Is The 308 Win REALLY The Most Popular Cartridge in America?

[@bjh05]

I read a article years ago that a survey was done here in New Zealand. Out of 100 hunters 95% of the deer shot by them was under 200 yards. 0 to 400 even 500 the 308 just dose this so well. You can look at charts of all these extended ranges but almost nobody is shooting at those distances 90 % of the terrain just dose not allow it and the ethical issues of doing so makes it unviable. 308 generates the right amount of energy at the right ranges for 99% of people.

[@LucasHeinze]

Your painfully right and I just fell asleep!

[@mattyallen3396]

Churr bro

[@brinkee7674]

That is NZ. In the western US, ranges can be vast with no good way to get close enough. I'm not going to shoot a 308 at an animal 700 or 800 yrds away, even 500 or 600 yards is pushing it with any wind. The 7/08 or 30-06 are way better rounds and don't burn up barrels like many magnums do plus they have acceptable recoil

[@huracan200173]

It's the same "problem" 9mm has. It is a "good enough" round. Doesn't kick much, massive and cheaper than others, and gets the job done. It's not a surprise that they're both one of the most used cartridges in the world.

[@Dc7383-f9u]

Effective cartridge👍

[@richardoliver1468]

For those who don't like the 308 Win, that is okay...... I Do Like it, and no matter how many times it is discussed on KZbin (which is too many), I am not going to dislike it, nor am I going to go out any buy a 6.5 Creedmoor. Bottom line for me is that we need to move on and stop debating the 308 Win.

[@PureTruth1970]

I agree! Good thing we have all of these 6.5 CM paper shooters so my .308 ammo won't go up in price!

[@taylormartin4346]

🙏🙏🙏

[@MrJtin69]

Funny the 300 wsm is everything the 308 wanted to be

[@MrJtin69]

@@PureTruth1970don’t be so sure

[@igotfriendsinlowplaces2971]

⁠@@PureTruth1970I take elk with 6.5 CM. Just took an 8 point mule deer today with it. What works, works. What do you hunt? .308 is a great all around cartridge for sure though

[@garysmith3913]

You must have the courage to change, Ron. The 308 today, tomorrow, forever!

[@LucasHeinze]

And I thought I had my trolling speed and depth perfect. You win!

[@chadillac95]

Quit living in 1952. The last time the 308 was better than something else

[@mohammadnashitsiddiqui2168]

​@@chadillac95 guess people should living in 1920s since 270 win is old, or the 60s since 300 WM & 7mm Rem Mag is old too.. or the new ones don't do any better except on paper

[@chadillac95]

@mohammadnashitsiddiqui2168 except the 270 was an improvement on the 30-06, the 300 WM gave us a magnum that fit in a standard action, and the 7 rem mag have us a high BC, high velocity magnum. They're still relevant. The 308 is ok, at best, at a lot of things, but great at nothing. It still has 20 ft-lbs of recoil, which is too much for someone just getting into shooting. Its best bullet weight is 130-150, which you can also get in 28 cal, 27 cal, and some 26 cal chamberings. Once you get above the 150 grain bullets, you drop too much velocity. There's such a small window where it's truly effective because of the smaller powder capacity trying to push a bigger bullet diameter

[@garysmith3913]

"ok, at best" "great at nothing", "too much recoil" , lol. Too bad we can't get the opinion of the 1000s of critters (in Africa and elsewhere) that the excellent 308 has dropped stone cold dead. lol.@@chadillac95

[@codyway7424]

As a 308 competitive shooter, we now have small rifle primer brass for the 308 (and a few other short action cartridges) which will allow the round to run at a bit higher pressure. Further closing the gap on the 3006. There are a few more things in the 308 tool bag as well if needed. I shoot around 3000 rounds a year of 308. My current load is a 200 gr at 2650 ish. 62" of wind deflection at 1000 yds is about all we can currently get out of the 308, but that's way better than your examples.

[@garysmith3913]

Interesting information.

[@ChrisEdling]

Hell yes! Sounds like a good load, what barrel length? I'm getting 2750ish with 175 grain tipped match kings, if in not mistaken that load stays supersonic past 1200

[@codyway7424]

@@ChrisEdling most competitive f-class shooters that shoot the 308 will use a 30" to keep velocity up and pressure down. I'm ready for winter to be over and shooting season to kick off!

[@JayzBeerz]

Just bought a .308 rifle today as my first hunting rifle.

[@StarSurfer55]

As some one grew up in the Deep South, most of my shots are 150 yards or less. For all practical purposes, the 308with 150 grain bullets was considered a short 30-06. Remember that deer hunting in the south is often done with dogs. So a quick follow up shot when a deer crosses an opening at light speed, an autoloader was desired. In the 1960s the gun to have was a Remington 742 in 30-06.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

It's impossible to find a very nice used rifle in 308 in our region right now. I've been looking for over a year. If I find one of these unicorns, the shop wants way over new MAP prices for a used gun. Ironically, you couldn't sell a 308Win 5 years ago. Outdoors stores stopped stocking this caliber for that reason.

[@foghornleghorn4173]

Light and fast, I got two rem 760’s in 308. Pump action with peep sights and dbm’s.

[@678hump]

What region? Every wal mart and gun store around TN has plenty. @@tacticalmattfoley

[@tacticalmattfoley]

@@678hump Birmingham, AL metro.

[@MrTacklebury]

I was always a little down on .308, but was convinced to give it a try. I picked up a Mossberg MVP Patrol with a 16.25" barrel and a SilencerCo 45 Hybrid for it and started loading. I have now got a 110 gr. Varmageddon load for varmints, a 110 gr. CX load for defense, a 168 gr. ABLR for deer/big game and the 175 gr. Hornady Sub-X. Works great and will work on everything in North America and beyond. It's about my most versatile rifle now.

[@lolk4530]

Why are you using a bolt action for self defense? No hate, just curious.

[@PureTruth1970]

​@@lolk4530 600+ thousand men died during the civil war from muzzleloaders! Either way it will get the job done, bolt action, or semi auto all refers back to powder and lead!

[@jacktrout5807]

Welcome to the dark side 😊

[@csjrogerson2377]

@@PureTruth1970 Yeah, might have been nearer 750K, but how many were in your kitchen stealing beer from your fridge? From what I remember Willoughby Run was not fought on the front porch, in the garage or a bedroom? If it was, the muzzleloader was not the best choice of weapon.

[@winkletown8828]

​@lolk4530 bolt, lever, pump, semi, full auto, doesn't matter as long as you've trained with your weapon and land your first shot, I love my bolt gun, I also love my semi auto pistol, which am I grabbing first? The answer is both. I'll throw my bolt over my shoulder and initiate with my pistol. Unless the intruder is down my long hallway, in that case I won't risk a miss and I'll happily put my trust in the bolt action. If you're familiar enough and practice your follow up with it, you can run it very efficiently and effectively. Train with your firearms, be familiar enough with them so they become an extension of your body. Trust yourself and your skills.

[@donwyoming1936]

Back when I was a dealer, more than half of the hunting rifles I sold were in 308 Win. Just the right combination of power, accuracy & availability. 🤠

[@ChatGPT1111]

When was this, 40 years ago, 5 years, 2 weeks ago?

[@BloodSang]

.308 and my savage scout 11 has been my only rifle I ever had and ammo is always at any store I go to and bulk cheaper in steel case. Taken everything from coyote, deer, black bear and elk with it. And I can always get a AR in the same caliber and never worry about needing a different round for multiple rifles.

[@dukedenarie5858]

You and this other guy named bob are the only people in the country to hunt that many animals and own just one rifle these days. It’s respectable though.

[@techie13804]

My first deer rifle was a Savage 99E in .308. after my grandfather passed away in 2005, I inherited his 99EG, also in .308. Dropped plenty of deer with this cartridge, but mostly the guns and the sentimental aspect of owning them keeps me taking them afield. Thanks for the content, Ron.

[@kyrozudesoya1829]

My friend was a machine gunner and mortarman in the Second Gulf War and he swears by his 240 Golf. He got an M1A clone earlier this year. He loves his .308.

[@EC-mc7vg]

I think the appeal of the .308 is that it is such a great "middle of the road" cartridge that can lean either way. It can lean to the light side and be a varmint cartridge. It can lean to the heavy side and be a big game cartridge. Or, it can sit right in the middle with 150 grain bullets and do a little bit of everything. It has adequate power and speed with a very wide array of bullets. It doesn't beat you to death. Ammo is relatively cheap and you can find it EVERYWHERE in many different loadings. If you reload it only makes the .308 better and there is probably more reloading data and bullets for .308 than any other cartridge. Not the best cartridge and certainly not the worst, but it is a very versatile "middle of the road" cartridge that has proven itself for many decades. Thanks Ron, interesting video.

[@78Wayne1993]

Well said. Also exceptional barrel life.

[@kareldebures7006]

I am so partial to this cartridge, one of my all time favourites!

[@Vince-ml9gw]

Awesome. The .308 is quite a round and there’s a ton of ammo options. Looking forward to the week’s videos Ron! 👏👏

[@charleshuyck6641]

The Canadian Mounties retired the 303 British and used this on Polar Bear, Moose, Brown Bear/Grizzly for about 200 years or so. They replaced it with the 308 Win and don't see this changing in the next 200 years because it is awesome.

[@charleshuyck6641]

They have actually used the 303 for 110 years but I like to sound dramatic like Ron does when he's dissing the 308. It kills Polar bears but according to him bounces off an Elk. Now I'm a 30-06 guy and my lowly 308s with good bullets produce 1560 fpe at 400 yds. That is more killing power according to Taylor's Equation than a 6.5 Creedmoore has at 100 yds. 308 haters be damned.

[@teaminvictus2375]

LOL.... enough Ron. The .308 is a great round and everyone knows it. You keep trying to dispell its awesomeness. God Bless These United States of America...He has already blessed Texas.

[@chrome8675]

Ron never disappoints, yet again, this week, as every other week, another Three Oh Hate vs. everything else!

[@jfess1911]

The "inherent accuracy" of the typical 308 is largely due to the chamber design. It uses a section of "freebore", essentially a short tube (about two-thousanths of an inch larger diameter than the bullet) before the rifling. This makes certain that the bullet is in line with the center of the bore and not slightly sideways as the rifling is engraved. The 30-06 and many older cartridges just have a cone in front of the case to funnel the bullet into the rifling. If the bullet is at a alight angle when it hits the rifling, it can be cocked at an angle as it travels down the bore. This wobble affects accuracy. It is indeed possible to make rifles with the "taper-only" style of chamber shoot well, but they tend to be a little more picky as to what shoots very accurately. It is important to note that most 308 or 7.62x51 target or sniping rifles use a different chamber. The typical "match chamber" reduces the clearance in the freebore to a quarter of that in the standard SAAMI chamber found in most hunting rifles. In other words, they use a 308 cartridge, but not a normal 308 chamber.

[@ob1kenobi748]

But a barrel takes out the wobble of the bullet when stabilizing no?

[@ob1kenobi748]

Unless the barrel is extremely short

[@jfess1911]

@@ob1kenobi748 Not really. Bullets are deformed as the rifling is impressed into them. If the bullet is at an angle went it hits the rifling, the rifling is deeper on some parts of the bullet than the others. Although the difference is only thousanths of an inch, the bullet is spinning so fast by the time it exits (over 100,000 rpm, typically) that it is thrown slightly to the side. The effect is usually small, but enough to often be an inch or more at 100 yards.

[@sinepari9160]

Also why barrels burn out quicker

[@jfess1911]

@sinepari9160 It is the other way round. A "burnt out barrel" typically comes from the throat becoming enlarged. This means that the bullet hits the rifling at increasingly large and random angles. A small-clearance "match" throat starts off smaller, so it takes longer for it to wear out. On the other hand, a competitor requires much higher accuracy in the first place, so a 1/2-average MOA barrel may be burnt out in their eyes. I have actually bought a couple high-end "take off" barrels from competitors that can still shoot better than me.

[@lancebrinkley5637]

I hunt in a river bottom. My longest shot might be 130-150 yards at best. I love the .308 in that situation. My wife fell in love with the .260 Remington, so thats her weapon of choice. Great history and information Ron, thanks.

[@64samsky]

Thanks for your time for this video! I have an Ar10 in 308 and a SOCOM 16. I love my SOCOM 16!

[@abelvargas4724]

For a caliber that isn't your favorite by a long shot. You dropped a lot of new information for me on this 3o8😂 absolutely enjoy learning from your amazing experiences and wisdom.

[@stevefisher2121]

Thank you for this video - there is so much negativity towards the 308 and I never understood why? It is a fairly light recoiling round that yes has it's limitations, but as long as you know those limitations it is a fabulous round. It my favorite deer round along with my 30-30 and I have never lost a deer to either rifle. Looking forward to this series!!!!

[@Bigfish1day]

I have only been hunting 7 years, my first rifle was .308, 700 ADL Varmint, that 26” barrel was a pain in the woods. Switched to Xbolt third year. 308, 168gr Nosler Partitions get meat on the table for me every year. I can’t think of a better gun.

[@sandych33ks1]

The 308 ammo is cheaper than any ammo you mentioned and more available. Plus no ethical hunter I know shoots out to 700 yards. So the bc is nice but irrelevant if you are a hunter. In the northeast at best we shoot 200 yards. The average is under 100 yards. Even in Alaska most shots are 300 yards and under.

[@Freeontheland2030]

Mighty popular always in stock, takes everything in my part of the world.

[@robertkroberjr.157]

It's my personal favorite! Thank you!

[@brianthompson9136]

12 yr old son just took his first big game animal this fall with a .308. Really nice Mule Deer in Utah at 259 yds. Quick and ethical harvest. Memories to last a lifetime!

[@MrSven3000]

it better be the most popular american cartridge. in europe we shortly after ww2 wanted to go for smaller stuff like .223. but the usa forced us via nato to also take the .308/7.62 nato. and we adopted it and we liked it and also took the civilian version as .308. so i`d say, the .308/7.62nato is the most american cartridge of the later 20th century. and you brought it over the western world and we liked it and it performs great - so just like it !

[@Starcraft98marine]

I’ve talked to a few Brit’s that love their L1A1 self loading rifle. Despite their initial unease in wanting the .280 They learned to love it

[@william16845]

I love the 308,,I also love 6.5 creed and grendel..I don't jump to any specific team on that..they all have there own little nieces they fill.and I'm glad we live in a world with thousands of options that sometimes get rather confusing..

[@kcv5716]

Love the 308. It's my combat/short range hunting AR. I think people like to stay within the 30's for easier reloading and you can find a 308 in every rifle function from wheel to bolt actions.

[@arthurshingler2025]

Marines have used it at past 1000 yards in their sniper rifles. I remember when I was young...maybe 12 years old... that the 308 was discriminated upon by most area hunters, because of the 30-06 being "king", and most hunters hadn't been to Viet Nam. Those that had been in Viet Nam, had a lot of respect for the cartridge. I remember first shooting a 308... it was owned by a Viet Nam soldier (home on leave), out at a Hunting camp in deer season. It was a tracer round that was shot at night. Wow! Was THAT a treat for a 13 year old boy! Needless to say, it stuck in my mind! 50 some years later.... it is one of my favorites! (even if I STILL hunt with a 300 Savage!) This is a GREAT historical overview of this great cartridge! Great job!!

[@diggernash1]

Upgraded from my .308, 1987 Abolt this year. Howa Superlite carbon in .308; shoots good and weighs around 6 lbs ready to hunt. I'm not going back to a heavier rifle any time soon...lol. 130 grain Barnes ttsx and 125 grain Accubonds make whitetails fall down. I'm liking the Barnes a little more right now. Oh, and save the effort, just stuff Varget in the case.

[@stevemarshall7689]

lite weight rifles are great to hunt with! my Kimber Montana in 308 is very effective here in Idaho for mule deer and elk. I've had great luck with the 150 accubonds but that 130 Barnes ttsx is very interesting

[@midwestoutdoorsman]

Ladies get you a man that loves you as much as Ron loves bashing the 308.

[@brianklamer3328]

Your statement should be "Ladies to get you a man as much as Ron loves 7mm cartridges! "

[@blainebreak9050]

😂😂😂 absolute facts. He HATES the .308

[@LucasHeinze]

Science!

[@ChatGPT1111]

First, ladies get you a man who has you read Ron Spomer video comments 😂😂😂

[@sturisa]

That was great Ron, looking forward to all the .308 rifle comparisons this week!

[@bdapyro8399]

Just got my first 308 so I'm a little excited to see how it does

[@bobbygreen2291]

You can load the 125 grain ballistic tips to 3200 feet per second very accurately,,but if you are going to deer hunt load 168 grain gold dots ,,they pack a punch and retain most of there weight

[@bdapyro8399]

@bobbygreen2291 it's more for when shtf but in the meantime I'm going to have fun with it

[@bobbygreen2291]

@@bdapyro8399 that is the most available new ammunition of any caliber and in many different weight s ,,the sweet spot for hunting in 308 win is the 165 to 168 grain weight bullets. Don’t never buy 150 grain bullets for yours ,,those don’t shoot as tight of groups as any other weight ,,the weights that will group inside of one inch is 125 ,,165 ,,168 ,,and 180 grain bullets.

[@bdapyro8399]

@@bobbygreen2291 it's a psa pa10. The only 150 grain bullets I have are all fmj. I haven't bought any other type of bullets yet

[@bobbygreen2291]

@@bdapyro8399 I have had 308 wins for fifty years just thought I would tip you off on ammo , I’ve been reloading it for 58 years,, The psa rifle is a great rifle ,,you will enjoy having it.

[@the.original.throwback]

I grew up hunting deer in wheat field and sage brush country where long shots present themselves more often than when hunting woods and timber. Even so, it is unusual to see shots taken beyond 400 yards simply because most hunters are using rifles, ammo, optics, and skills that make long shot accuracy too unpredictable for ethical shots. Yes, the ballistic science is clear that higher BC bullets perform better at extended range but that only matters if you're taking shots at those distances, which most hunters are not, thank goodness. Great video series. Thanks.

[@jasonherron4199]

The reason why it is the most popular is availability. Even when there is a shortage there tends to be a box of 308 on the shelves somewhere. When you are in a pinch and want to go deer hunting you can find it. The next available (anecdotally) is 270. The 270 is my favorite.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

It's weird because the inverse is true with rifles. It's almost impossible to find a very nice rifle in 308Win. One reason, about 5 years ago, outdoors stores stopped stocking 308Win rifles because those rifles wouldn't sell.

[@bobbygreen2291]

Ron ,,, here in the mountains covered in laurels and timber in western North Carolina,, we can’t see more than two hundred yards except on the interstates and I believe that would be the main reason guys buy a thirty cal rifle to deer hunt with.

[@Bigfish1day]

Same here in central NC, my hunting spots are 125 yards max.

[@BobSchmidty]

I have several rifles chambered in .308, including my retired M24A2, an old L1A1, a couple AR10's, and a couple misc hunting rifles. It's nice having a common, versatile cartridge that is usually easy to find when I'm not reloading

[@nikkastellorizios6585]

My Tikka T3x in .308 is my ideal cartridge, great power & accuracy. Cheaper to reload & the bullet choice is immense. Most shots are within 50-350 mtrs. Drops anything I put my sights on . Best overall cartridge. ❤

[@reloadnorth7722]

Ron. Thankyou.

[@larrygabbard4896]

I have had both the 308 and 6.5 creed. I’ve taken elk and deer with both. Both are my favorite cartridge 😊

[@MisterBrewer]

Why have just one! Congrats on your success!

[@Ricatonniisasavage8854]

I don’t see the hate for the 308 at all. It’s probably one of the more versatile cartridges around, it can take anything from a coyote, all the way to an Elk. That’s saying a lot and squashes any real negative comments about it. There’s no reason to hate on a cartridge that’s been proven effective for decades upon decades. If you want a higher caliber for long range shooting, quit griping and buy a 338 Win Mag, which can reach out to 1000 yards on an Elk with no problem. For me and others that hunt Whitetail in the Midwest, we want something that will easily reach out to 500 yards give or take and something that doesn’t have a ton of recoil, as well as something that’s easily available, even amidst an ammo shortage. I can walk in all of my local gun stores and they have 308 the most readily available, in just about every brand and every grain size you want. I remember in the ammo shortage just a short while ago, I couldn’t find any 243 100gr Cartridges. It took months and months of patience to finally get my hands on 4 boxes of American whitetail 100gr’s…. Same with 270. Point is, don’t hate just because we choose a caliber that’s effective and easily accessible, also easy on the wallet too. I have two 308’s, Browning X Bolt White Gold Medallion and a Ruger Hawkeye Compact 308 Stainless. I’ll put that X Bolt Medallion (with a Swarovski Z3 4-12X50) up against any of ‘em though, fun to shoot and HIGHLY accurate!!! I shot my best Buck at 537 yards 3 years ago with 178gr Hornady Precision Hunters, My Favorite Cartridges to shoot as of right now.

[@jwoak0913]

308 is popular because us veterans that used her to keep this country great🇺🇸 None of the other cartridges, save 30-06 have the “wasta” and nostalgia of the 308. Thx Ron.

[@ChatBot1337]

Just getting back into long guns and Ive got 2 308s to start with. I was and am a 270 guy, but ya cant argue with cheap to shoot and any rifle ya want is available. 🤷

[@gutheres5788]

I AM FROM BRAZIL YOUR CHANNEL IS DECENT, VERY USEFUL: I'M A FAN OF 308 CAL I WILL FOLLOW THESE EPISODES

[@AndrewJohnson-gx5cl]

308win is definitely one of my favorites, I own 4 of them 😅

[@MrRufusjax]

Thanks Mr. Spomer. .308 Week is one of the best ideas you've had for your channel. I'll be tuning in every day! And I don't even have a .308 in my safe.

[@ralphcooper6985]

The bullet diameter argument will never end. I like the creedmores but i have a lot of 308 projectiles on hand these day's. Just use what works for you.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

The best feature of the 308 is you get the traditional 30-06 performance, in a rifle that has less muzzle blast, recoil, and is all around more efficient. Unless you are shooting the heavy weight bullets in the 06, there is no meaningful difference between the two rounds, and the 308 is like the 6.5 Grendel: a lot more friendly to the shooter.

[@kurtreinhardt6789]

Great video Ron- can't wait to see the next 3

[@larrymcguire9686]

The .308 is a great cartridge. I get less than .5" groups at 100yds with my Remington model 700 BDL rifle. The last time I shot a group, I got a 7/16" three shot group at that range.

[@RevHiker]

Ron: "It's 308 Week because its so good and popular!" Also Ron: "The 308 is actually bad when you really look at it... just about everything is better"

[@joeltgardenier]

I hunt big woods upstate NY I think it's a great cartridge for my area my 270 and 243 deflect way more in brushy condition it's does a great job doesn't ruin a ton of meat like my big 300 win mag it's a tough choice between my 300 Savage and my 308 as favorite big woods cartridge

[@PatchedRoundBall]

There are a lot of videos showing that the diameter of bullets have no effect on deflection. Big heavy ones and light skinny ones deflect about the same.

[@joeltgardenier]

@@PatchedRoundBall ya I've seen the videos I've also read articles about deflection all I can go buy is the deer I have shot and butchered myself and see the keyholes and the distance from my aim point

[@philipsteele5704]

I am not sure I can stand a whole week of the 308!!!

[@richnegs5828]

I feel like Ron just said my child was a bit “simple” 😂

[@chrisbrewer4285]

I sold more 308 win chambered rifles than any other cartridge, 2020-2022. I had not owned a 308 until a few years ago although I have hand loaded for many clients over the past 50yrs. and it seems to be a well sought after chambering.

[@jhuntnfish6872]

I love the fact you went on back to the 8x57 mauser. Was the first deer rifle I had bought. The older guy I learned from was before his time on the mauser action being #1. So I met an older guy that had one that was a sporterized k98. Over the years I my most costum built by me gun I have.

[@heathhalfhill6401]

Here in the USA this is really all you need for big game. The recoil isn’t bad and the rounds are available everywhere and affordable.

[@lyndonhamby7432]

I’d say .270 where I live Ron 👍👍🇺🇸

[@blackbirdpie217]

Being popular is actually an advantage to keeping it popular. Not just the sense that if so many other shooters chose it, it must be good, but also the huge variety of ammo and bullets that are available, in every town across America. Plus, more mass production can or might help it in price.

[@murhapuro86]

It is the most popular cartridge in Finland. Its so popular, some people think its the best for large game such as moose or bear and frown upon seeing someone using a better and say, a more specialized caliber choice.

[@JustinOwens-yp4fp]

My 2 deep freezers full of meat say the 308 just works not to mention I’ve never had a problem getting ammo and never broke the bank buying it but to each their own 🤷‍♂️

[@harrystangel6857]

I carried a M-14 in RVN it always worked! Most of my friends loved it. M-16 was problematic and caused many Marines to loose their lives.

[@barneygo2010]

Carried an FNC1A1 on my first deployment overseas. After university and my commissioning…I joined a local shooting team am competed with an M14 & M1A. Thats when I really learned to shoot and win! Life is Good!!

[@shanejarratt9800]

In my neck of the woods, at least judging by the available ammo on the shelves, 30-06 is the most popular cartridge. Which I'd have to agree with, but as a former 06 user, I'll take the lower recoil and the handy 18" barrel for a woods gun. Just my preference. The 145" buck and mule deer hanging on my mantle are a testament that the 308 is more than capable and I call that rifle "Mr automatic" because when I squeeze the trigger the animal it's aimed at is usually going to be dead shortly thereafter.

[@farmerwayne1404]

Ron, Sierra has released a new 177 gr smk. .545 bc. And the 200 gr at .715, 175gr tmk at .545. Looks interesting! .308 is a good and popular round. It has is place, just like every other cartridge. Good series, Mr. S! And hopefully after you made this series, you will have made yourself a "believer "!😅

[@mikecav8]

Practicality is worth considering. I’m currently looking online at Bass Pro for rifle ammunition and see 52 choices for .223, 26 for .243, 45 for 30-06, 37 for 6.5 creedmoor, and 72 choices for .308!

[@MisterBrewer]

And almost as versatile as the 30-06, which is saying something!

[@brotherscoobs]

I just built an ar10...in .308 I don't do long range matches etc. It's easy to find ...lots of handload data to choose from and works well for me at the ranges i shoot at...600 and in...and barrel life...much better than any 6.5 or 6mm load out there except maybe grendel

[@joshh5853]

I have a 308 and I will keep one, due to our last experience with the ammo shortages. 308 was fairly common even then. I do tend to agree with Ron, it does most things just fine but there are cartridges that can do most things better.

[@2Amend4Life]

Hornady produced more .450 Bushmaster than any other cartridge in 2022. I currently don’t know anybody that hunts with a .308. Not a hater. My first new rifle I bought myself as an adult was a Gunsite Scout in .308. Great content, looking forward to this series. Will have to dust off the old scout.

[@stephencriswell22]

The 308win just get the job done what more do you want.

[@nana-yl5wx]

Hornady Superformance .308 150 grain gets over 3000(3027) fps with a 22 inch barrel on my chrony. With speed like that it is up in the upper 30-06 class. I was shocked and thought it was a marketing gimmick BUT it is true and fact! With this ammo my .308 is more powerful than my .270 Win with the same exact bullet weight.

[@arthurparris6223]

I don't know about all of America, but it's definately my favorite!

[@Tool-Meister]

My AR10s, one in .308 & one in 6.5 Creedmoor, get the benefits of the well proven AR rifle and the added benefits of those two cartridges. they cover all the game I hunt and are excellent on the shooting range.

[@Hockeyfan9884]

I love this very informative channel and for years. Keep up the history as well. Thanks

[@Leif1963]

Ron you get a lot of traction out of this subject! I am stunned that you can still ring a little more drama out of it. I enjoy the topic however so if you find something new to say about .308 I'll listen. Wasn't my fav years ago- the caliber fits nicely between the 06 and the .30-30 as an everyman caliber like a good Ford or Cheby truck!

[@Fer-De-Lance]

I have had 2 .308 rifles. One I sold and I have kept the second one I bought. I just put holes in paper. But it is such a balanced and reasonably priced cartridge and you and put 7.62x51mm NATO through it also. And ammo seems (at least for me) to be more available for .308/7.62x51mm NATO.

[@mountaineerdefense2507]

Thanks for coming back, the other guy tries way to hard to make his voice sound deep. It’s unbearable lol

[@circaSG07]

Glad you addressed it in a practical method. 308 fanaticism is a real thing, but we gotta be honest about the practicality that the 308 gives to the every day hunter. If you have no problem buying difficult-to-find rounds, of course... you'll look at the 308 like an old ford f150 that your uncle likes to drive; but for the guy that minds his wallet and doesn't have access to more exotic rounds, I think it's safe to say, the 308 is the more reasonable round to use.

[@drakegrizzell4258]

As someone who handloads literally everything he shoots and for whome buying ammo at all is a major rarity, I suppose how available and relatively cheap .308 is would be a boon to someone who doesn't handload. For someone who does however, the round remains a mystery concerning the fanaticism that used to surround it about 10 years ago considering how many other rounds exist that just better it in literally every way, and can be had for far cheaper than factory .308 if you just take the time to handload them.

[@Burza88]

I took some simulation in reloading tool app using same bullet, and powder - Barnes TTSX 130 gr and VV N130. On 22 inch barrel speed up to fairly safe pressures (40 gr powder in .308 and 46.5 gr in 30-06) difference beteween speed is... 37 FPS (2869 FPS vs 2906 FPS). This is 1,3 % difference :). While recoil in 10 lb gun is 10 ft-lb in 308 vs 12 ft-lb in 30-06. That's 20% more recoil in 30-06. So 308 use less powder with less recoil and giving pretty much same performance. Action is shorter and 308 is handling well shorter barrels, like 18 inch. So you can't hate the 308 ;)

[@MeMadeIt]

Rem 788 in 308 was my first hunting rifle. Though I later migrated to the 280 and then the 7mm mag, the 308 still occupies that 'first love' spot.

[@jondevans8872]

I have one of those for sale

[@Rusty-Brown_]

the 280 is so good

[@TreverSlyFox]

Just an FYI. 1966 Ft. Knox, KY Basic training. We were taught to shoot our M-14s out to 500 yards Without changing our Battle Sight at 250 yards. AIm at the head and hit in the center of the chest (2nd button).

[@davewinter2688]

Ron, Another fine, fun to watch video but you omitted a few facts. When the 300 Savage came out in 1920 it matched the 30-06 150 grain military load of 2750 fps. It was introduced to the public along with the Savage Model 1920 bolt action rifle which was also chambered in 250-3000. Starting in 1916 the rifle that became 1920 had been in competition with the 1917 Enfield for military use and was chambered in 30-06 for those trials. When the Savage rifle lost out to the Enfield, Savage shortened the action by 1.25” and came out with what is basically a modified 98 Mauser style action that weighed just 39.5 ounces. The stock for the 1920 was slim and trim with a Schnable style fore end. With a 24 inch barrel in the 300 it weighed just 6 pounds. It was the first bolt action HUNTING rifle introduced by a major American manufacturer. It was THE first lightweight mountain rifle and I think it qualifies as the first short action bolt action rifle . That’s 28 years before Remington came out with the 722 in 1948. The 300 Savage lost out to the 308 primarily because of its short neck and sharp shoulder. Overall the 308 was judged to be better for functioning in semi auto and full auto rifles. There was never a question of power. At worst there is less than 10% difference between the 300 Savage and 308 Winchester with equal weight bullets. The 300 can come within 5% with some hand loads. With the Hornady Superformance it’s a new animal. My 99 Savage really likes that. The 300 Savage was taking elk, even in the west, out to 300 yards and maybe a little bit farther, long before the 308 Winchester and the even faster, bigger blasters came along. The original SAAMI rating for the 300 Savage was 46,000 Copper Units of Pressure which converts to 51,284 PSI. I don’t know why SAAMI downgraded the 300 Savage to 47,000 PSI except maybe the lawyers are in complete charge. Even the model 93 Mauser action will safely handle 46,000 CUP just as it does in the 7x57 Mauser. The Savage 99 action will handle any reasonable 300 Savage or 308 Winchester load you put in it. I have 308’s in both Savage 99 Rifles and custom rifles built on 98 Mauser actions. My one 300 Savage is a 99F lightweight. I like them all. Of course whatever rifle I have in my hands at the time is my favorite. Happy hunting boys and girls!😊

[@saltrock9642]

The 308win is a “handsome” round and in the hands of a good hand loader can be tweaked to perfection with multitude of components and several different powders. Plus if you leave your ammo at home most stores carry adequate 150gr bullets great for hunting. I love my 308’s.

[@jozef8844]

Have my dad's Rem 660 in 308 that he bought in the 1960's. I put a good scope on it for him in 1988 and worked up 150 gr hand loads and gave it back to him. He got a buck with it in the Pennsylvania buck season that year. His last buck as he passed away a year later. I have the gun and restored it and updated the optics. Sub MOA at 100. Shoot it once a year in his memory. Can't do that with a 6.5 Creed. I do have a 6 Creed and 308 PRS rifles but will never debate the relevance of the 308

[@jefferytillis8309]

Nothing wrong with the cartridge. I do think part of the popularity right now is because it's what the ammo manufacturers are making. Most of the production has been focused on NATO cartridges. And of those it is the one with the most power and the one that makes the best hunting cartridge. Even 30-06 , the number one hunting cartridge for decades, is hard to find in the variety it once was. And it seems that every new rifle these days starts with 308 and 6.5 Creedmor. It's a supply issue, not necessarily a demand issue. Those two are by far the two suitable whitetail cartridges that are easy to find in stock somewhere. Will it revert back to the 30-06 length cartridges? Only time will tell. Let's face it, factory hunting ammo has come nowhere near having the variety of choices and availability it had before COVID and the previous ammo shortages.

[@matthewblumenthal804]

I think you hit it. I can find .308 easily. Everywhere. Powerful incentive to use the cartridge.

[@rickharper5835]

Platform for application is worth consideration. I'd like to see the effects of barrel length for 7.62 vs 7 vs 6.5. An 18.5" bbl in 7.62 by 51 is plenty adequate (inside 400yds) for anything I want to shoot in the lower 48. I think a barrel that short would be too costly for the 6.5 Creedmore. I believe the .308 falls right in the sweet spot of being less effected by bbl length vs bullet weight than going either way.

[@robertmajors1737]

It's really not shocking to me. I don't have a single buddy I can think of that doesn't have a 308. Mine is a 700 LTR 20" 5R, and it's an absolute hammer. 5 shots into about 5/8" with Federal GMM 175's. The 168 are good too, but not quite as consistent.

[@joseedgardotejada100]

Man your videos are so informative, with historial data and excellent data, I learn a lot with your videos, me being a shooter since childhood and gun range rat hahahahahaha greetings from Panamá City, Panamá, Central América, saludos y un estrechón de manos desde acá, happy new year

[@morbidangel9872]

They went with the 30-06 because of the light loads the garand required had too much empty case capacity they were having issues with plus that empty space was a waste of brass so they shortened it added a removable mag and FA capability to a shortened garand design and made the m14 using the shorter cased ammo.

[@REDNECKROOTS]

The 308 just works. Its not picky . Deer and deer sized game its the ticket

[@stevemarshall7689]

Also works great on elk for me!

[@americanpatriot9276]

Sorry...won't be swayed from the 30-06 cartridge. Fed 165 gr NBT, P3006Q, awesome round. Same bullet as 308, more energy at 400 plus yds. Bought as many as could get last year. If you have to take a shot at a white-tail beyond 400 yrds with any cartridge, then you need to rethink your stand location. Post-covid ammo choices are very different now. Seems like the 308 is the most available on the shelves, from all manufacturers. With what's happening at Vista Outdoors, it will be interesting to see what is available in 6 mos. from now or even in a year.

[@rikertvonfulton16]

It just works. I know gun writers and manufacturers want to develop new articles, podcast ,cartridges, and rifles. Thats great! With new powders and bullet technology these older cartridges are going to continue to perform better and better. All those old rifles are going to be relevant for many years to come.

[@kennethchristensen7]

308 M1A ❤

[@hrdrockfarm8948]

The 7-08 and the .308 are the same thing. Not enough difference to even print a ballistic chart. I'll be watching this week, brother Ron. Be on point.

[@sinepari9160]

The 708 is a higher BC bullet but you can't put more powder into the case.. it will never be *much* better than the 308, and only then at ranges over 500yds.

[@hrdrockfarm8948]

@@sinepari9160 No one who plans to shoot past 500 yds uses a 7-08 to do it. For all intents and purposes, it's the same gun. Ballistic coefficient be damned.

[@sinepari9160]

@@hrdrockfarm8948 Agreed!

[@Jet2416-Reloading]

Ron, my opinion of why .308W is so popular is because it is a versatile round. I don't need to repeat those because you have already done that. It may not be "the best" all around cartridge but it has enough good qualities for most purposes that it is "Good Enough" for most people and generally, it's easy to get.

[@curly__3]

I sold mine and bought a 30-06. Never looked back.

[@PureTruth1970]

What are you hunting with the 30-06 that your previous .308 can't? Just curious!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

_Mark and Sam After Work_ built a long rang package for .30-06 and was getting 2626 fps out of 230gr bullets, 27" barrel.

[@rsvr62]

Do I like your KZbin videos and your educated teasing the 0.308 community - oh yes I do. I even own one myself and like it. Here is my humble take. The 0.308 is the jack of all trades out to say 400-ish yards and does the job very very well as you say. However logistically it is the king. Ammo is almost always available in many different bullet sizes often to sensible prices (compared). You can handload to perfection (as you can with others/the 6.5 Creedmore) and find the suitable gear also to sensible prices. It is not a barrel burner. And there are so many good rifle brands chambering for 0.308. And that matters over a long (rifle)life. Keep the videos coming I thoroughly enjoy them.

[@roddecker1900]

Enjoy rons videos. This one too. Hope this eventing continues in the future. Its kinda like kids reinventing the wheel or women's changing styles So have att it , i got to figure out dam computer to corral preference points. If lucky i can then figure out which cartridge is appropriate , then add one bigger Paper chasing is captivating when reloading , just isnt necessary.

[@darrinfrench9018]

Very nice and well done video, thank you Ron