Author Topic: 338-06 (Read 10645 times)

jackelope · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 11:44:26 AM »

What is the advantage of a 338-06(if there is one) over a .338wm? I assume that the advantage over a 30-06 is a bigger bullet but I can't figure out why go with a wildcat(I think anyway) like this round. Is it big bullet with less recoil? Then energy/muzzle velocity/effective range goes downhill? Reduced recoil?
Educate me please!

bobcat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:57:11 AM »

Less recoil would be the only advantage, really. But that's just like what is the advantage of a 308 Win over a 30-06 or the advanage of a 30-06 over a 300 Win Mag. Less velocity, less recoil. And of course a little less range.

I think the 338-06 is a good cartridge but I don't think it will do anything better than the 30-06. In the past, before we had these "super premium" bullets, I think it had its place. Because for an elk rifle you could use the 338-06 and 250 grain Nosler Partitions (or similar) and surely that would be good elk medicine compared to a 180 grain Partition out of a 30-06.

But now with bullets such as Barnes makes, I'm not sure there's any advantage. Because with the 30-06 you can use anything from a 165 grain to 180 grain Barnes and get all the penetration you're ever going to need.

FC · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:00:38 PM »

I can't figure out why anyone would go with that cartridge over a 338wm either, .338 Federal at least you can buy ammo for if you want a lighter recoiling larger bullet, with the right bullet choice I'm sure it would work fine for anything in North America.

MtnMuley · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:09:33 PM »

Kinda like buying a .222 over a .223. To be different, i guess.

bobcat · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:11:21 PM »

Actually you can buy loaded ammo for the 338-06:

338-06 ammo

jackelope · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:12:21 PM »

Quote from: MtnMuley on February 17, 2011, 12:09:33 PM

Kinda like buying a .222 over a .223. To be different, i guess.

I have a .222 and a .223

FC · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:17:50 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2011, 12:11:21 PM

Actually you can buy loaded ammo for the 338-06:

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=3&categoryId=10575&categoryString=653***690***

Link is bad but I did some rooting around and you are right, for about $80-90 a box you can buy loaded ammo for it that I can find so far

bobcat · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:21:30 PM »

Quote from: FC on February 17, 2011, 12:17:50 PM

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2011, 12:11:21 PM
Actually you can buy loaded ammo for the 338-06:

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=3&categoryId=10575&categoryString=653***690***

Link is bad but I did some rooting around and you are right, for about $80-90 a box you can buy loaded ammo for it that I can find so far

I fixed the link but yeah, it is spendy, unless you go with the cheap stuff, then it's only $72.99.

jackelope · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:22:11 PM »

I gotta go start another thread now....

Bigshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:44:22 PM »

It's all about taste. I have a 338-06 and love it. Not a lot of recoil can shoot bullets between 200grs-270gr. I shoot a 210gr nosler partion at 2700fps. I think its a big step up from the 30-06 because of bullet weight but it doesn't have the recoil of the 338mag.

bobcat · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:48:30 PM »

jackelope I haven't seen the "other thread" yet?

Woodchuck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:48:52 PM »

me neither

jackelope · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:49:09 PM »

I'm at work...getting there....

superdown · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:57:36 PM »

step up to the 35 whelen and you can shoot these bad boys

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=954144

AWS · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:54:17 PM »

The 338-06 was never intended to compare with the 338WM it was created to give the owner of a 30-06 or 270 the option of more power and knock down using the same action, stock and barrel by just reboring the barrel, no action work no fitting etc. Same for the 35 Whelen. When these cartridges were invented the 338-06 (was actually the 333 OKH)/ 35 Whelen reboreing was a very common thing. The 333 OKH was the 30-06 necked up to 333 cal. when winchester brought out the 338 Mag that size bullet became much more popular and there was a much larger selection of 338 bullets so the 338-06 replaced the 333 OKH.

AWS

CP · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:02:58 PM »

If you handload, the 338-06 would have a lot of the same advantages as the .35 Whelen. Lots of 30-06 & 270 brass around and loading components are cheap. If you don’t handload there would be no advantage.

thinkingman · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:48:44 PM »

Quote from: CP on February 17, 2011, 03:02:58 PM

If you handload, the 338-06 would have a lot of the same advantages as the .35 Whelen. Lots of 30-06 & 270 brass around and loading components are cheap. If you don’t handload there would be no advantage.

Agreed. and I would much rather reload un-belted cartridges....lots of donor actions around.

bobcat · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:55:35 PM »

I used to want either a 338/06 or a 35 Whelen. But now, I really want a 338 or 375 RCM (Ruger Compact Magnum)

yorketransport · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2011, 08:32:43 PM »

The 338-06 is a great round. It gives a noticeable step up from a 30-06 without the need to modify your existing action. Shooting a steel gong with a 30-06 and then with a 338-06 is an eye opening experience. The 338 just hammers the plate.

I'd still have my 338-06, but I just didn't like the Mauser action that it was built on. Now I have a 338-284 Winchester (ballistic twin of the 338-06) barrel that I throw onto a Savage action whenever I get the bug.

Andrew

jackelope · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2011, 12:51:43 PM »

Quote from: jackelope on February 17, 2011, 01:49:09 PM

I'm at work...getting there....

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,71364.msg865984/topicseen.html#new

sakoshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2011, 04:08:20 PM »

I really like the paper ballistics of the 338-06. It would seem to be a great all around deer/elk round.
Having both, a 30-06 and .338 that I hand load for, they both cover a very large spectrum. And since I put a muzzle brake on my .338, it actually recoils a tiny bit less than my 06.

Ziptie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2011, 08:54:10 AM »

I think that using a standard action instead of a mag action also makes the 338-06 appealing. You can keep the rifle weight down. I also think that the added bullet weight would be nice for elk. As a hand loader you could really tailor the loads to fit the hunting. I think you gain versatility over the 30-06 with the 338-06. And to make one, you need an old shot out 30-06…. A affordable starting point for a custom gun.

fremont · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:34:46 PM »

It's nice to comfortably throw 210/225 pills out of an '06 case!

bobcat · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:00:24 PM »

You can shoot .308 caliber 240 grain bullets out of a 30-06 without changing it to a 338-06:

sakoshooter · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:58:53 PM »

Bobcat, Now that's an 06 elk bullet for hunting in the timber.

fremont · « **Reply #25 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:52:00 AM »

Good point. I own a box but haven't shot them yet. I think they were Woodleigh's special run in 2006 for the '06 100th anniversary.

bod · « **Reply #26 on:** February 21, 2011, 02:52:25 PM »

yorketransport I have that 338-06 of yours and it is my go to elk rifle 225 noz accubond at 2670 fps moa at 200 yards.

yorketransport · « **Reply #27 on:** February 21, 2011, 04:52:38 PM »

Quote from: bod on February 21, 2011, 02:52:25 PM

yorketransport I have that 338-06 of yours and it is my go to elk rifle 225 noz accubond at 2670 fps moa at 200 yards.

That gun wasn't fancy, but it just plain worked! I'm glad to hear that it's treating you well.

Andrew

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