Know some of the advantages of the 30-06 but if you were going to design a rifle which caliber would you go for. Since I am learning to reload through a friend over the counter ammo shouldn't be a factor. I have used the search engine for the 30-06 but haven't seen much for the 300 wsm. Would be shooting a 600 to 1000 at the place where I shoot if I go this project put together. Thanks
30-06 versus 300wsm
- Thread starter garrett4
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Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I'm building my own rifle right now and had to make the same choice. I ended up going .30-06 because I mainly want to shoot heavy bullets, specifically 208gr Amax.
I'm building my own rifle right now and had to make the same choice. I ended up going .30-06 because I mainly want to shoot heavy bullets, specifically 208gr Amax.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
Are you building a new rig? Are you vested in 30 cal? If not, 7mm is the way to skin the cat.
Josh
Are you building a new rig? Are you vested in 30 cal? If not, 7mm is the way to skin the cat.
Josh
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I have two 300 wsm rifles (one Win 70 & one Rem 700). I handload and have found them to be highly accurate with rounds from 155 gr and up. My heaviest being 210 gr Berger VLD-H's.
I went to several of the ballistics websites and compared energy, velocity, etc. For me, the 300 wsm fit all my categories.
I have two 300 wsm rifles (one Win 70 & one Rem 700). I handload and have found them to be highly accurate with rounds from 155 gr and up. My heaviest being 210 gr Berger VLD-H's.
I went to several of the ballistics websites and compared energy, velocity, etc. For me, the 300 wsm fit all my categories.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
30-06 is one of my favorite cartridges. Hornady has some nice loads which you can duplicate, which approach .300 mag. I will say that a .300 short magnum may make a smoother rifle because of the short action instead of the long. I'd still make it a 30-06 for myself, though. I have a lever rifle, Winchester 95, in 06 which would be my go-to gun for anything within 400 yards.
30-06 is one of my favorite cartridges. Hornady has some nice loads which you can duplicate, which approach .300 mag. I will say that a .300 short magnum may make a smoother rifle because of the short action instead of the long. I'd still make it a 30-06 for myself, though. I have a lever rifle, Winchester 95, in 06 which would be my go-to gun for anything within 400 yards.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
Nothing wrong with either. I think the wsm has a tad bit more in velocity with the heavies. The wsm also gives you the short action, but I have read tests and heard people say the short vs long action bolt throw is virtually negligable when it comes to speed. I think the 06 is more available in commercial loadings, brass would be easier to get, and no worry looking for magnum primers. But that may not be an issue either depending where you shop.
Nothing wrong with either. I think the wsm has a tad bit more in velocity with the heavies. The wsm also gives you the short action, but I have read tests and heard people say the short vs long action bolt throw is virtually negligable when it comes to speed. I think the 06 is more available in commercial loadings, brass would be easier to get, and no worry looking for magnum primers. But that may not be an issue either depending where you shop.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I would go the 06 any day of the week just cos i like the round
I dont think i loses much to the 300wsm
.Dave
I would go the 06 any day of the week just cos i like the round
I dont think i loses much to the 300wsm
.Dave
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I went with the .06 for my build and have been very happy with the results.
I went with the .06 for my build and have been very happy with the results.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg
Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg </div></div>
Ballistically yes, although, but the 280 Rem shoulder is 0.051" further forward than the 270 and 30-06.
The 270 and 280 share a 2.540 trim length. I found this out after I inadvertently held my 280 reamer short and headspaced it with the 06 gauge, causing me to end up with a 7mm-270 instead of a 280. I forgot to bring 280 ammo with me and grabbed a 270 case from my dad's bench and made a dummy round to double check the headspace gauge. When I got home, no 280's would chamber... stupid mistake, but since I planned to reload for it exclusively anyway, it's not that big of a deal. BTW, I have 249 pieces of NIB 280 brass if you're interested.
Back to the OP-
I load 300 WSM for a friend and I have a 30-06 myself. The WSM capacity is slightly higher, for 178 Amax's (he doesn't shoot the 208's) his case uses 4 more grains of powder and gets about 50 fps faster than my rifle does.
If you're going to build a 300 WSM, I'd build it on a long action to fully utilize the extra capacity. WSM brass is built like a tank, and Winchester makes good brass.
I would personally take the 30-06 over the 300 for 3 primary reasons
1) Brass is easy to find both at stores and people leave it on the range routinely, so plinking cases are plentiful
2) Probably the largest selection of hunting ammo exists for 30-06 and 308. If you're out on a hunting trip and something terrible happens with your ammo, you can drive to the closest hardware store, gas station (where legal) or gun shop and they're almost guaranteed to have some form of serviceable 30-06 ammo on the shelf.
3) You can get Lapua 30-06 cases if you want them, you can't get Lapua 300 WSM brass.
A few more things:
7mm is definitely the way to go if you're going to reload and go for long range shooting. The 180gr Berger Hybrid VLD's have a better BC than the 250 SMK in 338, with velocities at 3000fps or more (barrel length dependent) you will actually have a flatter shooting rifle to a mile than a 338 LM if built to certain criteria.
The recoil from a 7mm is less than the 30's, and there's only 1 bullet in 30 caliber that can keep up with a 180gr 7mm VLD from JLK, Berger or the Berger Hybrid. The 240 SMK, which is pretty heavy for either of those cases adn can't be driven to nearly the same velocity.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg </div></div>
Ballistically yes, although, but the 280 Rem shoulder is 0.051" further forward than the 270 and 30-06.
The 270 and 280 share a 2.540 trim length. I found this out after I inadvertently held my 280 reamer short and headspaced it with the 06 gauge, causing me to end up with a 7mm-270 instead of a 280. I forgot to bring 280 ammo with me and grabbed a 270 case from my dad's bench and made a dummy round to double check the headspace gauge. When I got home, no 280's would chamber... stupid mistake, but since I planned to reload for it exclusively anyway, it's not that big of a deal. BTW, I have 249 pieces of NIB 280 brass if you're interested.
Back to the OP-
I load 300 WSM for a friend and I have a 30-06 myself. The WSM capacity is slightly higher, for 178 Amax's (he doesn't shoot the 208's) his case uses 4 more grains of powder and gets about 50 fps faster than my rifle does.
If you're going to build a 300 WSM, I'd build it on a long action to fully utilize the extra capacity. WSM brass is built like a tank, and Winchester makes good brass.
I would personally take the 30-06 over the 300 for 3 primary reasons
1) Brass is easy to find both at stores and people leave it on the range routinely, so plinking cases are plentiful
2) Probably the largest selection of hunting ammo exists for 30-06 and 308. If you're out on a hunting trip and something terrible happens with your ammo, you can drive to the closest hardware store, gas station (where legal) or gun shop and they're almost guaranteed to have some form of serviceable 30-06 ammo on the shelf.
3) You can get Lapua 30-06 cases if you want them, you can't get Lapua 300 WSM brass.
A few more things:
7mm is definitely the way to go if you're going to reload and go for long range shooting. The 180gr Berger Hybrid VLD's have a better BC than the 250 SMK in 338, with velocities at 3000fps or more (barrel length dependent) you will actually have a flatter shooting rifle to a mile than a 338 LM if built to certain criteria.
The recoil from a 7mm is less than the 30's, and there's only 1 bullet in 30 caliber that can keep up with a 180gr 7mm VLD from JLK, Berger or the Berger Hybrid. The 240 SMK, which is pretty heavy for either of those cases adn can't be driven to nearly the same velocity.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I went to the 300 WSM for the short action. I reload so ammo choice is wide open. If you don't care about action length go for 06 the barrel will last longer. The cost and availablity of 06 ammo is also better. They both do a good job at making things dead.
I went to the 300 WSM for the short action. I reload so ammo choice is wide open. If you don't care about action length go for 06 the barrel will last longer. The cost and availablity of 06 ammo is also better. They both do a good job at making things dead.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg </div></div>
Greg: Are you going to stay with the .280 or go with the .280AI
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes it is. When you combine the 7mm with the '06 case, you get the .280 Rem. Still early in the .280 project, but I'm liking it more and more.
Greg </div></div>
Greg: Are you going to stay with the .280 or go with the .280AI
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
My next build in the works is going to be 30/06...off the action of the first rifle I ever bought myself 20 years ago. I think its the best all around cartridge there is.....flame on. It can hunt anything that I care to hunt and shoot distance. Of course I have some sentimental attachment to the round and the action I am using.
My next build in the works is going to be 30/06...off the action of the first rifle I ever bought myself 20 years ago. I think its the best all around cartridge there is.....flame on. It can hunt anything that I care to hunt and shoot distance. Of course I have some sentimental attachment to the round and the action I am using.
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
I am not personally a fan of AI chamberings. I am going with the .280 because I inherited a pair of them, and am curious/interested in seeing what they'll do.
So far, factory HDY Custom 139gr SST loads are dead nutz accurate in both rifles, and load development with Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tips and H4350 (56.4gr) have rendered several 1 hole 5rd groups at 100yd. I can be said to be 'favorably impressed'.
I am a well established fan of the .260 and .30-'06. I will always own my Garand and some form of .30-'06 bolt gun. If things ever well and truly go to crap, that Garand may well be the last thing I ever lay my hands on.
Greg
I am not personally a fan of AI chamberings. I am going with the .280 because I inherited a pair of them, and am curious/interested in seeing what they'll do.
So far, factory HDY Custom 139gr SST loads are dead nutz accurate in both rifles, and load development with Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tips and H4350 (56.4gr) have rendered several 1 hole 5rd groups at 100yd. I can be said to be 'favorably impressed'.
I am a well established fan of the .260 and .30-'06. I will always own my Garand and some form of .30-'06 bolt gun. If things ever well and truly go to crap, that Garand may well be the last thing I ever lay my hands on.
Greg
Re: 30-06 versus 300wsm
Another thing to keep in mind about the .300WSM using a short action is the ability to take advantage of the latest "no bedding" short action stocks (ie. AICS and McCree) utilizing the AICS 5 and 10-round magazines with minimal mods.
Not sure which direction your build will take, but it could be a factor.
I personally have great results using the 208 A-Max in the .300WSM @ 2,850fps. I am getting 12-loads per case using Winchester brass with this load.
Chops
Another thing to keep in mind about the .300WSM using a short action is the ability to take advantage of the latest "no bedding" short action stocks (ie. AICS and McCree) utilizing the AICS 5 and 10-round magazines with minimal mods.
Not sure which direction your build will take, but it could be a factor.
I personally have great results using the 208 A-Max in the .300WSM @ 2,850fps. I am getting 12-loads per case using Winchester brass with this load.
Chops
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