cartridges

richard plocek · 09-12-2009, 07:13 PM

what is the difference between a 30.06 and a 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge

big shrek · 09-13-2009, 12:34 AM

I could go for the joke & say "Not Much"...

But in truth, in some of the hotter loadings for the .30-06, there ain't much difference.

Me, I prefer the .30-06 for it's WIDE range of possibilities. Factory ammo in almost an configuration you can imagine...inexpensive...and if you handload it, CHEAP.

Kinda hard to beat until you get into African Game guns.

Iron_Colonel · 09-13-2009, 01:40 AM

Besides the case dimensions, caliber is the same. The magnum cartridge basically makes it possible to shoot at farther distances away. The .30-06 cartridge is pretty fit to take any big game in North America. The .300 Win Mag is more than fit to take any large game in North America. Trajectories at distances are a little flatter with the Win Mag opposed to the .30-06. Handloads can tailor the load to the rifle in either case. IMO, the .300 Win Mag is a big kick compared to the .30-06. But hey, they make .300 Win Mag semis, but a deep wallet may be necessary for obtainment

Will you be shooting any .30-06 or Win Mag for hunting or pleasure? Perhaps if we understand what you want to use it for, you can weigh opinions you get from other forum members perhaps.

oldjarhead · 09-13-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard plocek

what is the difference between a 30.06 and a 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge

From what I've been told, one can shoot the 30/06 all day with no pain...
But one can only shoot a box of 300 winmag with a lot of pain and no gain.

texnmidwest · 09-13-2009, 08:38 AM

I echo the above.

If you are a beginning shooter/hunter I would advise staying away from the 300 win mag. Heavy recoil, loud report and a to handle on the range.

New shooters, I advise starting with a lighter recoiling rifle. 30-06 is not a bad starter rifle, especially if it is a semi auto. Semi autos tame the recoil a bit.

Also, the -06 is more than enough for most animals in the lower 48 states.

"300 win mag is a 30-06 on steroids." Not sure who said it, but it is true.

samuel · 09-13-2009, 09:35 AM

Water case capacity is 69grains for .30-06 and 88grains for the .300winmag.Diammeter/length is .473"w by 2.494"L..diammeter/length of .300winmag is: .513"W,and 2.620"L..30-06 has non-belted body and .300winmag is belted (.532").Recoil using 8lb rifle .30-06 is between 17 and 20lbs depending on bullet wt and powder charge.Recoil on .300 winmag using 8.5lb rifle is between 26 and 30lbs depending on bullet wt and powder chg. ,,,sam.

texnmidwest · 09-13-2009, 09:40 AM

Good info, Sam! 6ftlbs of recoil is a lot of difference in felt recoil in similar rifles!

big boomer · 09-13-2009, 11:07 AM

The 300 is a 30-06 on steroids. and I own several 30-06's but no 300's and I will never own one , I have no use for it.

nathangdad · 09-13-2009, 11:37 AM

The .300 Winchester Magnum is to a 180 grain bullet what the .30-06 is to a 150 grain bullet.

I know this is not exactly scientific. It was told to me years ago and I have never forgotten it.

quietman · 09-17-2009, 11:15 PM

Well, there's now another option to the '06, the 338 Marlin Express. Comes D&T'd for a scope and levers are just plain fun.

Sorry for all the periodsto make the table, the BBS doesn't like lots of spaces strung together
Numbers are
velocity / energy / trajectory

.............. 180 gr 30-06 .................... 200gr 338MX
muzzle .... 2700 / 2913 / -0.9 ............ 2565 / 2922 / -1.5
100yds ... 2470 / 2439 / +2.1 ............ 2365 / 2484 / +3
200yds ... 2252 / 2026 / +0.0 ............ 2174 / 2099 / +1.2
300yds ... 2045 / 1671 / -9.0 ............ 1992 / 1762 / -7.9
400yds ... 1848 / 1365 / -26.2 ............ 1820 / 1471 / -25.9
500yds ... 1617 / 1111 / -54.0 ............ 1658 / 1221 / -54.3

RECOIL ............ energy / velocity

30-06 150gr ...... 17.6 ft-lbs / 11.9 fps
30-06 180gr ...... 20.3 ft-lbs / 12.8 fps
338MX 200gr ..... 16.2 ft-lbs / 11.4 fps

big shrek · 09-18-2009, 06:55 AM

Nice info

G. Green · 10-07-2009, 11:59 AM

Speaking of recoil; I just had an opportunity to shoot a Browning bolt rifle in .300 WSM with the BOSS system on it and I was amazed at how well it worked. I don't think I've ever shot a center fire bolt gun with less felt recoil. I won't be buying one since I don't need one, and I love my old 700 '06, but if anyone is looking and recoil is an issue.......

Dragunov · 11-04-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Colonel

Besides the case dimensions, caliber is the same. The magnum cartridge basically makes it possible to shoot at farther distances away. The .30-06 cartridge is pretty fit to take any big game in North America. The .300 Win Mag is more than fit to take any large game in North America. Trajectories at distances are a little flatter with the Win Mag opposed to the .30-06. Handloads can tailor the load to the rifle in either case. IMO, the .300 Win Mag is a big kick compared to the .30-06. But hey, they make .300 Win Mag semis, but a deep wallet may be necessary for obtainment

Will you be shooting any .30-06 or Win Mag for hunting or pleasure? Perhaps if we understand what you want to use it for, you can weigh opinions you get from other forum members perhaps.

I'll say! Walther WA2000 = $75,000.

That doesn't stop me from wanting one.

09-12-2009, 07:13 PM	#1
richard plocek Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	cartridges what is the difference between a 30.06 and a 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge

09-13-2009, 12:34 AM	#2
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,773	I could go for the joke & say "Not Much"... But in truth, in some of the hotter loadings for the .30-06, there ain't much difference. Me, I prefer the .30-06 for it's WIDE range of possibilities. Factory ammo in almost an configuration you can imagine...inexpensive...and if you handload it, CHEAP. Kinda hard to beat until you get into African Game guns. __________________ Marlin Specialist, Calico Specialist

09-13-2009, 01:40 AM	#3
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,782	Besides the case dimensions, caliber is the same. The magnum cartridge basically makes it possible to shoot at farther distances away. The .30-06 cartridge is pretty fit to take any big game in North America. The .300 Win Mag is more than fit to take any large game in North America. Trajectories at distances are a little flatter with the Win Mag opposed to the .30-06. Handloads can tailor the load to the rifle in either case. IMO, the .300 Win Mag is a big kick compared to the .30-06. But hey, they make .300 Win Mag semis, but a deep wallet may be necessary for obtainment Will you be shooting any .30-06 or Win Mag for hunting or pleasure? Perhaps if we understand what you want to use it for, you can weigh opinions you get from other forum members perhaps. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

09-13-2009, 08:38 AM	#5
texnmidwest They wonder why I drink.. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 7,951	I echo the above. If you are a beginning shooter/hunter I would advise staying away from the 300 win mag. Heavy recoil, loud report and a to handle on the range. New shooters, I advise starting with a lighter recoiling rifle. 30-06 is not a bad starter rifle, especially if it is a semi auto. Semi autos tame the recoil a bit. Also, the -06 is more than enough for most animals in the lower 48 states. "300 win mag is a 30-06 on steroids." Not sure who said it, but it is true. __________________ Handle every stressful situation like a dog, sniff it, wee on it and walk away.

09-13-2009, 09:35 AM	#6
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 12,488	Water case capacity is 69grains for .30-06 and 88grains for the .300winmag.Diammeter/length is .473"w by 2.494"L..diammeter/length of .300winmag is: .513"W,and 2.620"L..30-06 has non-belted body and .300winmag is belted (.532").Recoil using 8lb rifle .30-06 is between 17 and 20lbs depending on bullet wt and powder charge.Recoil on .300 winmag using 8.5lb rifle is between 26 and 30lbs depending on bullet wt and powder chg. ,,,sam. Last edited by samuel; 09-13-2009 at 09:38 AM.

09-13-2009, 09:40 AM	#7
texnmidwest They wonder why I drink.. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 7,951	Good info, Sam! 6ftlbs of recoil is a lot of difference in felt recoil in similar rifles! __________________ Handle every stressful situation like a dog, sniff it, wee on it and walk away.

09-13-2009, 11:07 AM	#8
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,623	The 300 is a 30-06 on steroids. and I own several 30-06's but no 300's and I will never own one , I have no use for it.

09-13-2009, 11:37 AM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6,064	In a simple sort of explanation, The .300 Winchester Magnum is to a 180 grain bullet what the .30-06 is to a 150 grain bullet. I know this is not exactly scientific. It was told to me years ago and I have never forgotten it.

09-17-2009, 11:15 PM	#10
quietman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 61	Well, there's now another option to the '06, the 338 Marlin Express. Comes D&T'd for a scope and levers are just plain fun. Sorry for all the periodsto make the table, the BBS doesn't like lots of spaces strung together Numbers are velocity / energy / trajectory .............. 180 gr 30-06 .................... 200gr 338MX muzzle .... 2700 / 2913 / -0.9 ............ 2565 / 2922 / -1.5 100yds ... 2470 / 2439 / +2.1 ............ 2365 / 2484 / +3 200yds ... 2252 / 2026 / +0.0 ............ 2174 / 2099 / +1.2 300yds ... 2045 / 1671 / -9.0 ............ 1992 / 1762 / -7.9 400yds ... 1848 / 1365 / -26.2 ............ 1820 / 1471 / -25.9 500yds ... 1617 / 1111 / -54.0 ............ 1658 / 1221 / -54.3 RECOIL ............ energy / velocity 30-06 150gr ...... 17.6 ft-lbs / 11.9 fps 30-06 180gr ...... 20.3 ft-lbs / 12.8 fps 338MX 200gr ..... 16.2 ft-lbs / 11.4 fps Last edited by quietman; 09-17-2009 at 11:20 PM.

09-18-2009, 06:55 AM	#11
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,773	Nice info __________________ Marlin Specialist, Calico Specialist

10-07-2009, 11:59 AM	#12
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,061	Speaking of recoil; I just had an opportunity to shoot a Browning bolt rifle in .300 WSM with the BOSS system on it and I was amazed at how well it worked. I don't think I've ever shot a center fire bolt gun with less felt recoil. I won't be buying one since I don't need one, and I love my old 700 '06, but if anyone is looking and recoil is an issue.......