When it comes to hunting and long-range shooting, choosing the right cartridge can make all the difference. Two popular cartridges in the market are the 240 Weatherby Magnum and the 30-06 Springfield. Both cartridges are renowned for their high velocities, flat trajectories, and excellent long-range performance. In this article, we will compare the 240 Weatherby Magnum to the 30-06 Springfield and help you decide which one is the better choice for your next hunting or shooting adventure.
Here is the short answer:
The 240 Weatherby Magnum is a high-powered cartridge that offers exceptional long-range performance, making it ideal for hunting large game at extended ranges. On the other hand, the 30-06 Springfield is a versatile cartridge that is suitable for hunting a wide range of game at varying distances, making it a popular choice among hunters and shooters.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closely at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how they compare in-depth.
In-depth look at the 240 Weatherby Magnum
The 240 Weatherby Magnum was introduced in 1968 and was designed by Roy Weatherby. Like most cartridges made by Roy Weatherby, this round was created to improve on an existing cartridge, in this case, the 243 Winchester. He improved on this already great cartridge but chambering it in a larger case, the 30-06, and having a steeper shoulder angle therefor increasing powder compasity leading to more power and velocity.
The 240 Weatherby Magnum is a popular choice for long-range hunting as it offers a flat trajectory, excellent accuracy, and exceptional energy retention at extended ranges. The cartridge is suitable for hunting large game such as elk, but is best used for hunting at long ranges on game around the size of deer.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 240 Weatherby with a 100-grain partition bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3400 | 2567 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.2 | 3263 | 2364 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.7 | 3130 | 2176 |
| 150 | -0.5 | 1.5 | 3002 | 2000 |
| 200 | -2 | 2.7 | 2877 | 1837 |
| 250 | -4.6 | 4.3 | 2755 | 1686 |
| 300 | -8.3 | 6.4 | 2637 | 1544 |
| 350 | -13.3 | 8.9 | 2522 | 1412 |
| 400 | -19.5 | 11.8 | 2410 | 1289 |
| 450 | -27.4 | 15.2 | 2301 | 1175 |
| 500 | -36.9 | 19.3 | 2194 | 1069 |
In-depth look at the 30-06 Springfield
The 30-06 Springfield was introduced in 1906 and has risen to fame to be one of the most popular cartridges in the world. This round originally gained popularity after World War 2. It was used to hunt game because of large production of rifles in this caliber for the world such as the 1903 Springfield or M1 Grand.
The 30-06 Springfield is known for its accuracy, reliability, and versatility. It is an excellent choice for hunting medium-sized game such as deer and antelope, as well as larger game such as elk and moose. The cartridge has a relatively flat trajectory and moderate recoil which is considered to be the heaviest cartridge the average shooter can handle.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30-06 with a 180-grain bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 2913 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2584 | 2668 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2470 | 2439 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 2 | 2359 | 2225 |
| 200 | -4.2 | 3.7 | 2252 | 2026 |
| 250 | -8.8 | 6 | 2147 | 1842 |
| 300 | -15.3 | 8.8 | 2045 | 1671 |
| 350 | -23.8 | 12.1 | 1945 | 1512 |
| 400 | -34.6 | 16.2 | 1848 | 1365 |
| 450 | -48.1 | 21.2 | 1756 | 1232 |
| 500 | -64.6 | 27 | 1667 | 1111 |
In-depth comparison
When comparing the 240 Weatherby Magnum to the 30-06 Springfield, there are several factors to consider:
When it comes to bullet weight and velocity, the 240 Weatherby Magnum is capable of firing lighter bullets at higher velocities than the 30-06 Springfield. This makes it more effective at longer ranges, where the increased velocity helps to counteract the effects of gravity and wind drift. However, the 30-06 Springfield has a wider range of bullet weights available, which makes it more versatile in terms of the game it can be used to hunt and it has more energy due to the heavy bullet weights making it better for big game animals such as elk or moose.
The 240 Weatherby Magnum has a sharper shoulder angle than the 30-06 Springfield, which allows for a more efficient powder burn and better overall performance. However, this also means that the cartridge generates more recoil than the 30-06 Springfield, which can be a factor for some shooters.
In terms of accuracy, both cartridges are known for their exceptional accuracy. However, the 240 Weatherby Magnum is generally considered to be more accurate at longer ranges due to its higher velocities, less wind drift, and flatter trajectory.
When it comes to availability and cost, the 30-06 Springfield is more widely available and less expensive than the 240 Weatherby Magnum. The 30-06 Springfield is a popular cartridge that is widely used and can be found at most sporting goods stores. The 240 Weatherby Magnum, on the other hand, is a more specialized cartridge that may be more difficult to find and is typically more expensive than the 30-06 Springfield.
Another factor to consider is barrel burnout. After about 2,000 shots, a 240 Weatherby barrel will lose its accuracy and will not be accurate enough to hunt with. However, a 30-06 barrel can last upwards of 5000 shots. This means that it will cost more money to shoot the 240 Weatherby over time as you will have to replace the barrel twice as many times as you would with a 30-06.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between these two cartridges comes down to personal preference and the specific hunting situation. If you are shooting at long range or hunting animals around the size od deer, the 240 Weatherby Magnum is an excellent choice. However, if you need a versatile cartridge that has a lot of energy and can effectively take down elk or moose, the 30-06 is a far better choice.