30-06 or 300 win mag... need some help

[GooNiEs]

Its a major toss up for me... I use to hunt with a 7mm but looking to get either a marlin xl7 30-06, or I have a buddy with a new savage 300 win mag. thats looking to sell.... trying to get back into elk hunting but having a family and house and car note means gotta watch my spending.. thinking about a redfield scope or a vortex. not sure on that either  Thanks for any input...... gonna hunt westside as well use to hunt bethel ridge bumping area many moons ago...

[sako223]

.300 WM

[NWBREW]

If you buy both....you can't go wrong. 

[scout88]

cant go wrong with the 06 its good for anything in WA, i can speak for savages and they are awesome shooters. the 300 is also a very good round.

[Gringo31]

30-06

[GoldTip]

30-06, cheap to shoot, easy on the shoulder.  Ammo always easy to find.  That being said, I love my 300 win mag.

[GooNiEs]

Thanks for all the replys ... yea im gonna get the 300wm wish it was a 300wsm but longer action wont make too big a difference... rifle ..scope bushnell (which im gonna replace) and 4 boxes of ammo for $500 and a limbsaver from what i read on here and reviews sounds like a good buy!!

[D-Rock425]

What's wrong with the 7MM?  Do you still have it?

[Elk-aholic]

Not much of a difference between the 7mm Rem Mag. or the 300 Win Mag. both will outperform the 30-06

[Tony 270WSM]

I'd go '06 unless you are going to consistently expect shots beyond 300 yards. Otherwise no reason for the extra price in ammo or extra recoil.

[bobcat]

I'd go '06 unless you are going to consistently expect shots beyond 300 yards. Otherwise no reason for the extra price in ammo or extra recoil.

[D-Rock425]

Not much of a difference between the 7mm Rem Mag. or the 300 Win Mag. both will outperform the 30-06

I know he said he use to hunt with one.  I just wanted to know if he still had it.  If he does he wouldn't need a new gun.  Unless he just wants one and you can't blame a Guy for wanting a new gun

[addicted]

30.06, your looking to save money.  when your on a budget the 300wm does not out perform an 06 because you can shoot the 06 more.

[C-Money]

30-06. Cant go wrong!

[Curly]

Or you could get the short action Marlin XS7S in .308.

[GooNiEs]

yea i still have my 7mm its an interarms rifle... bell and carlson stock (hope thats spelled right) older redfield scope on it...  i was thinking about hooking up a buddy with it .. hes gonna need a rifle to hunt with ... his idea to get me back into hunting hehe.. plus miss being out there..  i was looking at the marlins.. and savages... mainly something decent to 300 yards... really appreciate all the input ... im new to the site and have learned tons and tons...

[carpsniperg2]

the 300 and 30-06 to about 300 yards have close to the same tradjectory but the energy and knock down is way better on the 300 win mag i have both and like both but prefer the 300 10-1 over my 30-06's but if newer to guns and are not comfy with shooting a bigger gun and don't want to pick up a flinch habbit the 30-06 will kill anything in north america.

[Tony 270WSM]

...i was looking at the marlins.. and savages... mainly something decent to 300 yards...

If you're going to 300 yards, definitely 30-06. No real advantage to having the 300mag because the '06 has the power to take anything around here to 300 yards without any worry.

[the1rod]

i was in the same predicament last year. i went for the 30-06. i decided i wasent really going to be shooting real long distances, so i dident need that advantage of the 300wm. i also liked the range of shells you can get for the 30-06 over the counter, and by range i mean bullet weight, there are more options available, and they are easier to find and cheaper to buy.

[bobcat]

The 300 mag won't kill anything any deader at 300 yards than the 30-06. Dead is dead. And your shoulder and wallet will appreciate the 30-06 over the 300 magnum.

[GooNiEs]

yea priced ammo tonight and hands down 06 is alot cheaper to shoot.... drooled over a howa and a few other rifles... set on a marlin ... Friday i go broke hahaha... then off to the range ..

[bosshogg112]

i picked up a XL7 in 30-06 this Feb. and have taken it out a handful of times good shooter and it is a fantastic rifle for the money.   

[jackelope]

The last buck I killed with my -06 was lasered 298 yards. He went about 11 feet DRT.

[Alchase]

Personally I would go with the cheaper one of the two and spend the money on a good scope.

But I already have a 7mm, 300 wm, and 30-06

[jackelope]

Personally I would go with the cheaper one of the two and spend the money on a good scope.

But I already have a 7mm, 300 wm, and 30-06

I would agree, especially for mostly westside hunting.

[wapiti hunter2]

Friend of mine has the 300wsm.  Ammo $50/box.  He has had it for three years and put less than 100 rounds through it because it is so expensive to shoot. 

I pull out my old 06 and laugh

[carpsniperg2]

i have not bought factory ammo for a long time for my 300 win or 30-06 but it seems like the plain jane rem corelocks were 22.00 at bi mart for the 300 and like 18.00 for the 30-06  i hand load for mine but they don't seem that much much more spendy.

[6x6in6]

yea i still have my 7mm its an interarms rifle... bell and carlson stock (hope thats spelled right) older redfield scope on it...  i was thinking about hooking up a buddy with it .. hes gonna need a rifle to hunt with ... his idea to get me back into hunting hehe.. plus miss being out there..  i was looking at the marlins.. and savages... mainly something decent to 300 yards... really appreciate all the input ... im new to the site and have learned tons and tons...

Well, if it's his idea and he needs the gun, tell him to buy the 300 or .06.
You have a damn fine elk caliber you currently own.  Assuming the gun shoots straight and you are still happy with it's overall performance of course.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Like Alchase, I own one of each (.30-06, 7MM Mag and .300 Win Mag).  I just had our local gunsmith replace the barrel on the .300 Win Mag as it was rusted and pitted, with a Shilen match grade stainless barrel.  After breakin it in I will let you know how it shoots.

I have to admit that to date I most often reach for the .30-06 as my go to hunting gun.  I am following in my Dad's footsteps as he used the .30-06 for everything.

[alecvg]

30/06.. alot cheaper, and the most versitile round... you will have no problem killing anything in North America with it, and I have heard of people killing elephants with it.

[ELKBURGER]

A buddy of mine asked me a similar question. He has an -06 now but wondered if he should get a 7mm or a 300. I told him to keep the -06, buy some dies, and we'll load up some accurate, powerful rounds cheaper than factory and we could custom reload some rounds that arent on the shelves at bi-mart or sportsmans.

[Pathfinder101]

My son has the XS7 in a .308.  It's a nice little rifle.  Accurate. 
Here's my thinking:
If it is going to exclusively an elk gun, then i would go with the .300 mag.  If elk is the biggest of many things you hunt with it (deer, etc..), then I would go with the 30-06. 

If you are on a budget though, (and it sounds like you are), then I would go with the 30-06.  for the reasons listed above.  I have the new Redfield scope BTW and I like it.  Mine is on a .300 mag.

[woodswalker]

for the things you have listed, distances and the like...get the 30-06, less expensive ammo and easier on the shoulder which mean you will practice more and hit better.

30-06 is plenty powerful for even Elk at 300 with the right bullet.

 

[300winmag]

I also have both the 300 wm and the win 06 lightwieght. The 06 is a great gun but the 300 will out shoot and have more knock down power.For the scope I would go with a Nikon bdc have one and love it .Bottom line is both guns are great but it all comes down to shot placement and bullet wieght.

[Tony 270WSM]

What do you mean the 300 will "out shoot" the '06? More power, yes, but when stated he doesn't plan on shooting beyond 300 yards what good is that power going to do? Dead is dead.

[Dansk]

I'd go with the 30-06.  No reason in the world you won't like it.  If you can't get closer than 300yds for plain jane deer/elk hunting then you need to find another hobby- sorry for the sarcasm, but I really can't see a need for us "average joe" hunters to shoot at anything over 300 yds away.  If archers can take trophies within 25-50 yds.. etc. etc..

I ranged my Montana buck bedded in a river bed 350 yds away, downhill, with a 20mph cross wind.  Given the balistics and other variables that is a tuff shot.  I snuck within 25 yds to take the sleeping buck through the prickly pears and sage, and THAT is what made the hunt special/memorable.

Having said that, there are a few reasons you may NOT like the 300.... sooo... why take the chance buying something that you may not like?

[300winmag]

If your going to shoot at that range you need to practice with your gun alot and then shoot some more . THE OLD SAYING  PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. You cant always get right on top of your  animal and you need to know how to shoot just in case no matter what you shoot and again shot placement is crucial.

[predatorpro]

doesnt really matter either one will kill an elk, they both shoot the same diamter bullet/slug, just different casings, the 300 mag just shoots faster and farther, if you practice you can make a long shot with a 30-06 with the right load

[Cascade Hunter]

I hunt with a 30-30 Marlin lever action without a scope for deer, black bear and elk. Never needed more than that.

[rasbo]

30-06

[Bob33]

I have both and use both.  You've heard all the pros and cons: the 300 is more powerful but kicks more, costs more to shoot, and probably weighs more.  If those don't bother you then go for the 300; there is no such thing as "too dead".  If any of them do get the 30-06.  It will work just fine at anything you plan to shoot at reasonable distances.  If you're not sure, go for the 30-06. 

[MDGrand]

Well, here is my 

30-06 I have as well. Its an awesome round.. tried and true.. tons of ammo options, etc. BUT.. the '06 does not do one thing particularly well. As an "all-purpose" round it can do just about most if not all shots... but not as well as a mag. Case in point and the reason I bought my 300 Weatherby....

I hunt Mulies in open country.. a 300 yard shot actually pretty common and the wind gusts even under 300 yards can throw a non mag round pretty good.  2nd... the smack of a mag IS significantly better at all ranges and when the unfortunate happens and you hit a deer or elk in somewhere other than the vitals.. I want the mag.. it does more damage.. nothing makes me feel worse as a hunter than loosing a wounded animal..

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Dude, you should man up and forget the ought six or 300 win.........if you're asking the question you obviously need a 30-378 roy weatherby. In fact you haven't got a hair on your ass unless you at least get an ultra mag.......

Just kidding

Buy both try them out for a year and either keep them or sell one. guns hold their value.

[Pathfinder101]

Dude, you should man up and forget the ought six or 300 win.........if you're asking the question you obviously need a 30-378 roy weatherby. In fact you haven't got a hair on your ass unless you at least get an ultra mag.......

.

Anything less than a .416 Rigby and your just a girl shooting a squirrel gun...

[scout88]

thats why i shoot .50 BMG 

[Cascade_Sherpa]

thats why i shoot .50 BMG 

You can never have too much gun!

[h2ofowlr]

Just stick with the .7mm, as that is a great gun.  If it's to hard of a decision keep the .7mm and then pick up both the .30-06 and .300.  I have all 3 and I don't think I shoot any of them.

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Just stick with the .7mm, as that is a great gun.  If it's to hard of a decision keep the .7mm and then pick up both the .30-06 and .300.  I have all 3 and I don't think I shoot any of them.

Thats good advice as well.......

I read a quote once and if I remember correctly it says something like this...."Beware of a man with only one gun. He probably knows how to use it".