Now, standing at almost seven decades old, the .308 Winchester caliber is still one of the best out there. It was originally meant for hunting large game, but it is now used for target shooting, competitive shooting, military sniping, police sharpshooting, hunting, and shooting metallic silhouettes.
Indeed, the .308 is one of the world’s most popular hunting cartridges. Due to its classic style and all-around hunting-friendly features, it comes as no surprise why the .308 Winchester is beloved by many.
A Brief Look into the .308 Winchester Cartridge
The .308 Winchester is known for its rimless cartridge that was originally designed in the late 1800s. American troops utilized smokeless gunpowder in combat during the Spanish-American War. In response, the.30-03 and.30-06 cartridges were created.
It performed admirably in a number of circumstances and with a variety of weaponry during both World Wars. The .308 is a direct successor of the .30-06 and debuted in 1952 during the Korean War. Because the .308 cartridge arrived before the military guns were designed to utilize it, it was available for purchase that year.
The cartridge’s quickness and ability to pierce foliage instantly drew the attention of outdoor enthusiasts.
The .308 Winchester Competitors
Despite its popularity, the .308 faces competition. Its main rival is the .30-06. Both cartridges can hold projectiles weighing 150 grains. Both cartridges can fire projectiles up to 300 yards, with the .30-06 being more resistant to larger rounds than the .308. The .308 caliber is also the less expensive option.
Shooters believe that .308 is more precise than .30-06, because of the short neck and a “fat” casing. However, a controlled research comparing the accuracy of these cartridges has never been conducted. Still, many experts believe that these two cartridge kinds are comparable. If the .308 appears to be superior to the .30-06, it could be because there are more short-action .308 rifles available.
The .270 cartridge is the .308’s next significant adversary. According to shooters, the .308 caliber improves neither accuracy nor firepower, but its recoil is greater than that of the .270. It can withstand a bigger load. Individual preferences, once again, outweigh cartridge benefits.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of the .308 Winchester
Let’s weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the .308 caliber today.
The Benefits:
- Excellent hunting gun.
- Plenty of accessible ammunition.
- Less expensive than .300 and .30-06 cartridges.
- Tolerable recoil.
- Compatible with a variety of weapons.
- Shorter cartridge casings prevent jamming.
The Drawbacks:
- The .308 round has a lower range and heavier bullets than comparable cartridges. At 300 yards, the .308 is accurate. The .308 has a 500-yard range.
- Some shooters believe that this cartridge is less flat than others. This is affected by grain weight. As such, keep the grain weight under 150.
- The .308 caliber is considered “military grade” in Mexico, making it prohibited for hunting use. Prior to overseas hunts, this cartridge must be researched.
- While the .308 works well for deer hunting, many hunters prefer the .270. This appears to be a gun issue rather than a cartridge issue.
The versatility of the.308
Experts consider the .308 to be “the greatest of the .30 series.”
This popular hunting tool is known for its efficacy and control. The .308 has the ability to kill larger prey without overkilling smaller prey. They also say that it is trustworthy in a wide range of terrains and climates. The .308 cartridge performs admirably in today’s popular short-action rifles.
Moreover, the .308 caliber is still preferred by law enforcement and military snipers today due to its dependability and efficacy.
Conclusion
The .308 caliber is an effective target cartridge because it’s always ready to go, it’s resistant to heat and harm, and at 1000 yards, it can attack targets with pinpoint accuracy (depending on bullet weight). This low-cost, dependable, and accurate cartridge is excellent for a variety of short-action rifles and situations.
Are you looking for reloading supplies in Myrtle Beach? RedEye Reloading offers premium reloading accessories at fair prices. Visit our store today!