Looking at some of my load books for ballistics on the 8mm-06 and 338-06. I found that the 338-06 gets more fps with 200gr. bullets than the 8mm-06 with 170gr. bullets. I have looked at those figures several times thinking I was mistaken. It seems to me that the 8mm-06 would produce greater velocity. That is if both rifles are of equal quality.

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From my cold, dead hands!
Thanks Chuck!

Otto,
Can you give us some more information, whose reloading manuals, powders, etc. Reason being is that I just ran some numbers through the computer and came up with the 8-06 and the 170 grain bullet at 100-150 fps faster than the 338-06 with the 200 grainer. Just curious.
Bill

An often unknown quantity when comparing numbers between books is the pressure to which each cartridge is loaded. If the 8/06 rounds were fired in a milsurp Mauser, the author might have gone light on the throttle in deference to the older action.

Are the barrel lengths the same? That will affect velocities. Are the cartridges loaded to the same overall length? Unaltered military 98 Mausers often restrict OAL to a tenth of an inch less than the 30-06 standard 3.34, thus robbing a bit of powder room.

Just some thoughts on the issue...

I am looking at the Hornady 5th edition.

338-06 using 200gr bullet it shows a max load of H4895 is 50.6gr at 2700 fps.

8mm-06 using 170 gr bullets and H4895 is 47.7 gr. at 2600 fps.

And of course the list goes down through the different powders. In general, With most powders the 8mm-06 and 170gr bullets shows a max velocity of 2500fps. The 338-06, with most powders has a max velocity of 2700fps and some up to 2800fps.

I'm building a rifle on a nice 03-A3 action. I have narrowed it down to those two cartridges. Using only this limited information it looks like it's leaning to the 338. However, the jury is still out waiting for more info.

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From my cold, dead hands!
Thanks Chuck!

Otto: Hornadys third edition shows a start load for the 8mm-06, 170 gr. bullet using H4895 as 47.8 gr. 2500fps., with the max being 53.6 gr at 2800fps. That load was shown in Volume one and two also. Something has happened to make Hornady reconsider, nothing has happened to the strength of gun steel. Hmmm? Lawyers maybe?
I would suggest that making your decision on the basis of the loads in one manual is working with way too little data. The two rounds should be very close in most respects including velocity and pressure with similar loads. Only careful trial will tell you what can actually be achieved with your particular gun, having both, I can heartily recommend that you enjoy which ever you decide on.
And please get at least three more reloading manuals and all the ancillary reloading info you can. It is amazing the variation in max loads from one source to another. As always start low and work up carefully.

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If Elmer didn't say it, it probably ain't true.

I would think the 8-06 is being slightly downloaded in difference to the many surplus mausers that have been converted. It's alot like the .270/.280 story.
I have a .338-06 & would go this route due to the many greatt bullets here in the US. If I lived in Europe, the 8mm might make better sense. Good luck!

Chuck: The velocity spread is similar in the Sierra manual, but narrower in the Speer No. 12. In 8mm-06, Speer shows a max of 2762 fps with a 170-grain 8mm bullet over 51 grains of BL-C(2) from a 24-inch barrel. In .338-06, they show the 200-grain spitzer at 2773 over 63 grains of H4350 from a 23-inch barrel. One reason for conservatism with the 8mm-06 may be the fact that an military Mauser can simply be rechambered using the original barrel; early M98s are not as strong as post-WWI rifles. But a .338-06 usually involves a brand new barrel. I just had a .338-06 built on a Vz24 Mauser and I love it. With the Speer 275-grain bullet, at least on paper it is superior to the classic .318 Westley-Richards.

Oops. Sorry, Otto.

I have been working with my new 338-06 and I love it. 180-185 gr at 2950 fps for deer and caribou all the way up to Elk (Barnes X). 250 gr for anything in N. America and some in Africa. Bullet selection is much greater here for the 338 and they are very heavily constructed to handle the 338 WM,340 Wtby,and 338 RUM. I have been shooting the Barnes 185 BT-X into 3/4" at 100 and shoots as flat as a 270. Hope you enjoy whichever you chose.