cooper_m22

Elde I am not one to disagree with people too much but I have to here. Where do you get not much especially with the WSM?
If you check this chart off of Federal web site you will see between the 30-06 and 300 win mag and the 300 wsm using the same bullet 180 grain Barnes MRX the 300 WSM is the clear winner. And if you hand load the 300wsm like I do you can make that gap even farther.
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/print/compare/rifle_compare.aspx?compare=634%2c636%2c637

And then if you compare the 300wsm and the 338 fed like you recommended. The 338 fed will not even come close .
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/print/compare/rifle_compare.aspx?compare=637%2c632

rifle_man

Looksright to me cooper +1. But I still say go with a 340 wby mag, if you would like true power.

eldeguello

Well, if you consider the '06 "lite magnum" or High Energy loads, (180-grain bullets at 2880 FPS) they are within 80 FPS of those magnums. But of course, the magnums are hotter. I feel that the '06 is all that's needed for elk and mulies. I admit I cheat, and use a 7mm Rem. Mag. for elk shooting. With 175-grain Nosler Partition bullet handloads, IV @ 10', 3050 FPS.

cooper_m22

Ok you can believe what you like, I am not asking you to believe what federal says I don’t believe them myself all the time and that post was just for reference, like I said in my post my loads can do better.
BULLET-180gr.Speer Spitzer BTSP POWDER- Hodgdon H4350
VELOCITY- 3005 fps and this was tested at 4000 feet.
And I will not ask you to believe me. But if you evercome up toMontanaI will show you proof.

Scott Gags

Cooper I do not necessarily believe Federal or Hornady but I do believe my chrony and I have tested both and also compared them to both Remington and Winchester ammo on the same day and found the 30-06180 grain Federal High energy rounds matched the velocity of the 150 grain Remington/ Winchesterloads. Both loads averaged 2870 from a factory 22 inch barrel. The 165 grain Hornady light mags were 75 FPS faster than the standard 150s at 2950 fps. So as far as the Light Mag, High energy loads go they are for real in the 06. Believe it, or not.

Handloading may or may not be an option for the original poster. If it is then the Win mags 90 grain case would certainly give it some separation from the WSMs 80 grain case,and the WSM would gain some separationfrom the 06s 70 grain case. I saw no indication that he was a handloader however.

Vapodog

NO

rut n strut

Thanks for the imput guys. I have decided to stick with the .06 and upgrade it's scope to a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14.

Mojotex

I have no experience on elk but do on mule deer. If you, as a shooter, can manage 300-350 yard shots well, then the 30.06 Spr. is plenty. I killed one of my mule deer at a "ranged' 327 yards with a Browning BBR in 30.06 Spr. and 180 gr. Nosler Partitions in my hand loads. It dropped within 30 yards. If you have an itch to spend the $$$ for a new rifle and scope set up, like another has advised, if I did not already have these ... I'd spend the $$$ on a great set of binos and/or upgrade in your 30.06's scope.

jboynjazz

if you cant kill it with a 30-06 on the north american continent, you dont need to be shooting at it. you made the good choice and are upgrading goodies. just remember. its not how hard you hit'em, its where you hit'em. a well placed shot from and 06 is alot better than a marginal hit with a 700 super wizzbang monster mag. at least thats what a lot of the ol' timers tell me. and i learned along time ago. listen to them, they know.