Is it worth the downsides to go with 300 wsm over a 30 06?

I have had no experience with a 300 WSM, but I do think both are excellent and my late Brother preferred the 300 WSM for sheep hunting in the Yukon.
My Grandsons hunt with both and are happy with them, as for me I currently have a 300 H&H which is very similar in performance to the 300 WSM and also a 308 Norma Mag. which I'm very happy with.

I guess in the end it all depends on what you plan on hunting.
 
Thanks...not so worried...just looking to be informed. 300 wsm has more recoil, far more expensive ammo, etc. Two camps it seems...magnums are needed or better, others thin they are ,mostly marketing and an 06 will do it all...
 
Nice thing about the 30.06 is that you can get ammo anywhere! Walmart, CT....LGS..off of other hunters while in a remote area! 300WSM, not so much.......
 
Have a few rifles, but am a one gun, one cartridge type meat hunter...I had an '06 and shot a few moose and boo with it...was always impressed by its capabilities. Thought bigger was better, got a 300 wm...did,'t seem to do much different but add recoil...switching up again...not afraid of longer shots, and do go for bigger game such as bison...and moose. Cost isn't a huge concern, as I don't go through a ton of ammo in reality. Is the '06 sufficient, is the wsm a good compromise...thanks.
 
30-06

Cheaper ammo, available anywhere, broader selection.

You're not leaving much on the table in terms of performance, either. Only at extended ranges does the difference come into play.
 
I own both calibers , and my Savage 16 in 300 wsm doesn't recoil any more than my Remington 700 in 30-06.
Stock design, bullet weight and powder charge make more of a difference from what I see.
I only bought it as I read so many good things about the 300 wsm and I was looking for something else to reload for last spring.
Anything you kill with one will be just as dead if shot with the other.
 
Last edited:
Since you already own the 300 H & H and 308 Norma, about the only reason i could see to get a 300 WSM over them is that the newer rifle could be a light weight. Would think any of the three would be so close as to be no difference.

Now 30-06, would have the benefit of available ammo. Sure you have not had that benefit, after shooting the H & H and Norma for years.

Since i am a gun nut, dont want to discourage you though. When in doubt buy both.
 
Just want to say I see 300 wsm ammo everywhere now, so don't let that be a deterrent and I don't notice much difference in recoil between the two. Yes the wsm has a tiny bit more but when your lining up the cross hairs and pulling the trigger when hunting, no difference then. At the range is the only place I have noticed more with the short mag.
Geoff
 
You seem to be over analyzing everything...just get a 30-06, go buy the regular Remington ammunition loaded with the 180gr CoreLokt PSP bullets and use it to shoot everything. If you aren't confident with that load on Bison you can always get a couple boxes of the Remington 220gr CoreLokt RN for the few times you'll need them.
 
VLT79 said:
You seem to be over analyzing everything...just get a 30-06, go buy the regular Remington ammunition loaded with the 180gr CoreLokt PSP bullets and use it to shoot everything. If you aren't confident with that load on Bison you can always get a couple boxes of the Remington 220gr CoreLokt RN for the few times you'll need them.
Click to expand...

I like the 220 grain Corelokt ammo for moose, cheap and works good!
 
Although one of the greatest cartridges ever made ... I personally believe the 300wsm has made the 30-06 obsolete , Here is why

.1 I don't care what anyone says , the 300wsm can push rounds faster

.2 300 wsm can save weight in your rifle because it is a short action. Again with higher velocities than a 30-06

.3 No matter what anyone says , the 300WSM is an inherently more accurate cartridge that than the 30-06. It is proved by the fact that the 300wsm currently holds the 1000 yard world record for heavy recoil class , Held by Matt Kline ... The link is below.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...oots-2-815-record-at-1000-yards-with-300-wsm/

.4 you can buy federal 180gr ammo for $20 a box , and yes ! it shoots very well ! will you pay $80 for premium 300wsm ammo ? yes ! BUT 06' premium wont be much cheaper.

Conclusion

Im not at all knocking the 30-06 , I never would fault someone for buying an 06' over a 300wsm ... Why ? Because its an ass kicker of a cartridge ... it does everything well , including killing sh*t dead !

Yes I know Matt Klines rifle is built on a BAT action and a 30 inch Krieger Barrel , but if Matt Kline thought he would have broke the record with a 30-06 with the same set up , he would have used one.

If you had a 30-06 an was on a budget I wouldn't sell it to buy a 300wsm if you were happy with the rifle you had. But if you were starting from scratch I would take the 300wsm hands down ... unless your a die hard 06' fan.

Good luck with your purchase you will be happy either way.

And yes ! I own a 300wsm :D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom