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308 and 300 WM
Cubslover
Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
Living in Indiana, I don't get the opportunity to big game hunt with High Powered rifles. I may possibly get the chance to head out west for Elk, Muley, and Antelope, or up to Maine for Bear and Moose. These will be hunts that will take place a few years from now.
The largest caliber I have right now is a 243, but a friend has offered to buy it from me, which would allow me to fund my next rifle.
I have the rifle picked out that I want, but I'm not quite certian on the caliber. In the mean time it will be used for Coyote and paper.
I know the 308 is very versatile and is a more than capable Elk, Muley round, let alone Antelope and varmint. The price of 300 Win Mag ammo has me shying away.
Is the 308 with quality Federal or Hornady ammunition a useful Moose or Bear round within respective distances? Obviously the 300 Mag would be the caliber of choice, but if it's going to be a once in a lifetime hunt, buying a rifle that will empty my wallet to shoot isn't worth it if I don't necessarily have to have it.
I've decided on a Tikka T3, not sure on the model or finish as of yet.
The largest caliber I have right now is a 243, but a friend has offered to buy it from me, which would allow me to fund my next rifle.
I have the rifle picked out that I want, but I'm not quite certian on the caliber. In the mean time it will be used for Coyote and paper.
I know the 308 is very versatile and is a more than capable Elk, Muley round, let alone Antelope and varmint. The price of 300 Win Mag ammo has me shying away.
Is the 308 with quality Federal or Hornady ammunition a useful Moose or Bear round within respective distances? Obviously the 300 Mag would be the caliber of choice, but if it's going to be a once in a lifetime hunt, buying a rifle that will empty my wallet to shoot isn't worth it if I don't necessarily have to have it.
I've decided on a Tikka T3, not sure on the model or finish as of yet.
Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
Comments
The .308 will work, within reasonable distances, for moose, elk and anything else on this continent. I don't think you need a .300 WM to go out west and shoot. If you want a little more oomph and want to keep the budget low, think about the venerable 30-06. The ammunition off the shelf is the cheapest. It's easy to reload for and can be loaded substantially higher than a .308.
My personal choice if I were you would be to get a 7mm-08 or 7x57 Mauser or .280 Rem. Better ballistics means more punch downrange. The Tikka T3 is a good choice but do look around for a good deal no matter where it comes from. If possible hang on to the .243 for coyotes and paper. They are a lot easier to handle with a long day of shooting than a heavier caliber.
Riddle me this, is the 308 a more accurate caliber than the '06?
Edit: Sorry, I know they are both 30 calibers, I meant "Cartridge."
"Riddle me this, is the 308 a more accurate caliber than the '06?"
Both cartridges are .30 caliber.
Technically, when splitting hairs, the .308 Win. is considered to be slightly more accurate than the .30-06 Springfield. Much has been made of a very small difference when the rifles and ammunition are set up with accuracy in mind. Use a good scope and I'll bet you won't be able tell one from the other.
Either cartridge will work just fine for shooting everything from antelope to moose so long as you pay close attention to the bullets used and the ranges that you choose to shoot. Limiting your shots for the larger animals to 300 yards should net you about 1,800 to 2,000 ft./lbs. of energy when you shoot one of the Berger 175 gr. bullets in either cartridge. This is more than sufficient for moose.
One other thing to check on would be to ask some of the folks who have actually hunted moose in the N.E. to see what their experience have been. They will also shed some light on the cartridge selection also. Both of these cartridges are easy to load for and relatively inexpensive to use if store-bought is necessary.
Best.
Jon
Personally I love both of them!
Sandwarrior is right on the money! The 308 and the 30-06 are more than adequate for anything you want to hunt. Don't get me wrong, the 300WinMag is an outstanding caliber, but is quite heavy on the recoil in a comfortable to carry rifle weight and get quite expensive even when you handload for them. The 308 out performs the '06 with the lighter bullets(up to 150grs) but for your heavier bullets you would want to use hunting big game, the '06 will give you a little more range and energy. I think this is a long standing debate to which is better suited(308 vs. 30-06), and I personally believe that since the 308 was fathered by the '06 that it is not worth arguing about. So what every you choose I hope you love it, so Good Luck and Good Hunting!
I posted before I read nononsense's post but I will have to agree there hands down! The Berger Bullets are phenominal on game and the ballistic coefficents they yield are wonderful. I personally shoot their 175gr VLD's in my Mod. 70 stealth 2 in 308, and must say that I am amazed of the difference in consistency between Berger and Sierra bullets. I'll never shoot another brand in 30 cal. again!
For what you plan on hunting I would find an Encore frame and shoot a .338 Winchester magnum. The barrels are a lot cheaper than a whole gun.
Ammo cost is absolutely irrelevant when figured into the cost of a hunt.
Just my .02; god luck!
Ammo cost is absolutely irrelevant when figured into the cost of a hunt.
Thanks BPost, I understand what you are saying, but the ammo is totally relevant in a rifle that you will hunt with for maybe a week of your entire life. The remainder being paper punching and varminting.
30-06 does have a slight advantage in heavier bullets and a little more selection
go with the 30-06 you can buy or load 200gr. bullets wich should work fine for bear and moose.
the 308 does not handle 200gr.very well.