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30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

Old 12-28-2008, 12:32 PM
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Default 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

Alright, I have a Savage rifle in 270 Win that I am planning on converting to a 25/06 and want to get something in the 30 caliber range. I really like the ballistics of the 300 Win Mag, but ammo is more readily available for the 30/06. I usually only hunt deer out to about 350 yards, but hopefully this rifle will get a chance to see an Elk Hunt in 2009 or 2010.

Also, as of this moment I do not have the ability to hand load so that creates the reason for the more readily available for the 30/06 and somewhat cheaper.

Tell me what you think of each cartridge and why.
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Old 12-28-2008, 02:50 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

Every time you see the word mag or short mag listed behind the caliber size, you better figure on paying alot more for off-the-shelf ammo. I'd go with the .30-06 just for ease and economy of ammo, and if you ever go elk hunting, you can always get some Federal 'High Energy, or Hornady 'Light Mags' which both closely match the ballistics of the 300 mags.
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Old 12-28-2008, 07:47 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

I am a big fan of the 06. It is the most powerful non magnum 30 caliber. The ammo for the 06 is the same cost as much smaller rounds like the 243 etc making it the best bang for the buck. (Pun intended)

The only reason I would consider the 300 WM is that you could have a dedicated elk rifle in the 300 and a dedicated deer rifle in the 25-06. That being said the Light Magnum rounds are within 100 FPS of 300 Win Mag ammo and still cost less than Win Mag ammo.

PS: I would not worry about ammo availability with the win mag.
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Old 12-28-2008, 07:57 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

For all the way out to 350 yards I would go with a 7mm Rem Mag, JMHO...
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Old 12-28-2008, 08:54 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

I love the 30-06 and love the 300win mag. But for moose hunting, I always grab the 300win mag first.
 
Old 12-29-2008, 08:44 AM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

First off, there is no comparison between the '06 and the 300WM. There are, ballistically, in different classes. The only time you will see similar ballistics is if you have a light load in the 300WM and a '06 packed to the gills -- ie apples to oranges.

If you do not handload, the 300WM is going to be significantly more expensive although I can't say I've ever seen a store, even in the middle of nowhere, that stocked 30-06 but not 300WM. It's probably the most popular magnum.

You state that most use will be for deer with possible occasional use for elk. IMHO you do not "need" the 300WM for your purposes unless you plan to take shots at elk past 400 yards. Shoot 150-165gr bullets in the 30-06 for deer, switch to 180gr bullets for elk.

My 300WM killed a muley, a whitetail, and an elk this year. It was perfect medicine for the elk and decidedly overkill on the deer. I once saw an outdoor show saying the 300WM was the "minimum" (!!!!) for deer. Turned it off...idiots.
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Old 12-30-2008, 08:41 AM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

I shoot a ruger m77 in 270, I have taken moose, bear and sheep with it when I lived in Alaska and have taken white tail, hogs, mulies, cyote, prairie dog,and elk while liveing in the lower 48. I have always shot Hornaday customs out of this gun and have had great success. It's not the size of the gun it where the bullet is placed that will ethicly take down an animal!
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Old 12-30-2008, 04:01 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

the 300 win mag is not needed for hunting. yea it might be nice to be able to shoot elk at 500+ yards or so, but come on who actually will take a shot at 500+ yards at an elk while still hunting fair chase? Most hunters wont shoot anything past 200 yards, or that is the preferable range, or closer. Any elk at 300 yards will go down to an '06 just fine, provided good shot placement. the 30-06 has been doing it for... oh almost 109 years now, i think it will be just fine.
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Old 12-30-2008, 08:59 PM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

First off, I don't mean for this answer to be offensive. If it is, I apologize in advance, as it is not my intention.

Here goes:
If affordability is an issue, why are you converting a 270 to a 25-06, and then buying a new rifle for an elk hunt in several years that may never happen?

Options:
1. Keep the 270, as it will do anything a 25-06 will do, but better, and then buy a 30-06 if you want a 30 cal. This way, you get a new rifle.

2. Trade the 270 for a Thompson Encore in 25-06, and then buy a 30-06 or 300Mag barrel

3. (Best option) Keep the 270. If you ever hunt elk, buy some elk ammo for the 270. Take the $1200 that you'll save (re-barreling, new rifle, new scope, new rings, new bases, new ammo) and spend $100 on a really nice dinner with your lady, set $300 aside for your kid(s) education, donate $100 to wildlife conservation, donate $100 to an animal shelter, donate $100 to the non-profit of your choice, and invest $500 in a good, 5-star mutual fund. This will make your lady happy, your kids happy, animals happy, other people happy, and your wallet happy.
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:28 AM
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Default RE: 30/06 vs 300 Win Mag

ORIGINAL: ths78

First off, I don't mean for this answer to be offensive. If it is, I apologize in advance, as it is not my intention.

Here goes:
If affordability is an issue, why are you converting a 270 to a 25-06, and then buying a new rifle for an elk hunt in several years that may never happen?

Affordabilty really is not a big issue. After looking around locally the ammunition is only $5-10 a box different in price. The Elk Hunt is happening either this year or next, just not sure which yet. Myself and a buddy are trying to work out dates around football season because we both have season tickets to Clemson home games.

Options:
1. Keep the 270, as it will do anything a 25-06 will do, but better, and then buy a 30-06 if you want a 30 cal. This way, you get a new rifle.

As much as I like the .270 as a cartridge, I like the versatility of the 25-06 better due to the wide range of bullet weights so the conversion is going to be my project for the year. It is a savage rifle so all I will be out is the new barrel at about $200 because they are not difficult to change. The .270 was the first rifle I ever bought and at the time it was the right rifle for me(versatilty and price being the main concerns as i was a broke college student when i bought it).

2. Trade the 270 for a Thompson Encore in 25-06, and then buy a 30-06 or 300Mag barrel

Don't really care for the Thompson Encore. I am a bolt action kinda guy.

3. (Best option) Keep the 270. If you ever hunt elk, buy some elk ammo for the 270. Take the $1200 that you'll save (re-barreling, new rifle, new scope, new rings, new bases, new ammo) and spend $100 on a really nice dinner with your lady, set $300 aside for your kid(s) education, donate $100 to wildlife conservation, donate $100 to an animal shelter, donate $100 to the non-profit of your choice, and invest $500 in a good, 5-star mutual fund. This will make your lady happy, your kids happy, animals happy, other people happy, and your wallet happy.

To be honest money is really not the issue with the 30-06 vs. 300 win mag, I was more worried about ammo availability even though I said that in my original post. I have $600 in gift cards to a local gun store and the rifle I am looking at in 30-06 or 300 is only about $160 more than that with tax. I already have optics for it, so that is also not a problem. I invest 10% of my salary every month plus my company match so investing is something my wife and I do on a regular basis. We do not have kids yet, so luckily we get to go out at least 3-4 times a month for a date night and spend time together. I will not discuss charitable donations because those are all personal choices.
And no your answer was not offensive because you do bring up many good points that most people need to think about before spending $1200 on a new gun when they already have one that will do the job.
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