300 Win Mag vs 30-06

[wstrayer]

Looking to replace the bolt action. Love the 30-06 but interested in a bit more, so the 300 Win Mag is under consideration. Cost and recoil keeping me form the 300 Weatherby.
However, is the short neck an issue for reloading? How do your reloads compare against factory ammo so far as speed and accuracy? Looking towards 150 or 165 grain bullets.

[BudT]

A good choice is the .300 Win.Mag. Short necks are always a disadvantage on any cartridge, at least in my opinion. I have never done a velocity comparison between the factory loadings and my hand loads, it really doesnt matter to me. I almost always see more accuracy out of my hand loads than any factory loading in any cartridge. I load my .300 for accuracy and if the speed gets there to well all the better. As with many components the brass for the .300 WM are pretty hard to find so when or if you do find some you better not worry about paying what you might think is to much. If I need it and I see it I buy it it's that simple. A 150 grain lead core soft point slug at the velocities you can shoot them at out of the .300 is not a good idea unless you want to blow a big hole in something. I used them for coyotes, they put a fist size hole in the yoder dogs that's not what I want when used for deer or elk. A 165 is good but a 180 is better and the all copper or other traditional style better quality bullets would be better yet. One of my all round hunting favorites is the Barns TTSX in the light 150 grain. HTH
BudT

[Oyaji]

Has the OP considered the .300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) or even the 7mm Rem Magnum? Both are a step up from the .30-06 and neither has the disputed, short neck reloading problems associated with the .300 Win Mag. With the .300 WSM however, one is limited to bullets no heaver than 180 grains. Other than that, the .300 WSM has ballistics similar to the .300 Win Mag. Some say it is even more accurate because it headspaces on the shoulder instead of on a belt.

[snakehunter]

Looking to replace the bolt action. Love the 30-06 but interested in a bit more, so the 300 Win Mag is under consideration. Cost and recoil keeping me form the 300 Weatherby.
However, is the short neck an issue for reloading? How do your reloads compare against factory ammo so far as speed and accuracy? Looking towards 150 or 165 grain bullets.

I have 3 of them (and 2 '06s). Accuracy of my loads is considerably better than factory. I don't test for velocity. The short neck has never posed a problem for me. I use the 300s when I want more reach or terminal velocity than the '06s provide.

[Matt Anthony]

I'd go for the Weatherby but do yourself a favor and have a muzzle brake installed. You will not regret it one bit! It will reduce recoil by 40%.
If you nix the Weatherby, go with the 300 Win. short mag. also with a muzzle brake! Better ignition and accuracy from that fat little cartridge.
Matt

[PhillipM]

Consider the Hornady light magnum in 30-06.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/solution_magnums.htm

[wstrayer]

Looking at the Weatherby S2 Vanguard so I have a choice of 30-06, 300 Win Mag or 300 Weatherby.

[NuJudge]

With some of Norma's powders, you can do remarkable things with the .30-'06. Look at the ballistics you can get with MRP.

[wstrayer]

What is "MRP"?

[Tuna]

Let me ask you what are you going to be shooting with this rifle and how far are you shooting it?

[wstrayer]

Deer and maybe black bear. 50-250 yards if I hunt with a friend of mine who has a camp in Bradford County. 50-150 yards most of the time.
Ironically, my local shop told me that his distributor only lists the S2 stainless in 300 Win Mag, not the 30-06. However, Weatherby lists the 30-06 in stainless as well.

[BudT]

A 30-06 for that type of game and at those ranges is more than enough gun. Either one will work but I would suggest a 165 grain or 180 grain "well constructed) bullet in either. Enjoy your hunt.

[snakehunter]

Deer and maybe black bear. 50-250 yards if I hunt with a friend of mine who has a camp in Bradford County. 50-150 yards most of the time.
Ironically, my local shop told me that his distributor only lists the S2 stainless in 300 Win Mag, not the 30-06. However, Weatherby lists the 30-06 in stainless as well.

I know that area well I, so I understand your wanting to up grade to a magnum. Depending on how and where you hunt, you can get some pretty long shots. In addition, if you get a chance to do some long range hunting, you will have a more capable rifle. Given the choices you mention, I'd opt for the 300 Win Mag. It is tried and true with respect to accuracy and ammo availability will pose no problem if you need to buy some. Bradford and surrounding counties are pretty rural and finding ammo for the other 30 cal magnums could be problematic. Whereas, just about every store in the country has 300 Win Mag.