I was looking for a target-grade long range rifle, and I also wanted to add a 30-06 to the collection. After looking at several site with a rifle discussion board of some kind, the majority opinion was that the 308 was more accurate due to the easier pressure push in its shorter case. Okay, I can believe that. These same posters said "If you want more than a 308, get a 300 Mag." Wait a minute; if shorter is better, why doesn't a hot 30-06 load get the nod over the longer (and belted) 300 Mag? I'm leaning toward the 06 anyway (I'm just a traditional stubborn southerner), but why do folks pick the 300 over the 06 for up to 1000 yd shooting, especially in this age of ballistics programs, affordable chronographs and laser rangefinders? Any takers?
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308 v/s 30-06 v/s 300 Mag question
- Thread starter JWR
- Start date
JWR,
I had a .270, 30.06, and 300 Win Mag. I've also shot the .308 extensively. I've found that they are all very accurate inherently. The biggest task, is finding the appropriate rifle/load combination. My .270 was more accurate than my .06 because the Browning A-Bolt it was chambered in was a better rifle than the Remington 700SSDBM the .06 was chambered in. And the 300 Win Mag is very accurate, partially because of the Browning M1000 Eclipse has a BOSS on it.
The most accurate of the bunch was the .270. It would shoot 3/4 inch groups all day long with factory Remington Core-Lokt and Federal Premium ammo. With the first reload I tried, it would shoot 1/2 inch groups all day long. And this was a box stock A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. It even outshot the 308 sniper rifles my department uses.
I had a .270, 30.06, and 300 Win Mag. I've also shot the .308 extensively. I've found that they are all very accurate inherently. The biggest task, is finding the appropriate rifle/load combination. My .270 was more accurate than my .06 because the Browning A-Bolt it was chambered in was a better rifle than the Remington 700SSDBM the .06 was chambered in. And the 300 Win Mag is very accurate, partially because of the Browning M1000 Eclipse has a BOSS on it.
The most accurate of the bunch was the .270. It would shoot 3/4 inch groups all day long with factory Remington Core-Lokt and Federal Premium ammo. With the first reload I tried, it would shoot 1/2 inch groups all day long. And this was a box stock A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. It even outshot the 308 sniper rifles my department uses.
JWR,
I had a .270, 30.06, and 300 Win Mag. I've also shot the .308 extensively. I've found that they are all very accurate inherently. The biggest task, is finding the appropriate rifle/load combination. My .270 was more accurate than my .06 because the Browning A-Bolt it was chambered in was a better rifle than the Remington 700SSDBM the .06 was chambered in. And the 300 Win Mag is very accurate, partially because of the Browning M1000 Eclipse has a BOSS on it.
The most accurate of the bunch was the .270. It would shoot 3/4 inch groups all day long with factory Remington Core-Lokt and Federal Premium ammo. With the first reload I tried, it would shoot 1/2 inch groups all day long. And this was a box stock A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. It even outshot the 308 sniper rifles my department uses.
I had a .270, 30.06, and 300 Win Mag. I've also shot the .308 extensively. I've found that they are all very accurate inherently. The biggest task, is finding the appropriate rifle/load combination. My .270 was more accurate than my .06 because the Browning A-Bolt it was chambered in was a better rifle than the Remington 700SSDBM the .06 was chambered in. And the 300 Win Mag is very accurate, partially because of the Browning M1000 Eclipse has a BOSS on it.
The most accurate of the bunch was the .270. It would shoot 3/4 inch groups all day long with factory Remington Core-Lokt and Federal Premium ammo. With the first reload I tried, it would shoot 1/2 inch groups all day long. And this was a box stock A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. It even outshot the 308 sniper rifles my department uses.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Long Range Shooting
After a couple of years' worth of comments here at TFL, plus a fair number of articles in the gunzines about 1,000-yard shooting, I'm sorta coming to the opinion that the cartridge is less important than the quality of a given rifle, plus the care in working up a proper load. After that, it's the skill of the shooter--in large part, I'm guessing, the ability to really hold the same sight picture through a string of shots.
FWIW, Art
After a couple of years' worth of comments here at TFL, plus a fair number of articles in the gunzines about 1,000-yard shooting, I'm sorta coming to the opinion that the cartridge is less important than the quality of a given rifle, plus the care in working up a proper load. After that, it's the skill of the shooter--in large part, I'm guessing, the ability to really hold the same sight picture through a string of shots.
FWIW, Art
Steve Smith
New member
Art is probably right, except one thing. What is your target? If it is a large game animal (like elk), you should probably go with the most powerful (.300 WM out of your choices), but if it is more like a deer, then they'd all probably work.
Disclaimer: Taking shots at game at that distance will probably have you tracking into the night no matter what caliber you're shooting (.50 BMG and 7.82 Warbird excepted).
Disclaimer: Taking shots at game at that distance will probably have you tracking into the night no matter what caliber you're shooting (.50 BMG and 7.82 Warbird excepted).
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
JWR, there a couple of reasons for the .300 over the '06. IIRC, the '06 with match bullets is hard pressed to keep the bullet super-sonic at 1000 yards. The .308 essentially cannot (esp. with an accurate load) at all. The .300 gives some added wind resistance (200 and 240 grain loads) due to increased velocity with the heavier bullets. The true LR guys (1,000 yard benchrest) use the .300 weatherby or something similar. (.300 Baer)
The roll over point seems to be the .300 Win Mag. Bigger than that and your getting a pay-off for the increased speed, below that and the added velocity of the .30-06 is not enough to overcome the alledged accuracy of the .308.
This discussion is about very small increments. (grin) The guys who play those games will spend an enourmous amount of time and money to gain a .25 decrease in group size. Be forewarned!
Giz
The roll over point seems to be the .300 Win Mag. Bigger than that and your getting a pay-off for the increased speed, below that and the added velocity of the .30-06 is not enough to overcome the alledged accuracy of the .308.
This discussion is about very small increments. (grin) The guys who play those games will spend an enourmous amount of time and money to gain a .25 decrease in group size. Be forewarned!
Giz
DAVID NANCARROW
New member
Gizmo I think you have it concerning velocity way out there, but I do wonder if these new VLD's are slick enough BC wise to make the grade in terms of BC.