.300 Win Mag vs .308 Win - Do you need one or BOTH?
2024 ж. 12 Мам.
139 366 Рет қаралды
It’s .300 Win vs. .308 Win. Both have “win” in their name, but when it comes down to brass tacks - or cases more accurately - which comes out on top? Ryan Muckenhirn and Mark Boardman hit the range, shoot some gel, crunch numbers, and answer this very question. It’s another battle of the great 30 Cals.
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I've used a 30-06 for 47 years, nothing here changes my decision. Great video.
Here's to another 47!
That's called splitting the difference, great cartridge!
The real answer to fhis question is 10 of each. You can never have to many rifles. The thing about the '06 is... 180 @ 2820 fps or 125 @ 2700 fps with factory loads Do you feel like a .300 H&H Magnum or a 6.5 CM today? My whitetail loads are basically a 150 gr SP Spitzer loaded with M2 Ball replication powder recipe. Gives a very nice combination of effectiveness, damage and recoil (7mm-08ish). If I don't have time to load it I get it from Steinel that commercially loads it.
For a long range hunting cartridge, there's a pretty short list that can meet or exceed the 300 win mag. However, it is a cartridge for larger animals at longer ranges. The 308 is capable of taking the same size game, but it doesn't have the same reach.
Agreed, I have a .308 with a 3-9 scope on it for heavy timber close work and a 7mm rem mag with a 4-16 scope to reach out and touch elk with on open ground.
Depends on the bullet and ballistics. I shoot at 210g bullet from my .308 and have more energy at 500yds than some 180g .300WM
"capable" well if you squint and dont have high standards, then maybe....
@Leatherneck3376 how fast are you able to push those 210s with 308?
@@chanoleyva8584 hes gotta barely faster than 2500fps on a hot load. Which def does not out do a 300 win mag
I own both, hunt with both, reload both, both are .30 cal, but I only hunt moose. Either will do the job quite well, and considering the 308 is much smaller than the 300WM, it is still a very potent caliber. I have never lost a moose with either one.
Your comment is awesome and needs to be seen more. When people have this caliber debates, they unintentionally make it sound like the animal will just shrug off the bullet wound, ignore the hunter and continue its life.
What bullet do you use for moose?
@@bradlock55 180 gr Nosler Partition for the 300 WM and 165 gr Speer BTSP for the 308 Win.
@@reloadnorth7722 thank you sir
I can confirm that having BOTH is great and the best option.
I have a .308, a 30-06, and a .300 win mag and when it comes to hunting the .300 win mag is going to drop big game where it stands more times than either of the other 2 calibers. I'm using the .300 win mag for big game without question everytime.
You must like destroyed meat.
I decided to go with 30-06
I use a 300 win mag and last year I shot one buck at 350 yards and the next 8 hours later at 10 ft straight down. Neither were tore up nor did they take a step. I stepped up from 308 the year before and I love it.
I'm lucky to have both. Got the 300 for Moose and the 308 for deer...the 300 has a longer barrel and is set up for long range (vortex viper 4x16) while the 308 is short barrel and I hunt short distance (2.5 × 10 elite 3500 bushnell). Both great performers. Both use copper bullets, both MOA, both tikkas, can't ask for more
I would love to see the 308 vs 270
Be a better comparison than a .300 win mag and a .308😂
There’s a reason they don’t. The 270 wins hands down. It’s no contest. Similar recoil with drastically increased performance. I would do the 270 with a 1-8 twist to get even better performance.
@@wesleyturner1979 I really wish more companies would produce more 1-8 factory barrels
@@Simon-talks cartridges like the 270 have stuck to factory twist rates to not over spin high speed light weight loads. I think some of the bullets could conceivably come apart in flight of spun too quickly. I end up pulling all my barrels anyway. But it would be cool. If Tikka put out a fluted 22” 1-8 270 it would be hard to say no to.
@@wesleyturner1979shooting a 130 grain from a .308 is pretty fantastic and actually outperforms the 270 inside of 250 yards
Huge copper projectile fan myself. Have really liked the Hornady GMX from my .270win, very solid bullet at 130gr. Great results on game as well.
Great video! I’ve been a huge copper bullet fan since 2008. I like the fun series the Vortex team is doing. Keep it up!
A 4.5 lb .308 is one of the best mountain setups available.
That shit would hurt. Thank God most only need one shot.
What model is 4.5 lbs ?!
@fordfan09 the Howa Superlite with the carbon stock is spec'd ar 4 lb 9 oz. After taking the rail and brake off mine is close to that. I changed to talley one piece rings and ready to hunt it is right at 6 lb with a 30mm tube. A lighter scope would have kept it under 6.
I love these comparison videos for the humor and videography. Please keep making them. With Ryan’s vast knowledge of cartridges and bullet/hand-loading, I’m shocked at your constant apples to oranges bullet:cartridge comparisons. Total mind bender.
To me it really comes down to how long of a barrel do you want to carry. 308 can perform well enough for its intended use under a 20” barrel and a .300 really needs a 22 or 24” barrel to get the full advantage of a magnum. IMO a 18” .308 is a slick little setup if you want to hunt suppressed and aren’t planning on shooting elk at 400+ yards. Obviously if you’re going on a trophy elk hunt you want all the range and power you’re capable of as a shooter.
A short lightweight 308 bolt action is like the modern day lever action brush gun. Ryan showed what trimming his barrel down on his 308 Tikka did…very little…especially if you hunt average ranges (like under 300 yards).
@@scotteger6271 with a heavier bullet and a high BC you can use a .308 out to 600yds effectively. 210g Berger works very well at longer hunting ranges. It out performs a lot of .300 WM cartridges.
loving this format keep it up boys!!
Love the format for these. Super fun
Seriously the best video you guys have done.. excellent videography.. love the the longer videos. I never miss an episode.. just keep going back to this. Everything we know it's just y'all confirming for us garage talk
As much as I love both the .300 win mag and the .308 that I have to go with the .308 due to cost of ammo and ease when it comes to recoil but we can't leave out the 35 Whelen which lies right in the middle of the 2. It may be called a poor man's magnum but you'll get a good feel for it after you shot it a few times and wonder why it's not obtained about more often
Love Sundays with Mark and Ryan.
I have a 308 and had a few others over the years. I love my 30-06 carbine pump. My step up from that is 300 Weatherby for longshots but OH the recoil. It is now a 7mm Rem Mag. On the 308 base cartridge I prefer a 7mm08 but have been going more with my 260 Rem and AIs on it with various throat lengths. Just my 2 pennys
Split the difference… 3006.
I totally agree.
I'm really digging this series so far. Next you guys should try some of the new fancy cartridges such as 6.8 Western, 6mm BR, 8.6 blackout and the PRC's.
It’s a trap!
@@corvinking4996 ha, did you report it?
Hasn't the 6 BR been around for a long time? But also yes! I'd love to see the 3 PRCs in a test. Would also love to see 6mm Creedmoor/.243 Win vs a 6.5mm.
@@FlabbyBro lol, no. I just meant that it endangers their satisfaction with the .308. I'm a .308 apologist, but the new cartridge heresy endangers my faith as it is 🤣
@@corvinking4996 ah, I thought you meant the spam comment lol.
I would love to see the comparative with the winmag vs the 308 Norma Mag, which I have. I haven’t been able to justify buying the 300.
I have both (and then some). It would be a boring world if we only had one calibre. Thanks for sharing!
EXACTLY!
No one is stashing thousands of rounds of .300 Win Mag
Yeah, 110 grains per load, that drains a pound of powder real quick.
@@shaunashwoodbarely 60 rounds
who aint stashing thousands of rounds of 300wm
My respect for how you guys don't flinch a bit when you shoot the rifles!
Mark has been quoted as having that dad strength 😅
It’s about time you did the 300 win mag. I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting. Thanks for the great shows.
A .300Wby allows you to shoot a .300 WBY cartridge or a .300H&H out of it. That versatility and the 200-300fps increase in velocity sealed the deal for me. You can always find H&H off the shelf during the last 3 Ammo shortages. You can always find it in Africa or Alaska!!!
I'd love to see a 45-70 vs 450 bushmaster video
Great video. Nice range!
Its a hard topic for me. If i could only have one, I'd actually go for a 3006. If I could only have two I'd go 308 and 300 wm.
What if you had the option to just have all? That’s the option I really like
I cant wait to see the blooper reel for these 😂
I have a 308 and a 300 WSM. Reason for the WSM is I thought it would have less wear and tear on my surgically repaired shoulder. Had I known, I would have just gone with the 300 WM. I am taking both with me in Dec when I go hog hunting...also hope to get a chance at an audad.
I have the 30-06 and 300 wm in bolt actions and the 308 in a ar. I like the idea that all three use the same bullets, just have to have different brass. Helps keep things simple
Need? Needs are sold at grocery stores. I want a 300 Mag and a 308!!
I've got 308s, 30/06s, and 300 win mags. All are different insofar as stocks, barrel lengths and contours. As Carlos Hathcock said, different guns for different shots.
Would be cool to see 6.5 creed vs 7-08 vs 308!
I'd like to see the 7mm-08 vs 6.5 creedmoor.
@@joshp8395 This would be a good one. I found myself that 6.5CM beats 7mm-08 unless you reload... then you can supercharge some 7mm-08 more than you can the CM... If you take the BEST off the shelf ammo it's almost a mulligan but the CM has more factory offerings.... but the 150gr Precision Hunter as a factory round is incredible for the 7mm-08....Wish they made a match bullet that was similar. The 6.5 StaBall powder is a game changer for 7mm-08 funny enough. Pushing 168gr Accubond LRs to 2700+ out of a 22" barrel... That is a great long range hunting or shooting round. Either way you can't really go wrong with both the 7mm-08 or the 6.5CM.
@@MattDonkin430 my boy shoots a 6.5 I shoot 7mm-08. Both work great on deer. We don't handload yet. I've got 0 complaints of either. Wish 7mm-08 had a match bullet as well. But I found mine loves Winchester silvertip 140 gr. Shoots them lights out.
#10MinuteTalk 6.5-300 Weatherby or even a battle/comparison of the top 6.5 chambers? Y’all are killin it (no pun intended)! Keep it up!
I'm definitely going with the 30-06
It’s such a nice happy medium. I have 3 of them lol
Can’t imagine buying a 30-06 today
Yes it’s like splitting the difference.
This only proves the 30-06 is the way
Lol, my last rifle purchase was a heavily discounted Kimber hunter in 30-06. It’s a glorious piece of equipment. I can’t imagine not buying a 30-06 today if you’re going elk hunting and don’t care for magnum recoil.
I think the final criteria when considering these two rounds is size/mass of the intended target and the range. The .308 Win. can be anemic at longer ranges and the .300 Win. Mag. can be overkill at shorter ranges. Both are great for their intended applications.
300 yard deer, vs 500 yard elk. I agree with your statement.
I agree, but I will say - I am absolutely loving my .308 for the hunting I do on a farm in Namibia. Have taken over 50 Gemsbok with the .308 using 168gr ELD-M at 2844fps! From 50m out to 500m (~550yds), I am 100% confident in this cartridge and bullet combination doing the job on the largest critters. I recently got a Gemsbok at 489m, it ran about 30 paces, turned and stood for a bit so I shot again and it dropped. Note* our environment is great for longer ranges (ignoring the extremely windy days) - high altitude (5500ft-7000ft). When I go down to the coast where we sit at >500ft my theoretical max range (bullet speed above 1800fps) comes down to ~550m, from ~700m..
It has been my experience that the suppressed rifle will pick up velocity with the can. Makes it even a little more unfair.
Would love to see a video on the. 300 short mag
.300 Short Mag vs .218 Bee 😂
I keep testing different copper bullets in different calibers and have just fell in love with copper bullets for hunting.
🕵️♂️ I Love My 30-06, But My 270 Winchester Even More! At "Sensible Hunting Ranges" These 2 Classic Cartridges - Loaded With a "Good Hunting Bullet" - Are All You Need! NO MAGNUM IS NECESSARY!!! 🥳
I'd love to see 212 eldx .30-06 vs 143 eldx 6.5 creedmoor!
So you have a 327 vs 454!
love this stuff
Can't wait gentlemen!
Hilarious guys. Keep up with the great videos.
I love my 300. Now it's a heavy gun with a huge brake and I hate carrying it. I have gotten used to shooting it and with the brake is similar to a lighter weight non braked 308.
300 BO, 30-30, 300 Savage, 308 win, 30-06, 300 WSM, 300WM, 300 PRC, 30Nosler, 300 RUM, 300 Weatherby… collect them all. 🇺🇸
Amen brother
I had this discussion with my dad a few weeks ago. Basically, for your average hunters purposes, the non-magnum calibers will do anything the magnum calibers will do, if you hit your quarry in the vital zones. They will be just as dead. But where the magnum calibers come in handy (especially when you're shooting running game on a driven hunt, which is very common in Europe where I live), is when you deliver a bad shot. Say your lead is not good enough, and you hit a deer in the gut or (God forbid) the haunches, that magnum caliber is going to cause a much more devastating wound, which will increase your chances of recovery. All of this is not very applicable for most hunters, but having shot a lot of running game on driven hunts, some of which have been gut shots, I can attest to the fact that the magnum calibers with their 5500-6000J of muzzle energy, are more forgiving of bad shots than the standard 3500-4000J calibers like .308 or .30-06.
The guys at Weatherby talk about this very idea. The one made a bad shot on a game animal, don’t remember what it was, with a 30-378 Wby with a Hammer bullet…the game animal did die and rather quickly and they attributed that to just the sheer energy that cartridge has combined with how that bullet works to kill animals. They didn’t advise doing what happened to their guy, but the point was it did work, even on a bad shot.
I have 2 Tikka T3X lites, one in 30-06 (168gr Nosler accubond long range) and a 300 win mag (200gr terminal ascent) and they recoil almost the same. They’re both rocking Bushnell engage scopes so they weigh almost identical. Those looking for a 30 cal rifle, if you end up buying a Tikka 30-06, it recoils the same as a 300 give or take a few pounds of recoil, from my experience.
Thanks, I was recently gifted a tikka t3 300 and was a bit worried about that for first time hunting. Just gotta hit the range
Both, of course!!
It would be fun to do 7mm08 vs 7rem mag
1:00 Especially with how boomy that room is, for future shoots there I hope y'all consider lav mics and dropping rugs/moving blankets on the floor first. Love the new style!
I'm persuaded that the various 30 caliber cartridges all do the same thing, but at different ranges. The bigger cartridges just move the performance window - both near and far ranges - further away. Yeah, the 308 can't go out as far as the 300, but if I shoot a deer at 50 yards with my 308 it won't turn into gelatin, lol.
Yes. Very well put!
I OWN BOTH. .308 WIN FOR 0-600 YDS. 300 WIN MAG FOR THE REST OF THE WAY, 800-1400 YDS.
The thing with the shootability is that it can be fixed with a break or a suppressor, but then again not having to have breaks or suppressors on has a load of benefits.
True, but you can also argue that for 308…can take 16ft/lbs and make it feel like 12ft/lbs or less with a brake or can on it as well. I think it’s fair to point out what they are without any modification or recoil reducing additions, because you could look at it as you need a brake for a 300 Win and not for a 308…but recoil is very subjective. I had a 300 Win in a Winchester XPR and honestly in that rifle it felt like less recoil than my older Remington 700 in 30-06, with stock and recoil pad design.
Gotta go with the classic. 308!
270 is still king
Well since this was the 308 vs 300 win mag, y’all going to do 708 vs 7 mag? Then the 300 win mag vs 7 mag and follow that with 708 vs 308……then the 338 federal vs 358 Winchester lol I got all kinds of ideas lol love this series y’all are doing and great job!
7mm mag sux
I'm going either 30-06 or 308 however 300wsm doesn't sound that had either
I have long abbandoned the .308 for my 6.5 Creedmoor for regular game ... deer and such. Heck, the Swedes hunt moose with their fantastic 6.5x55. For domestic dangerous game such as bears I would definitely go with some .30 cal magnum caliber. My dad shot .300 Weatherby Mag. now there is shoulder kicker ...
I picked up a ruger American 308 the other day and it shoots moa with those 150gr federal rounds. I wont be shooting passed 200yds so it should be fine. I just hope my AR10 likes those bullets also
Just split the difference and go with a old 30/06 😂😂😂
Given the grading, could have told you the outcome before the start of the video. Once you compare the 308 to the 30-06, the 300 mag won’t win any categories the 30-06 didn’t, it just has more margin where it does win. A more interesting comparison might be 300 win mag to some other magnum (7mm rem). Something like a 6.5 PRC, 6.8 western or 7mm PRC could be interesting comparisons to the 300 win mag
You can always load up or down w/300 mag , not so much with the 308
You can load up the 308 you just have to be cognizant of range…a heavy bullet in that at shorter distances makes a pretty good option for those that hunt thicker woods/brush…kind of like how a 45-70 works without the diameter. Same could be said for the 300 Win but generally they come with much longer barrels, so makes those types of applications more difficult. Both great cartridges either way
Hey guys great series so far. Any chance of you doing the 300blackout compared to 350 legend? Thx
insert “that’s what she said” at any time of the conversation
For a hand loader 30-06 for sure.. I own 308,30-06,and 300 all great. 338 win mag has been my pet lately and is going elk hunting this year
What about impact on the rifle? Is there much difference?
I’d be curious if the ballistics on the 300 mag would have slowed down without the suppressor.
I doubt there would be a significant change, would probably test on a chronograph before bothering with gel.
I wish we could've seen the same exact bullet weight out of both. 150 vs 150 for example. Then differences between the same bullet but different weight.
Wish they had chosen a high quality bullet like the Nosler AccuBond
I know Ryan loves his Barnes as do I. But has he tried the hammer hunter bullets or cutting edge bullets for a all copper comparison? I think that would be a good video!
Fair video. 308 does have a bunch going for it. I feel we already know the results tho. 7PRC vs 300 win mag would be interesting!🤘
Not really, 7prc wins hands down. Sure it doesn’t have 60 factory loadings, but it has very tailored and effective loadings that make it a none issue. No having to try a dozen factory loads to find one that shoots, they will all shoot fantastic so grab the one for the task at hand and send it.
7 PRC vs. 7-08 Rem, given on how they evaluated these two entrants, the 7-08 stands a decent chance.
@@jaydunbar75387 PRC would win shoot ability and drop and drift. 300 WM wins everything else
Versatility is in the eyes of the beholder. If I could only have one gun and it had to be one of these two, it would be the win mag without a second thought.
Great job on the video I am thinking about a new rifle I got a 30-06 and a 308 I have been looking at a 300 win mag or a 338 lapua what is the power difference in them
🕵️♂️ Having Owned a 338 Lapua Magnum - while it is an impressive performing cartridge - it is overkill for animals in the lower 48 states! 😬 So, my recommendation is to stick with the 30 caliber! 🤴
Question. Is raw power needed with modern bullet designs? When these legacy calibers were created you really only had cup and core. Now with copper and bonded pure power even needed?
Absolutely. If you want to shoot those new fangled monos at long range you need a very high initial velocity
If you factor in hand loading the 300 Win Mag wins versatility. You can use H4895 to load way down for real light loads. Then you can turn the thing all the way up to hot rod level with the same, and other, powders.
True and the whole 30 cal bullet pallet becomes available if you really want to do that with a 300 Win. Shooting really light bullets with that much powder might make a bit of a barrel burner but it’s also something you probably wouldn’t always do, maybe for a specific task. They’re both great options.
I wanted to see the .308 180 grain solid copper into the ballistics gel as a true comparison to the 300WM grain for grain.
They buy factory available ammo and that one in a 308 might be harder to find…Ryan mentioned this in one of the previous cartridge comparisons, I think it was when they did 308 vs 30-06
Get one of each!
Is that a tikka t3x tac? How does it shoot?
I own rifles in 308, and 300 win mag. But also have a Remington model four cambered in 30-06 which dropped a 800 lbs. Maine moose at 200 yards . I’ll stick with my 30-06. But, this show was entertaining, keep up the good work.
Depends on if you want both, either will take care of anything in North America. 308 is a bit lackluster for the bigger stuff and the mag is a bit large for all the smaller stuff. Can you afford both? Then get both and a few dozen others for good measure, if you can’t afford them or just a one rifle type of person then you do you. I’m more of a one or three of everything kind of person, never know what I’m going to use so I just get them all ready for season.
A wise man once told me "Guns are like potato chips. You can't just have one" He wasn't wrong
Many of the deer hunters I know have never shot an animal beyond 200 yards. For them, even a 308 is overkill since an intermediate cartridge like the 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, or even the 30-30 with the right loads would do the job just fine. Years ago, a friend was convinced by his son to sell his trusty BAR in 270 Win and buy a bolt-action in 7mm Rem Mag. The reason was "maybe I'll hunt out West some day." He hated the extra recoil and blast of his new rifle. When I asked him his longest shot on an animal in his 40 years of hunting, he said "150 yards".
Ya that was a terrible idea, however just buying another rifle is always a good call. Also 7rem mag in a good rifle is a pleasure to shoot, my 7rem mag Weatherby is softer shooting then my 270win savage. Granted the 7 is a newer rifle and the 270 is over 20 years old and the pad had gotten hard, changed to a new limbsaver and now I can shoot both all day when my wallet allows it.
@@jaydunbar7538 Several other parts of the issue were that he was over 60 (recoil hurts more as we age), his old 270 in a Browning Automatic Rifle had very mild recoil, and he made the mistake of buying a lightweight "mountain rifle".. The new rifle had roughly double the recoil of anything he had ever shot before. Sadly, my friend was very disappointed with his "dream rifle" and didn't like shooting it. It was by far the most expensive rifle/scope setup he had ever purchased too (the scope was a Kahles). This was almost 20 years ago, when spending a lot on a scope was not as common.
@jaydunbar7538 Unfortunately, he sold his old rifle and scope to help pay for the new one. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get the new scope. I lost track of him after he retired, so I don't know what he ended up doing.
@jfess1911 go track him down. You guys both have a good oll time.
Why don’t we just call this Ryan loves the 308 - watch him find ways to make it “win” 😂
Used a .300 for 40 years, bought a kimber .308 for the weight, haven't picked up the .300 since
I've got 300blk, 30-30, 308 and 3006 I have yet to need more power or range .
Both. Each has a specific application.
I shoot a .308 with 210g Bergers and have more energy at 500yds than my buddy shooting .300 WM, 180g. I've killed elk, deer, pronghorn and nilgai with it.
My vote is still for the .308 over the .300 or -06 for one simple fact. The abundance and availability of the .308 in a SHTF situation. The -06 is a great round, the .300 Win-Mag is better for sheer knockdown power, but there will ALWAYS be .308 ammo available somewhere. And lastly, its important to remember that anything you can kill with the other two rounds you can also kill with the .308
Can’t kill something behind level 4 plates with 06/308, you’ll need 300wm. Bringing up 30-06 is important, Idt it would’ve won any categories. Since we aren’t limited to one gun, having a 308 (ar10) and a 300wm and just skipping 30-06 , seems like the best option.
I own both and load both including the old school 3006 to as a reloader I can load 110 to 225 grn bullets.i also own a 300 rum is a blast to shoot and reload.
Why would I get a 300WM when 300RUM and 300PRC are available?
As someone who recently bought a 300 i feel like I'll either be really happy or disappointed by this episode haha
Why did you buy a 300wm? Your use case?
@@propertypreparedness6846 bought so I can use it for elk and moose eventually. I have other lighter powder guns too but wanted something to use for some larger north American game. Once i get a good reloading setup as well I'm gonna try to work up some light charged whitetail loads as well.
How many rounds you gonna fire From the 300 mag?Don't need it I'll stick to my 270.
😁 The "Quality Hunting Bullets" Have Changed The Game For Smaller Calibers! And, That Is A Good Thing! 🤗
Thanks! Much Appreciated! But at my age, I already have everything I Need! 😜
Ive got a 257wby, 300 win, 250 Savage, 284 win, 30-06 and a 9.3x62. I dont think any deer or elk I've ever shot can tell the difference in any of the calibers listed above. They just know their in deep trouble when the blood and air gets scarce!
Felt recoil is dependent upon many factors. My NEMO chambered in 300 Win mag has less than 10 pounds of felt recoil. And it has 1moa guaranteed out to 1,000. But that comes at a price.