Simple equations can help sort the perennial queries

[rbTanzan]

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 338 WinMag is better. True all around. Period.

However, a similar equation can be written:

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 300 mag (PRC/Wby/WM/WSM ) is better. True all around. Period.


So that the 300 Mag(s) and the 338 Win Mag
are left to fight out, on a .535" bolt-face, the same battle as
. . . the 270 vs. 30-06 on the .473" bolt-face. And then people might even decide to split the difference and carry a superlight 308Win.

 

[Deleted member 115360]

The 6.5 creedmoor is king ding-a-Ling.

It made all of those cartridges irrelevant.

@ButterBean has made this crystal clear.

 

[Mikecr]

However, a similar equation can be written:

And the equation is?
Opinion?

 

[Muddyboots]

.270 Thors Hammer. Done.

 

[ButterBean]

.270 Thors Hammer. Done.

ShoNuff

 

[Jon Bischof]

Funny you should say that about 270 TH. Whether you were serious or not, I have observed after killing lots of deer in Arkansas with 30-06, that my 270 WSM does everything the old ought-6 does...only better. It slams'em to the ground near and far. I do admit the 06 has versatility for bigger critters with its heavier bullets. That was my reason for buying my latest 06. But I have lots of confidence in any well placed shot with my 270 WSM on just about any beast in NA anyway. It's a death ray.
Do have a 338 WM just in case polar bears or dragons pop up. Ya can't be too prepared!

 

[Mike Matteson]

It all really depend on what you are hunting and what ranges you are shooting at. You can take animals with a 22LR, but is it effective NO, on larger animals. So whatever blows your dress up is what you are going to use. I don't like .243, 6mm, 260 Rem 6.5 Creekmores and few others. If used correctly they work just fine. Those rifles don't have much recoil, and fine for kids, people that don't like recoil, or really creates a problem. The bottom line is: My rifle is better than yours.

 

[rbTanzan]

And the equation is?
Opinion?

30-06 < 338WM
and
30-06 < 300mag
which leaves an opinion question
300mag <?≈?> 338WM
which is // to
270Win <?≈?> 30-06

Both the 270 ~ 30-06 and the 300m ~ 338WM are one question:
"does one like faster/lighter or bigger/heavier?"
Or Both? There is not much of an advantage for faster until 350-450 yards and then it is only a slight advantage. And bigger/heavier of these pairs only has a slight advantage in the 0-350 range.

 

[chav0_12]

30-06 < 338WM
and
30-06 < 300mag
which leaves an opinion question
300mag <?≈?> 338WM
which is // to
270Win <?≈?> 30-06

Both the 270 ~ 30-06 and the 300m ~ 338WM are one question:
"does one like faster/lighter or bigger/heavier?"
Or Both? There is not much of an advantage for faster until 350-450 yards and then it is only a slight advantage. And bigger/heavier of these pairs only has a slight advantage in the 0-350 range.

It depends. Are you shooting 220-230gr bullets from a 338 WM? Or are you shooting heavier bullets? If you're shooting the same weight bullet drop it down .03" and take the slipperier bullet. That's my opinion. I'll always take a more efficient bullet and case design over a less efficient design.

And then, are we talking long range or are we talking 350-400 yards? I thought we were taking long range.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Most of my shots are under 300yds. I have made shots out 550yrds. That was in the day of no range finders too. Today with the range finger and all the other info to determine your hold or adjustment on your scope make reaching those longer ranges a lot easier. I generally work on velocity and accuracies. In a 300Mg and 338Mg I am pushing a 165 or 200 gr respective @ 3,300, and 3,200 fps. Those two rifles use less powder, but a little slower that the newer cases. We are talking 20 to 30 grains less. I don't really shoot in the 700 to 1000 yards shots. I generally find I can cut down those distance by stocking. I bow hunted for about 15 years. Want to talk about cutting down the yardage to under 80 yds. Your stock have to be very good. Done it several times.
To me I feel that the ES,& ED need to be very close to make those long range shots. That's my feeling. Other do what they want.

 

[Calvin45]

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 338 WinMag is better. True all around. Period.

However, a similar equation can be written:

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 300 mag (PRC/Wby/WM/WSM ) is better. True all around. Period.


So that the 300 Mag(s) and the 338 Win Mag
are left to fight out, on a .535" bolt-face, the same battle as
. . . the 270 vs. 30-06 on the .473" bolt-face. And then people might even decide to split the difference and carry a superlight 308Win.

Qualify your statement What does "better" mean? Nothing simple or easy to solve about these great riddles of life . If more powerful equals better then a .458 Lott is better than anything you've talked about but I ain't taking one deer hunting (yet…don't have one yet ). If flatter shooting is better the 6.5-300 wby should be about the best but, alas, i don't have one of those either. If practical utility is what's best ain't nobody beating the .30-06 or .300 win mag. At the moment the need to have a cartridge that not everyone shows up with come hunting season is kind of important…I'm presently smitten with a new-to-me .358 Norma Magnum that I think is "better" haha.

 

[Jon Bischof]

Qualify your statement What does "better" mean? Nothing simple or easy to solve about these great riddles of life . If more powerful equals better then a .458 Lott is better than anything you've talked about but I ain't taking one deer hunting (yet…don't have one yet ). If flatter shooting is better the 6.5-300 wby should be about the best but, alas, i don't have one of those either. If practical utility is what's best ain't nobody beating the .30-06 or .300 win mag. At the moment the need to have a cartridge that not everyone shows up with come hunting season is kind of important…I'm presently smitten with a new-to-me .358 Norma Magnum that I think is "better" haha.

Now the important thing is a cartridge you buy or get components to load. Otherwise it is useless.

 

[Papa762]

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 338 WinMag is better. True all around. Period.

However, a similar equation can be written:

The 30-06 is a great caliber. The 300 mag (PRC/Wby/WM/WSM ) is better. True all around. Period.


So that the 300 Mag(s) and the 338 Win Mag
are left to fight out, on a .535" bolt-face, the same battle as
. . . the 270 vs. 30-06 on the .473" bolt-face. And then people might even decide to split the difference and carry a superlight 308Win.

The .22 rimfire is superior for many purposes! My.338 sits around a lot.

 

[Calvin45]

Now the important thing is a cartridge you buy or get components to load. Otherwise it is useless.

At that rate I need a musket…not that hard to make a crude black powder at home, and with a flintlock you don't need a primer!!!