I have 200gr B-tips
215gr Speer Semi Spitzers
225 Barnes X-shocks
250 Horandy Semi-spitzers
250Nosler Partions.


I built this rifle for heavy for caliber bullets in mind.

Blueprinted,

Most folks would tell you to use the Hornady 250's for some initial load work and practice, then switch to the partitions for hunting. I would tend to agree, but in reality, the Hornadys would probably work very well for everything, at 338-06 AI velocity levels.

My own 338-06 AI has seemed to prefer the lighter bullets. It shoots 200 BT's with RL15 powder very well. Two years ago I killed a young 5x5 bull elk and a whitetail buck with this combination. Very effective! Last year my Dad used the same rifle to kill a cow elk. He used some old original 210 gr. Trophy Bonded bullets.

I like this cartridge a lot, just don't make the mistake of trying to make it into a 338 Win Mag. It won't work! I hope you enjoy yours.

Steve

I don't have the AI version of the .338-06 but my rifle likes the 200 grain Hornady bullets and RL 15. I want to try some 210 grain Nosler partitions next. I haven't killed anything other than paper but I wouldn't be afraid to use these bullets on anything I hunt.

I shoot a 340PDK figure a 338Gibbs with 2 grs more case.

I always felt the 250 was too big for the 06 case. Just used to much case capacity. I had great luck staying below 225. For years I used the 210Pt and had great results. I tried the 200Accubond and was very pleased. Excellent expansion and nice velocity increase over the heavier bullets. I will continue with the 200.

I built my 338-06 for heavier 225 gr since I have six 30 calibers, including three mags that will handle the field from 150 gr - 210gr.

With two .338-06s in the hunting party and a third on the way, the Nosler 210gr partition has proven to be an excellent elk bullet. Recoil is manageable, diameter is there, and accuracy has been extremely good...much better than anything over 225gr in our rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:
With two .338-06s in the hunting party and a third on the way, the Nosler 210gr partition has proven to be an excellent elk bullet. Recoil is manageable, diameter is there, and accuracy has been extremely good...much better than anything over 225gr in our rifles.

I've tried many bullets but keep coming back to the 210gr NP @ 2750fps for all my hunting. It's flat shooting enough for 300yd shots & hits very hard. Penetration is amazing & expansion good, only recovered a single bullet so far from deer to elk size game. The Hornady 250gr is a very good bullet @ 2450fps. Expands well & penetrates deep. It's my choice for a woods load where I know my shots won't be beyond 200yds.

Gotta love the 338-06,have one in ackley imp. that shoots
the 200 interlocks great and the 250's but the 210 noslers
and barnes i can't get what i want yet.
have a standard 338-06 and the same out come with it.
Have tryed h4350,414,380 imr4064 shoots lite and heavy good
but not in between,good luck with yours.

Every bullet you have listed will work. But with the AI I would lean towards the 225gr TSX if it shoots. It would be all you need for anything.

I have slowly been trying to simplify my reloading. Ultimate goal is to get to one hunting(TSX's) and one plinking (Hornady Interlocks) load per rifle.

My plain 338-06 gets fed 200gr Hornady's on a regular basis. Originally started with 210gr Nosler Partitions and then switched to 210gr Barnes TSX's. They all work. From what I've seen with the NP's and TSX's I don't see any reason to go to a higher weight.

I do have some Hornady 250gr RN's and solids if I ever feel I need to really thump something.
Haven't even really thought about playing with them yet.

I have used the 250 Noslers with very impressive results...great round. I am thinking of going to the 185 grain Barnes triple shock, for a bit more range, has anyone used them?

I shoot the 200 gr BT in my 338-06 AI with 64 gr of Rel-19 for 2880. Hasn't bounced off anything yet...

shoot them all! find out what gives the best accuracies. I would stay away from the 200's for moose/elk size animals and stick to the 210's on up. Preferrably the 225's. My .338-06 groups .6"@100yds with 225 NF's.

How bout the 225 SST? Or Interbond? Interbond shoots excellent in friends Golden Eagle 338WM.

you don't need a premium bullet in the 338/06 at all...

however they sure won't hurt anything either...

225 is the most balanced compromise.. and all available will more than suffice for any job you realistically put them up too..

the only 338 bullet that I haven't ever been impressed with was the 215 grain Sierra...

I myself pretty much load Hornadys and I have loads for the 200, 225, 250 SP and the 250 RN..

I favor the 250 grain RN as it just looks cool, and consider it a 250 yard load with an MV of 2500 with 50 grains of IMR 4064....

The 200 I load to 2900 fps, the 225 I load to 2750 fps, and the 250 SP, I load to 2650 fps..

I sure wish Speer still made the good old 275 grain SMP.. I have hoarded a small stash of them.. but never use them, which is kinda dumb...

hello!i shoot the 8.5x63-a german version of the 338-06AI.it is very similar.i use the 210 partitions and 225 accubonds and i am very lucky with it.i shoot the AB at 2750f/s,it is very accurate and performs well on boar.greetings from germany bernd.

I used the 210 grain Barnes XLCs on a recent trip to Africa. Took six animals from Springbok to Zebra with six shots. The only animal to regain its feet after the shot was the zebra and it went down again in less that 15 feet. Since the XLCs are not manufactured any longer I will switch to 210 grain TSXs.

I used the 210 gr Partition for years in my 338-06 with great results on elk, nilgai and lesser. Last elk hunt I used the 185 gr TSX and quite literally dropped this bull in its tracks at 280 yards with a quartering away behind the shoulder shot.



Though the bullet surprisingly (to me) took quite a beating, the end result was the most impressive kill I have ever seen.

What's wrong with the Hornady 225 gr. interlock
and some IMR 4320?

My frend who is quite an around the world hunter , uses the 185 grain t-shock in his 338,06 and his 338-08. He loves it
I don't have a .338 06 but I am thinking of doing one...tj3006

I like the 210 TSX at 2800 fps in the .338-06. If I needed a heavier bullet, I'd load a 250 partition at 2500 fps. These should cover everything you'd use it for.