Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best cartridge on the .30-06 case (larger diameter)

I guess I'm talking about the .30-06 necked up anywhere from 8mm-06 to .400 Whelen . I'm wondering what you think is the best of these? I realize this mostly comes down to the .338-06 vs. .35 Whelen.

I wouldn't necessarily be thinking that. Better throw the 9.3x62mm in the mix... That's where my vote goes. However, there's no mistaking the lethality of either the 338-06 and 35 whelen. Also, the question is a little vague: What's "best" for some guy, may not necessarily be "best" for another....

9.3x62 with either the 250 or 286 gr TSX will take anything on this planet.

If I ever build one it's gonna be the .338.

I would vote for the 338-06 due to having lighter bullets with better BC such as 180NBT. Probably also has the greatest number of choices for bullets as well. But the 8-06, 35 Whelen, and the 9.3X62 are great cartridges.

I think there's a certain amount of allure to all of them....

.39-06

AI'd and you'd have something.

The .338 certainly has the best bullet selection, but since only the big bears and African stuff really "need" the bigger slugs, the 9.3x62 is the logical choice. Been getting it done since 1902, if memory serves.

Contrarian

Well maybe for Mule Deer.

Hey you never know. I saw somebody mention the .348-06 a couple months ago on here. I never knew that one existed.

Wikipedia also mentions the .303-06 under "30-06 wildcats".

All of them!

I slung 200 BTs at 2910 in a 23" Hart, 1/2 MOA ALL DAY, and 225 Partitions 2670 at 1/2MOA. No desire to have a 308-06 -

That said, that rifle was sold, and if I build another LA Mid-bore it will likely be a 9.3, but one can buy a ready made in it or 338 WM. The 350 RM is nigh the equivalent of a Whelen or OKH, and can make a nice handy carbine in 19-21" where these mid-bores can get much burn vs a smaller cal.

Hard to refute the pros of the original Springfield, but I see it as a hammer using 200 PTs, which when tested against a 338-06 with Partitions fared very well in bullet tests.

As above, the 9.3 with 250/286 is highly capable on large game and is what I would want to do field R&D next. I'd say it's likely on par with a 375 with less range/trajectory, yet well capable on most common distance shots.

I have had most, but the only one I own today is the 9.3X62, although it's a stretch (actually incorrect) to call it an -06 derivative. It is a keeper, and I have no interest in other 30+ calibers on that basic case.

This.

.375-06 RCBS Improved. 30 degree shoulder vs. AI. Matches original .375 H&H ballistics with all bullet weights.

Load it with 235gr .375win bullets for deer & hogs, 270gr TSX or 300 gr A-Frame for ugly stuff, and everything else in between.

Same effects as 9.3 x 62, just a better bullet selection.

Ed

9.3x62 would get my vote, though it's not technically on an -06 case.

The 400 Whelen and the 300 TSX.