338-06

[WA Redneck]

Anyone loading the Barnes 185 grain bullet in their 338-06 for elk?  How does it work?

[358NM]

I am using the 225 grain Hornady SP in my custom 338-06 Remington action.
Very accurate. Unfortunatly haven't had a shot at an elk yet.

[lostbackpacker]

Not a 338-06, but I have a 338 winmag.  I shoot the nosler partition 210.  shoots great

[Skillet]

Bigshooter has great info on that cartridge.  He shared a bunch of load data with me a while ago - if he doesn't chime in here I'll see if I can look it up.

Really a great round.

[WA Redneck]

Thanks.  I just got this one and it really is a sweet gun.  It shoots 185 Barnes and 200 Hornady both well but, I'm just worried the 185's are not intended for anything as substantial as an elk.

[mtncook]

That is my go to rifle.  I'm usung the 210 Nosler Partitions.  Very happy but must say I have not tried anything else.

mtncook

[coachcw]

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

[jay.sharkbait]

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

I don't see why not.

I did a Remington 742 in 338-06 a long time ago. I used synthetic stocks, Parkerized and ghost ring sights. It was a fantastic brush gun.

[Skillet]

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

That would be a cool build.  Did you also consider the 35 Whelen?

[12Gauge]

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

Yup got one.  I built mine on a VZ.24 Action, back in the days that was cheaper to build one than find a wild cat. 

These are the thing that needs done:
Donor action
Bend bolt to clear for scope,  (suggest to weld a new handle rather than forging)
Drill & tap for scope mounts
Open mag well slightly, (depending on your mag well.  Most of the time not needed)
Install new barrel
Replace trigger
New stock

By the time you get this done, you're probably at around $700  + scope & rings

Here is a guy that can do all the work for you.   Mark is nice guy who charges very reasonably and does excellent work.

http://www.skaggsgunsmithing.com/+

[JLS]

Thanks.  I just got this one and it really is a sweet gun.  It shoots 185 Barnes and 200 Hornady both well but, I'm just worried the 185's are not intended for anything as substantial as an elk.

I've killed about a dozen with the 185's, and none of them argued that they shouldn't be dead.

[Slenk]

I built a 338-06 on a Savage action a few years ago. It shoots 180gr. NAB's and 210gr,225gr all with very good results.
At my age I prefer the less recoil of the 180s and the do the same job as the heavier bullets.

[wheels]

i have a 338-06 i use 180 hornady's interlock accurate 

[yorketransport]

has anyone hear used a m98 to build a 338-06 ? I have my first rifle and have wanted to do something along this line.

I had one built off of an Interarms Mauser and it was great. I just sent it in to ER Shaw for a rebarrel for about $300. It was my first semi custom build and my first wildcat. It was a great set up, shot well, was inexpensive to build and shoot, and flattened everything that it hit.

As far as the 185 TSX for elk, I'd probably go with something a little heavier. I like the 200-225 grain bullets in the 338-06 case.

Andrew

[bearpaw]

We used a .338 caliber 160 grain TTSX on a bear this fall. One shot kill. I have a guy using the same reloads and hunting elk, if he gets one I will post how that bullet performed on the elk.

[mtncook]

Mine also built on a M98 Mauser.   I'll see about a picture or 2.  Been in the safe long enough to come out for a while.

mtncook

[templar021]

I've been shooting my 338-06 over twenty years.  It's an Ackley improved version.  I used 250 noslers mostly on Elk.   I've just rebarreled and have tried several different bullet weights, but find the 225 to be the best all around.  Only game I shot with a 180/185 was a big mule deer and a small whitetail.  I didn't recover the bullets, but they worked fine. IMR4350/4831 and H414 all work well.  Good luck!

[bod]

I bought yorketransports 338-06 its the gun I grab when I go elk hunting. 225 accubond 60 grains of Ramshot Big Game Hornady 30-06 cases necked up and CCI large rifle primer 2670fps, 2 inch groups at 200 yards.

[Skillet]

I bought yorketransports 338-06 its the gun I grab when I go elk hunting. 225 accubond 60 grains of Ramshot Big Game Hornady 30-06 cases necked up and CCI large rifle primer 2670fps, 2 inch groups at 200 yards.

That is great performance for both speed and accuracy.  Is that the Shaw barreled gun he mentioned above?  What barrel length is it?

[coachcw]

my 98 has been sporterized so i'd just need to rebarrell it .

[12Gauge]

my 98 has been sporterized so i'd just need to rebarrell it .

MidwayUSA sells Green Mountain barrels for the Mauser series 3 in 338-06 for $92.99 + shipping.  MidwayUSA use to sell 338-06 from Adams & Bennett for about the same price.  A&B is hit and miss, Read the comments.  I am not sure about Green Mountain though.  Or you can go ER Shaw for $170 + shipping, that's short chambered, threaded. 

[Bwana Bob]

I've been shooting a 338/06 since 1992, its a re barreled Ruger M-77 with a Douglas 22in barrel. I've killed 10 large African antelope with it, most as large or larger than an elk, an eland. I also killed a moose, 4 elk, a few MD and a bunch of reindeer in AK. I killed all the African antelope and the elk with the old style 200gr Barnes bullet. Killed my moose with the nosler 210gr partition and a few of the others with the 200gr hornady and 180gr nosler BT. Both those bullets open a little too fast for my liking to use on elk.
From the way the 200gr Barnes bullets worked, I would use the 185gr Barnes TS on elk in a heart beat. I shot that bullet and the 210gr Barnes TS and both shot under an inch in my rifle.

[yorketransport]

That is great performance for both speed and accuracy.  Is that the Shaw barreled gun he mentioned above?  What barrel length is it?

That's the one. It's a 24" barrel. That gun always did shoot better than its coat would lead you to believe. 

Andrew

[bod]

It is the same gun, I have it down at Rick Fruedenbergs getting the barrel cut to 22.5 inches and bedded.

[WA Redneck]

Thanks all, I appreciate your help.  Another question is the 185 grain Barns to much bullet for black tails in the thick timber?

[JLS]

Thanks all, I appreciate your help.  Another question is the 185 grain Barns to much bullet for black tails in the thick timber?

Not to be a smart ass, but how can they be too dead?  I've shot everything from elk to black bear to deer to antelope to mountain goats with my .338-06.  The 185 TSX is IMHO the perfect bullet for all around use in this gun in terms of ballistic performance, recoil, and sufficient terminal performance.  The Barnes don't fragment, so the meat damage is minimal.

[WA Redneck]

Thanks.  I agree with you that in my limited knowledge on this round the 185 or 200 grain Hornady would about be the cats butt.  My concern is not will it be dead enough but, more will that bullet work when launched at 338-06 velocities into a small thin skinned deer.

[Bwana Bob]

The 200gr Hornady will open up very well on deer, maybe too well. Shot a WT through the ribs at about 40yd with it, made a fist size hole out the other side. Only shot two deer with mine but they were DRT. I would not hesitate using the 185gr Barnes TS on everything. The Nosler accubond may be another good bullet to try, but  I'm sold on those Barmes TS.

[JLS]

Thanks.  I agree with you that in my limited knowledge on this round the 185 or 200 grain Hornady would about be the cats butt.  My concern is not will it be dead enough but, more will that bullet work when launched at 338-06 velocities into a small thin skinned deer.

Okay, my bad, I wasn't quite sure what you were getting at.  Based on my experience with the Barnes TSX, it won't be a concern to you.  As I said, they don't fragment, so the meat damage is very minor.  I have shot mule deer at 100 yards or so and they performed fine.

I used Hornady 200s early on, as well as Partition 210s.  My experience with both of those was that they gave me a lot more bloodshot meat than I cared for.

I use Reloder 15 for this bullet.  I can't remember the charge off the top of my head, but I think it's around 56 grains or so.

[Yondering]

Here's one I built a few years back on a 98 (VZ-24 action), with an A&B barrel. It shot really well. This one was the Ackley version, and still no changes were needed to the feed ramp or rails.

I hunt with a 35 Whelen, but I think the 338-06 is also a great choice. Both have similar trajectory to a .308, with the 338 shooting a little flatter.

Also a comparison pic of the 30-06 vs 338-06 Imp. and 35 Whelen Imp.

[WA Redneck]

Thanks for all the great info.  I love those 185 TSX bullets and that is what I'll stay with.

[coachcw]

I would think the sst would be a great choice in the slower speeds of the 338-06

[woodswalker]

I would think the sst would be a great choice in the slower speeds of the 338-06

Or Ballistic Tips... I use them in the Whelen Ackley Improved (WhAckley) and the 8x57 and the 8mm-06.

[pd]

Also a comparison pic of the 30-06 vs 338-06 Imp. and 35 Whelen Imp.

Hey Guys,

Please don't flame me on this.  This is a very interesting thread, and I would would really like to know why all the effort is put into the .338-06, when the cartridge is so similar to the .30-06.  I am being serious here, because I just don't know why you would do this.

I completely understand buying guns (or, making them) "just because I want to."  I also do that.  But if there is a much more important reason, please educate me.

[coachcw]

Also a comparison pic of the 30-06 vs 338-06 Imp. and 35 Whelen Imp.

Hey Guys,

Please don't flame me on this.  This is a very interesting thread, and I would would really like to know why all the effort is put into the .338-06, when the cartridge is so similar to the .30-06.  I am being serious here, because I just don't know why you would do this.

I completely understand buying guns (or, making them) "just because I want to."  I also do that.  But if there is a much more important reason, please educate me.

gun junkies I guess , 30-06 just don't get in my truck !

[snowpack]

Also a comparison pic of the 30-06 vs 338-06 Imp. and 35 Whelen Imp.

Hey Guys,

Please don't flame me on this.  This is a very interesting thread, and I would would really like to know why all the effort is put into the .338-06, when the cartridge is so similar to the .30-06.  I am being serious here, because I just don't know why you would do this.

I completely understand buying guns (or, making them) "just because I want to."  I also do that.  But if there is a much more important reason, please educate me.

220 grain bullets are roughly the max most consider the 30-06 with .30 cal to spin and handle correctly.  the 338 can go up to 300 grain with standard twist barrels.

[WA Redneck]

PD,

[WA Redneck]

Let's try this again.  I got mine because in the thick brushy areas that I often times hunt, I wanted something that would offer a little bigger hole in and out than my 270 or 30-06.  I thought about the 35 Whelen, 358, 338-06 and the 338 Federal.  Guess which one came along first.

[coachcw]

225 sst  big holes rule ! I like the idea of the energy getting spent in the animal some of the ultras just blow right through.

[Yondering]

Hey Guys,

Please don't flame me on this.  This is a very interesting thread, and I would would really like to know why all the effort is put into the .338-06, when the cartridge is so similar to the .30-06.  I am being serious here, because I just don't know why you would do this.

I completely understand buying guns (or, making them) "just because I want to."  I also do that.  But if there is a much more important reason, please educate me.

I hunt with the Whelen pictured above, because it just hits harder than the 30-06, and I like that. (don't confuse "like" or "want" with "need") The 338-06 is somewhere in the middle; the appeal is that it still hits harder than the .30 cal, with heavier bullets, but without sacrificing much range.

I don't think any of it is about "need"; just personal preference. Some guys like bigger guns. I considered hunting whitetail with my .458 Win Mag, just because, although I never got around to it.

[pd]

Let's try this again.  I got mine because in the thick brushy areas that I often times hunt, I wanted something that would offer a little bigger hole in and out than my 270 or 30-06.  I thought about the 35 Whelen, 358, 338-06 and the 338 Federal.  Guess which one came along first.

I completely understand your (and Yonderling's) response.  I, too, hunt in the nasty brush of the wet side, and I face the same problem.  In my case, poor eyesight limits my ability to see INTO the brush, but nonetheless, your logic makes sense to me.

Good hunting!