308W or 30-06 for Cast Boolets?

[MikeSSS]

I'm thinking about getting an inexpensive: loaner / hog hunting / Cast Boolet on targets rifle. It will be in .308 or 30-06. Savage, Stevens, Marlin XL7 or XS7 or older 788 seem to be the logical choices. (I'd hate to sit in the rain with a wood stocked 788 though.) The Marlin's have micro groove rifling so they might not work well with cast bullets, don't know about that other than it works fine with 22 lr's.

Is there much to choose between .308 and 30-06 when shooting gas check and plain base cast bullets?

Any comments or advice on the rifle.

PS, I used this forum instead of factory because it's all about cast and lots of people read it.

Thanks

[Blammer]

I'd highly recommend the Marlin XL 7 in 30-06 or the Marlin XS 7 in 308, either would be great for your needs as stated above.

If I had to pick, I'd choose the 30-06 because I have lots of those components on hand already.

I'd choose the cartridge you have the most comfort level with.

[runfiverun]

or how's about a ruger?
they have been making plastic/stainless for 2+ years now.
some of the older 30 cal rifles were done with 12 twist bbls which are a bit easier to maintain accuracy with velocity.
and don't overlook a 30-30 with cast,my savage bolt gun in 30-30 will outshoot my 308 and 30-06 when i go over 2100 fps [by quite a margin.]
except for one h/v 0-6 load i have. but it will only do it for 3 shots then i gotta wait forever to do it again.
whereas i can sit and shoot rocks all day with the 30-30 and not have any issues.
but to start the 308 is easier to find and load for than the 0-6 just because of case size helping in ignition.

[Rocky Raab]

If it's a Rem 788, they didn't come in 30-06, so it'll be a 308.

Mine shoots cast bullets just fine, thank you very much.

Some cast bullet shooters would decry the 308's short neck, but I haven't found it to be an issue. I load the Lee C309-170-F bullet designed for the 30-30 and launch it at 2000 fps. No complaints yet. About 18 grains of 2400 or 22 grains of A5744 ought to get you there.

[Lead Fred]

I cast the Lee C309-150-F for my 30-30 (marlin Micro barrel btw) just so I can use the same boolit in the 06s.

The 308 will do you fine, the 30-06 is neutered via cast loads.

[cbrick]

I would go for the 308 unless you think your shooting (hunting) may be at extended ranges where the 06 would have the advantage. The 308 is extremely load friendly, I gave up looking for cast loads that work in mine and started trying to find one that doesn't. 08 or 06 the selection of 30 caliber moulds is nearly endless.

Rick

[O.S.O.K.]

One good thing about the 30-06 is that it has a long neck. I would suspect that it might be easier to get an accurate boolit load in a 06 - but I haven't compared to the 308 so I can't say that with any certainty.

But I like the longer necks for cast boolits myself.

That should also increase the number of used rifles to choose from...

Not to mention that 30-06 ammo has been in better supply than 308 Win lately.

[Marlin Junky]

It depends how fast you want to go with what weight boolits and what accuracy levels you're seeking. My old Ballard rifled 336 in 30-30 will out shoot my Pre-64 M70 in 30-06 when I launch identical RCBS 30-180FN boolits sized to fit the grooves beyond about 1900 fps. The main difference between the two barrels in the number and depth of the grooves... the rate of twist is the same. Also, if comparing my Pre-64 M94 to my old 336 (both in 30-30), the 12" twist of the M94 seems to handle boolits lighter than RCBS 30-180FN better than the 10" twist of the 336. The two most popular deer boolits in .30 cal are probably Lyman 311041 and RCBS 30-180FN (SAECO 307 is very similar to the latter) and either one should do nicely in a .308 with a 12" twist if the throat is long enough.

MJ

[Shiloh]

I don't have a .308. I am familiar with cast in .30-06 and have seen superb accuracy from Savage, Remington and Winchester .308 rifles.

Shiloh

[Char-Gar]

I have multiple rifles in both .308 (4)and 30-06 (4) calibers and they all do just fine with cast bullets. If I could only own one, it would be a 30-06.

If I were looking for a new bolt rifle, I would go with Savage. They have enough choices in both calibers for you to find what you want. Their prices are reasonable and their quality and accuracy are excellent.

[docone31]

A real sleeper is the Ishapore #2MK2A. They are still available.
A real sweet heart in 7.62. Loves my paper patched loads.
Add a reciever sight, and it is point and shoot. The SMLE Lyman sight fits.

[felix]

+1 on that Indian 308 version, converted from 303. Mine is a Model 5, Jungle Carbine. Grooves appear to be deep enough for about any reasonable boolit. Not familiar with detailed military numbers. ... felix

[Marlin Hunter]

I think the 308 will use less powder, if that matters to you (more bang for the buck).

The 30-06 is an old cartridge from 1906, therefor load specs will be for older guns. Most 308 brass you will get is newer. I don't know if the military still uses 30-06 rounds, but they do use a lot of 7.62x51 (308). For under 300 meters/yards the 308 should be enough.

I can't recommend a cheap gun, but I really like my friends British Jungle Carbine in 308.

I think I would either get a Marlin or Savage

[Bob Krack]

My choice for a new hunting or battle rifle is absolutely .308. But for the use you describe, the .30-06 MIGHT just be a better choice. Several above have mentioned why.

As for economy, the powder difference in a "near full power" load is terribly small. Maybe 2 to 10 grains of powder. At $21.00 per pound, that amounts to around 1/4 to 1-1/3 cent per load.

This opinion is worth exactly what it cost you.

Bob

[Ricochet]

I think 10" vs. 12" rifling twist would be the main consideration for cast boolits, with 12" generally being preferable. Standard twist for the .30-06 is 10" and for the .308 it's 12", but you can find examples of both twists with both chamberings. Personally though, I don't have a .308 and would be reluctant to take on yet another cartridge to load for. I've passed over a bunch of attractive rifle deals for that very reason.

[gon2shoot]

My old Savage 06 is one of the most accurate guns I own, it's ugly but it gets the job done.
My 308 & 30-06 loads are pretty close performance wise, so find one that suits you.

I wont keep a gun I dont think is special in some way , shoot what you like.