newb 30-06 vs 308 vs 300wm?

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Bushtech

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Getting into big game this year. What is a well rounded rifle caliber for hunting a common range of big game (deer, moose, elk)?
Second concern would be stopping a bear not hunting one. well not at the moment anyways. Thinking i'll get something dedicated to bear for hunting bear.
 
It depends. If all your shots are inside 300 yards it's hard to beat a 308. I use a 300 win as my main hunting rifle because shots at 500 or 600 yards are common where I hunt.

Also try to consider if you plan to use this rifle often at the range. A 308 is less expensive and more fun to shoot than a magnum for a day at the range.
 
Where/ what are you hunting? A stopping rifle is actually rarely needed in most of Canada. What's your experience with a firearm? Any of the three will make a great hunting rifle and capable for all NA big game. I'd say pick a platform that best suits first, then worry about what its chambered in. Bullet choice is actually far more important than caliber or chambering where hunting is concerned.
 
Bushtech said:
Getting into big game this year. What is a well rounded rifle caliber for hunting a common range of big game (deer, moose, elk)?
Second concern would be stopping a bear not hunting one. well not at the moment anyways. Thinking i'll get something dedicated to bear for hunting bear.
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i stopped black bears with 300 savage and a friend of us stopped a sow grizzly at close range with a 30-06 and power point 180 grains bullet ...

more than the caliber the bullet placement is more important ...
 
A 30-06 will dispatch any game animal out to 400 yds which is to far for a inexperienced shooter to shoot and it will muster up 19-23 foot lbs of recoil which is more than enough to make you pay attention.
The 40-06 had been around since 1903 and is still at the front of the pack
 
Personally I would take the 30/06. But that's just me. It does have a bit of kick but it's manageable.

Check out this video for more info. Gunblue knows what he's talking about.
 
30-06 and 308 are similar enough that I dont care if i have one or the other...30-06 burns more powder to slightly win with heavier bullets. Whether or not you need that... *shrug* It would be more about the rifle they are chambered in, for me...slight pereference for 308.

300 WM doesn't make much of a difference if you're hunting 300 yards and in. At all. Shot a few moose with it. 30-06 kills em just as dead, just as quick at the distance we hunt at.
 
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Rman said:
You know...the truly enlightened among us shoot 7mm's...;)

R.
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Hahahah

Yknow, the answer to this question here may well be "7mm-08 and don't look back" now that you mention it...

Or 280 Rem or 280 AI or...
 
Joel said:
Hahahah

Yknow, the answer to this question here may well be "7mm-08 and don't look back" now that you mention it...

Or 280 Rem or 280 AI or...
Click to expand...

In a long action, a 7mm RM, and in a short action, depending on where, and style, and distance of hunting, then a 7 WSM, 7 SAUM, or a 7-08.

For a do all utility rifle, it's really hard to beat a 7mm RM with a 160 grain bullet.

R.
 
If you're new to shooting, I would recommend the 308, personally, for me that seemed to be more manageable but still has the capability to hunt big game. But it does come down to personal preference. I know some guys who only like to hunt with 30-06, but some guys say they can't handle or can't get use to it and they prefer the 303 or any other cartridge.
 
There is an old saying: the 300 WM will do at 300 yards what a 30-06 will do at 200 and the 308 at 100. Also the recoil goes in the same direction from 300 WM to 30-06 and finally to the 30-08.

I think you have to ask yourself what the biggest animal you are going to hunt (moose, you said), at what distance and what recoil you can handle.

If your limit is 300 yards, a 30-06 is your best option. If you intend to shoot up to 400-500 yards and you can tolerate the recoil, the 300 WM would be a better option.
Anyway, the gunsmith Charlie Sisk said once: get a 30-06, load Nosler partitions, shut up, go hunting. The Nosler Partition 180 grains is extremely good and versatile for all your intended hunting.
 
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