What edge does 300 Win Mag have over 30-06 for deer hunting. I can't see much difference in the two to warrant the cost of ammo, reloading components and overall performance of the 300 Win Mag.

300 win has more case capacity which gives more velocity on the heavy bullets (190+). The 06 gives more variety and flexibility in ammo

If you are looking for a generally hunting gun I would say 06. If you are doing a dedicated big game at 500+ I would go win mag

You pick up the ability to handle heavier bullets better and greater range. You need to define your needs, if your ranges are 300-350 yards and deer are your target, your observations are correct. Want to stretch the range to 450 or shoot a Nilgai then the calculus changes.
Cleric's answer was while I was thinking and typing

You can load the 300 at 30-06 speeds but not vice versa. Versatility goes to the 300 but it is definitely allot of gun for just whitetail

You can get more of a variety in over the counter ammo with 06 than 300. Both in terms of bullet type and manufacturer. If you reload you can replicate a 06 load in 300. But if you want 06 performance get an 06

^^What they said^^

^^What they said

SOMEBODY WRITE THIS DOWN EVERYBODY IS AGREEING FOR 6 WHOLE POSTS

It'll go to chit. Just wait...

An 06 cant push a 200+ gr bullet 2800+ fps like a win mag can.

got my 300 pushing 190 3000fps without even really pushing the load

Hot load or long barrel?

You getting the itch for another .30-cal, Geezer?

27" Lilja barrel w/ suppressor, 76.8 gr H1000 and the 208 Amax with a little jump, running 2938 fps avg.

How are you getting 76.8 gr of H-1000 in an 06' case that has a water capacity of 68.0 gr?

I just finished load development for a friend's .300 Win Mag with H-1000 and a 210 Berger 3.360" O.A.L. and it was a compressed load at 77.0 gr.

I thought Mac had a 300...

Not trying to be contrary here, but one of my interests these days is the flexibility that magnums offer when reduced or 'starting' loads are used.

I find that they deliver good accuracy, in fact I have seen reduced loads offer superior accuracy to the high-density loads that, according to theory, are really supposed to be best.

So, from my perspective if I had to choose between a 30-06 or a .300 Win mag, I'd take the magnum - and 90% or more of the time I would shoot starting loads, which for the 300 WM work out to be about like a slightly too-hot 30-06 load in whatever bullet weight. - But note that the magnum would not be stressed out at all while delivering this performance. It would just be loafing along!

If the need for speed arose, I'd be ready for it... Because I would have tried a few premium factory loads out and found one that the gun likes. A quick trip to the range to adjust the scope, and I'd be ready to stop a teed-off grizzly at close range, or drop a moose, etc.. Things that I do not anticipte, but would like to be ready to handle well if that need does arise with a rifle that I know, and know well.

The barrel would last practically forever (for a magnum) and incidentally there is nothing that says 'safety' like a starting load that does not generate the highest pressure, and is not so likely to act up with temperature extremes. For this, I would use more powder than an '06 would use to do the same thing, as there is no such thing as a free lunch.

I have put in many years pushing various cartridges for the last bit of velocity - and for a variety of reasons I have come to the conclusion that if I want upper-limit 30-06 velocity, I'd ten times rather just use 300 magnum starting loads and do the exactly the same thing while just loafing along.

- But that's just me.

Here is that exact scenario from re-zeroing a 300 Win Mag just yesterday with the 165 Barnes TTSX running just over 3050. It actually has about the same felt recoil as a 30-06 to me, but steps up the velocity by 200 fps without any effort or strain.

Like Cleric said, I have a 300WM so the 76.8 gr of H1000 is no problem. As soon as I get the chassis opened up for the new magazine I'll post pics here. It's one of those projects that has taken forever to finish.

^^Those posts^^ made me think you were saying you were doing that with a .30-06.

Wow that looks like mine. 300 win mag IMR 4831 180 grain Accubonds 70.7 grains. .375 moa.

An 06 CANT

No chit.

Sorry I misread that.

I've been thinking about getting a Weatherby 6.5-300 when they come out. I don't have the need to push a 140 Grain Berger at 3400-3600 fps but want to push one about 3100 fps. Your post makes sense to me and makes me want the Weatherby even more. I can download to the velocity I want, reduce recoil and increase barrel life.

Not getting the itch just wondering about 300 Win Mag. I hear so much about it that I just wanted to see if it is what it is cracked up to be.