30-06 vs 300 Win mag

[EastTNHunter]

I know the ballistics and stuff, but is the 300 win mag really that much better? I am dreaming about getting a stainless steel do-all rifle with an eye toward an elk, moose, or caribou hunt in the future years down the road. In real world use is the 300 win mag worth the extra recoil and powder usage? I already own a 30-06 pump and 270 bolt action, but both are blued and I would not want to take them on a trip like the one stated. I likely will never take a shot over 350yd

 

[Jcalder]

It's not worth it to me.

 

[DaveB]

I have two 300 Win Mag's. I hear the talk, I read the posts, an 06 is enough muscle for an elk. I politely disagree. Some elk shots are 1/4 toward or away and many are 200 yards and up.

Of course you can kill an elk with an 06, you can kill an elephant with one also. I never felt the recoil in the field and the weight never bothered me either.

In the end the question is can you tote the weapon with confidence in your ability to cleanly kill what you aim at.

 

[Rackseeker]

I prefer a 300 win mag over the 06. The recoil is about the same to me. There is nothing like hearing the 300 win mag roar through the mountains on a cold crisp morning. Loaded with 168 Berger VLDs at about 3200fps it is a killing machine.

 

[Kimberman]

If you already have a 30-06, and want a bigger gun for bigger stuff, I would go .338 Win Mag over any 300 magnum every time. A 210 gr Partition flies very flat, and carries a bunch of energy at long range. For closer stuff a 250 gr bullet is a thumper for sure.

 

[stringtalker]

35 whelen, is all you need, will kill any north american big game

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

If you already have a 30-06, and want a bigger gun for bigger stuff, I would go .338 Win Mag over any 300 magnum every time. A 210 gr Partition flies very flat, and carries a bunch of energy at long range. For closer stuff a 250 gr bullet is a thumper for sure.

I seriously considered this before I bought the 260 and sorta wish I had, but I didn't

 

[KPH]

35 whelen, is all you need, will kill any north american big game

This

 

[redblood]

for deer they are both overkill. I have a 30-06 but usually carry a 7mm08, 308 or 243

 

[280longshot]

Without looking to see the weight of a moose, there is a significant difference in weight compared to a deer.

A do all rifle has different meanings ....to some.

I would want a bigger caliber for Moose, Elk, or Caribou.
Not that a 30-06 wouldn't suffice.

 

[stik]

30-06 is plenty for anything in north america except maybe the big coastal grizzlies.

 

[.444 Marlin]

Loaded properly, a 06 is just as nasty at most ranges as a 300 win mag. Recoil doesnt bother me because Ive shot a 375 H&H enough that I can handle it and keep good accuracy. If I had to choose one or the other, Id go with the 300 just because it was one of my first bigger 30s and fell in love with the round.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

I would imagine if the data was somehow available we would find more elk have been killed by 06 or 270 than 300 win mag.

I agree, but if I had to choose I'd go with the 300 wm

 

[EastTNHunter]

35 whelen, is all you need, will kill any north american big game

This

Actually, I have always wanted a 35 Whelen or 338-06, but I think that it will be hard to find a stainless rifle chambered in this caliber. I guess I also have always wondered about trajectory, but have never looked at ballistic tables. A good 225ish grain Accubond or GMX would be good medicine for just about anything in North America

 

[sll]

With the possibilities you mentioned.......beastly animals up to 350 yards....300WM gets my vote.

 

[Lost Lake]

Good bullets properly placed matter far more than headstamps.

 

[Rackseeker]

Good bullets properly placed matter far more than headstamps.

This true but in the woods while hunting you wont have sand bags, lead sled, etc. Therefore you can get away with more as far as shot placement goes with the .300 Win Mag over the .30-06.

 

[sll]

I have owned (and still own several) of most calibers and to me the 300WM is what I consider the all-around choice for North American game. Reloading options are many and factory ammo is available most everywhere if you don't reload. Not to mention performance the caliber is capable of.

 

[1 good shot]

try before you buy
it doesn't matter what caliber it is if you're not comfortable with it
your physical size can have a whole lot to do with how well you can handle the difference in recoil between the 2
plus if you've had to do a lot of hard physical work or if you are a desk jockey can make a difference
its simple physics a 300 win mag is going to push against a 150 lb man differently than it does a 250 lb man

 

[mike243]

I hunt with a 300wm and shoot 150g corelocks most of the time, I have killed with 165g in several makes but find that I don't need any heavier for deer, I have killed several with 3006 and never had problems either.I got the 300wm in case I get to hunt some thing bigger than deer. a 338 would be too much gun for me for deer but might not be for others. its all about choices and you decide based on ballistics and how it fits you. mine will be used for deer 99% of its life im sure

 

[infoman jr.]

I have both. For a do-all gun, I choose the win mag.

 

[EastTNHunter]

By looking at recoil calculators, it seems that the 35 Whelen has just as much recoil as the 300 Win Mag because of the heavier bullets, and the BC is a good bit lower on the fat bullets. I think that I will stick to the .30 caliber stuff.

I handload, so I can load down the .300, but it still uses so much more powder on .30-06 duplicate loads that it makes me pause (money and recoil). Also, some rifles do not respond well to reduced loads. I wonder about the .300 WSM as a "tweener"???? I will have to look it up. Also, how does magnum brass hold up compared to .06 brass?

I am just wondering if anything really needs more than a .30-06 with a premium 180gr bullet at the ranges that I will be hunting. I am not too macho to admit that I am becoming more recoil sensitive as I get older (construction work has been rough on my body), and I can shoot more and more accurately with a lower recoiling rifle. I cannot shoot well enough, regardless, to take a shot over 250 on a deer, and 350 on a larger bodied animal with a bigger kill zone.

 

[mike243]

They do have reduced loads for it but the 150g aint to bad

 

[DaveB]

Hmm. As a suggestion, see if you can find someone who has a PAST magnum recoil shield. You can wear it under or over your shirt and it tames 300 WinMag recoil.

I have a 300 WSM and am in the process of scoping and building loads.

 

[89cherokeelimited]

30-06 with 155 gr projectile and moving 3,009 fps. That will take down anything you shoot. I've always been a firm believer in 30-06.
Love my 1977 Savage 110 30-06.

 

[Model70Man]

The 300 WSM IMO is a better option. You get identical ballistics with less powder, less recoil, and a shorter and lighter rifle. I load my wizzum with 130 gr Barnes TTSX at 3600+ fps. The recoil is like shooting an -06 with 180 gr loads. I have an -06 also that loves 165 gr pills. The funny thing is I haven't hunted with those 2 rifles in years. The 300 WSM is too pretty and the -06 is jinxed. The .260 and .270 go with me the most now.

 

[mike243]

also look at the handicap for the 300wsm ,180g is probably the highest you can shoot without getting barrel reset due to length of shell, that limits the versatility of it imo

 

[EastTNHunter]

The 300 WSM IMO is a better option. You get identical ballistics with less powder, less recoil, and a shorter and lighter rifle. I load my wizzum with 130 gr Barnes TTSX at 3600+ fps. The recoil is like shooting an -06 with 180 gr loads. I have an -06 also that loves 165 gr pills. The funny thing is I haven't hunted with those 2 rifles in years. The 300 WSM is too pretty and the -06 is jinxed. The .260 and .270 go with me the most now.

I hadn't even thought of going with a light bullet like that, as I am usually a medium-to-heavy-bullet-for-caliber kinda guy, but the premium bullets make that possible. I'm sure that a 130-150gr premium would do the trick for deer, then I could switch over to a 180gr for big game if it ever came up.

also look at the handicap for the 300wsm ,180g is probably the highest you can shoot without getting barrel reset due to length of shell, that limits the versatility of it imo

I really planned on using a 180-190gr premium bullet for big game, regardless, so that would not be an issue for me.

It will still come down to what rifle I can find for the right price, but I am leaning toward the .300WSM or .30-06

 

[MUP]

You know my recommendation Ryan... :grin:

 

[Rubberduck270]

There's a 300 WSM for sale right now in the classifieds...