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30-06 or .300 wsm

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dezmick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dezmick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 30-06 or .300 wsm
    Posted: January/02/2011 at 16:14
I currently own a 270 Winchester, and was wanting to get a dedicated elk hunting rifle, i would just like to know which of these two should i go with, i was leaning toward the 30-06 because of ammo price, but i know that the 300 wsm is a really good caliber for elk, any opinions would be helpful.

thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2011 at 16:37
I would personally go with the 300 WSM.  I shoot the 300 WM and love that gun.  Either one will knock down an elk perfectly fine, just better performance out of the 300.  It will also kick harder, so if you don't like recoil then go for the 30-06.

A big advantage with the 300 is the ability to shoot heavier bullets at better speeds. I shoot a 190 gr bullet out of my 300 @ about 3000 fps.  I have had the bullet pass through elk at 400+ yards.  Dropped him right where he stood.  

If you do get the 30-06, be very careful not to mix up the ammo with your 270.  Bad things will happen if you do.


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dezmick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dezmick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2011 at 16:57
I was thinking of using 165 grain bullets in either the Barnes Tipped Tsx, federal trophy bonded tipped or nosler accubond, for a 300 wsm, would that be enough to take down an elk?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2011 at 17:03
Any of those bullets would do it in either the -06 or 300.  Most of the elk that dropped while I was guiding were in those two rounds with either 165 gr or 180 gr bullets.

If you shoot 140 or 150 gr bullets, your 270 will drop them just fine as well.


Edited by helo18 - January/02/2011 at 17:04
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 06:22
I own both! Haven't had the opportunity to use the 300 on an elk yet. But for either caliber I would look into 180gr. rounds. With the 180's, a 300 wsm will be in the 2950-3000fps range and carry energy better down range than the lighter bullets.
  But you really can't knock the 30-06, it has been stopping hearts for a long, long time. Most will drive the same bullet at 2750-2800fps. And the ammo is a lot cheaper. So practice is more plentiful. 
 
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 07:34
since when wont a .270 kill elk?Shocked
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 09:54
Pyro is right.  The .270 is fine for elk. 

If you just want another rifle, which believe me, I totally understand, .300WSM provides a greater jump in performance over the .270 than does the -06.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 10:14
While the .270 is more than adequate for elk, I see no reason NOT to get a "dedicated" elk gun.  I have one.

Out of your choices, I like the 300 wsm for your purposes.  I like the 180 Accubond in that round.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 10:43
I find the 300WSM reloads much easier than the 30-06 case.  I shoot .308, 30-06 300WSM and 300 WM and .375 H&H If I was going to buy another rifle it would be 338 Win Mag and if you look at the balistics of the 338 WM it retains about the same energy at long range as a 375 H&H.  I'd say if you want a really marked difference in performance consider the .338 WM and 375 H&H and if you could find a Tikka in a 338WM that is probably the ticket.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2011 at 11:23
well lets see, 300win, .300wby and .375.  ive got all three elk species covered.Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 18:35

Even though I am a Huge fan of the 06, I think the wsm would be the way I'd go.  The 270 and 30-06 offer to much overlap, where the wsm offers some separation.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 19:46
After a short period of "catch up" trying to keep pace with the frenzy of buying after the election of a communist to the presidency, 30-06 is still the most commonly used caliber in the country.  Therefore, if it is to be a lone rifle, or the only one for a while, I would go with 30-06.  300 WSM is a great round, but a little harder to acquire at need than 30-06.  It is easier to acquire a constant stash of 1000 or more 30-06 rounds than 1000 300 WSM rounds.  The 30-06 will kill anything a 300 WSM will kill.  The 300 WSM has a little advantage in range, not much, the "ballistic curve" is slightly better.  If you are going to reload, 30-06 brass is certainly easier to find and there are hundreds of load formulae.  However, I still really like the 300 WSM...
I can't imagine not having a 30-06...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 20:43
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

After a short period of "catch up" trying to keep pace with the frenzy of buying after the election of a communist to the presidency, 30-06 is still the most commonly used caliber in the country.  Therefore, if it is to be a lone rifle, or the only one for a while, I would go with 30-06.  300 WSM is a great round, but a little harder to acquire at need than 30-06.  It is easier to acquire a constant stash of 1000 or more 30-06 rounds than 1000 300 WSM rounds.  The 30-06 will kill anything a 300 WSM will kill.  The 300 WSM has a little advantage in range, not much, the "ballistic curve" is slightly better.  If you are going to reload, 30-06 brass is certainly easier to find and there are hundreds of load formulae.  However, I still really like the 300 WSM...
I can't imagine not having a 30-06...

i can, it doesnt have a  beltBig Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 20:52
You should never mention that in public...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 20:59
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

You should never mention that in public...

the .270 sucks!!


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 21:17
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 21:30
Hunter, is it the .270 winchester? Or all 6.8mm cartridges?
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 21:57
just the .270win, the .270 wsm and .270wby are excellent imo
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2011 at 22:18
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

After a short period of "catch up" trying to keep pace with the frenzy of buying after the election of a communist to the presidency, 30-06 is still the most commonly used caliber in the country.  Therefore, if it is to be a lone rifle, or the only one for a while, I would go with 30-06.  300 WSM is a great round, but a little harder to acquire at need than 30-06.  It is easier to acquire a constant stash of 1000 or more 30-06 rounds than 1000 300 WSM rounds.  The 30-06 will kill anything a 300 WSM will kill.  The 300 WSM has a little advantage in range, not much, the "ballistic curve" is slightly better.  If you are going to reload, 30-06 brass is certainly easier to find and there are hundreds of load formulae.  However, I still really like the 300 WSM...
I can't imagine not having a 30-06...

i can, it doesnt have a  beltBig Grin
I actually chose the .300 wsm because it doesn't have a belt. Since I wanted to reload, and was new to it, I didn't want the added complexity of dealing with the belt.
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2011 at 07:41
just pretend you dont see it when you reloadWink
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"
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