explain the effect of bullet weight to a gunnewb

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GunNewb

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I'm trying to decide between 308 and 3006 as my main do-all cartridge. I plan on hunting deer and someday in the future elk, so id rather get the short action 308 unless theres an advantage to the 3006 at all.

I reload and have learned that 3006 performs better than 308 with 180-220gr bullets. So for elk would i be launching 200gr bullets? I know shot placement = biggest deal, but i would rather not be shooting elk with the bare minimum required force
 
All else being equal, the heavier bullet transfers more energy at impact and is thus more likely to be lethal.

However, it is extremely unlikely that all else will be equal. Bullet construction can have a great effect on penetration and mushrooming and keeping the bullet in one piece in the animal's body (for a larger, deeper wound channel, i.e. more lethal) and ballistic efficiency and the cartridge (e.g. .308 vs .30-06) can produce different velocities at different ranges for the same size bullet.

There are enough good bullet choices within the scope of a .308Winchester that you will not be under equipped for elk or moose. Times when you will wish you had a .30-06 instead will be rare, and in most of those instances the solution "stalk another hundred yards closer" will probably be available.
 
Since the 30-06 has a 150 - 200 fps advantage with all bullets from 180 grain up, I would opt for that chambering.
The 308 will kill moose and Elk just fine, but does give up a bit in the energy department to it's larger "cousin"
This is a moot point inside of 250 yards.

The disadvantage is not so apparent with 130 - 165 grain bullets.

My choice for the ideal "Elk" bullet in the 30-06 would be the 180 Nosler Partition or Accubond.
Can be started in an '06 at 2850, and is quite effective over 400 yards or a bit more.

However, the 200 Partition/Accubond will penetrate a bit better, even though it will start at about 2700, and have a bit more drop out at 400.
The difference in trajectory is not huge.

I would use the one that shot best in MY rifle.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
Since the 30-06 has a 150 - 200 fps advantage with all bullets from 180 grain up, I would opt for that chambering. The 308 will kill moose and Elk just fine, but does give up a bit in the energy department to it's larger "cousin" This is a moot point inside of 250 yards. The disadvantage is not so apparent with 130 - 165 grain bullets. My choice for the ideal "Elk" bullet in the 30-06 would be the 180 Nosler Partition or Accubond. Can be started in an '06 at 2850, and is quite effective over 400 yards or a bit more. However, the 200 Partition/Accubond will penetrate a bit better, even though it will start at about 2700, and have a bit more drop out at 400. The difference in trajectory is not huge. I would use the one that shot best in MY rifle. Regards, Eagleye.
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Typically, good advice from Eagleye. :)
 
CV32 said:
Typically, good advice from Eagleye. :)
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moot inside of 250 yards...hmmm..I'm not really that good a long shot anyway but i don't know much about typical elk ranges.

I'll probably go with that anyways and when i do end up with an elk tag spring a couple hundred for a lightweight synthetic stock to make it seem I'm carrying a Short action. Thanks for the advice both of ya
 
GunNewb said:
I'm trying to decide between 308 and 3006 as my main do-all cartridge. I plan on hunting deer and someday in the future elk, so id rather get the short action 308 unless theres an advantage to the 3006 at all.

I reload and have learned that 3006 performs better than 308 with 180-220gr bullets. So for elk would i be launching 200gr bullets? I know shot placement = biggest deal, but i would rather not be shooting elk with the bare minimum required force
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Either chambering is dead lethal at normal hunting distances. I prefer the 308 because of its lesser recoil, and that it fits in a short action.
 
F=ma (Force = mass x acceleration) or in this case deceleration since it is always slowing down never speeding up.

Bottom line is equal size mass going faster has more force
the 30-06 should do you fine
 
hmmm....can anyone tell me why the 200-220 gr bullets arent super popular for the 30-06 and elk? Since some folks use magnums wouldnt one want the extra punch for a large animal?
 
hmmm....can anyone tell me why the 200-220 gr bullets arent super popular for the 30-06 and elk? Since some folks use magnums wouldnt one want the extra punch for a large animal?
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With today's bonded and monometal bullets, you simply don't need the heavier bullet weights. About all that you gain by going heavier, is more recoil.
 
GunNewb said:
hmmm....can anyone tell me why the 200-220 gr bullets arent super popular for the 30-06 and elk? Since some folks use magnums wouldnt one want the extra punch for a large animal?
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stubblejumper said:
With today's bonded and monometal bullets, you simply don't need the heavier bullet weights. About all that you gain by going heavier, is more recoil.
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Stubble has it right.
Additionally, all 220 grain bullets are either RN or semi-spitzer, which makes them about as ballistically efficient as an AAA dry cell. ;)
Eagleye
 
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