.30-06 vs. .338 win mag vs. 300 win mag

bigpapa · 10-31-2006, 06:25 AM

Just wondering if you guys would give your opinion as to which would be the best all around calibre for north american big game? Were talking deer to bear to elk to you name it. If you had just one chance to get one rifle for it all what calibre would you get it in 30-06, .338 win mag, or300 win mag. I'm interested in not only accuracy but distance and amount of kick as well.

ShatoDavis · 10-31-2006, 07:28 AM

338 win mag.

Check out this article it sums my feeling up pretty well:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_11_46/ai_65574867

Red Lion · 10-31-2006, 07:44 AM

The .338 would be the better of the 3 for large bears and moose, but both the .300 win mag and .30-06 will take all as well, with the .300 win mag being "superior" to the .30-06. I am biased, but if your looking for the best flexability, long range capability, flatter trajectory and good comprise of power and not overwhelming recoil, then the .300 win mag would be the best overall choice.

Deleted User · 10-31-2006, 08:16 AM

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James B · 10-31-2006, 08:24 AM

While one rifle could do all these jobs, none would be ideal for everything. Out to two hundred yards, all three would serve well. I look at things a bit differently when it comes to big guns. If a 30-06 won't do the job for big bears, then I want a 375 H&H or 416 Rem Mag. I will skip over the medium bores. For all North American game if I was starting from scratch, I would buy a 270 or 280 and a 375 H&H. The 270-280 rounds are not bad for recoil and shoot fast and flat for deer and antelope and the 375 shoots flat enough and has ample power for the really big mean stuff.

If I had to pick just one of the mentioned ones, I would pick the 30-06. This because I don't get any enjoyment out of shooting the 300 or 338 mags when 99 percent of the time the extra power is just not needed. The recoil of the 30-06 is more than I enjoy as well. However it is acceptable.

Red Lion · 10-31-2006, 09:50 AM

Recoil, recoil, recoil....while important to be aware of, is really only an issue for the .338, as the 06' and .300 win mag are "littleon's"

bigpapa · 10-31-2006, 11:58 AM

I thought the .300 win mag had more recoil than the .30-06? Am I mistaken about that?

James B · 10-31-2006, 12:45 PM

You are correct. To compare, the 30-06 has about 20 lbs recoil. the 300 WM has 25 lbs and the 338 has 33 lbs. This in rifles of equal weight. You do the math.

HogHuntingChik · 10-31-2006, 07:39 PM

I myself shoot a 6.5 lb .300 Win Mag and I believe it has 40 lbs recoil.

KonaBoy · 10-31-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: James B

While one rifle could do all these jobs, none would be ideal for everything. Out to two hundred yards, all three would serve well. I look at things a bit differently when it comes to big guns. If a 30-06 won't do the job for big bears, then I want a 375 H&H or 416 Rem Mag. I will skip over the medium bores. For all North American game if I was starting from scratch, I would buy a 270 or 280 and a 375 H&H. The 270-280 rounds are not bad for recoil and shoot fast and flat for deer and antelope and the 375 shoots flat enough and has ample power for the really big mean stuff.

If I had to pick just one of the mentioned ones, I would pick the 30-06. This because I don't get any enjoyment out of shooting the 300 or 338 mags when 99 percent of the time the extra power is just not needed. The recoil of the 30-06 is more than I enjoy as well. However it is acceptable.

I have to agree with James on this one