.308 and 30-06 the same???

mniesen89 · July 20, 2008, 02:36 PM

Can I use the same bullets for these catridges being there both .30 caliber? To be specific Remington PSP WC

**Mal H** · July 20, 2008, 02:57 PM

There may be some bullets that perform better in one or the other, but, in general, yes, you can use the same bullets in either of those cartridges.

wjkuleck · July 20, 2008, 04:08 PM

The barrel doesn't know that there is a .30-'06 chamber or a .308 Winchester chamber down at the end. It doesn't know if there's a .307 Winchester or a .300 Winchester Magnum, for that matter.

Since the .30-'06 and .308 are reasonably close in chamber capacity*, they're drive the same bullets at similar speeds. Once one gets up into 180 grain or 220 grain weights, the slightly larger case capacity of the .30-'06 will likely produce slightly higher velocities with the same chamber pressures, assuming that a suitable powder (burning rate) can be used.

Regards,

Walt
*The bore, and thus bullet, diameters are identical, of course.

ClarkEMyers · July 20, 2008, 04:53 PM

Generally speaking yes, there are some caveats. For the midrange the bullets are pretty much interchangeable as are the results.

At the extreme heavy end there are some .308 barrels with slower twists than most .30-'06 barrels so the .30-'06 conventionally tops out at 220 grain and the .308 conventionally tops out at 200 grain.

With due regard for twist, throat and seating depth - sometimes magazine length as well - a sensible decision can be made at the extreme weights and lengths - all copper runs long for its weight and so again may need a faster twist than the same weight in jacketed lead as do some of the very low drag - VLD designs.

DEDON45 · July 21, 2008, 12:39 PM

They are very close; There's not much a .308 can't do that a .30-06 can... most bullets are somewhat interchangeable, but note that different barrell twist rates, etc. can come into play.

July 20, 2008, 02:36 PM	#1
mniesen89 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: deland,fl Posts: 238	.308 and 30-06 the same??? Can I use the same bullets for these catridges being there both .30 caliber? To be specific Remington PSP WC

July 20, 2008, 04:08 PM	#3
wjkuleck Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 1,220	The barrel doesn't know that there is a .30-'06 chamber or a .308 Winchester chamber down at the end. It doesn't know if there's a .307 Winchester or a .300 Winchester Magnum, for that matter. Since the .30-'06 and .308 are reasonably close in chamber capacity, they're drive the same bullets at similar speeds. Once one gets up into 180 grain or 220 grain weights, the slightly larger case capacity of the .30-'06 will likely produce slightly higher velocities with the same chamber pressures, assuming that a suitable powder (burning rate) can be used. Regards, Walt The bore, and thus bullet, diameters are identical, of course. __________________ Author, NEW! The M1911 Complete Owner's Guide The M14 and M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guides The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide The AR-15 Complete Assembly and (New 4th Edition) Owner's Guides

July 20, 2008, 04:53 PM	#4
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2004 Location: PacWest Posts: 455	Generally speaking yes, there are some caveats. Generally speaking yes, there are some caveats. For the midrange the bullets are pretty much interchangeable as are the results. At the extreme heavy end there are some .308 barrels with slower twists than most .30-'06 barrels so the .30-'06 conventionally tops out at 220 grain and the .308 conventionally tops out at 200 grain. With due regard for twist, throat and seating depth - sometimes magazine length as well - a sensible decision can be made at the extreme weights and lengths - all copper runs long for its weight and so again may need a faster twist than the same weight in jacketed lead as do some of the very low drag - VLD designs.

July 20, 2008, 02:57 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	There may be some bullets that perform better in one or the other, but, in general, yes, you can use the same bullets in either of those cartridges.

July 21, 2008, 12:39 PM	#5
DEDON45 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 278	They are very close; There's not much a .308 can't do that a .30-06 can... most bullets are somewhat interchangeable, but note that different barrell twist rates, etc. can come into play.