fadetoblack188

Whats up guys, i am in the market for a new rifle. Not looking to spend more then 1500 bucks. But i have a delema. Caliber

I own a 30-06 already.

I am going to start elk hunting and moose hunting. But i also am doing a Alaska trip for my 30th in 3 years. So that could mean brown bear, caribou etc.

I am having trouble deciding between the 300 win mag and 338 win mag. . I don't think the 375 is necessary as i wont be going to africa for a long time.


If you guys were to choose which would you pick?

super_hunt54

Personally, neither. I'm not a fan or in the "magnum" craze family. I've taken many Moose, Brown Bear, Caribou, Elk, and Whitetail with the 30-06 with absolutely no problems whatsoever. That being said, if you are set on getting one, I would opt for the .338WM. The only real advantage a .300WM has over the 30-06 is range. The .30-06 can kill the same out to 400 yards ANYTHING that the .300WM can. It's after that 400 yard mark that the .300 has an advantage. The .338WM has more gumption but you pay for it both from your wallet as well as your shoulder.

bronko22000

That's about as good as I can say it.

Sheridan

"X" amount of Alaskan guides were once asked; "if you could only have one gun, which would it be ?"

Most said; .30-06, second most said .338 WM.

I like the .338 WM for large hoofed animals & most importantly dangerous game.

super_hunt54

Here is another way to look at things. At least from my perspective, and that is economically. If you are going to be in Brownie territory and you are worried (which normally you needn't but chit happens as they say) then you should be proficient with your firearm. That takes many practice sessions. Not tooting my own horn here, but I'm one of those rare individuals that can pick up pretty much any rifle and shoot it well enough to get by in about any given situation. But most require many rounds from many different firing positions to be efficient enough for "defense" as well as efficient enough to deliver a well placed shot at range on a game animal. Now, having said all that, if you are plenty flush with money then you need not read further. BUT, if you are like 99% of the rest of American families, every dollar counts! So if a good range session to get as proficient with your rifle will take an average of 40 rounds per session for a few sessions, ammo cost with the big mags REALLY starts to stack up! Even if you reload (which I do) it can start to add up. Powder, brass, and quality bullet prices are hitting the stratosphere price wise. And if you DON'T reload, get ready to sell a kidney! .338WM factory ammo will cost you anywhere from 50 to 95 bucks for a box of 20! .300WM from 40 to 70! .30-06, 30-60! So when you look at everything from all angles, including economically, the venerable old .30-06 has plenty of umph (and has been proven so for more than a century now), costs less to do what EVERYONE should be doing and that is PRACTICING, and, if you get somewhere up in Alaska off the plane and find that the bag with your ammo landed somewhere in New York then you will have 100% chance of finding ammo at pretty much ANY store in Alaska!

bronko22000

Quite frankly if I planned on being too close for comfort with a miserable brownie I'd much prefer my .45-70 with my hot handloads over any 338WM.
Not sure it would work on my wife if she got angry enough but it would be plenty for a brown bear!

BRUSE

I've got a 35 Whelen I plan to use in Alaska when I get a chance to go. My buddy also has one and really likes the 225 grain accubond in it.

Bocajnala

I've got no problem spending someone else's money. I'd go with the .338 win mag personally.
-Jake

handles II

Since you already have a 30.06, then go with the .338. WM, .338 RUM, or .340 Weatherby. Flip a three-sided coin to determine which one to buy, each will do the trick. Having owned a .338 Federal, It's a fantastic cartridge, but it won't gain anything on your 30.06 and it's only offered in a few guns, and not easy to find ammo.

Use and practice with both of your guns, use which ever one you shoot the best and have the most confidence in given the game or conditions you will be hunting.

kidoggy

what they said.