Ballistics?
#11
a 30.06 w/ 150gr will actually shoot flatter than a 270 w/ 150gr, but a 270 with 130gr will shoot flatter than a 30.06 w/150gr.
If you could get a 30.06 to shoot a premium 150gr bullet well, I'd go that route, like a Barnes TTSX, or Nosler Accubond, Swift Scirocco. At least when talking elk/long range etc... I'm a fan of 1 gun 1 load 1 bullet. ie, if it'll kill an elk at 400yards, it'll kill an antelope/mule deer at 400yds.
It's hard for me to argue 30.06 vs 300win mag., get both! ha. or add a 338win.mag, 340wby,
or 270 and 300win.mag.
If you could get a 30.06 to shoot a premium 150gr bullet well, I'd go that route, like a Barnes TTSX, or Nosler Accubond, Swift Scirocco. At least when talking elk/long range etc... I'm a fan of 1 gun 1 load 1 bullet. ie, if it'll kill an elk at 400yards, it'll kill an antelope/mule deer at 400yds.
It's hard for me to argue 30.06 vs 300win mag., get both! ha. or add a 338win.mag, 340wby,
or 270 and 300win.mag.
I have purchased a Ruger Hawkeye FTW in a 30-06 caliber because it was what I thought a great deal. I was thinking of now trading it for a 300win mag. Does a 300 Win mag offer a significant increase in performance to a 30-06? I was thinking of it as a possible western mountain rifle for game such as elk. I know both are capable but is it worth the trade in or additional money? I looked at other articles but it only seems to gain 300fps with the 300mag. I also compare charts and still seem to get the impression that the 30-06 and 270 run about the same bullet path, where everyone else says the 270 is the flatter shooting of the two.
Mike
Mike
#12
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Southern piedmont of Virginia
Posts: 60
The 280 is worth checking out. Comparing 140gr bullets out of the 280 and a 270 the energy at 200 yards is nearly identical and the bullet drop using similar ballistics coefficient bullets is identical. Compared to a 30-06 shooting 150gr bullets the 280 carries more energy at 200 yards and drops less.
#13
If it were me and you already have an 06 I think I would go with the one poster above and in lieu of a 300WM go with a 338WM. Maybe a bit overkill for elk but still an excellent choice and also for moose and the big bears. It's not like you're going to be shooting it alot anyway so why not go the one step further?
#14
If it were me and you already have an 06 I think I would go with the one poster above and in lieu of a 300WM go with a 338WM. Maybe a bit overkill for elk but still an excellent choice and also for moose and the big bears. It's not like you're going to be shooting it alot anyway so why not go the one step further?
I read the entire thread.
I assume bronco is referring to "the one poster above"
is the 1 at the top. If so, I agree with both.
My thinking is that to add another rifle, I want one with either
1) capable of a 50% increase in bullet weight at the same velocity
or
2) capable of a 500 fps increase in velocity with the same bullet wt.
SO...Keep the 30-06 (never a bad decision!)
and
Consider adding a 338 something in the future,
as you gain experience hunting with the 30-06.
PS: Your experience may be that there is no need for more.
#15
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Norther IL, but want to leave
Posts: 38
I have both 30-06 and 300 Mag. The 300 mag is a 30-06 (.308 cal) with a bigger casing. The 30-06 is lighter and that is why it goes hunting all the time. Both will get the job done with off the shelf ammo, like power points, for about a buck a pop. $18 vs $25 a box
#16
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Blanca, Colorado
Posts: 30
I would not hesitate to hunt 99% of the game on earth with a 30-06. While the 300 Win may give you a little extra velocity and slightly flatter trajectory, at hunting ranges on game neither are really relevant. The inch or two in trajectory doesn't matter when your target is between 8 inches and a foot in diameter which the vital area on big game is and a bullet from a 30-06 in the vitals equates to a dead game animal.
Do as you wish but there is a reason the 30-06 is so popular in the world. It works. Period.
Do as you wish but there is a reason the 30-06 is so popular in the world. It works. Period.
Changing subjects a bit here....rifle weight can become a large consideration. I'm an XL guy and never considered the weight of my 338/378 Weatherby. I'll be darned, it feels like I am carrying a cannon after hours of walking at 9-10,000 feet.
That is why I often carry my 300 Mag, I don't notice the weight near as much. Recoil? If anything, recoil adds to the excitement when shooting.
We are all entitled to our opinion of course. Mine is that the .338 Mag may be the "ideal" elk load....all things considered.
We all know that shot placement is where it is. But the perfect shot opportunity may prove elusive.
#17
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 10
I have purchased a Ruger Hawkeye FTW in a 30-06 caliber because it was what I thought a great deal. I was thinking of now trading it for a 300win mag. Does a 300 Win mag offer a significant increase in performance to a 30-06? I was thinking of it as a possible western mountain rifle for game such as elk. I know both are capable but is it worth the trade in or additional money? I looked at other articles but it only seems to gain 300fps with the 300mag. I also compare charts and still seem to get the impression that the 30-06 and 270 run about the same bullet path, where everyone else says the 270 is the flatter shooting of the two.
Mike
Mike
#18
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: texas
Posts: 1,201
If you want a new rifle, why not just buy one if you can afford too? Id be the last guy to suggest buying a new rifle is not a good idea.
but that being stated...from my experience ,theres not enough real effective difference in the actual field results I've seen on game (mostly deer and elk)
over 45 plus years of hunting, between a 30/06 vs a 300 mag
too make buying and using a 300 mag ,vs using your current 30/06 a major improvement.
a 300 mag pushes the same bullets maybe 300 fps faster or allows a heavier bullet to be pushed to similar velocity.
a 30/06 with the correct ammo kills elk very effectively,
its shot placement not power thats the major factor in lethality, and despite what you see in magazines,
most deer and elk are killed at under 300 yards,
you might be better served with a high quality scope, upgrade.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...-16x50mm-matte
if your looking to upgrade the rifle hitting power, a 338 win with a 250 grain bullet, or a 375 H&H with a 270 grain bullet makes more sense.
while the paper ballistics may not show the increase very effectively, a premium quality a 250-270 grain bullet hits noticeably harder and penetrates well,
something that the lighter 30 ca;l may not always do, nearly as effectively, but again,
its shot placement not power thats the major factor in lethality
,and a 30/06 with a premium 180-190 grain bullet will kill any elk in skilled hands with good shot placement.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...?Caliber=30-06 Springfield&Weight=All&type=rifle&Source
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=300 Winchester Magnum&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=338 Winchester Magnum&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=375 HqqqH&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
but that being stated...from my experience ,theres not enough real effective difference in the actual field results I've seen on game (mostly deer and elk)
over 45 plus years of hunting, between a 30/06 vs a 300 mag
too make buying and using a 300 mag ,vs using your current 30/06 a major improvement.
a 300 mag pushes the same bullets maybe 300 fps faster or allows a heavier bullet to be pushed to similar velocity.
a 30/06 with the correct ammo kills elk very effectively,
its shot placement not power thats the major factor in lethality, and despite what you see in magazines,
most deer and elk are killed at under 300 yards,
you might be better served with a high quality scope, upgrade.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...-16x50mm-matte
if your looking to upgrade the rifle hitting power, a 338 win with a 250 grain bullet, or a 375 H&H with a 270 grain bullet makes more sense.
while the paper ballistics may not show the increase very effectively, a premium quality a 250-270 grain bullet hits noticeably harder and penetrates well,
something that the lighter 30 ca;l may not always do, nearly as effectively, but again,
its shot placement not power thats the major factor in lethality
,and a 30/06 with a premium 180-190 grain bullet will kill any elk in skilled hands with good shot placement.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...?Caliber=30-06 Springfield&Weight=All&type=rifle&Source
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=300 Winchester Magnum&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=338 Winchester Magnum&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...sp?Caliber=375 HqqqH&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
Last edited by hardcastonly; 01-09-2018 at 08:21 AM.
#19
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
My thought has always been bullet weight vs caliber. If your going to shoot .308 projectiles in the 150-180 class then the 30-06 is just great. If your going to maximize the potential of the 180-230 class bullets then the 300WM and up calibers will do what your seeking. After saying that I'm pushing a 165gr bullet out of my 300 WM at 3260 fps with sub moa accuracy and at 500yds the ft lbs is pretty impressive. But what is the end result of what your trying to do with the caliber?