338-06

[jackelope]

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]

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]

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]

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

[bobcat]

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

338-06 ammo

[jackelope]

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

I have a .222 and a .223
 

[FC]

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]

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]

I gotta go start another thread now....

[Bigshooter]

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]

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

[Woodchuck]

me neither 

[jackelope]

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

[superdown]

step up to the 35 whelen and you can shoot these bad boys  http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=954144

[AWS]

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