just for giggles, when I started shooting centerfires I had a 3006. over the years I've had just about everything else in 30 caliber, and now I'm back to my old 3006. I can get ammo just about anywhere, if it's to big for the 06 I generally use a 375 or the like, if its to far, well its just to far. Just why do I need something else in 30 cal???

You don't! Last year I went on my first western hunt, an elk hunt in Montana. At the time I couldn't decide between my 338 Win Mag, 300 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag and my good old 30-06. When the time came to pack my things the 30-06 went in the cun case. The way I figured, being an eastern woodlands hunter, the 30-06 was would handle any shooting I did out there. Now before I went out I practiced alot at ranges out to 300 yards and set that as my maximum shooting range. As long as I did my part at my self imposed limit the 30-06 was more than adequate.

Now if you had asked why you would WANT something else in 30 caliber, I would have said because you WANT it.


Craig

It's easy to type that one would not take shots over 300 yds and there are places where it's not possible to see over 200 yds for that matter.

However there are places where game can be seen at longer range. In fact it's possible to see game at a mile or more. Magnums make it easier to get that game in the critical distances up to "too far". At least they have more power and a flatter trajectory. Magnums have takebacks such as more recoil, noise and gun weight however.

I always wanted a magnum so I have one. For much hunting a handier, easier to shoot rifle will do just as well or better however. It all depends.

I don't really think that there is any game that can be reasonably taken with a .30 caliber rifle that can't be taken with the .30-06. One of the higher velocity magnums may make hitting easier at longer range, and also provide the same energy at that longer range, but so long as the shots are limited to the effective range of the .30-06 (which is actually quite good), there is little difference in it and the latter-day magnum .30's.

In other words, the difference in the '06 and any .30 magnum is one of a few yards, not one of greater effectiveness at lesser distances.

well why not be able to get the big stuff to far away using something like a 308 norma mag or 300 rem ultra mag.WHY ASK WHY

Well, I have everything from a .308 to a .300 RUM. I shoot all of them a lot.

A guy with a .308 that can shoot every week will be a better long range shot than a guy with a RUM who never shoots it beyond 200 yards.

The mag vs non mag thing sees much debate and sometimes it gets rather heated. But I really wonder if all the fuss is nesscary. I think if a guy were to take an 06 and one of the 300 mags out to the range and compare them side by side the real world difference wouldnt be all the big glaring gaping gash that its made out to be. All bullets eventually come back to earth reguardless of how huge the powder charge is, and sometimes a little holdover can be nessecary with the magnums as well.

Ive been thinking about getting another 300 mag or something of that ilk, but its certianly not because I "need" it. An arched trajectory is easily overcome by practice and farmiliarity with a gun, and only the person behind the trigger can determine how much gun is more than he wants.

Ok, for giggles, you say.
Indeed, the '06 and H&H are a pair to be reckoned with, but the 280 does everything a man with an H&H needs a 30-06 to do, and better. Sorry if that sentenced sounds convoluted; I'm headed toward the bottom of 50oz of homebrew!
AND, the H&H, though beloved by many - myself included - is a poor design for modern actions, and in much need of improving. (Still giggling here, right?!) The 375 Weatherby is what the H&H grew up to be. In fact, I can't imagine what I'd shoot with an H&H and 270g that I wouldn't rather shoot with a 416 Remington and 350g at about the same speed.
And just in case you aren't mad yet, what I'd REALLY recommend is to sell them both and get a 338 WinMag and a 6.5x55!
But, you asked about 30-calibers. I suppose the 280-308 is about as well-rounded a .308" can be. So keep it. It will serve.
As for what more you "need," well, I guarantee you would be a happier man with a Browning Model 71 in 308-348, 26" tapered octagon barrel and peeps.