Watching a moose get hit with a standard .308 load... then watching them get hit again... and again.... is stupid. Believe me.
.308 is a fantastic deer rifle.
But you get a .30-06, that can push a 180grn+ bullet in the high 2000's all the time and break a moose shoulder and anchor him... then you don't have to deal with that situation.
But, all you guys arguing here, I'm sure the biggest game you've ever seen was a "giant" 300 pound whitetail... which hell a .220 swift would take care of all day.
.308 - Great caribou round! Because they are like deer.
Even if we are only talking 200fps for velocity, that is a 400ftlb difference in energy up at 180 grainsish. If I'm shootin something big..... moose, elk, bears, I'm gonna want every single little bit of that energy. It's all about bones! Shooting something in the heart and lungs is great... but animals still have minutes to run from.... (or to) you, in which they can cover lots of ground.
Speaking of speed and energy, you guys seen the claims for hodgdon suprform for 30-06??? Holy....., within normal pressure ratings it is pushing a 165 grain bullet at 2974, that's before I compress their load.
I've never seen that powder anywhere. But when I do if tests come positive I'll let you know.
Yes, let us know, I hope the vel. claims are true. But, RL 17 was supposed to change everything & it did help some, but sadly alot hype in some of those RL17 stories.
I haven't seen anyone say the 30-06 does not have an advantage for hunting big animals. 200fps is 200fps with the 180's.
Concerning hitting a big animal with a 308 or 30-06 with a 180ish bullet, I don't see it bouncing off with the 308, but smashing bones with a 30-06, as a general statement, because it makes no sense, with no consideration for range.
Now, to say you want to shoot big animals further with a 30-06, which still not be long range, well now that makes sense.
On a different forum, I saw a guy comment that a 180gr. in 308 was too light for Moose at 150 yds. (he said he saw it), but yet
he said he killed a couple of Moose at 300 yds. with his 30-06. Oh, really, I call that moronic!!
Decided to take a look at a 308 and 30-06 with 180 Partition.
With a MV of 2800fps the 30-06 has 2,341 fps @ 250 yds. & 2,190 # energy @ 250 yds.
With a MV of 2600fps the 308Win has 2,331 fps @ 150 yds. & 2,172 # energy @ 150 yds.
With a MV of 3100fps the 300WM has 2,339 fps @ 400 yds. & 2,187 # energy @ 400 yds.
The 180 Partition has no idea which case it is being fired out of.
I am not saying a Moose should be shot @ 400yds or 250 would be max. yards to shoot a Moose with a 30-06, only showing the effect of different Muzzle velocity and how it relates to downrange energy. One thing for sure, a Big Elk or Moose shot at 150 yds would be in the exact same danger as an animal shot at 250 with a 30-06.
Fun stuff!!