The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Will a .300 Win Mag Really Kill Better Than a .30-06?

jmr40 · January 31, 2014, 05:15 PM

With equal bullet weights the 300 WM gives about 50-100 yards more effective range. And a 30-06 with good handloads will still have enough power for elk at near 500 yards. If you are good enough shot to make hits at 550-600 then the 300 has a slight edge at those ranges.

I don't see any advantage to the 33's. If you compare comparable 30's to 33's such as 308 vs 338 fed, 30-06 vs 338-06, or 300 mag vs 338 mag. The 33's will shoot equal bullet weights about 50 fps faster. But the 30's give much better ballistics and penetration when equal weights are used and will outperform the 33's at any range. A .03" greater bullet diameter is simply not any advantage.

You have to move up significantly in bullet weight for the 33's to equal or beat the 30's at close range. Then you give up longer range performance. A 30-06 or 300 mag shooting 200-220 gr bullets will do anything one of the 33's will do shooting 225-250 gr bullets.

If a 30-06 or 300 mag isn't enough gun, I'd go straight to a 375 and skip everything in between.

January 31, 2014, 05:15 PM	#5
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	With equal bullet weights the 300 WM gives about 50-100 yards more effective range. And a 30-06 with good handloads will still have enough power for elk at near 500 yards. If you are good enough shot to make hits at 550-600 then the 300 has a slight edge at those ranges. I don't see any advantage to the 33's. If you compare comparable 30's to 33's such as 308 vs 338 fed, 30-06 vs 338-06, or 300 mag vs 338 mag. The 33's will shoot equal bullet weights about 50 fps faster. But the 30's give much better ballistics and penetration when equal weights are used and will outperform the 33's at any range. A .03" greater bullet diameter is simply not any advantage. You have to move up significantly in bullet weight for the 33's to equal or beat the 30's at close range. Then you give up longer range performance. A 30-06 or 300 mag shooting 200-220 gr bullets will do anything one of the 33's will do shooting 225-250 gr bullets. If a 30-06 or 300 mag isn't enough gun, I'd go straight to a 375 and skip everything in between.