30-06 or .325 WSM

[patrick.hover]

I have a hunt planned next year for interior Griz.  I shoot a 30-06 for all my big game here in Montana. I am a avid shooter(competitive service rifle Iron sight to 600Meters) and reloader and have been shooting my whole life(I am not a newbie is what I am trying to say) If I handloaded Swift A Frames or Nosler Partitions in the 200-220 grain I can get 2500-2600FPS out of my '06.

If I go with the .325 WSM I will be shooting 220 grains @ about 2900 FPS slightly bigger frontal size but not necessarily better SD.

I have never shot the WSM's.  cant say how accurate except from what I read, which they say is great by the way for the .325.

I cant afford to by a big caliber gun for this once in a lifetime trip and really would like to be able to shoot this gun for a long time here in Montana when I get back.

 I am going to buy a Kimber 8400 Montana in 30-06 or .325 WSM

What do you folks in the know that have done it before (killed grizzly) think of the choice. What would you want a client to show up on your doorstep with more?  I know that the 06' seems a bit undergunned but I shoot it accurately and believe in the heavy for caliber premium bullet concept.

Thanks,
Patrick.

[Thebear_78]

I'm sure that the 06 with a good 200gr bullet, ie partition, tsx, or aframe, would work just fine.  I don't see the 325 wsm as that great a step up in power over the 300 magnums.   A 300 mag, either wm or wsm, would also work just fine with the 200gr bullet just as well as the 325.  I honestly think you would be better served with a 300 over the 325. 

Stepping up to something like a 338 wm/338-06 or 35 whelen/350 rem mag are another ball game.  They do offer some real increases in thump over the 06 or 300 mags.  THey offer bullet weights up to 250+ grs and would be just as at home in montana chasing muleys and elk.  Also now that the montana is going to be available in full length cartridges a 300 or 338 win mag would be a really nice rifle, especially if mated to a good compact scope like a leupold 2-8x36.

[Daveinthebush]

I agree with Thebear.  I was thinking of a .325 until I saw the ammunition prices.  Since I already have 2 - .35 Whelens and the reloaing components, I will eventually have a stainless .35 Whelen built.  The 30/06 with a good quality bullet will do on interior grizz.

[Dand]

A friend of mine has walked away from 2 brown bear charges on Kodiak / Afognak and all he used was his 30-06.  Don't know the ammo but suspect it was 220 factory stuff. He was shaking but narry a scratch.  The bears weren't real big but possibly bigger than many interior bears - and they were coming after him.  One took 1 shot to turn it and 2 more to finish. Don't recall the story on the other.

[Daveinthebush]

Why not go with a classic .35 Whelen?  It has more thump than the 06 and you can use 250 grain bullets.  One nice elk round too and with 200 grain bullets a decent deer round.

[patrick.hover]

Done....decision made ...in the bank...Purchased a Kimber .325 WSM Montana, 4.5-14 50mm Leupold Boone & Crocket VX-L (low) Mounted on Kimber bases and Leupold SUPERLOW rings...lowest scope and best cheekweld I have ever had on a scoped rifle its as low as Iron sights! /  I will be shooting 220 grain something...Swift A frame  / N. Partiton/ Norma Oryx / N. Accubond.  Havent decided.

I couldent be more impressed with a gun and load ..Very accurate .75 Moa holds well to my max 300 yards at the range.

Killed a antelpoe at 200 yards with the gun today with factory 200 Accubonds...talk about a hit ...wow that was fun !...Just shooting the gun a bunch to get very comfortable with it and will work up some great loads or might stick with factory Winchester 220 grain Super X powerpoints...seems like a good bullet...I will try it on elk at the end of the month.

Anyone up there use it (Powerpoint) on a bear yet?  Cant wait to come up there...

Patrick.

[Thebear_78]

I'm sure it will be an excellent setup for you.  There definately isn't anything wrong with the ballistics of the 325 and the kimber is a very nice rifle.  I have liked the looks of those dented leupolds since I saw the first one a few years ago before they even came out.  Comfort is as important as anything else in a rifle.  Good luck.   

[handirifle]

I have a huint in the planning stages for the fall of '09, and for this reason I converted my Savage 30-06 to a 338-06.  I haven't had a chance to even load for it yet but am really encourages by these posts.

I'll be using Nosler 180gr accubonds to get used to the rifle, and use it for deer and maybe black bear.  I'll step up to a heavier bullet as the time draws closer.

Good luck Partik

[Daveinthebush]

The 338/06 will work fine on interior bears, moose, caribou and much more.  If I was going to Kodiak for bears, I might move up to a .338 or even better a .375 or .358 Norma Mag. ( I almost cry everytime I write that as I would love a .358 NM )

I am real close to selling my .308 and moving to a .325 as my "one" gun.

[Sourdough]

If you shoot a 30-06 reguler and are comfortable with it that is the gun you should use.  I would go with the Nosler Partition, or another of the premium bullets that will hold togeather and smash through heavy bone.  The 180gr or the 200gr bullets would be my choice.  In my openion the 180gr is the optomium bullet for the 30-06.  While the 200gr gives better penetration, the range is not as good as the 180.  If the bear has no idea you are there, and you place the shot well, they usually don't go far.  And the better the odds of good shot placement, the better off you are.  That's why I recommend using your 30-06, you are intamatly familure with it. 

 

[Dusty Miller]

EVERY dangerous animal on the planet has been killed with a 30-06.  This old codger ain't going to go out and try to duplicate the feat just to prove the first go around was a fluke, but the gun will get the job done.  HOWEVER!!  If I were going after a griz of any ilk I'd sure like to have a .375 H&H for that little bit of insurance.  That's just my @ cents worth, AND its worth every penny of it!!