30-06 or 300 Win Mag?

swift one

swift one

New member
I am having trouble choosing and need your help. I have the opportunity to do an Elk hunt in Montana next year and if I go, I will be shooting an Encore with a synthetic stock. I have started doing some research on elk hunting and rifle calibers and what I have come up with so far that folks seem to like is the .270, 7mm mag, 30-06, 300 Mag and the .338 Mag.

So far, I like the 30-06 and the 300 mag. The 06 is quite a versatile round, but has quite a rainbow trajectory (although consistent). The 300 mag is a flatter shooting round than the 06 but I think it's going to kick alot with the synthetic stock that I will be sporting. I also cannot not seem to find a barrel that is not a heavy one (unless I go Custom).

So, for those of you out there that have connected on Elk with the 06 or the 300 Mag, or have got to use both, which do you prefer?
 
I use 200 grainers in my 30-06 for elk, and the 300 mag with a 180 grainer doesnt kick much more at all. If you are shooting long distances (300 yards+) go with the 300 mag. Its only one shot, it shouldnt be bad at all with a jacket on. But a 30-06 is a good 250 yard load with a 200 grain bullet. I would go with the 30-06 if I were you. An elk with a 200 grain bullet in his lungs isnt going to far.
 
If you do actual chronographing of a '06 and 300 win mag side by side with the same bullet you will see that the difference is not big enough to make much difference in trajectory. Besides, the days when elk posed for hunters across a broad mountain park at 400 or so yards are pretty much history, at least in the country I hunt in CO. More than likely you will kill your elk at 100 to 150 yards.

Camo is dead on about the '06 and the 200 grainer.

If it was me deciding and buying (wish it was!), it would be the .338 win mag.
 
I've shot several elk with my 06 and none of them have ran more than 50 yds before dropping. I shoot 180 gr bullets and they seem to be a good deer and elk round. I tried out the new federal fusions this year and dropped a cow elk in its tracks at 250 yds. If I were you I'd go with the 06 because the recoil is manageable and it is a little cheaper to shoot.
 
Quote:
If you do actual chronographing of a '06 and 300 win mag side by side with the same bullet you will see that the difference is not big enough to make much difference in trajectory.


Interesting...Sierra Reloading manual velocity averages:
Bullet weight 30-06 300 Win Mag
110 grain 3200ft/sec 3500ft/sec
125 grain 3100 3300
150 grain 2800 3250
165 grain 2700 3200
180 grain 2600 3000
200 grain 2500 2800

Ok, ok...only about 300ft/sec difference on average so the trajectory is not really an issue.

BUT, you can shoot a 200 grain bullet in a 300 Win Mag at the same velocity as the 150 grain in the '06. The energy difference is huge at longer ranges than 100 yards.


Quote:
If it was me deciding and buying (wish it was!), it would be the .338 win mag.



The .338 is hard to beat for energy, but then bullet choice is really limited compared to .30 cal. I like the .338 too, but not enough to get one.

Here in Colorado the most popular big game hunting cartridges used afield are:
1st 7mm mag
2nd 30-06
3rd 300 Win Mag
4th .270
5th .308

Personal experience:
I usually use 190 grain in my 300 Win Mag, but I have also used in the past, 7mm mag, .308, 30-30, .270, .44 mag, 45-70 gov't.

I have never had an elk run off, shot placement and comfort with your weapon should be the primary factor for chosing the weapon that you decide. If you feel that the recoil might be a bit much, then definately go 30-06.
 
I have a 300 win short mag and a 30-06. The 300 wsm don't seem to have much if any more recoil than the 30-06. Both of these rifles are Winchester model 70 classic featherweight's. I have never shot a 300 win mag but I have read and heard that the wsm has less felt recoil than the win mag.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I talked to a friend that has a savage model 11 in 300 Mag. He told me that he would consider letting me borrow it if I go. If that happens- problem solved. If not, then I will probably go with the 30-06 barrel on my Encore.

That is quite impressive that the 300 has the same velocity with a 200gr bullet compared to the 30-06 with a 150gr.
 
I use a 30-06 on moose, deer and bear. It seems to be a good all around gun. Shot placement is always key.

I don't think I would buy a .300 just for one elk hunt. I would buy a gun that I can get a lot of use from at home. Unless you are planning a lot of elk hunting trips in future!
 
Quote:
Interesting...Sierra Reloading manual velocity averages:
Bullet weight 30-06 300 Win Mag
110 grain 3200ft/sec 3500ft/sec
125 grain 3100 3300
150 grain 2800 3250
165 grain 2700 3200
180 grain 2600 3000
200 grain 2500 2800




Yeah. Thats why I specify to chrono your own loads cause neither the book or the manufacturer ratings on factory ammo can be completely relied on, IMO.

A few years ago i was at the range doing chrono work on some .223 loads and the guy at the bench next to me was sighting his .280 rem in for hunting season. He was shooting a nice tight group about 1.5 inch above POA on his target. He raved about his "pet load" for elk, which was a 150 grain bullet. When he saw the chrono he asked if he could run a few over it and upon receipt of my standard $100 cash damage deposit I let him commence fire. His pet load averaged 2,500 fps /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif He was shocked and dissapointed having gone by the book in picking his load.

I chronoed some 165 grain rem factory '06 loads for my son in law a few months ago. They came in at 2500+ fps! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Also did some Rem 150 .270 loads that same day and got 2,600 +/- fps on them! My 150 Nosler handloads for that same rifle run about 2,870 fps.

Another guy I talked with at the range one day was testing his '06 165 grain sheep hunting loads. They ran just a bit over 3,000 fps. It was a bit worrisome but there were no evident pressure signs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Quote:
The .338 is hard to beat for energy, but then bullet choice is really limited compared to .30 cal. I like the .338 too, but not enough to get one.

Here in Colorado the most popular big game hunting cartridges used afield are:
1st 7mm mag
2nd 30-06
3rd 300 Win Mag
4th .270
5th .308




All so true. I would own a .338 if it could be justified but most of my elk are killed with round balls or my 7.5X55 with .30 180 bullets at about 2600 fps and usually under 100 yards.

That list would probably hold true in most states in the west. Probably pretty close with the whitetail hunters too. They are all as good as the shooter, IMO
 
I have both calibers in a 700 BDL. The both have taken Elk near Craig CO. This past December a very small amount of moisture or lube, froze the .300, did I say that it was -27deg F. dddddddamn. Anywaythe .06 was the back up and I have a freezer full of steaks and a hide on its way to my wall. Both were loaded with a 180 gr hornady SP. The kick is only felt at the bench.......trust me.
 
Ok. I will throw my $.02 in. I am a fan of the .300 win. I have taken everything from coyotes to eland with it. It is a very versatile gun to handload for, and carrys more down range energy than the '06. The only thump I feel is at the bench but that is a small price to pay for the performance that you achieve down range. Especially when you are shooting heavier bullets.
 
I have a 30-06, a 30-06AI & a 300WM Sendero, actually I gave
the 30-06 to my Son. Those who advised you to use the 30-06 are right that it will cleanly take an Elk. But I would ask you, how often do you get to Elk hunt? I suspect like most people, not very often, so I would go the best equipped possible.
You mentioned that you may get to borrow the Savage, but if not I would look hard at getting a 300 Mag. barrel, probably one of those 28" Pro-Hunter barrels. I would not worry about the barrel being heavy & I prefer it, but I carry a Sendero all day too! I get 3,000FPS with the 200 Accubond in my Sendero & you should get good speed indeed with one of those barrels.
But more important than which caliber, work up a great load
& shoot a bunch. Take a Rangefinder. Like a pevious poster said, you don't get as many chances on an Elk that stands out there at long range as in the past, but long range opportunities still happen & I would rather have a good 30-06 with me and know the range than have a 300 & not know the range. Like I said, go prepared & I wish you a SAFE &
sucessful hunt!!
 
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