Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Need Help deciding...30-06 or 300 wsm for Elk

That's right about where I'll run my extreme weather 30-06 with the same bullet @2750 fps. When I get my CDS dial for the leupy it will have a zero of 230 yds and get me out to about 6 on a good day.

There's no wrong answer on this. Personally, I have the 300 WSM and I have absolutely no regrets in choosing it. I've used it on antelope, mule deer and elk. All of them needed only one shot, but it would have been the same story had I used a 30-06. None of my shots were over 205 yards and the 30-06 is capable beyond that for those animals. I still like the extra energy, flatter trajectory and shorter action of the 300 WSM.

I think that 300 WSM is common enough. The Wally World down the road carries it as do many of the smaller gun shops around here. I live in a large metropolitan area, so that also helps. However, other posters here correctly mentioned that 30-06 is definitely more common and it's less expensive.

I like the hell out of my 300 wsm and I can say without a doubt it is the most accurate rifle I've got in the stable. On the other hand, I've got 4 30-06's and just sold 1 to make room for my newest one. It is still a hard decision for me to make so I don't blame the OP for asking. Although, I ponder the question and realize if I really had to make the decision I think I'd pick one of the 30-06's (don't ask me which one though ).

Sixes on the cartridges and rifles. Both great and will work. If you don't handload, I second the '06 (although if you don't shoot much a box or two of WSM may last a while!)

So, the correct answer is to get both! Now I have to start saving again.

Not a lot of difference between the two rounds. I'd think more on the rifle and how I handle and shoot it.

I like my 300 WSM, but it doesn't give me anything useful above what a handloaded 30-06 from a 24" barrel does. I keep my 300 WSM because I like the rifle it's chambered in but, frankly, I'm looking forward to the day when the factory barrel is toasted and I can, in good conscience, have a 9.3BS built on that action

Ive got a 300WSM and only killed one elk with it but it did the trick. My next rifle purchase is going to be a new FN Model 70 Featherweight 30-06 just because. Never owned or shot a 30-06 before and I think its about damn time!

......And around and around you`ll go until your head spins.

Within 300-350 yards or so, it really won`t make difference imo. Depending on your terrain, if you do see the possibility of some longer kill shots, then that is where the 300 WSM will have the advantage over the 30-06.

Some have brought up the cost differences in ammo between the two. Whether you reload or not, any cost differences may be like a drop in a small glass after taking into account all of your other hunting and transportation costs.

Also remember too that if you reload, a 300 WSM can be loaded down to `06 levels reducing the recoil.

For those reasons, I`d go with the 300 WSM. But that`s assuming you like your rifle of choice chambered for it.

I prefer the 30-06 over the WSM because I don't believe there is enough difference there to warrant the longer barrel, noise and cost of shooting a WSM over a standard cartridge. But, I'm practical like that.

Not a big difference between the two on killing efficacy on elk. However the 300 WSM is definintley going to have more power at longer distances, but both will still get the job done.

However there is one big difference that no one mentioned(or I did not see it). The 300 WSM is a short action, and the 30-06 is a long action. So if you are looking for a shorter and lighter rifle then the 300 WSM is going to have an advantage. If weight is not an issue then no big deal.

Just keep in mind that a lighter short action rifle is also going to have more felt recoil. Tom.

Me too!!! I think you'll be happy with it.

If you reload or don't mind the cost of factory WSM ammo, and can handle the WSM recoil, get the the one you like most.

If not, get the .30-06.

Either will do the job. If I could only have one it would be the... I'll get back to you on that!

As all others have stated they both will do the job. I have one of each. My 3006 was the first rifle I ever bought, 10 years ago when I was 16. It is the hardest recoiling rifle I have weighing about 7lbs all up the remington mtn lss wallops me with 180 grainers. My kimber classic 300wsm with 168 ttsx is fun to shoot and kills extremely well!

Choose the rifle you like best, buy or load a quality bullet and you're good to go!

Either of the cartridges will work on elk, it's hard to make a bad choice. Of the options that you listed I would go with the Sako 85 in 30-06.

Thanks to everyone for the information.

I have decided to go with the Sako 85 Finnlight.

Still tring to decide on cal. I keep thinking if I go with a .06, do I have the "knock down" power past 350 yards. I don't reload, so I would be stuck to factory loads.

Thanks again,
Kyle

30-06 any platform you like and feed it 168 gr TSX bullets chased along with a goodly dose of H414, and get ready to skin elk and eat elk.

Or just starve yourself down to elk hunting weight! You should have enough money if you give up eating to get both rifles.

............Past 350 yards the `06 will give you the knockdown power for elk.

The question then is, how much more added assurance do you wish to have? I know what you`re thinking.

Here`s a good and fun thing to do to compare the downrange #s between two or more cartridges. If you go to the Hornady site, you`ll find an "external" ballistics table. Determine the bullet BCs for the factory ammo you`ll be using, the est MVs for both rounds and your preferred rifle`s zero.

Type in all the info and do some playing around. IIRC, you can adjust the downrange yardage increments. You`ll find out how the 30-06 and 300 WSM bullets perform in the depts of retained velocities, retained energys, and trajectories.

To be fair, I`d use the same bullets when comparing both rounds.

Have fun.

You'll be just fine. If you are doing factory loads and want more energy, maybe you should look at the hornady superfomance loads. Check these out:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=194532

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=593637

If they shoot good in your future 06' you'll be golden. They are on sale too (not that it does you any good right now). If I didn't load my own, these would be the ones I'd buy. Have friends that swear by them and have personally seen the results of these on game. They are some of the best factory fodder that can be had. Read the reviews and judge for yourself.