The "what caliber" thread.......

[Mike D]

The "what caliber" thread.......

While I agree that it could be because it's such a popular caliber..... That certainly makes sense

But to answer your question..... I shot 1000 meter comps while in the service (30 years ago) and while they got the job done to be sure, I was just never impressed. Yes, it's accurate but IMO, terminal...on game ballistics leave a lot to be desired. Again, just my opinion and I accept that not everyone shares my opinion.
Let's look at this ballistic calculator on the 2 calibers that were mentioned in the other which caliber post..... The .308 and .270
Also let me qualify with yes we are talking 300-500 yards and a lot of folks won't shoot that far, but I will and THAT is where the main differences lay
****note**** the calculator, with bonded bullets only gave me one weight choice
150gr for the .308
140gr for the .270
Punching paper is one thing but punching an animal is something entirely different

Pictures are .270 first and .308 second
In my mind the difference is clear and it is the main reason why I don't like the .308
(Info is directly from Winchester and their ballistic calculator)

Well a more fair comparison would be a 30.06 to a 270. Both long action calibers.

The 308 is just a. Good ole 30 cal workhorse. As someone else stated it ain't fancy or flashy but it just plain works.

Here's a 600 yard ballistic table of my 308 and loads that go with it.

[TexZ71]

I watch the classified section and haven't noticed more 308's then any othe caliber, maybe even less. With the Ammo selection for 308, why not have one. That's a good reason right there to own one.

[TexZ71]

Yep, just scrolled through the classified (first page) section and saw 5 hunting rifles for sale not one 308 but there was a 270.

[westtexducks]

My theory on it is the same as the reason why .223 is so popular, thats what I shot back when I was in X military service when they taught me to shoot so its the greatest caliber ever for every thing. Not saying this is the wrong mentality but I see that mentality a lot. And lots of folks fall back on the "if its good enough for the army its good enough for me" thought process, what they fail to realize is the armies thoughts on stuff is never what is "best" it is usually what is "cheapest". This can be confirmed by looking at the history of our military and how they absolutely refuse to adopt or update to the latest and greatest technology until they have to because the enemy started kicking our butts with it or adopted it first. For example single shots instead of repeaters, refusing to upgrade to bolt actions, then using bolt actions with mag disconnect to save ammo cost, then refusing to upgrade to auto pistols from revolvers, and the list goes on.

[TexMax]

Ooor people take advantage of a round propagated by the mil to access a huge supply of ammo and rifles that they understand are more than adequate for many (if not most to the average guy) situations to include killing a deer or varmint at modest ranges and are under no illusions as to the .223/308's ballistic superiority even to other modest hunting rounds


But I guess those people are out there too (actually I know they are lol )

[chuckw]

The .277 caliber has to be one of the WORST long range hunting or target proposition i can think of. Compare what is available in good long range bullets for a 6mm, 6.5mm, or .30 cal and you will quickly see the .277 bore has no support in the long range game. For a one rifle arsenal, i would take a decent .308 over the best .270 on the face of the earth.

[LWD]

I find the what caliber threads exhausting. For most people they are hunting under 100 yards and it really doesn't matter. If it were legal and you were good enough you could hunt deer with a .22. I never yet to ever come close to needing the full ballistic performance of a bullet, not to say it doesn't happen but these instances are the minority

Amen. Inside 200 yards there's little, if any, difference between a .308 and a .300 Win Mag. At the ranges most of us shoot, round nose bullets will work just fine. (I'll be hunting with Hornady 220 grain round nose in my grandfather's 1948 FN Mauser .30-06 this weekend.)

LWD

[Jäger]

theres just alot of .308s out there. the caliber transcends the shooting sports throughout the entire shooting world. this is largely because its a military caliber. There is a ton of available ammo out there for everything from medium/ medium largish game to varmits to military surplus for plinking to super match. If your gonna buy a "battle rifle" in a larger caliber than .223/5.56 its more than likely gonna be a .308. and with all the call of duty games and "tacticool" things going on alot of people IMO that are shooting for purposes outside the hunting world want what the military uses. hell you cant go to an AR sight without reading about mil-spec this or that. So there's a market. Doesn't really mater if its the best cartridge or junk(for the record i don't think its junk). people want it.

To sum it up there is a large demand for the caliber. Manufactures are most always going to try and accommodate that demand, and people buy sell and trade guns..always have and always will. Look at our own classifieds. This is an Bow sight and theres always at least 2 or three guns of some sort in there.

[elkaholic9292]

It's a rifle for people who like to shoot. I like my .26 Nosler ballistically, but it is so hot, it eats barrels in no time flat. .308 is a good all around round that can be shot ten thousand times, with readily available ammo, for various hunting or target applications.

[catslayer]

Especially for those who are speed freaks like myself.

yet shoots a 270....
......

Not a 7mag, or a 280 AI(which I'll take every day over the 7mm), or a 26 Nosler... lol yep speed freak (I'm just ribbing you, I just have had bad experience with 270 and don't care for it)

the 08 has bar none the most commonly available ballistic data out there... More .308 rounds have been shot at long range than all the rest combined. Just cause it is so common...

[K. Lane]

yet shoots a 270....

......



Not a 7mag, or a 280 AI(which I'll take every day over the 7mm), or a 26 Nosler... lol yep speed freak (I'm just ribbing you, I just have had bad experience with 270 and don't care for it)



the 08 has bar none the most commonly available ballistic data out there... More .308 rounds have been shot at long range than all the rest combined. Just cause it is so common...

Ummmmmmmm
I do have a 270 but don't recall sayin that I shoot one, though I have killed with one on more than one occasion

I would actually consider myself a .257 wby mag and a .240 wby mag guy.........speed
I'll be buying a .25-06 soon as well, not a speed demon but not slow either.

I just used the .270 as an example because the .270 & .308 are the 2 rounds being considered in the other thread that got me thinking enough to start this thread

[K. Lane]

It's a rifle for people who like to shoot. I like my .26 Nosler ballistically, but it is so hot, it eats barrels in no time flat. .308 is a good all around round that can be shot ten thousand times, with readily available ammo, for various hunting or target applications.

I understand what you're saying but if that's the case....... Why are SO many ALWAYS for sale

[krisw]

They are for sale for the same reason you see cars for sale. People decide they want something different, or they need money, or just don't use it. It's a popular round. If a lot are bought new, there is a better chance that you will see more for sale.

[meltingfeather]

Why is there 3-4 .308's for sale for every one of any other caliber???

Because it's a very popular and common caliber.
If it was a crap round nobody would buy them and there wouldn't be any for sale.

[Mike D]

Ummmmmmmm
I do have a 270 but don't recall sayin that I shoot one, though I have killed with one on more than one occasion

I would actually consider myself a .257 wby mag and a .240 wby mag guy.........speed
I'll be buying a .25-06 soon as well, not a speed demon but not slow either.

I just used the .270 as an example because the .270 & .308 are the 2 rounds being considered in the other thread that got me thinking enough to start this thread

Do you currently have a 257 Wby?

If so why would you want a 25-06?

Just curios. Both 1/4 bores with the 257 being the top dog between the two. What would you gain with the 25-06?