Opinions on .300 win mag??

[Broken Mower]

I was just reading another post and it made me think of something. Is my .300 mag too big for the deer down here? I hunt in northern Baldwin county and in Marengo county, Al. When I chose to get my rifle 3 or 4 years ago I got the .300 mag because the only other caliber in stock was a .270. Both of the places that I hunt are on steep hills and in one case is about a mile from the actual camp. My thinking was the more powerful the cartridge, the easier the deer will drop dead in its tracks thus illuminating falling down a steep hill while getting to the deer. Last year two different people ( my grandfather included) were complaining about how loud the gun is. Is it really that much louder than a .270 or 30-06? All center fire guns are loud to me, and I swear my ar is the loudest dang thing there is. Is my gun overkill? Or do some of you guys also shoot a .300 win mag?

 

[Aaronious45]

It's shooting the same size bullet as an 3006, just at a higher velocity..I wouldn't say it's to big


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[Broken Mower]

What I really want to know is the decibal noise difference between my gun and a 30-06..... Does anyone have a clue how much of a difference it is?

 

[molldog06]

I saw your post and it got me interested in decibel differences in different calibers. After a few google searches I was able to find some information on the subject. First off, the noise level can vary by many factors; bullet weight, type of powder, barrel length, surrounding terrain, whether the barrel is ported or has a muzzle break...... I found two different charts one with the .300 win mag an one with the 30-06.

Table 2. CENTER FIRE RIFLE DATA
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 _" barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18 _" barrel 163.2dB
.375 — 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB

from:http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml


Table 1. Peak Pressure Levels of Various Firearms
Rifle Description dB
1. 7 mm Mouser 154.9
2. .270 cal with BOSS; 130 grain Power Point 164.6
2. .270 cal with BOSS; 150 grain 163.9
2. .270 cal with attachment—No BOSS; 130 grain 158.1
2. .270 cal with attachment—No BOSS; 150 grain 157.3 -
3. (?) No BOSS, no attachment; 130 grain 157.9
3. (?) No BOSS, no attachment; 150 grain 157.1
4. Browning .22/250 with BOSS; 40 grain 163.1
4. Browning .22/250 with BOSS; 55 grain 162.9
4. Browning .22/250 with cover—No BOSS; 40 grain 155.3 -
4. Browning .22/250 with cover—No BOSS; 55 grain 154.1 -
5. .300 Win Mag bolt with cover—No BOSS; xxx ammo 157.5
5. .300 Win Mag bolt with cover—NoBOSS; high velocity 161.5
5. .300 Win Mag bolt with BOSS; xxx ammo 164.8
5. .300 Win Mag bolt with BOSS high velocity ammo 165.5
6. 7 mm “Plain Jane”; 140 grain 158.3
6. 7 mm “Plain Jane”; 160 grain 157.5
7. 7 mm with BOSS; 140 grain (same as #6 ammo) 163.6
7. 7 mm with BOSS; 160 grain (same as #6 ammo) 163.5
7. 7 mm with cover—No BOSS; 140 grain (same as #6) 159.5
7. 7 mm with cover—No BOSS; 160 grain (same as #6) 157.8
8. .300 Win Mag plain barrel; 180 grain 158.3
8. .300 Win Mag plain barrel; 180 grain high velocity 158.8
9. .338 Win with cover—No BOSS; 210 grain 157.1
9. .338 Win with cover—No BOSS; 250 grain 156.8
9. .338 Win with cover—No BOSS; 250 grain high energy 161.5
9. .338 Win with BOSS; 210 grain 164.5
9. .338 Win with BOSS; 250 grain 163.8
9. .338 Win with BOSS; 250 grain high energy 164.5

Here's the link to the original of this cart the format got kinda out of whack when I pasted it: link wouldn't work and file was to big to upload here is the site:http://www.elcaudio.com/tablesforweb.pdf
From what I gathered from these charts the .300 win mag average = 161.1 dB, the 30-06 average =160.5 dB. The averages show only 0.6 dB difference, the loudest 30-06 was 163.2 dB, .300 win mag was 165.5 dB.

When it comes down to it depending on barrel length/modifications, bullet weight, type and size of powder charge either rifle could be quieter than the other one. I have never shot a .300 win mag so can't make a personal observation as to which is louder/quieter. Hope this helps you figure it out.

 

[Dan1612]

I've shot a 300 win mag. Only because the owner had a bloody nose and was sitting next to me as he offered me a chance to shoot it. His bloody nose showed me that you need a scope with proper eye relief, but other than that, it was no worse recoil-wise than a 12 gauge slug or full buckshot. So really, the recoil isn't so bad for hunting since you'll really only ever take one shot at a time

It's the same bullet diameter as a 308. .308 inches in fact, which is proven for deer sized animals. What the 300 WM gives you is more energy or the range to take animals down with the same energy at longer ranges.

I do greatly appreciate that at the same given range, it's more likely (with the right bullet) to drop an animal more quickly, thus a more humane kill. That is of course if you can handle the recoil and noise. I take humane harvesting over spectator comfort any day.

Just my 0.02.




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[pcola4]

I have hunted with this caliber for years. 150 grain core lok. Love it. It is only overkill if you hit a major bone. Makes a big hole. Shoot right behind the shoulder and it's like any other round only you don't have to track anything. If you hit the deer it is laying right there. DRT...Dead Right There!

 

[hh4whiskey]

.257 bob, 25-06, .260, 6.5x55, 6.8, .270, .280, 7x57, .308, 30-06....and many I've left out, will DRT a deer, if you do your part...with less noise and recoil. Nothing wrong with 300 win mag, but justifying a 'need' for it, when it comes to southern deer, is tail chasing. Plenty are killed up here in real hills, with 44 mags and 30-30s and 243s, that rarely walk away from it. I have to tolerate some hard kicking deer guns for shotgun or ML regs, but I don't for shooting what I want at a deer. However, if all I had was a 300WM, and I shot it good, I wouldn't care what it sounded like to someone els enough to think on buying something else, either. Just sayin'.

 

[sammie white]

i used one for a few years ,had your thinking bigger would be better.i went back to a 243win ,i have killed 28 deer the last 3 years, not bragging.have not had one run over 25 yards.most just drop,less shoulder pain,no brusing, so i have become one of the few who believe bigger is not the answer. something you can handle comfortable, practice and get efficent where you hit your deer will mean more enjoyment and less pain.to prove a fact i was with a guy in wheel chair last hunting season,he killed a 9 point that weighed 216 lbs was 6 and 1 half feet long,other people seen this buck and said thats the biggest they have seen in years,he put smack down on this bucK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pcola4]

Opinions are just that. Everyone has theirs. I have used the 243 and made heart shots and had to track deer a hundred yards before they even start bleeding. With my 300....they lay where they were hit. Personal preference. Everyone needs to find something they are happy with.

 

[sammie white]

300 win mag

its a proven fact hit a deer in heart hes going to make a death run,sometimes its short ,other times its long.thats why i practice so i will put it where its needed.if you dont put it where its needed,no matter what cal you shoot its going to be a tracking job.not bashing 300 wm but it was designed for bigger deer than down south ,long range shots, if you dont belive me shoot 300 than shoot a smaller cal and you decide which felt better