Bulletologist needed 300 vs 308

COcajun

COcajun

New member
I've never been good at the whole fps / bullet weight / enertia loss equation thing so I was hoping someone might have the answer to this question in plain english.

What (if any) difference is there in effective range and stopping power between a 308 and a 300 win mag. I guess you would also need to assume equivalent projectile weights as well, but like I said I'm not great at this stuff.

I'm thinking mainly in terms of longer to LONG range (250/300yrds and out...I know most ethical shots will and should be shorter, but for arguments sake) shots at big game (ie: elk)
 
Go to JBM website and you can learn alot.
http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/traj/traj.html

As far Distance 250-500yds, is really medium range for both of these calibers. And either one is enough to kill an elk at almost any normal range. After 500yds the 300 Win as a considerable advantage because of higher velocity. However the .308 will definatly be enough for an Elk out to 800yds.

Most important factor for any caliber is bullet selection to match your target.
And just as important is bullet placement.

The main difference in these two cartridges is that you can shoot a 180gr 300win as fast as you can shoot a 150gr.308 bullet. Velocity X wieght=energy

Pick your poison i'm sure if you do your part the elk will never know the difference. although your shoulder might.
 
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Lets see how big a hole the other guys blow in this thought
but
a quick and very dirty answer might assume a difference of about 400 fps in muzzle velocity using a 180gr slug. (if I had a reloading book at work I'd be closer to real life)

Therefore the Muzzle Energy of the 308 could be about 20% lower than the faster Mag,
At 400 yds the Kinetic Energy could 26% lower than the mag.

I don't think Kinetic Energy is the best way to judge killing power but given the same exact bullet, I think using K.E. might at least be in the ballpark. If you were in a fight for your life would you pull your punchs back 20%-26% if you didn't have too? Are we talking lucky sucker punches or a solid right knockout?
 
I own both and here is how I look at it.

I try and shoot 2900 ft/sec in most of my rifles. This means that from a .223 to .308 to .300WM my bullet drops in normal shooting distances are the same. (well close)

I do this because I shoot thousands of .223 rounds at longer distances at prairie dogs. I then know the bullet drops while hunting with the bigger rifles. To get that velocity I shoot 168's in the .308 and 200's and the 300WM. The energy thing down range is the biggy here given that these are the bullets I choose to shoot at given velocities.

Where the 300 shines is heavy bullets, 200 plus grains. the ballistic co-efficient is so high that they retain their velocity and energy for a long---long way.

From the Speed #11 manual
500 yards--all shot at 2900ft/sec

200 grain (win mag)
2100ft/sec
1892ft/lbs

168 grain (.308)
1900ft/sec
1485ft/lbs

150 grain (.308 most common hunting weight)
1789ft/sec
1066ft/lbs

Don't get me wrong either....most .300WM can be punishing if you are not used to shooting higher recoil guns. That's why I own both. The other thing to consider are the other new favorites which include .300WSM,.300RUM. Some say these perform even better.
 
Thanks for the responses guys.

Reason I ask is that I currently have a Winch. 308 model 100 and a 300 barrel for my TC encore. I love my 308 and have taken serveral animals with it. (it's nicknamed ol' faithful) I have no problem with the recoil on the 300 but did miss, count'em, TWO deer I should have taken this last season with it. (It's so much easier to blame it on the gun than on operator error). I've also found rounds to be more expensive for the 300 than the 308.

With all this in mind, I've been thinking about getting a pistol barrel for the TC and in order to afford the barrel and a pistol scope I would need to trade in my 300 barrel. Since I've got the 308 (if they are basically the same in practicality and usage), I really don't need another long(er) range rifle. (stick with what works!, AND get a new toy I haven't tried yet!) I would also only need to only stock 308 rounds since I plan on getting the pistol in 308.

There, the ramblings of a true addict....I'm sure many of you can understand. Again, thanks for being my enablers.
 
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