Could you use a 308 round in a 30-06?

[Pookster]

Just a hypothetical question. Since a 308 is really supposed to be just a cut down 30-06, unless there are different angles, shouldnt a 30-06 bolt action rifle be able to fire the 308 round?

 

[mofugly13]

No.


A .308 round will have WAAAAAAAAAY too much headspacing, it will fall into the chamber and the firing pin will not hit the primer. Both of these rounds headspace on the shoulder of the cartridge. Even if a .308 round was able to fit in the chamber so that the firing pin could contact it and fire it, the jump that the bullet would have to make to the throat of the barrel would cause a pressure spike and probably ruin the barrel as far as accuracy is concerned. Bottom line: Don't do it.
A company that used to advertise in the gun rags used to (maybe still does) make a 'sleeve' that would drop onto a 30-06 chamber and allow a .308 to be chambered and fired.

 

[Pookster]

Thats what I figured, there was no wasy to properly seat that round. Yet, the exterior case dimentions were the same, figured that somewhere somehow, could be done.