"..whats the difference in the 300 wsm and 30-06"
About 250 fps with a proper 180gr. bullet. Good of course, but that's really not a lot of difference.
With apoligies to their fans, magnums have always had their greatest appeal to those who study ballistics charts but have little hunting experience or faith in their shooting skill. Largely trivial differences look good on paper but it's more difficult to see in the game woods. Old guys with .30-30s and .35 Remingtons still take their share of game each year, the steady, "obsolete" .30-06 users do too.
I think it would be quite hard to demonstrate any theoretical accuracy average differences at all. And any advantages to a "short action" is limited to magazine articals. I just can't imagine how or where moving a "long action" bolt another half inch is any serious trouble and, if weight is an issue,just carry one less Snicker's bar and leave the rifle alone!
BUT, bottom line, the younger user is unlikely to get "magnumitis" outta his head until he gets/uses one so he may as well get it done and over with.
IMHO.
Dude, Nosler is said to use the 300WSM barrel as its "accuracy barrel" in testing .308 cal bullets...why not the 30-06?
"Theoritically" I would bet the Nosler technicians know more about which cartridge is "on average" more accurate than you do. Nothing wrong with either cartridge weight the pros and cons to your fit! A stainless steel Ruger 30-06 with a Leupold 3.5 x 10 on it would sure go a long way but once Kimber releases the 30-06 Montucky in real 84 size there will be another few bucks of my kids inheritance that they will never see... I am thinking lite these days..on the other hand my Kimber classic in 300WSM with 180's over RL19 is "reasonably" accurate if I don't mix catridge cases..
