30-06 vs 300 Win Mag

[Lloyd Smale]

dont let anyone fool you. the 300 mag is a step up from an o6. I love both of them and if you were limiting yourself to 150-165 grain bullets id say the o6 is fine but where the 300 shines is using 180s and is a big step up when your loading 200 grain bullets. there will allways be a place for both in my safe.

 

[critter]

I think your thinking in pretty sound myself. Sure the '06 will do it for you but the 300 will do it better IMHO. Your analysis of the trajectory being close to what you are used to is a plus.

I have both but my favorite is the 300. Good flat shooter, hard hitter, capable of heavy bullets for the tough stuff, ammo readily available in a variety of loadings and, if you reload, you can shoot anything from mice to moose.

Get what you like-you don't have a 'bad choice' listed.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Consider where and how you're hunting. If you're hunting from horse-back and will only carry the rifle for short periods of time while stalking, and then making long shots, get the magnum, and I recommend the .338mag. The recoil difference isn't that great. The "flinch" on impact is greater with the larger bore. Otherwise, the elk either run off with a bad hit, or drop with a good hit.

If you're walking long distances in the tall mountains, I recommend you just stick with the .270. After all, elk aren't bullet proof. You just need to stick a 150gr Nosler Partition where it matters.

I've got a .300RUM, but when it comes time to hike 5-7mi from camp to glass for elk, and then stalk 3-5mi, and then hike 5-7mi back to camp, it's my 7lb 7mm08 or .30/06 thats gone for a walk. (If it's thick, the short 7mm08, if open, the long barreled '06). The 10lb .300RUM or .338/06 stay at home. This coming fall, the .338MarlinExp. at 8lbs will make the trek. It balances in the hand better than any of the bolt-actions.....

 

[BoilerUP]

Using Federal's own ballistic tables and the exact same bullet (180gr Accubond):

The 300WM generates 260fps greater at the muzzle than the '06, and nearly 600ft/lb more energy.

At 200yd, the WM has a 240fps and 475ft/lb advantage.

At 500yd, the WM has a 213fps and 340ft/lb advantage...but the '06 is still over 1400ft/lb of energy.

Realistically, would an elk be able to tell a difference between the two (unlike your shoulder and wallet)?

 

[Casefull]

If you do not mind the extra recoil go with 300. You will hear lots of folks say the flatter trajectory is not a big deal but in the field it is. If you take game on the run you will appreciate eliminating some of the bullet drop out of making quick decisions. I noticed the difference from 06 to 7mag. When I had my rifle built I went to the 300 to get the velocity with the larger bullet.

 

[brnmuenchow]

I would keep the .270win. and get the .300win.mag. Then just practice as much as you can with the recoil difference so that you would be more confident when it comes pulling the trigger on a follow up shot if needed. Some people I have ran into firing a .300win.mag. have sometimes struggled with it becaouse they might be a little too sensitive to it and anticipate the recoil.

 

[Moose458]

You can't substitute big bullets for poor shot placement. That said, there isn't any animal in North America that can't be taken with an 06. Recoil becomes a factor with the bigger magums from .338 to 375 H&H, to the .458s. Personally I like the .300 Win mag. I reload using 180 gr Barnes bullets, and it is a combo that has worked great up to and including Bison, and I have a lot of confidence in it, which probably helps my marksmanship with it. Either the 30-06 or the .300 Winnie will work for you, it's just a matter of which one you prefer.

 

[david58]

I own an '06, and can get kinda tired at the range after a long shooting session.

I have never shot a .300 at a target. I did shoot one at an elk (400 yards, had to track it through rhododendrons and reprod for 4 hours...long day it was...I never shoot at that range any more, period). The shots taken at the elk could have been a .22LR....never noticed the recoil. Methinks I would discover recoil if I was sitting behind it at the bench......

 

[TUBBY1]

I have a 300 win mag and found it brutal until i put on a kick-eze butt plate. Now the flinch factor is gone.when in a hunting situation recoil doesn't seem to matter as my mind is focused on the shot. It's at the range you'll feel the difference.

 

[DM~]

Down side to the 300 mag. is, a LOT more recoil/muzzle blast and a heavier gun. Nothing wrong with a "properly loaded" 30-06! (read loaded with 200NP's)

I've had no problems killing moose and bear with a 30-06, and yes i have used a 300 Win. mag, also the wby mag. too.

DM

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I think the sound increase of the magnum rounds is more of a concern that the recoil

By ear it seem that the magnum is as much louder than the 30 06.

And when you add a muzzle brake, as someone suggested, it's even worse. The last thing I would want on a hunting rifle is a muzzle brake.

 

[jpwilly]

Quote:
I think the sound increase of the magnum rounds is more of a concern that the recoil

By ear it seem that the magnum is as much louder than the 30 06.

And when you add a muzzle brake, as someone suggested, it's even worse. The last thing I would want on a hunting rifle is a muzzle brake.

Yea there's no way I'd want a muzzle brake unless I could always be wearing some sort of in the ear electroinic hearing protection. Elk, Moose etc is pretty tasty but I woudn't want to damage my hearing.


30-06 is plenty IMO but 7mm mag would be an excellent option for a do all as well.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

I currently hunt deer, elk, and antelope in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota with my 270win, and it has served me well. However, I feel a little under-gunned during elk season and, if I ever draw a Moose tag I would like something with a bit more powder.

Just get a .600 NE if it makes you feel better. After all, anything in the .270/30.06 class won't kill an elk or moose, they're bulletproof.

 

[Shoot&Ski]

It seems like people keep saying that the 300 mag is going to be so much more expensive, but the rifle itself will not be, most rifles under $800 are available in a 300 mag, and many under $600 are too. I understand that the factory ammo is quite a bit more, but if I am reloading, once I buy brass the components are basically the same in price as the 30-06 except for more powder consumption, right?

It just seems like out of the two, the 300 mag is inherently more versatile because it can basically be a 30-06 with lighter loads, but then can be loaded to full power

 

[Shoot&Ski]

bad aim billy:

Just get a .600 NE if it makes you feel better. After all, anything in the .270/30.06 class won't kill an elk or moose, they're bulletproof.

Wow. If you read my original post, you will note I am considering a 30-06 so obviously I do not think elk and moose are bullet proof. I am just looking for a good compliment to my 270 for the times I feel it is limited, like over 200 yards on elk.

 

[Maverick223]

Amongst the two choices i'd choose the .300WM hands down, though the .338WM and .375H&H should be considerations as well (despite the increase in power I don't find the recoil to be much if any worse with these and they approximate the trajectory of an '06 with proper bullet selection). The .30-06Spd, albeit a fantastic cartridge, simply doesn't provide the increase in performance and large game capability that you seek. In a lightweight hunting rifle I find the recoil of a .300WM and .338WM to be just short of brutal (OTOH my .300WM target rifle clocks in at 15lbs+ and is a pussycat), so that should be taken into consideration.

Whatever you decide, absolutely forget about the notion of adding a muzzle brake for recoil reduction.

 

[Skyshot]

If you can shoot at all, I don't see much benefit in the .30 cals over the .270 I would look at the .338's or possibly a 35 wheelin or even bigger if your not recoil sensitive.

 

[courtgreene]

I think you were right on with your original statement that you are looking to diversify, and already have a .270. The '06 will have way too much overlap with the .270 given your stated goal. While I will stir the pot by adding .300WSM to the mix, I think you are right in what seems like leaning toward the magnum. You were also right in that, other than brass, the components are essentially the same and you just use a tad more powder. Recoil is less about the chambering and more about the rifle from which it is shot. Build a rifle to deliver less recoil and you will have less recoil. I've got a Rem700 in .300WSM that has negligible recoil, but i've shot a 30'06 that nearly put me on the ground. The difference wasn't the chamberings, it was was the rifles. Your idea about the mags giving a closer trajectory to the .270 is also spot on. They are both overbores and thus will have flatter trajectories. Your thinking is sound, just do what you wanted to do and forget about the pet chamberings of others. They can use what they want and you can use what you want.

And others were correct in that unless you have a medical need for one, brakes do not belong on hunting rifles.