Sub .30 vs .30 cal?

ScottR

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How many of you read Brandon Mason and Dan Turvey's debate on this subject? Personally I am a .30 caliber plus guy, thoughts?
 

JimP

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My favorite caliber if I could only have one would be a .338. I have a .340 Weatherby and have shot everything from rabbits to African plains game with it. And I would not be scared to go up against the African big 5 with it and a proper load. You can load it up or down to suit your needs. It is a 1000 yard rifle if needed and you can do your part. It is just one of the best all around rifle calibers out there with no disrespect to the .30 caliber rifles out there.
 

wy-tex

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I love my 300 wsm for big game hunting. One shot on a 7 1/2 year old cow bison last year. She went down within 100 yards. 30 cal has lots of reloading options. My 243 wssm is a great , flat shooter too for appropriate game.
 

Gr8bawana

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I've seen big game shot with everything from 6mm to 300mag and a few in between. They all worked great. So it's just a matter of preference not necessity. Kind of like the debate between ford vs dodge vs chevy.
I guess I'm a fan of sub .30 since I've been hunting with my 7mm mag for over 35 years and never had a problem and have never lost an animal.
 

Colorado Cowboy

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Jun 8, 2011
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For me it depends on the animal. For deer size and below, I use a .25-06 with 117 gr bullet. Used to shoot a 30-06 when I could only afford one big game rifle.
Anything larger than deer, my go to gun is a .300 Wby loaded with a 180 gr bullet.
My basic belief for year has been to get my reloads to 3000 fps or more. Of course bullet placement is the most important part of big game rifle hunting.
 

theleo91386

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Apr 20, 2016
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My thought is with today's bullets it's a pretty moot point for 95 percent of today's hunter. I prefer my 280ai most of the time but if I was limited to one rifle for all of my shooting I'd be getting a Ruger #1 in 45-70. I could load it from mild to wild all for about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of any of my other rifles.
 

dan maule

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Jan 3, 2015
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My favorite caliber if I could only have one would be a .338. I have a .340 Weatherby and have shot everything from rabbits to African plains game with it. And I would not be scared to go up against the African big 5 with it and a proper load. You can load it up or down to suit your needs. It is a 1000 yard rifle if needed and you can do your part. It is just one of the best all around rifle calibers out there with no disrespect to the .30 caliber rifles out there.
Could not agree more, I own two 340s and several 30 caliber magnums. However I purchased a .280 Rem and a 7mm-08 for my two boys and have been really impressed with both of them. Not that I am about to settle for something less than a 30 caliber but I am starting to have somewhat of an appreciation for those that do.
 

Bonecollector

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I consider this more of a discussion than an actual debate; just like Ford vs Chevy vs Ram. There are good choices on both sides of the 'discussion'.
Based on ballistics and of course proper bullet construction and shot placement:
Below 30 Cal, I like the 7mmag & 6.5x.284 to cover all of N.A. with exception of big bear.
Again, this is based on ballistics & science (Tim will like me for this as I do listen) and un-necessary shoulder punishment.
Above 30 cal, it tough to beat the .338 based on the same criteria. However,,,, the new 30 Nosler and 6.5 x.300 may be worth a look.
How's that for throwing fuel on a fire, I mean discussion. :)
 

Tim McCoy

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What ever you shoot best, and for many, that is a more moderate cartridge selection. Of at least equal importance, is a bullet up to the task. So many great choices, theleo pretty much nailed it for 95% of us.

Hard to beat something based off the 06 case for me. I have zero need for anything over 30 cal., but have no quarrel with those that do. Some day I will shoot something with my scout rifle style Marlin 444 "guide" gun. My 280 with 175gr. Partitions or 30-06 with 180 TTSX or 200gr. Accubonds are adequate for anything I'll ever hunt in NA, to about 400 yards, including Brown bear if I desired one, which I don't. 95% of my hunting is with a 25-06, 270 or 280 anymore, with medium or medium heavy bullets for caliber.
 

mcseal2

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Mar 1, 2011
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If I could only have one I'd go with a 7 mag and do everything with it. Since I can have more, I don't even have a 7mm. I have a light 270 and a heavy 264WM for anything smaller than elk, and a 300WM for elk or bigger critters. If I wasn't going on a moose hunt I'd likely still be using the 270 for elk also and not have the larger rifle.
 

Hilltop

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Feb 25, 2014
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I love the diversity and availability I can find in 30 cal. As far as effectiveness I don't believe it matters as long as whatever gun is being used is kept within it's effective range and a quality bullet is used. A shot through a bull elks lungs from a 25-06 or a .338 will produce the same results- dead elk very quickly.
 

JimP

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Mar 28, 2016
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However,,,, the new 30 Nosler and 6.5 x.300 may be worth a look.
How's that for throwing fuel on a fire, I mean discussion. :)
I did some reading on the 6.5x300 Weatherby and it sounds like it is going to be a very fun barrel burner.

Too bad it is only available in the Mark V right now.
 

rjroberts15

Member
Jun 8, 2016
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CA
My preference is sub 30.
I really like the 270 with 130 btsp. That set up has never let me down. Pleasant to shoot and carry up the hills.
As others have said, nothing beats good shot placement.
 
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Horsenhike

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Nov 11, 2015
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We shoot .308 because we can get it cheap which translates into more practice.

Eventually we will reload and it won't matter.
 

B&C Blacktails

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Mar 1, 2015
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257 wby. My sub moa vanguard has been amazing. I've been shooting copper for years, amazing penetration. Basically no hold over at 400 yds= dead deer or elk. My 30--06 has not killed an elk any faster than my. 257 wby.
 

WapitiBob

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Mar 1, 2011
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Some of you may know Broz; I borrowed his response to this question from another forum.

"I will offer you not over look the 300 win mag either. This year has cinched it for me. What I thought I have been seeing with different caliber and killing elk has now become so obvious that I will not sugar coat it any more. I have tested, owned, built and shot many 7 rem mags, 7mm-300 win mags, a few 7 stw's, a 7 RUM or two and others in the .284 family. With a variety of bullets from most of the prominent mfg's in weights including, 140, 150, 160, 168, 180 and now 195. I have also tested a variety of 30 cals, 300 win mag, 300 rum, 30-378, 30 Lapua, and so on. With bullets from the same mfg's in the 180, 190, 210, 215 and 230 gr weights. Hunted at most distances from 50 yards to over 1000 with most kills being from 350 to 800 yards.
Yesterday as we are approaching the end of a very long season, including two management elk hunts, I took my second elk. That second elk put us at number 70 for the season and I have been right there for most of them. Sometimes 3 in one evening off the same hay field. What I have seen is this. Yes the 7mm will kill your elk just fine with a well placed bullet. But there is no doubt the 30 cal will simply take the life out of them faster. And the 388 faster yet. Now add the possibility of the placement being off just a little and this becomes even more obvious. This is not something to ignore. With increased distances the real life possibility of us being off a little is real. Trust me when I tell you that if you are off a little with any 7mm you better have another ready to go to that elk as soon as you can get back on it. The 30 cal and 338 will cover you here in most cases with heavy for caliber bullets. Some may not agree with this post, some may even resent it a little. But I offer this only for those who may benefit from my experience of taking and field dressing 100's of elk with the calibers and bullet mentioned.
Respectfully
Jeff "
 

Gr8bawana

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So that response by Broz said that your 7mm will kill and elk just fine but a 338 will kill it more dead. No need to shoot a rifle that will also kill your shoulder more dead. Why not advocate for a 600 Nitro Express since bigger is better?