Danny , would like to get something a little heavier to limit recoil a bit. Plus won’t lie, just want something new……
use 30-06 reduced recoil rounds , this is basically a 30-06 loaded to 308 velocity's or with a lighter bullet
or get a muzzle brake
my 30-06 load is for an M1 and a 742 so it is already needing to be 308 velocities for the M1 I just run it that way for both , deer never notice but you will in the recoil.
the bullet being identical a 308 max load is basically identical to a 30-06 starting load in most powders that work for both and also with the velocities
the 308 case is 51mm long and the 30-06 case is 63mm long there is just room for more powder
weight will help but make a beast to carry , if you drive to your stand and climb up in and never move no issue , but it you hike in , or walk a good portion of the day it does make a difference.
and you won't even notice a hardly any trajectory difference in 150-200fp between the typical 308 velocity and the 30-06 velocity with the same bullet
it is a 1.1 inch difference at 300 yards between the same 150gr bullet at 2750 and 2900 and since you never shoot game past 200 yards it is a 0.2 inch difference at 100 yard not enough difference to make a difference
if you want less recoil from a 30-06 and don't want to change cartridge , Muzzle brake can reduce felt recoil by 50%
buy a threaded barrel gun , may not be a lot in 30-06 , lots of 308 are coming this way now
my 308 jumps a bit it is fairly light 8.2 pounds ready to hunt however with the brake t took almost all the jump out I am still looking through the scope to watch bullet impact on steel
you have to get the muzzle out of the blind , or holy pressure wave batman