Hello everybody, I'm new to the forum as a member but have been reading certain threads here for well over 6 months now (mostly 6.8 and reloading related). With the plethora of knowledge here I'm asking for some assistance (some of which I'm sure will be welcomed opinions) in making a smart investment. I've always been interested in hunting but have never actually gone (unless you count killing paper at the range). Where I currently live orxy, elk, and mule deer seem to be the game of choice and I'm looking for a caliber that will allow me to hand load several recipes for both punching precise holes in paper, and more importantly putting meat in the freezer. Story complete, my question is this: which caliber will give me the most versatility with the fore mentioned animals and present a good solution for moose?
.30-06 vs .300 Win Mag vs Moose
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Welcome Thatguy91.
The caliber in your two choices presented is easy...the 0.308! Between the two cartridges, I don't think you can make a bad choice for your uses. The 30-06 is plenty capable for moose with good 180 or 200 gr bullets. So is the 300 WM. The 30-06 will stretch your powder supply a bit farther compared to the 300 WM when punching paper. 30-06 is my vote. You'll get other opinions!
The caliber in your two choices presented is easy...the 0.308! Between the two cartridges, I don't think you can make a bad choice for your uses. The 30-06 is plenty capable for moose with good 180 or 200 gr bullets. So is the 300 WM. The 30-06 will stretch your powder supply a bit farther compared to the 300 WM when punching paper. 30-06 is my vote. You'll get other opinions!
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One of my friends has shot several moose and says they aren't hard to kill. He told me once that many hunters in his camps used .270s and .30-06s.
Buy whatever floats your boat. I doubt the moose will know the difference. Good luck.
Buy whatever floats your boat. I doubt the moose will know the difference. Good luck.
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I'm getting ready to move to Alaska and I'm taking both. A 30-06 for my wife and the .300wm for my self. But alos my uncle lives there and hunts moose with a .300wm and says it does just fine, while most everyone uses a .338wm. But my moms bf shot his moose last year with his .308. Of the two calibers you are thinking about, they are both great but I would pick the .300wm. Good luck.
For mule deer, elk and moose, either will be just fine, especially if the range is not excessive. Where exactly do you live that oryx, mule deer and elk are the primary species hunted? I can't think of a place on earth that has all three of those species, except maybe an exotic game ranch. 
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My guess is New Mexico as perhaps the only place where those three exist. As far as the poster's choice of '06 or .300 mag, there's little difference except in effective max ranges for both/either. Perhaps the .300 adds about 100 yards onto the venerable '06's max effective ranges (looking at energy numbers). Of course, either max range, in this case, is determined as much by shooter skill as by cartridge overall effectiveness. If pressed and if I could only have one, I'd perhaps choose the .300 and it's superior ability with loads of 180 and even 200gr for larger animals and it's better trajectory with lighter 150 & 165gr loads.
Based on and in agreement with the sage input provided by others and that fact that you are just about to START hunting and will obviously continue to primarily punch paper with this rifle I would go with the 30-06. It will definitely give you what you need for hunting and the 30-06 will be a lot easier to shoot those dangerous game targets with... easier on your shoulder, your eyes, your wallet, your ears, and you will simply be able to shoot MORE!
My vote is the .300 win mag. Here's why. Part of your question is which cartridge is more versatile. Both are
.308 caliber and will shoot the same bullets. Being that you are handloading the ammo versatility then becomes a matter of powder and primer and the results of how fast or slow you can push those bullets. The .300WM will be able to push the bullets much faster than the -06. However, you may not need to do so. That's not a problem with the .300WM either. You just make some handloads that are loaded to -06 velocity levels. You could even go lower than that to shoot paper which would save you on powder costs. The .300WM is more versetile IMHO. It can do everything the -06 can do and more. The way I see it, if you're going to buy a .30 caliber rifle why limit yourself by buying and -06 when you can have a magnum that can do everyhting the -06 can do and more?
.308 caliber and will shoot the same bullets. Being that you are handloading the ammo versatility then becomes a matter of powder and primer and the results of how fast or slow you can push those bullets. The .300WM will be able to push the bullets much faster than the -06. However, you may not need to do so. That's not a problem with the .300WM either. You just make some handloads that are loaded to -06 velocity levels. You could even go lower than that to shoot paper which would save you on powder costs. The .300WM is more versetile IMHO. It can do everything the -06 can do and more. The way I see it, if you're going to buy a .30 caliber rifle why limit yourself by buying and -06 when you can have a magnum that can do everyhting the -06 can do and more?
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I've killed deer, whitetails, and mulies, as well as moose and elk, with a .30-06, a 7mm Remington Magnum, a .308 Win. and a .300 Win Mag. All died honorably. Couldn't see a nickle's worth of difference in the harvested animals. None had to be tracked more than 20 yards.
That would be middle of nowhere NM! A few guys at the work place have gone for elk this past go around, i may have misspoken with the mule deer but we do have deer, along with oryx, antelope, big horn sheep, javelina, bear and cougars! I threw a link below just incase anybody lives near NM and is interested in doing some hunting down this direction.For mule deer, elk and moose, either will be just fine, especially if the range is not excessive. Where exactly do you live that oryx, mule deer and elk are the primary species hunted? I can't think of a place on earth that has all three of those species, except maybe an exotic game ranch.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/pub...ib/2011/2011-2012_Big_Game_RIB_Optimized2.pdf
Thanks for all the input thus far. I've heard people saying that the recoil is more pronounced in the .300 win mag than the '06 and that the magazine capacity is limited (only 3rds with almost all .300's I've found). I like to think I'm patient enough not to take a shot I'm very confident in
. Right now I'm leaning more towards the .300 win mag as from what most of you have said it has that extra capability at long range.Thatguy---Also, for clarification you said you have never actually been hunting but you have target shot before. What calibers are you used to shooting? I ask because the recoil of the 300 Win Mag is stout and if you are a pistol shooter, or a 223 or any non magnum round center fire shooter I think others may change their advice. 30-06 is plenty of rifle. Bigger rifle does make a better hunter, That is for sure.
Zoar -- I own an AR-15 chambered in 5.56 and a 12ga Mossberg, but have also shot variations of the .308 win and most pistol calibers thanks to several friends of mine. Would you say the .300 kicks more than a 12ga? I put a limb saver on the back of the 12ga for my wife, but will admit that it makes taking the shotgun to the range more enjoyable for me too!
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Most versatile will be the 300wm, what it really comes down to is effective range. Ask yourself home many shots you will take at game beyond 300 + yards. You really will not go wrong with either but if I was faced with only one choice, (I'm not) it would be the 300.
good luck, what will you be comfortable with, no bad advice from anyone here.
good luck, what will you be comfortable with, no bad advice from anyone here.
As previously stated the key to the recoil of the .300wm is a good stock and decent weight of the gun. Before getting my .300wm I was very reluctant due to the fact people kept telling me about the recoil, I ended up with a Remington SPS 700, and it has a decent recoil pad and the recoil was not as great as made out to be. I went from shooting primarly a .243 to the .300wm and the recoil did not affect my shooting at all. Most of the recoil problems have to do with gun design and that thing between your ears, guess it takes someone like me with not much there to not notice the recoil, hahaha.
Langenc--- gee, I would take your post as another ringing endorsement for the great 30-06!
Really, the 30-0f can also be loaded way up or way down. I think you will enjoy the 06 much more and will shoot it far more. Let's be real--- you have never hunted in your life before, as a first hunting rifle the 06 is the wisest choice by a long shot. You won't regret an 06, you may a heavier thumper. And, I assure you, you'll want a Limbsaver on the 06 as well.
Really, the 30-0f can also be loaded way up or way down. I think you will enjoy the 06 much more and will shoot it far more. Let's be real--- you have never hunted in your life before, as a first hunting rifle the 06 is the wisest choice by a long shot. You won't regret an 06, you may a heavier thumper. And, I assure you, you'll want a Limbsaver on the 06 as well.
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Welcome to the land where some would have one believe that the .300 WM deals death on both ends.
Limbsaver on the hind end or not, a .300 WM's recoil is not going to cause you to father crosseyed children. It will recoil substantially less than a fixed breech 12 ga. with 3" magnum shotshells.
The truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth has already been hit upon by 700 Sage. The .300 WM is the more versatile of the two. You can always safely load a .300 WM down to .30-'06 levels. You can never safely load the .30-'06 up to .300 WM power.
Get you a good fitting .300 WM and never look back.
Limbsaver on the hind end or not, a .300 WM's recoil is not going to cause you to father crosseyed children. It will recoil substantially less than a fixed breech 12 ga. with 3" magnum shotshells.
The truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth has already been hit upon by 700 Sage. The .300 WM is the more versatile of the two. You can always safely load a .300 WM down to .30-'06 levels. You can never safely load the .30-'06 up to .300 WM power.
Get you a good fitting .300 WM and never look back.
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