.300 win mag or .30-06

[Wheelspin]

Hi all I'm in the market for a new rifle and torn between .30-06 & .300 win mag.
Just after info on either calibre please,good and bad reports!!
Will be used for the larger deer species and I've promised myself a trip to Africa when I'm 40 so would be taking there as well.
Thanks for any advice given
​Nik...

 

[Klenchblaize]

 

[Seanpaul]

Wheelspin

I went for the 300wm and have also been on a trip to africa hunting (unfortunately didn't take my 300wm as I didn't have it at the time so used a 375 H&H) so can't comment.


Overall it is great. I think it is a slight overkill for UK deer but I prefer to knock down a beast if the worst happens and the shot placement goes poorly. I'm sure I will get laughed at here but I load my own rounds and put 200gr Sierras in and 75gr of N160 to make sure the above happens to what is mainly fallow around my part of the world. A waste of powder and weight you may say but I haven't had anything run off on me yet!

Points to think about:

Very, very loud- get a moderator

Nice flat round and good for reloading. I have shot well beyond 400yards comfortable that I could cleanly kill the beast

Recoil is significant- I put an AICS chassis on to help this but if you are woodland stalking and not in a hide you'll need to do a bit of gym work beforehand!

Beware of the flinch! I developed one in anticpation of the shot and only just got rid of it.

All the best

​Sean

 

[Muir]

30-06 unless you are going to those backward countries where it it illegal.~Muir

 

[RPA 6MM BR]

I have had a few of each and personally I would go 300WM every time Get it in the right rifle with a mod and the recoil is nothing. 30.06 is a good round though but for me its the 300.

 

[bewsher500]

I have a 270 and added a 300WM to it
I liked the similar trajectory of the larger bullets but also that I can travel to France with it (30-06 is out)

it is loud, but i am not sure it is any louder than the .270 (also unmoderated)
I haven't christened it yet, that comes later this week hopefully!
but I expect it to do what it says on the tin.

My stock is a bit short for me but with a temporary slip over shotgun pad it fits and the recoil is fine, bit more than the .270 even without a muzzle brake but certainly nothing nasty. just hold on!

not convinced the 30-06 is any less gun but if you ever intend to travel to France their is only one to chose from

 

[scrumbag]

30-06 unless you are going to those backward countries where it it illegal.~Muir

Less of a problem now Muir, as of 7th this month, France is fine for the .30-'06.

KR,

Scrummy

 

[patjack]

30-06 really liking mine and good news as allowed in France now, long barrel life which swung it for me for general use have advantages over the 300wm though I do like the wm alot.

 

[User00003]

Less of a problem now Muir, as of 7th this month, France is fine for the .30-'06.

KR,

Scrummy

that's awesome news scrummy

 

[scrumbag]

that's awesome news scrummy

I can't take credit, French David flagged it. (His thread is here: http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/70395-Caliber-for-shooting-in-France)

So, everyone tip their hats to FD

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[bewsher500]

that's awesome news scrummy

shame you sold your 30-06 and now have a hankering for a 300RUM!

 

[Pine Marten]

Less of a problem now Muir, as of 7th this month, France is fine for the .30-'06.

KR,

Scrummy

Yes, that's sort of scuppered part of my rationale for choosing a 7mm08, but whatever, it's a fine chambering. I'm sticking with it. I don't have to bother with choosing calibres again until I go hunting moose in the Yukon. Which is after I win the Lotto.

 

[darkstalker]

I cannot talk for the 300WM but I have shot the 30-06 for 4 years now and have found no reason to change. I use it with and without the moderator as the mood suits (without the mod whenever I decide to go to the range in huff after a row with the wife!) and find the recoil not bad at all. Even the missus shoots 30 rounds in a session comfortably with a moderator on.
I am not sure if you do but reloading is an absolute joy with a 30-06 as the bullet weights and charges to choose from are unending.
As far as knock down power is concerned, you are good to take most game in Europe with it. My largest game with a 30-06 has been a Bison (200gr). It is a reasonably flat shooting round for most distances at which deer are taken in most countries. Obviously, it all depends on what ammo you have loaded and if you comfortable shooting at those distances. hope this has helped.

 

[User00003]

shame you sold your 30-06 and now have a hankering for a 300RUM!

Not at all! i still have a slot for the aught six. it just means i will have to own both

 

[alberta boy]

I've owned and used both alot over the years, and I prefer the 06. It's just a very good all-rounder.

AB

 

[Klenchblaize]

Scope selection relative to not only ruggedness but eye relief is very important. I speak as a 300 Weatherby Magnum owner.

I surely don't need to mention what rings and mounts to use??

K

 

[Conor1]

I have both and 308 for good measure. The `06 gets the odd visit to the range and the 300WM does all the work in the field.

 

[beaver]

I have taken all english deer, boar here and in Serbia,from Springbok to Eland in South Africa with my 30 06.I have a 300wm but have not used it much.I use my 30 06 more than any of my other rifle's.

 

[Muir]

I have five 30-06's in the house and one very dusty 30-06 Ackley. Excellent round. I shoot everything from .310" round balls for small game to 220 RN for the largest game. How can you lose?~Muir

 

[Brithunter]

Hmmm difficult as I owned both at different times, still own a 30-06 BTW , and I like both. The 06 using 165 grain bullets is a good combination IMHO.