.308 downrange performance?

[hrbassin]

I was looking over a ballistics chart on Chuck Hawks' website and noticed something that seemed peculiar. It said that a .308 180 sp starts out at 2620 fps and at 200 yards is travelling at 2288. A 30-06 180 sp starts off at 2700 fps and at 200 yards is going at 2023 fps. The .308 also had almost 300 ft lbs of energy more than the 30-06 at 200 yards.

Now what I want to know is how the smaller .308 could have better down range performance if both bullets are identical .30 caliber soft points.

Or is this just an error in the chart?


Mark

[Dan360]

The problem with ballistics charts is that you can make them say whatever you want. I can make a 7x57 or 7mm-08 look superior to the 7mm Remington Magnum, even though we know that they aren't. If you go to Federalcartridge.com, you can choose exact bullet type and weight to compare loads. The 308 Winchester is very similar to the 30-06 with the same bullet type and weight. Though it typically starts out with less energy and velocity, the difference becomes less as range opens up. Powders for the 308 Winchester are typically faster burning than the 30-06. This and the shorter case (51mm vs 63mm) allow for a more efficient burn, especially in same-length barrels.

[hrbassin]

Thanks. I've been sitting here scratching my head for a while.

Mark

[bait dunker]

the 308 will kill anything the 30.06 will. personally i like the 308 for the short action, butthey are ballistically the same for all intents and purposes.

[Blackbeardown]

I would crosscheck the ballistic coefficient (BC) of both bullets. A bullet of the same weight (but with different BC's) will fly differently. A boattail has a higher BC than a flat base bullet. It will have a flatter trajectory, maintain higher velocity over longer ranges and will hit harder (foot lbs).

[Just Fish]

The 30-06 will always have a higher velocity for a given bullet wieght beause of the higher powder capacity but the differance is small.But the 06 really stats to shine with bullets of 180 and more a 200 gr bullet in a 06 is a killing machine.:grin:

[scottishsetter]

For caliber comparison I use the Remington cataloge balistics chart. It gives yardage to 500 yrds. Vel. and energy. Use the same bullet/weight ie. 150 coreloc or 165 Accutip BT It will give you a pretty good idea. I like to compare the 7mm bullets of 165gr and 308 or 30-06 with 165gr at 500 yrds with vel./energy.Good luck

[GSD]

Here's the Remington comparison with 150 gr. PSP:

http://www.remington.com/products/am...=R30062*R308W1


Bill {GSD}