30-06 or 300 Win?

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Reverend Mr. Black

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Greetings.

Just for a friendly discussion...

I've read about both cartridges a few thousand times, am familiar with advantages & disadvantages of each. OK, pretty much have the technical data covered. The bullets, loads, fps, terminal data etc.

NOW...strictly for general purpose hunting Med & Big game...your personal reasons...please tell me WHY YOU prefer one over the other. There won't be any wrong answers...these are your personal reasons.

Thanks. Your preference please and why.

Cheers.
 
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I have a 30-06 and my BIL has a 300 WM. His is more costly to run, he shoots less due to the recoil, and he has moved to range time with a lil 308 win. They both kill stuff with ease and authority as far as I've seen… except! He loaded up some A-Max target bullets and had them blow up on a whitetail he had to chase for hours and shoot 4 times because they would blow up on his rushed and not very accurate shots and not get into the vitals. So bullet selection has to be more thought out with the faster 30 cal as the close shots at high speed caused issues.

But really, either works and I love my 30-06. But I'm not getting a 300WM, if I get a big 30 it'll be a 300 PRC or 300 Weatherby because I see the WM and 06 as very similar so if I'm stepping up it's to something a bit newer (PRC) or bigger (Wby).

God bless!
 
IMG_9915.jpeg


All in good fun 😂
 
D Lee said:
Greetings.

Just for a friendly discussion...

I've read about both cartridges a few thousand times, am familiar with advantages & disadvantages of each. OK, pretty much have the technical data covered. The bullets, loads, fps, terminal data etc.

NOW...strictly for general purpose hunting Med & Big game...your personal reasons...please tell me WHY YOU prefer one over the other. There won't be any wrong answers...these are your personal reasons.

Thanks. Your preference please and why.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I have three .30-06 (and a .30 Gibbs) and three .300 WMs. Because this is LRH, my preference is the .300 WM, simply because it has the powder capacity to propel heavy/high-BC bullets to 1000 yards on elk-sized game.

ADDED for comparison, both with a 24" barrel.

.30 Gibbs with 190 Berger: 2806 FPS

.300 WM with 190 Berger: 3043 FPS (harvested a bull elk at 931Y with this load).
 
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Because this is LRH, my preference is the .300 WM, simply because it has powder capacity to propel the heavy/high BC bullets to 1000 yards on elk-sized game. X2.

The 300WM is my all time favorite, because it can reach any distance I am comfortable taking game at.
 
Several reasons I prefer the 30-06 over recoil. First...nostalgia, I shot my first deer with a 30-06 when I was 8 years old. I remember aiming and shooting but never knew if I hit the deer because I was staring at the sky when it was all over. The kick on that rifle planted by butt on the ground. From then on it has always been a 30-06. I

If I was going to be a long range shooter, my choice would be the 300 Winchester magnum over the 30-06 as it comes into its own and excels at long ranges.

Another reason I choose the 30-06 is its versatility in bullet choices and I really do not enjoy reloading belted cartridges.
 
I'm not going to debate the recoil.
I have seen shooters flinch with both cartridges.
I own 6 rifles in 300WM, 1 is unfired and a shelf queen, the other 5 have different uses.
I have never owned a 30-06 for hunting, have quite a few '06 based cartridges (3) 25-06's, 270Win and 338-06. Used to have both 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen.
I find 30 cal magnums more versatile than the 30-06, which is why I have never owned one.
I own the above, as well as 300Weatherby, 30-416 Rigby Improved and 300RUM.
These give heavy for calibre bullets the best start for LR hunting IMHO.
Sure, powder usage goes up, as does recoil, but, I have never regarded recoil as a deciding factor in my choices.
Many years ago, although I despise the 308, I shot Palma matches with that cartridge. It never impressed me, it just did what the rules required with that 155g regulated bullet to 1000yds.
TBH, it was totally boring shooting those matches unless there was a weather issue present, as nearly all shooters were getting similar results.
I actually started in Full Bore comp, which was also with the 308.

Anyway, many are happy with the 30-06, but, pushing it beyond normal ranges becomes a challenge.

Cheers.
 
I have hunted deer with 30-06 since i was 13, so it will be 30 years this year. I have owned 06, 300 win mag and 300 prc. I redid my original 06 last year and rebarreled to 06 ackley improved. Still able to shoot factory 06 or reload to ackley improved with heavy bullets for more long range juice! 30-06 has my vote! Ackley improved to top it off and save yourself on powder and recoil.
 

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