.308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield leave the muzzle at about the same speed (2,820 vs 2,800 ft/s).
The .30-06 Springfield carries about 8% more energy at the muzzle (2,872 vs 2,648 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The .30-06 Springfield's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.40), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
Side by side
| .308 Winchester | .30-06 Springfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk. | U.S. Army service round turned the classic do-it-all hunting cartridge for any North American game. |
| Typical load | 150 grsoft point | 165 grsoft point |
| Muzzle speed | 2,820 ft/s | 2,800 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 2,648 ft-lbs | 2,872 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.33typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.40typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:10 | 1:10 |
| Practical range | 400 yd | 400–450 yd |
| Point-blank range | 266 yd6" vital zone | 267 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight |
Which one fits you?
.308 Winchester: Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk.
.30-06 Springfield: U.S. Army service round turned the classic do-it-all hunting cartridge for any North American game.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .308 Winchester profile
- .30-06 Springfield profile
- .308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- .270 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
- 7mm-08 Remington vs .308 Winchester
- .243 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- .30-30 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- .308 Winchester vs 7.62x51 NATO
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.