Ammunition availability and cost, 308 vs 30-06?

[sports]

Hi everyone!

We have recently moved to a property in North East Vic that is pretty much infested with Deer and Kangaroos. I've been doing some research on deer rifles and have settled on either a 308 or a 30-06. In the current environment with stock availability issues and increasing costs, I thought it wise to give some deeper thought to the caliber of choice.

If you have any thoughts or experience around the issue of costs and availability, please post up and let me know!

Thanks for your help.

[northdude]

When I lived in aus I used a 6.5x55

[No1Mk3]

G'day sports,
I have never had problems finding either calibre anywhere I've been. I do see a much wider range of projectlie weight and type, along with a wider range of pricing, in 308 as factory ammunition. For reloading they are, of course, exactly the same costs, Cheers.

[sports]

G'day sports,
I have never had problems finding either calibre anywhere I've been. I do see a much wider range of projectlie weight and type, along with a wider range of pricing, in 308 as factory ammunition. For reloading they are, of course, exactly the same costs, Cheers.

Thanks No1Mk3. I've not given any thought to reloading, but it's something I really should look in to. Not so much from a money saving perspective, but I think the versatility and self reliance would be beneficial.

[Oldbloke]

No1Mk3 is pretty right.
30.06 has a tad more oomf for heavier bullets tho. Both are very good choices.

Im afraid 6.5 isn't legal in Vic for Reds or sambar.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Both will kill any deer or roo in the federation and both should be on the shelf at any gun shop. I really don't think price will make much of a difference. 308 will be a bit cheaper but depending on how much you shoot might only be about $50 a year.

Pick the one you like best.

[sports]

Thanks very much guys.

I'm going to go with the 30-06, that's the one I really want, and if price and availability is the same between them both then I may as well get what I want

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Good choice. 30-06 is a mans cartridge. Big, heavy and powerful.

[bladeracer]

Hi everyone!

We have recently moved to a property in North East Vic that is pretty much infested with Deer and Kangaroos. I've been doing some research on deer rifles and have settled on either a 308 or a 30-06. In the current environment with stock availability issues and increasing costs, I thought it wise to give some deeper thought to the caliber of choice.

If you have any thoughts or experience around the issue of costs and availability, please post up and let me know!

Thanks for your help.

Can't shoot the roos in Victoria without a cull permit, which is expensive to get approved. Start shooting some deer though and the roos might decide to go elsewhere.

Both are virtually the same cartridge, the .308 is a shortened .30-06.
Cost and availability will be more about the specific cartridge you want I think. Once you know what you want just order a pile of it from your dealer so you always have it in the cupboard.

I have a .30-06 (M1903-A3), but in a hunting rifle I'd go with .308 - I use 7mm-08 myself.

[bladeracer]

When I lived in aus I used a 6.5x55

In Victoria we have to use a bullet of .270" diameter or bigger and 130gn or heavier for the red and sambar (.38 Special works mint). In NSW they _recommend_ a minimum .270Win cartridge with a .130gn bullet - NSW actually thought about what they were writing before making it a requirement, but still forgot about velocity or energy minimums, so subsonic is fine.

[sports]

Can't shoot the roos in Victoria without a cull permit, which is expensive to get approved. Start shooting some deer though and the roos might decide to go elsewhere.

Really, even on my own property? What a PITA. Hope none get shot accidentally while I scope in the rifle then.

I have a .30-06 (M1903-A3), but in a hunting rifle I'd go with .308 - I use 7mm-08 myself.

I'd like to hear why you think the .308 option would be better for hunting? I've got no idea.

[Oldbloke]

Look under equipment.

https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer ... nting-laws

[northdude]

When I lived in aus I used a 6.5x55

In Victoria we have to use a bullet of .270" diameter or bigger and 130gn or heavier for the red and sambar (.38 Special works mint). In NSW they _recommend_ a minimum .270Win cartridge with a .130gn bullet - NSW actually thought about what they were writing before making it a requirement, but still forgot about velocity or energy minimums, so subsonic is fine.

the red deer cullers used 222 over here for long enough

[bladeracer]

Can't shoot the roos in Victoria without a cull permit, which is expensive to get approved. Start shooting some deer though and the roos might decide to go elsewhere.

Really, even on my own property? What a PITA. Hope none get shot accidentally while I scope in the rifle then.

I have a .30-06 (M1903-A3), but in a hunting rifle I'd go with .308 - I use 7mm-08 myself.

I'd like to hear why you think the .308 option would be better for hunting? I've got no idea.

Yes, it would be a serious offence, and accidentally shooting any animal probably proves your inability to safely control a firearm...

The .308 is a short-action version of the .30-06, it makes the rifle and the ammunition shorter and lighter.

[bladeracer]

When I lived in aus I used a 6.5x55

In Victoria we have to use a bullet of .270" diameter or bigger and 130gn or heavier for the red and sambar (.38 Special works mint). In NSW they _recommend_ a minimum .270Win cartridge with a .130gn bullet - NSW actually thought about what they were writing before making it a requirement, but still forgot about velocity or energy minimums, so subsonic is fine.

the red deer cullers used 222 over here for long enough

Yep, and there's no logical reason we shouldn't be using them here. Shooters are better able to make these choices, certainly better than bureaucrats making up laws that make them appear to be doing something useful.

[bigpete]

Good choice. 30-06 is a mans cartridge. Big, heavy and powerful.

And best necked up to .358....

[northdude]

Good choice. 30-06 is a mans cartridge. Big, heavy and powerful.

And best necked up to .358....

necked down to 6.5

[bigpete]

s**t no

[in2anity]

Both expensive, 3006 moreso. Easy $2/pop. Handloading is getting way more viable, so long as you can get the appropriate consumables...

[Blr243]

I would pick the 308 over the o6 based on your info provided

[bladeracer]

Both expensive, 3006 moreso. Easy $2/pop. Handloading is getting way more viable, so long as you can get the appropriate consumables...

Yep, the $1 apiece .308 seems long gone now, even $2 apiece is cheap these days, even for bulk packs. If you're buying off the shelf $3 is more realistic I think.

Federal is usually the cheapest stuff I notice on shelves, and even Cleaver wants $320/200rds.

[bladeracer]

Hi everyone!

We have recently moved to a property in North East Vic that is pretty much infested with Deer and Kangaroos. I've been doing some research on deer rifles and have settled on either a 308 or a 30-06. In the current environment with stock availability issues and increasing costs, I thought it wise to give some deeper thought to the caliber of choice.

If you have any thoughts or experience around the issue of costs and availability, please post up and let me know!

Thanks for your help.

Instead of spending big on ammo (probably well over $1000 for 500rds even on special), I would spend $310 on the Lee Breechlock Challenger kit, a collet die set ($120), 50 pieces of brass ($50), a kilo of AR2206H powder ($140 - enough for 300-350rds), 1000 LR primers ($120), and a selection of bullets to try out (anywhere from $50/100 to $150/50).

Projectile Warehouse do 10rd and 20rd sample packs for testing.
Getting primers and powders will be the issue.

I would also go with 7mm-08 rather than .308 or .30-06

If the deer are only small, no sambar or reds, you can go right down to the 6mm chamerings, but if Sambar do start showing up you'll need another rifle.

[Oldbloke]

Sheesh. If you buy a 308 or 3006 you can shoot ALL deer in Vic. NE Vic is the home of Sambar. Don't fuc around with smaller stuff. You can buy smaller (say 243) later if you need one.

Buying anything under 270 will just limit your targets.

I would buy 2 boxes of ammo and start looking at reloading gear and components now.

[deanp100]

Just get hat you want most. 30/06 will go great. So will 308. Your heart is set on 30/06 so do it. It is just a 30:cal projectile going fast. It doesn’t matter who designed the case it came out of.

[Oldbloke]

"The .308 is a short-action version of the .30-06, it makes the rifle and the ammunition shorter and lighter."

This is correct, 308 rifle will be perhaps 50grams lighter 12mm shorter.

To buy 30.06 ammo cost a fair bit more. Suggest u get a price from LGS.

However to reload its only 4 or 5 cents extra in powder. And as I said earlier, will do everything a 308 does and has more grunt for heavier bullets.

[in2anity]

Yep, the $1 apiece .308 seems long gone now, even $2 apiece is cheap these days, even for bulk packs. If you're buying off the shelf $3 is more realistic I think.

Federal is usually the cheapest stuff I notice on shelves, and even Cleaver wants $320/200rds.

It's never been a better time to get into handloading. My advice, stock up on primers NOW, and stock up on projectiles whenever opportunities present themselves. There is uncertainty around the munitions supply chains into the future - instead, handloading largely hands you back the reins. We are lucky to have domestic powder production.

If you are handloading, then 3006 or 308 take your pick. Same s**t different smell.

[wrenchman]

there is nothing wrong with both they will work great the 06 has a special place in my hart but both are great

[Oldbloke]

Thanks very much guys.

I'm going to go with the 30-06, that's the one I really want, and if price and availability is the same between them both then I may as well get what I want

Just remembered. These are worth a call to.

Closer to you.

https://www.trellys.com.au/