308 vs 30-06 vs 7.62x54R: Not Even Close?

Published on September 20, 2024
Duration: 14:48

This video provides a comprehensive, hands-on comparison of three classic military rifle cartridges: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and 7.62x54R. The host, demonstrating high authority in ballistics, systematically tests their performance against various barriers including wood, steel, and concrete, and analyzes terminal ballistics like bullet tumbling. The .308 Winchester generally shows superior penetration and performance across most tests, especially against steel.

Quick Summary

The .308 Winchester generally outperforms the .30-06 Springfield and 7.62x54R in penetration tests against barriers like mild steel. While the .30-06 showed significant bullet tumbling, the .308's higher velocity and energy transfer resulted in deeper craters and better performance against hardened targets.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 00:33Round 1: Lumber & Steel Penetration
  3. 03:02Round 2: Bullet Tumbling Test
  4. 06:27Round 3: Concrete Paver Test
  5. 08:13Round 4: Mild Steel Penetration
  6. 11:54Bonus Round: AR500 Steel & Military Loads
  7. 14:19Chronograph Data & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the .308 Winchester compare to 7.62x54R and .30-06 Springfield in terms of penetration?

.308 Winchester generally shows superior penetration, successfully piercing barriers like 3/8-inch mild steel after wood, where the .30-06 and 7.62x54R struggled. Against 1/2-inch steel, the .308 created the deepest crater, indicating better energy transfer.

Which cartridge demonstrated the most bullet tumbling in ballistic tests?

In a test using a gallon jug of water, the .30-06 Springfield exhibited the most significant bullet tumbling. This effect is important for increasing the wound channel of FMJ ammunition by causing it to destabilize and rotate end-over-end after impact.

What were the key performance differences observed between .308 Win, .30-06, and 7.62x54R against steel targets?

Against 3/8-inch mild steel, all three calibers penetrated. However, on 1/2-inch mild steel, the .308 Winchester created the deepest crater. Against AR500 steel, specialized military loads were tested, with the .308 M80A1 showing impressive performance, though none fully penetrated the hardened plate.

What are the average velocity and energy figures for the tested cartridges?

The .308 Winchester (149gr) averaged 2803 fps (2600 ft-lbs), 7.62x54R (182gr) averaged 2498 fps (2524 ft-lbs), and the .30-06 Springfield (150gr) averaged 2347 fps (1835 ft-lbs), as measured by a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph.

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