.300 WSM or .30-06 ?

Certainly don't want to create the impression that I am anti-progress, but my choice in these circumstances would have to be the 30-06. I have and shoot two 30 cal magnums (neither is a WSM or SAUM), and they do offer some advantages "if" you are able to exploit those. For the average hunter, the advantage is largely wasted. But the final choice is up to the user, and the many choices I see as a good thing. I believe that the buyer needs to do his/her research carefully before he/she makes a decision. This could include shooting and handling various offerings to help in making an educated choice. In the real world, if you reload, the 30-06 with 180's will make 2800, the WSM right around 3000, and the 300 Win Mag right around 3100. With the extra velocity comes a slightly flatter trajectory, a bit higher energy at a given distance, and increased recoil and muzzle blast. The cost of Factory ammo plays a part if one does not reload. Short action vs Long action is important to some, but means little, in reality. Another thing to consider, does your chambering of choice come in your rifle of choice? (30-06 is chambered by practically everyone who builds a rifle) 300 WM is pretty common, the WSM has not penetrated the market to the same extent yet.
On and on it goes. Whatever choice is made, one can always change at a later date if not happy, and that is the good part! Regards, Eagleye.
 
After reading your post I Looked at new Remington catologue centerfire ballistics
there 180gr Acutip BTwith BC of 480

In 30.06, 2725 fps -energy 2967 at muzzel and at 500y 1393 ft-lbs

In 300wsm, 3010fps -energy 3621fps at muzzel and at 500y 1757 ft-lbs

There is more than just a little differance between these two cartridges
almost 300fps and 600ft-lbs energy with the identical bullet.
I do know that the wsm cases short stubby are very accurate, not saying the 30.06 is not a great cartridge as I own both,and they will both handle most hunting situations very well.
But the 300 wsm is better cartridge hands down. even if you reload the 30.06 to gain that 300fps is going to be hard to do
 
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30-06 is boring. The WSM is at least interesting. I have both, and usually use the WSM more often, simple because it's more interesting.
 
manitou210 said:
After reading your post I Looked at new Remington catologue centerfire ballistics
there 180gr Acutip BTwith BC of 480

In 30.06, 2725 fps -energy 2967 at muzzel and at 500y 1393 ft-lbs

In 300wsm, 3010fps -energy 3621fps at muzzel and at 500y 1757 ft-lbs

There is more than just a little differance between these two cartridges
almost 300fps and 600ft-lbs energy with the identical bullet.
I do know that the wsm cases short stubby are very accurate, not saying the 30.06 is not a great cartridge as I own both,and they will both handle most hunting situations very well.
But the 300 wsm is better cartridge hands down. even if you reload the 30.06 to gain that 300fps is going to be hard to do
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I did not state that there was little difference, but factory loads pretty well give full potential to the 300WSM, but do not give the 30-06 the same luxury, due to the "soft" loadings for it in deference to older rifles so chambered. Properly loaded to similar pressures, there is in fact, about 200 fps difference between the 30-06 & the 300WSM, enough to notice for sure. Downrange energy difference amounts to 300 ft/lbs or a bit more, not earth shaking by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely higher. As far as accuracy is concerned, that is more a matter of individual rifles than of a particular cartridge, although some specific chamberings are noted to have a bit of an edge when it comes to accuracy. My personal experience with the WSM's and SAUM's has not been truly definitive as respects accuracy, and additionally, I have only worked with ½ dozen or so, not nearly enough to accumulate evidence of any superiority respecting accuracy. I have a 30-338 sporter that I will put up against any short mag for pure accuracy, and I will shoot the 180 Partition at 3125 for the competition, but it would not be truly fair, since this rifle wears a good aftermarket barrel. My own favorite 30-06 is a 24" factory barrelled Stainless rifle that has averaged ¾ moa for the last 25 groups, which includes bullet weights from 150 through 200, and no match bullets in the mix. This may be exceptional, but it shows the potential that the old warrior has. Does this make the 30-06 a "superior" chambering? Of course not! If using the WSM gives you more confidence, Great!! I'm all for that aspect. If you "feel" that one of the whiz-bang wonders is the end-all, then I guess you will probably do better with that than something that does not inspire as much confidence. However, I guess I don't fall into that category. Differences are what make the world go around, and as our eastern compatriots would say "vive la difference!" Regards, Eagleye.
 
Ouch! Said the deer. You should have used that 300 WSM. Now I'm just going to run away because you used a boring .30-06 and didn't have the extra 300 ft. lbs of energy.

I find folks saying a .30-06 boring a little on the comical side. What exactly does another caliber do other than go BANG? Please decribe how a cartridge in a certain shape with a certain bullet is boring over another one with a similar shape and bullet suddenly exciting? What does that say when you are amused by such trivialities?
 
Do you like recoil?Do you shoot at a regular basis at the range?Do you reload?
If you shoot one box a year,I'll go for 300WSM...
Premium 300WSM ammo is'nt cheap...
I had a T3 lite in 300WSM and fired 9 rounds at the range,sold it next day...
Love my Rem700 XCR in 30/06...
 
Woodsman said:
I find folks saying a .30-06 boring a little on the comical side. What exactly does another caliber do other than go BANG? Please decribe how a cartridge in a certain shape with a certain bullet is boring over another one with a similar shape and bullet suddenly exciting? What does that say when you are amused by such trivialities?
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When you've played around with a 30-06 long enough, eventually it's fun to play around with other cartridges, and the 30-06 get's boring. That doesn't mean it is a bad cartridge, it just doesn't interest some people.

It probably doesn't apply to people that only own a few guns and mostly shoot factory ammo.
 
I have given up trying to find the "best" cartridge for any particular application. I narrow my search down to an acceptable 3 or 4 cartridges, and then look for a gun that I like in one of those calibres.

The 30-06, 308Win, 300WSM, 300WM all do about the same thing. If that last 25 yards of range beyond 300 yards is of vital importance, then go for the higher velocity cartridge. I don't know of many hunting situations where that is the case, however.

I have owned a 308Win and currently own a 300WSM. Both have served me well. I'm sure I would have been just as happy with a 30-06 and a 300WM!

Beyond a certain point, the rifle is more important than the cartridge. At least it is IMHO!
 
Anyone who is bored with the '06 must be bored with shooting.

With bullet weights ranging from 89 grs to 250 a dedicated handloader wouldn't live long enough to test every possible combination. Generally speaking, if it can walk it has been killed with an '06. What kind of shooting interests you? Long range shooting? Varminting? Dangerous game? Deer? Sheep? Shooting with irons? The '06 does it all and does it conspicuously better than many cartridges designed for more specific duties.

Are there other cartridges as versatile? Well the .375 H&H comes to mind, as it stands alone as the world's most versatile cartridge, but the '06 is more versatile than rounds smaller than the .375 (the .270 and .280 come very close). Many .30 caliber rounds bracket the performance of the '06, but the .308 doesn't perform with heavy bullets and the various .300 magnums are over bored with light. The .300 WSM has an attractive powder capacity but due to it's geometry it is unlikely to feed as particularly well.
 
Boring?

I think that the reason for calling the 06 *boring* has nothing to do with it's capabilities, and everything to do with it's life span and number of them out there. Every where you go, there are 06's, in most gun owners cabinets, in most trucks etc. There are very good reasons for this....but to me and I'm sure others, it makes them boring.
My reason can be compared to buying a car. All of them will get me from A to B. Pretty much all will do it at the legal speed limit. BUT do I want to drive a Toyota Camry, Chev Cavalier or whatever the most popular American car is. NO!!
That to me is boring. I want to drive something that few people drive at this point (as I do with the FJ cruiser). The 300wsm seems to have gathered enough sales and popularity that in a few years I may have to buy a different calibre just to be different again. Or maybe just go back to shooting my 30-30 or SMLE again, I don't see many of them in my neck of the Prairie!
 
Gatehouse said:
30-06 vs 300WSM.

It depends on what you like. Does a 300 magnum "kill" any better than a 30-06? Maybe...Many people report that they do, actually. Does it matter? Probably not.

the 300WSM will flatten trajectory a bit, especially at longer ranges. This may or may not be important to you.

I have a 300WSM, and I've had 30-06's. I'll take the 300WSM over the 30-06 anyday, but that is because I find it more interesting. They will both feed fine.
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Hey I quoted Gatehouse again....ya know why???? Cuz he cuts to the chase every damn time. Nuthin more to say on this topic!:cool:
 
I think this was best put by a previous poster. There is not a really significant difference between the WSM and the 06, that is, Bambi or Bullwinkle won't know the difference if you do your part.

:popCorn:

So what this really comes down to is how the respective rifles/actions feel in your hands. Pick the one that feels best.
 
Jeff/1911 said:
Buy a rifle in 30-06 and don't look back.
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Well that's the thing. As great and adequate as the '06 is, few are satisfied and eventually want something else. "Looking back", is something you do in many years, and realize anything you did with your super dooper magnums in expensive rifles, you probably could have done with a homely 30-06, or even grampa's bubba'd 303 and saved a bunch of money.

But where's the fun in that?
 
If you handload or plan on it, then the 300 WSM. You can load to 30-06 specs and enjoy the lighter recoil, or hot load for Moose. You can't load a 30-06 up to 300 WSM specs....
 
bisonhd said:
Well that's the thing. As great and adequate as the '06 is, few are satisfied and eventually want something else. "Looking back", is something you do in many years, and realize anything you did with your super dooper magnums in expensive rifles, you probably could have done with a homely 30-06, or even grampa's bubba'd 303 and saved a bunch of money.

But where's the fun in that?
Click to expand...

I agree...if the person is thinking that way, then they should go for the short mag.
 
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