 6.5X55 made more sense as I'm sure even that caliber will be plenty for most game types up here in Norway.
After a reading few reports of less than optimal efficacy on a reindeer cull (non toxic rounds) I now err towards the other two main (local) calibers.

Unfortunately the twist seems in my mind a little less than optimal on the .308 when it comes to pure copper, making the 30-06 more of a future safe choice?
Weight is about 100 grams up on the 30-06 and 2cm longer total length in the 20" barrel.
Plan to take the gun with me on sailing trips up our long coast. Already loaded up with two spearguns so the missus might lose her mind if I start collecting powder weapons!
Therefore the need for one rifle capable of handling birds to reindeer, possibly moose if I find the oppurtunity...

Have a decent discount on a new .308 or 30-06 from a local shop. Also negotiating a used (300 shots) 30-06 with adustable cheek comb, silencer and 30mm rings for a paltry 12% less than store bought rifle.

Help me choose dear forum denizens?

Best regards.
Click to expand...
Difficult to say but what is pretty simple is a 30-06 or 308 is way too big for birds really, 223 rem and under is far better but anything can be handloaded to be slow a 140- 180 grain bullet though ???? . Here in the uk 30-06 is far less popular than 308 and this leads to the ammo being more available and costs lower in 308 . There is not much between the two the 30-06 just about better with the heaviest but its no tangible amount . None toxic copper , needs to be a well proven design like Barnes tTSX and it should be driven fast .
I would go 6.5x55 if i was where you where at personally but its always the user who must make the call and i know little of how things are in your nation .
 
Border said:
Seen as you are in Norway go with your original thought.
6,5x55 will be fine for your plans and non toxic 120 grain rounds will put elk on the deck and also be fine for geese.
Tikka T3X in 6,5x55 would get my vote.
Click to expand...
what he said!!^^^^
 
Bowland blades said:
Difficult to say but what is pretty simple is a 30-06 or 308 is way too big for birds really, 223 rem and under is far better but anything can be handloaded to be slow a 140- 180 grain bullet though ???? . Here in the uk 30-06 is far less popular than 308 and this leads to the ammo being more available and costs lower in 308 . There is not much between the two the 30-06 just about better with the heaviest but its no tangible amount . None toxic copper , needs to be a well proven design like Barnes tTSX and it should be driven fast .
I would go 6.5x55 if i was where you where at personally but its always the user who must make the call and i know little of how things are in your nation .
Click to expand...
Over here (Norway) 6.5x55, 308w & 30-06 are frequently used for bird hunting ( geese, willow grouse and ptarmigan as well as blackgame and caper) with a 120-150 grain fmj.
Norma's jaktmatch are a popular round for toppjakt, ie winter wood grouse hunting.
222/223 Rem are also popular but can be more problematic with fmj. Various 6mm chamberings are also in use.
 
UnderWaterHunter said:
No doubt, my only worry is the twist rate being a little slow on the Browning. Tikka is probably better at 1-8 and the Browning I have yet to find data on. Could actually just wait and see if a cheap Tikka pops up on the used market. Would be great to get hunting hare before the season ends in a couple months.
Click to expand...
Have a look at Bergera - 1:8 twist and cheap Remington 700 clone but with improvements. If I was buying again I would probably go CZ or Tikka though…for reliability and universality. Nice problem to have!
 
The 30-06 is a great calibre and will take anything from 100gr up to 200gr. The versatility makes it the best choice. IMHO
 
I don’t really see the advantage of the 30-06
Almost all factory offerings in 130-165 quote almost identical velocities between the two

Sure you can stoke up the bigger case if homeloading but you can also run a .308 hotter if that’s your thing

1:12” is fine in 308 for copper
Unless you intend to push the ranges and require a much heavier bullet a 130-150gr non lead is perfectly fine for almost all game
130gr pushing 3000fps is the same energy as a .270
 
30-06 for me. However, a question to ask is availability of ammunition. If you can get 30-06 ammo easily, and especially if you reload, go 30-06. It is far more future proof for non lead than 308. They are both excellent calibers. If Africa was on the horizon then 30-06. I would like to point out that I am not biased at all.
 
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