Which caliber do you think is the best?

Which round do you think is the best?

  • Total voters
    227
  • Poll closed .
Altec

Altec

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I’m looking at purchasing a new hunting rifle. I hunt mainly deer, bear and moose.
I am looking at three caliber types, 308, 300 WSM, and a 300 WM and wanted to get some feedback.
The rifle I purchase will have to act as an all purpose rifle with enough power to take down various types of larger game. I already have a Win 30-30 carbine for the bush so the new rifle will be for distance.

Which caliber do you think would be the best purchase?

Thanks,
 
I think you should keep the .30-06 on the table as an option, as there is a big difference between 308 and 300 winmag in trajectory and recoil. I have owned almost every caliber between .243 win and .375 H & H and 95% of my big game hunting now is done with .30-06 Unless you are sure that you will be shooting at game at 400+ yards, I think a good .30-06 is about perfect in terms of recoil/trajectory/ammo choice. Where the .30-06 differentiates itself from the .308 is when you start using larger bullets (180 gr and over) I found the recoil somewhat punishing at the range when using the 300 win mag, or .338 win mag, and to me practice and familiarity with your hunting gun is paramount to success. It's great to have a big boomer, but if that comes at the price of reduced practice, then its a negative and you put the animals you hunt at risk of wounding due to lack of practice or having developed a flinch from the big recoil.
 
They will all work well, and kill anything on your list easily. The only difference is that the magnums will shoot identical bullets faster, to somewhat flatten trajectory. For most hunting purposes (which is game shot within 250 yards) I bet you won't se a huge difference in results.
 
Let’s say the gun you want is available in 300 WSM for $1599 and in 300 WM for $1920
Is it worth the extra money for the 300WM or buy the 300 WSM?
 
8mm Rem Mag!!! :D

No, but seriously, I have been happy with both my 300 and 338 win mag.

However if I had to pick one of the cartridges you listed I'd take the 300 win mag.
 
Altec said:
Let’s say the gun you want is available in 300 WSM for $1599 and in 300 WM for $1920
Is it worth the extra money for the 300WM or buy the 300 WSM?
Click to expand...

For $321 less, I'd get the .300WSM, and put the savings toward a good scope......:)

Sako?
 
Of the three cartridges you listed, I would consider the .308 to be the best choice. Lighter recoil and lower ammo/component cost will encourage you to practice more and gain proficiency. The .308 with suitable bullets will do fine on North American game and shoots flat enough for reasonable hunting ranges. You won't see any practical difference between it and any .300 magnum at any range short of 3-400 yards.

The .30-06 previously mentioned would also be a better choice than any magnum for the same reasons.
 
Altec said:
Let’s say the gun you want is available in 300 WSM for $1599 and in 300 WM for $1920
Is it worth the extra money for the 300WM or buy the 300 WSM?
Click to expand...

I believe that you started the post by stating what you hunt rather than what you believe you will be hunting.. As the other posters said, it is all the same bullet diameter, but different ways of putting it forward. Magnum plus heavy bullet equals a more substantial boot, particularly in the lighter rifles.
Perhaps you could consider getting together with some more experienced gunowners who would allow you shoot a variety of calibres. You cannot hit something that you flinch when you are squeezing off the trigger...
The price of a "one for all" hunting rifle is inconsequential if you make a cerebral choice rather than a choice that comes from hands on experience with the rifle.. Only then will you be happy with the piece...then you will want more!!!
 
300wsm

Another vote for the 300WSM. I owned a 300Win Mag and two 300 WSM's - the short mags were much nicer to shoot than the tall mag. The 300WM was a heavy Remington 700 and kicked much more and had more muzzle jump than a Vanguard 300WSM and Benelli 300WSM rifle. I let those two rifles go and kept a 7WSM Model 70, just because.
 
Sgt. Rock is right on. The 30-06 is ideal for many reasons and still going strong, into it's second century of life.
 
Same here-count me in on the 30-06 and I bring a 308 along too. Pretty much covers Canada unless you are in Grizz turf. Even then a 180 or 200gr boolit would certainly cover your ass.
 
As stated before, there is nothing wrong at all with the 300 mags, I just think that the price of ammo being what it is these days, and really, the extra recoil just isn't worth the small benefit of being able to reach out that extra 100-200 yards. Most guys I hunt with, (myself included) wouldn't even attempt a super long shot for many reasons. My self-imposed "cap" on distance is about 300 yards, and the .30-06 can do that with ample power to spare. If distance shooting is your thing, then don't listen to anything I had to say. I prefer to stalk closer to my prey for a good shot, than take a marginal shot at longer distance. Trying to find a wounded animal that had a 450 yard head start on you is just a pain in the ass and not the most ethical thing. I am only putting this to my own breast. I only hunt and shoot in my comfort zone. MANY people are completely able to shoot 500 yards, the only question I ask is ....why?? Bragging rights have very little to do with humane kills. To me, using skill to stalk is more important than some acquired "bench rest" skills of shooting at "sniper" ranges. But all the rounds you mentioned will definately do the job. More important is how the rifles fits your body. Pick them up and see how they fit you. I have fallen in love with many a rifle on its looks and said to myself "Gotta get me one of those", only to put it back on the gun shop rack because it felt too awkward to hold.
 
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