Rechambering a m96 30-06 in 300 wm?

Lots of work to do that, including either replacing the bolt or opening it up for the larger round. I'd personally spend about 1/4 the money it would cost a reputable gunsmith to convert it and buy a brand new gun in that chambering. Then you have a .30-06 AND a .300winmag. Just saying is all................ (300wm is my favorite chambering, so I don't want to discourage you from getting one!!!)
 
I wouldn't trust a 96 in 30-06 loaded warm , if it lets go from age and wear it's not going to be pretty.It's a safety issue best suited to a 98 mauser IMO.No point in spouting pressure numbers unless it's going to be fed a reduced diet of moderate handloads.Harold
 
I have seen an M96 have problems with a .243 Win. Only a fool would build a large magnum on a 96 action... I think it would let loose quickly.
 
Thanks a lot for your input guys. So a M98 would be more suited for a higher pressure caliber such as the 300wm.

Just sucks a bit, since I put a lot of effort into my m96 this past year (new butt pad, re-worked the stock: new finish + installed a fore-end tip), installed a new trigger, etc. And starting this year, I installed a new blind in a spot where I can take long shots (I can see past 450 yards, wouldn't think of taking a shot that long though) and I fear that taking a 300'ish yard shot would be very limit to take down a moose.
 
huntingfish said:
I fear that taking a 300'ish yard shot would be very limit to take down a moose.
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Your 30-06 will take a moose at 400 yards if you place the shot in the broadside chest...

moosebeingcut-0.jpg

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the 30-06 has worked on moose and so has round like .303 and .30-30 for well over 100 years last time i checked moose are not wearing body armor I also don't know why people are not patient enough to wait till the game animal is within 100 yards moose and deer are no that are to get that close
 
Expect it's currently a 6.5x55?.
A competent moose taker out to 300, with good bullets, IMO.
Tradeex has new M38 barrels for $100. The few that I've installed have screwed right in to perfect headspace. All have proved sub-MOA.

.300 mag.?. not a good idea.

Edit: Disregard the ^ 6.5 stuff, go with the 30/06
 
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Just to clarify, my m96 is currently a 30-06.

I have tried to take a shot at 300m. My zero is at 330 yards (so still slightly above zero at 300m) to maximize the max point blank range. I was using winchester etips 180gr. It was a good, well placed shot. No wind. The moose went down like a ton of bricks for several seconds (10s more or less), then got back up and limped into the wood. We never found her as there was no blood trail ;-(

One of our theories is that the bullet never existed, which is why there was no apparent blood trail

Experience has shown one of our group, that a 300 wm would of exited and would of had better chance of leaving a blood trail.
 
huntingfish said:
Just to clarify, my m96 is currently a 30-06.

I have tried to take a shot at 300m. My zero is at 330 yards (so still slightly above zero at 300m) to maximize the max point blank range. I was using winchester etips 180gr. It was a good, well placed shot. No wind. The moose went down like a ton of bricks for several seconds (10s more or less), then got back up and limped into the wood. We never found her as there was no blood trail ;-(

One of our theories is that the bullet never existed, which is why there was no apparent blood trail

Experience has shown one of our group, that a 300 wm would of exited and would of had better chance of leaving a blood trail.
Click to expand...

id put that on poor shot placement and shooting beyond you're ability. to me a .300 win mag is like a 427 hemi in a t bucket when a flathead would do just fine(car guy prospective) I don't think hot rod cartridges have a place here speed and energy is a poor way to make up for bad marksmanship they also tend to frag much more

if you want something different get a 9.3x57 or 9.3x62 in a mauser I love mine but its a reloaders game im a fan of heavy wide slow moving cartridges they pack a heck of a punch and leave a wide hole hat leaves good blood trails
 
I was using winchester etips 180gr.
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I dont think higher vel. would have exited that bullet.
It takes a stoutly constructed .30 cal. projectile to cross a big moose, even standing broadside, & especially so if angles or bone come into play.
Even 180gr NP's will often stop just against the offside hide. Now, get yourself some tsx's ... they'll usually exit.
 
huntingfish said:
Just to clarify, my m96 is currently a 30-06.

I have tried to take a shot at 300m. My zero is at 330 yards (so still slightly above zero at 300m) to maximize the max point blank range. I was using winchester etips 180gr. It was a good, well placed shot. No wind. The moose went down like a ton of bricks for several seconds (10s more or less), then got back up and limped into the wood. We never found her as there was no blood trail ;-(

One of our theories is that the bullet never existed, which is why there was no apparent blood trail

Experience has shown one of our group, that a 300 wm would of exited and would of had better chance of leaving a blood trail.
Click to expand...

Pretty hard to confirm anything at all without a carcass to autopsy.

If your brief observation was correct, I've heard/seen similar instances with WT deer where the bullet just skimmed long the neck and spine just knocking the critter out briefly without breaking the hide. Just white trials of bullet skid marks where it removed hide hair on the close miss. Critter fell, briefly KO'd, then got back up again, ran away, no blood trail of course.
 
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