[gfdeputy2]

I have a chance to get a great deal on the new Ruger American rifle for my daughters people keep telling me the .308 is the way to go, but I would prefer the 30-06 only because my buddy is reloading them & I believe he can make a load light enough for them to handle question is
will it still be letheal @ 100 yards
what do you think should I just get the .308 or the 30-06

 

[BruceBruce1959]

I would choose the .30-06, it's the most Versatile.

 

[gfdeputy2]

After some more research I think I am going with the .30-06 Bruce
I see Federal & Remington have low recoil "youth hunting" loads now
supposed to have a recoil comparable to a .30-30

 

[Hunting Man]

I think the 308 has slowly gained favor with the shooting crowd over the years. I don't see much difference in either round for hunting. For me pick the one you most want and with the reloading cost issue then the 30-06 makes sense. There a few other rounds that I would look at for a child, wife, girlfriend but you didn't ask that question so I'll leave it there. Post it when you have it!!

 

[Karl.Luhr]

I would have gotten the 30-06 also

I shoot lightly loaded 30-06 reloads in my 30-06s. Not reduced power loads just loads toward the starting load listed in the reloading manuals. I don't know if Ruger is using two different action lengths for the 308 and 30-06. That is sometimes an argument for getting the 308 if they are using the action 3/4 inch shorter and lighter. If the manufacturer is using the same action there isn't much reason to choose the shorter 308. Some rifle shooters will argue that the 308 is more accurate. Either round is a good one, the fact that a friend loads for 30-06 would have made the choice easy if I would have had to make it.

Karl

 

[WisconsinDeer]

I'd go with 308.

 

[Stewart1516]

I'm with BruceBruce1959 - 30-06 is a much more versatile round then the 308 is!

 

[gfdeputy2]

There a few other rounds that I would look at for a child, wife, girlfriend but you didn't ask that question so I'll leave it there. Post it when you have it!!

HM
I know there are better rounds suited for children & women but the deal is only for .308, .270 or .30-06 & is at a price I can't pass on
I am ordering the .06 as two of my hunting buddies just purchased the American in .06
I already have a .270 so that is out I do like the .308 just seems to make sense now to get the .06 I won't have to buy everything to set up for reloading a .308
HOPE I AM NOT WRONG ON THIS :wacko:
I just don't want to put the fear in my Girls
I want them to keep enjoying shooting
my oldest (16) can handle my 12ga 2 3/4 shells no problem. My youngest shoots a 20Ga 3" mags
they are both as small as I am under 120# and about 5'4"
I just haven't shot an .06 or .308 enough to make the best decision
tried out the American .06 & I do know the recoil is a considerable amount less then my .270
I guess worse thing is I sell the darn thing & make a few bucks on it

 

[Hunting Man]

In all reality I would be concerned with my daughter shooting a 30-06 especially in any light weight rifle. My daughter is all grown up but only tips the scale at 107lbs. I would look at a 260 rem, 243, yes the old 300 sav as these are sure fire deer getters and have little to no kick. It won't take long to see if they can handle the 30-06's recoil. Watch their face after firing if you see any fright it's time to stop as their form will then punish them and scare them off from further shooting. Just make sure she has it tight on her shoulder and cheek firmly on the stock. I've never shot reduced recoil ammo but it may be a good application for you. Let us know how it all works out.

 

[gfdeputy2]

will do
they both shoot very well we will see what happens of course I will be shooting it first
thanks everyone

 

[BruceBruce1959]

After some more research I think I am going with the .30-06 Bruce
I see Federal & Remington have low recoil "youth hunting" loads now
supposed to have a recoil comparable to a .30-30

I don't have any experience with Federal's low recoil ammo but I would beg you NOT to use the Remington managed recoil ammo, especially for hunting.
I think Remington's managed recoil ammo is a great ammunition for the range, It's great ammo to help get a youth shooter comfortable with shooting his/her weapon but
as a hunting load, I have personally witnessed how Remington's managed recoil performed Extremely poor as a hunting load.
I would not recommend Remington's Managed recoil for anything other than practice ammo, hopefully Federal loads will perform better but I'd be cautious using any managed recoil ammo for hunting.
Good Luck

 

[gfdeputy2]

thanks for the info Bruce
I will try them for the kids on the range & we will reload some lighter then normal loads ourselves

 

[spiker]

Gf maybe look at staring her off with some range time on something like a caldwell lead sled.It will absorb the recoil,but if i recall doesnt she shoot turkey loads?I think if you go slow she will be fine and ive told you guys bfore the 3006 is the greatest.This is where Hm chimes in.

 

[Karl.Luhr]

Have your friend reload with reduced loads in H4895

On the Hogdon website reloading area they list reduced recoil loads using H4895. The beauty of H4895 is that it tolerates reduced loads without issues in pressure. The rule is find any load listed for the bullet you are going to use.

Here is what they say

Karl

Hodgdon Powder Company developed the following reduced loads for use on deer and similarly sized game animals. The
bullets chosen were originally designed for single shot pistols and their lower velocities. These rifle loads have been
developed to closely approximate those pistol velocities, resulting in similar performance on game animals. Thus,
producing loads effective to 200 yards with minimal recoil.
H4895 powder was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced charges. For years
H4895 has been the top choice of cast bullet shooters. For this type of shooting, loads are reduced even more than the
hunting loads listed here. To create this type of target and plinking loads, we recommend our 60% rule with H4895: Refer
to our latest reloading manual or the Reloading Data Center found on this website; take the maximum H4895 charge listed
for any given cartridge and multiply it by 60%. The shooter can create a 1500 to 2100 f/s load, depending on the bullet
weight shown. This works ONLY where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use H4895 in a cartridge where it has not been shown.
Call Hodgdon Powder Company if additional information is needed. Loads may be adjusted up or down to achieve best​

accuracy. However, DO NOT reduce by more than an additional 10%.

 

[Hunting Man]

Spiker, what exactly do you mean? I like all rifles and calibers! I may have a favorite one though, lets see.... Sav 300 ya that's it! ickle:

 

[NYHunter]

I own both of these calibers. I use both each year as well. Both kill deer just fine. I will say the 308 is a bit more accurate. I have confidence in both. The 308 is a short action and the case design allows a more efficient powder burn. Recoil is lighter. My 16 y/o daughter shoots this when we hunt together. I took a doe last year at 140 yards with the 308 and it blew the opposite shoulder out of its socket and was hanging outside the deer. I shot a Buck at 100 with the .06 and he dropped straight down. Both effective shots. If it comes down to recoil the 308 is the one to choose.

 

[spiker]

:goodposting:

 

[gfdeputy2]

Gf maybe look at staring her off with some range time on something like a caldwell lead sled.It will absorb the recoil,but if i recall doesnt she shoot turkey loads?I think if you go slow she will be fine and ive told you guys bfore the 3006 is the greatest.This is where Hm chimes in.

yes Spiker she does shoot Turkey loadsmy youngest (13) shoots a 20Ga 3" mags my oldest (soon to be 16) is shooting my 12 auto with2 3/4" loads
She also shoots my 1911 I know it is different being a handgun but no fear shooting
I do feel they can handle it & I just don't want to get something like a .243
I can get the .06 or the .308 for under $200 but only 1 .308 was available & I think that is gone only other choice is a .270 & I already have one in the M77 I guess I could lighten the load in the .270 but I really don't like my other daughter using the mini 30 it is just to darn heavy lugging in the woods

 

[spiker]

Dep if she has no fear of the handgun and them turkey loads you have no worry.The 243 is nice but i agree they will want to step up in time,i personally dont care for the 243 for whitetails and i agree with your decision on 308 or 06.Good luck and hope she enjoys it.

 

[gfdeputy2]

Well I had my youngest shoot the ole model 99 & she loved it so I put my name in on the only .308 that was available for this deal so I hope it is still available just hope the recoil is close to the .300 savage
all the handguns & Rifles I have shot over the years I don't recall ever shooting a .308 & I have shot a lot of different calibers from .22 to the .480 Ruger Funny that one gun I never shot would have been a common round like a .308