Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

[Surffshr]

For some reason I absolutely missed the fact that TX now allows game animals to be hunted with a suppressor. I happen to have a take off 30 cal barrel and an old (slick) remington m700 la with a standard bolt face that I've considered making something m24ish out of. The barrel is from a gap crusader currently chambered in 308 win, but I just confirmed that it would need to be re-chambered if I want it on the la m700. Anyhow, I'm considering combining the parts with a hsp take-off stock to make a short barrel (16.5-18") setup that would fit a suppressor easily into a deer stand or riding around in a jeep. The barrel is a 11.25 twist.

Question: Will either cartridge be an advantage over the other in a short barrel setup? Will the extra capacity of the '06 do anything for stabilizing heavier bullets with that twist both full power loads and subsonic loads?

 

[bohem]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

The 308 to 30-06 rechamber will require some loss at the breech end, about 0.58" IIRC when I looked myself. The 308 is a little fatter and won't quite clean up the chamber by just throwing a 30-06 reamer in it.

I've seen 18.5" 30-06's push a 208 Amax at over 2500fps, that makes a heckuva hammer to hit a hog with. The 11.25tw rate will be borderline on the 208 Amax for stability though. It should work in TX without too much issue but you may end up with a stability issue if it gets much below sea level density altitude.

For subsonic stuff the 30-06 case is a little trickier to make reliably accurate sub loads from due to the increased case capacity unless you want to make some reduced capacity brass or you have a fast enough twist to stabilize the 220RN's and shove them WAY into the case.

I am a big fan of the venerable old case and feel it's largely "undersung" in this day and age but if you're going to balance an 11.25tw with subs mostly then I am hesitant to say "Go For it"

If you line out the subsonic stuff as a primary goal and can be happy with <100yd shots subsonic then I think the 30-06 is a great idea, cut it to 18"-19" and have at it.

 

[jarhead_h]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

For subsonic stuff the 30-06 case is a little trickier to make reliably accurate sub loads from due to the increased case capacity unless you want to make some reduced capacity brass or you have a fast enough twist to stabilize the 220RN's and shove them WAY into the case.....

If you line out the subsonic stuff as a primary goal and can be happy with <100yd shots subsonic then I think the 30-06 is a great idea, cut it to 18"-19" and have at it. </div></div>

Why not a .30-06 Ackley? Wouldn't that take care of the case size issues?

 

[bohem]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jarhead_h</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

For subsonic stuff the 30-06 case is a little trickier to make reliably accurate sub loads from due to the increased case capacity unless you want to make some reduced capacity brass or you have a fast enough twist to stabilize the 220RN's and shove them WAY into the case.....

If you line out the subsonic stuff as a primary goal and can be happy with <100yd shots subsonic then I think the 30-06 is a great idea, cut it to 18"-19" and have at it. </div></div>

Why not a .30-06 Ackley? Wouldn't that take care of the case size issues? </div></div>

It would fix the issue with setting back the breech end but it would make the subsonic issues worse.

 

[Surffshr]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

Thanks Bohem. I was thinking the case capacity may be an issue with subs and 30-06. I'm still thinking on the subject and appreciate your thoughts.

 

[bohem]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

Good luck with it, I'm curious to hear what you choose to go with and how things work out. Other than the issues with subsonics past 100yd (it's more a group size issue than anything) I think your plan of a 18-19" 30-06 is an excellent idea.

 

[300ATT]

Re: Short rifle, long action - 308 or 30-06?

The best advice I have ever seen as to how to choose between a .308 and a .30-06:

"If you were born before 1960 go with the .30-06" If you were born after 1960 consider the .308."