Could the 300 WSM steal the 30-06 throne?

[USSR]

Some people have claimed as high as 3100 fps with 140s making 3000 ft lbs (compressed RL22 loads) but I don't want any chance of damaging my gun.

Personally, I don't know of anyone making that claim, as it's just plain ridiculous. I shot a 6.5x55 in 1,000 yard F Class Competition for years, and with 139 - 142gr bullets, 2950fps was about tops (at sane pressure levels), and that was with a 28" Obermeyer barrel. But, that is getting off the OP. What I don't understand is why you start a thread with a question to which you have already made up your mind as to the answer, and refute any answers to the contrary?

Don

 

[brnmuenchow]

Never happen the .30-'06 is way to beloved by many a American. Although I no longer own one I am one of the few people I know that no longer have one in their collection. (And that is not because I don't like them.)

 

[hardluk1]

As many hunters as I know none have a short mag and the area shops hardly have ammo for any. they just don't sell as well as most others.

 

[Picher]

The folks who use these gun boards probably represent only about 3% of the people who buy and use deer/bear rifles. The remaining 97% will buy something they are used to hearing about, OR if they're into bragging, will buy a 300 Win magnum, just because they want to show off. It and they can rarely tap it's potential over a .30-06, but they want to show off!!! Few good, accurate, knowledgeable hunters in Maine buy magnums, perhaps a few who may contribute here, but for the most part the .30-06 is king and the .308 Win is not gaining ground because it's shorter folks, so why would "average hunting guy" buy it for hunting?

IMHO: It's commonly been said that BIGGER is better! A short, fat magnum isn't something to brag about, so they will never become popular with the masses of magnum buyers. What's to brag about? A fatter cartridge? Fat doesn't exactly impress the vain hunter. He wants a long, belted magnum to impress others who don't know much about guns/cartridges either!!!

 

[Mike1234567]

FWIW coming from a novice: I only buy firearms in the most common/popular calibers because these are investments in the future. I don't need or want anything that may not be usable in ten years (ammo hard to find). Well okay... I DID buy a .458 SOCOM.

After much research... I agree with the majority of the other posters in this thread. The .30-06 will likely remain king for a very long time not just for it's versatility but due to how deeply entrenched it is on the market. There's a similar thread in which the '06 Ackley Improved was mentioned. I didn't know until recently that the '06 AI could chamber standard '06 cartridges too. I just may have to replace my standard '06 with an AI version.

 

[Kachok]

The only problem I see with the 30-06 AI is that is does not improve performance with 150 and 165gr only 180 and up. Makes no sence to me I cannot tell you why.

 

[Mike1234567]

^^^ So far, the only ammo I have for my '06 (1:10 twist rifling) is 180-220gr. I have a .308 Win for lighter-weight bullets. If I buy an '06 AI then I'll look for one with a 1:9 or 1:8 twist rifling to stabilize 250gr SP bullets. An '06 AI with 1:9 twist will shoot anything from 110gr BT varmint rounds to 250gr SP grizzly killers. WOW... now that's versatility!! Heck, the '06 AI could essentially replace everything except a .22LR or .22 WMR... the latter of which could replace everything smaller... for most practical purposes.

ETA: If I had to choose just two rifle calibers for EVERY need in the CONUS it would be '06 AI and .22 WMR. Better yet... a simple trio of .22LR, .223 Rem and .06 AI would do virtually everything. Heck... now I'm thinking of selling everything except these three. Oh wait... I really want to keep the .458 SOCOM too!! So that's four calibers. Don't get me started or I might work my way back up to 10+.

 

[Kachok]

As much as I am a fan of heavy high SD bullets I will say that with todays modern bonded bullets they are not needed quite as much, I have seen 165s expand and pass through some rather large anamals I can only imagine what a 180 or 200gr accbond or interbond would do. That said a super heavy bonded bullet like the 240gr weldcore could provide scarry penatration on the largest of North American game.

 

[Art Eatman]

Plenty of cartridges which will kill just as dead as an '06 will, but darned few will kill any deader. For many people, the recoil of the '06 is pretty much an upper limit of tolerance. Darned few people will try a shot at 400 yards or more, so why worry about anything which will hit harder, farther out?

All in all, seems like, folks go to worrying about solutions when the problems have already been solved. That's okay, as long as the excitement level is low...

 

[Kachok]

As I have said several times already, sure I am splitting hairs with the comparison, if the 06 were not a capable and versitle round it never would have cought on much less lasted 100 years. I am just pointing out what slight improvements we can get with modern short action case design.

 

[cougar1717]

I suppose the 300WSM would overtake the venerable 30-06 when manufacturers phase out production of 30-06's due to lack of sales.

 

[Kachok]

I somehow don't see that happening, too many die hard 06 fans for it to ever die off, however I could see a more efficient, more advanced cartrage stealing some of it's market share (like the 308 has been doing for years)

 

[jnoble87]

Saying that manufacturers will phase out the .30-06 cartridge is like saying the 12 gauge is dying off too.....Which it simply is not and WILL NOT die. Both are hero cartridges. They never die, they just get older. No matter how many cartridge snobs are out there, the tried and true rounds will still be available.

 

[Kachok]

Nobody has said that the 06 would ever die off, that is just silly. As long as we can get the Dems out of office the the 06 will be around longer then any of us

 

[Strykervet]

I think so. I don't care about convention, I load and collect brass, so I only care about the numbers.

I don't own an '06 and unless I get a Garand or '03, I won't be getting one (and they don't make those anymore either).

'06 ruled the roost, but remember it took over another round before it and I bet numbers had something to do with it. It is still popular so it isn't going anywhere, but it isn't exactly gaining in popularity either --while that short mag can.

'06 was also a military round. Don't forget that. Take that into consideration and the .308 passed it up a long time ago. Not in numbers, but in convention.

 

[J-TIPTON]

If anything dethrones the 30-06, it will be the 308.

It will take more than pure performance for a cartridge to become as popular as the 308, 30-06 and the 223/5.56. One of the things the WSM has going against it is it's awkward size. What is the magazine capacity of a WSM? usually it's three rounds because of the girth of the cartridge. The capacity can be expanded but it will disturb the slim lines of the rifle. While having a magazine capacity may not be a big deal in reality, it does not set well with most shooters. Take a look at what rifles sell the best- the magic number for magazine capacity is 5, either as a true 5 round mag or a 4+1. 3+1 capacity rifles do not sell as well even in popular calibers. I agree with those that feel if the 300 WSM were to replace any caliber, it would be the 300 Win Mag

308 replace 06 I doubt it....270 had it's chance and it really started some good camp fire debates for years but if its gona be replaced I think it would have been loooooonnnnggggg ago..

 

[Kachok]

Nothing is "replacing" the 06 or the 308, they will outlast our grandchildren I am sure. How many times do I have to say that before people start reading the previous posts? The question is weather or not the WSM could steal the title the 30-06 has held for so long? It has been shown that it can surpass the 06 with the same bullets and powder charges, and run neck and neck with the 300 Win Mag at full power, and does it all in a short action package.....is it the best of both worlds and then some?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I understand the question kachok...and the answer (IMO) is no, it won't....why?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

 

[Kachok]

I understand the question kachok...and the answer (IMO) is no, it won't....why?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

Same could be said of the .30-40 Kraig..... Alas over the years the 06 stole it's thunder despite it's proven track record. The 06 just outperformed it, as the 300WSM does the 06, and unlike the slew of 300 magnums before it can excede the 06 with the same powder charge, in a short action no less. And just to add icing on the cake it does not need 26" barrels to control the muzzle blast as the Win mag and Wby mag do.

 

[USSR]

Kachok,

Sorry, but your premise of the .300WSM dethroning the .30-06 is totally without merit. The things that go into making a good cartridge GREAT, are sorely lacking in the .300WSM. Things like (but not limited to): ground breaking design (rimless case vs. rimmed case of .30-40 Krag), standard military round (always helps), highly acclaimed and readily available firearms chambered for the cartridge (1903 Springfield, M1 Garand , Model 70, etc.), and perhaps more importantly, fills a niche that shooters find lacking in other cartridges. The .300WSM does none of the things listed above, and while it may be a good cartridge and all, it will never be a great cartridge and dethrone anything. Just MHO.

Don

 

[Kachok]

Um.....the 30-40 Kraig was our standard millitary round too, and yes they were commonplace, performance was all most people would ever need and yet the 06 stole its thunder. I have absolutly no idea why the 30-06 being chamberd in an M1 or 03 has anything to do with hunting....that does not even stay on the tracks of my train of thought. Sure I like 03 and M1s, but I am not carrying either of them into the woods with me EVER, to darn big bulky and heavy for that. BTW M70 and just about every bolt gun in productuion (and a few semi-autos and at leased one lever action) come in 270 and 300 WSM.
The 06 was not groundbreaking due to it's rimless design, the 6.5x55 is 15 yeas older and is rimless as well, but you already knew that I am sure
The improved efficiency of the WSM case is more ground breaking then cutting down .30-03 brass don't you think?

 

[Art Eatman]

Enough round and round and round and getting nowhere...