For larger game like elk, moose, and bears would you prefer a 30/06 shooting 200 grain bullets, or would you rather use a 338/06 we 210 or 225 bullets?

If I already had a 338'06 (or a 35 Whelen or 9.3x62) I'd choose it over a 30'06 for the game you describe. But I would not feel at all unarmed equipped with a '06 loaded with a premium 180-200 grain bullet.

For me, bigger bullets make bigger holes. I love my .338-06 & the 210grNP was made for this round. Sure SD is below the 200gr/.308 but you can easily push the 210gr along at 2750fps. Penetration is all you could ask for, shoots as flat as the 180gr 06, 10% larger frontal area before impact, what's not to like? It just gets better though. Move up to a 225gr @ 2600fps or a 250gr @ 2450fps (some guys get more) & you are getting a serious moose or bear load.

quote:

Originally posted by Brent C.:
For larger game like elk, moose, and bears would you prefer a 30/06 shooting 200 grain bullets, or would you rather use a 338/06 we 210 or 225 bullets?

The 338/06 with 225's or 250's. The same way I'd prefer the 30-06 with 200's over a 270 with 150's over a 243 with 100's etc etc etc

In my years of hunting, though not as many as others, I have found that most people carry too much gun. Talk to any guide, outfitter, hunting agency personnel and they will tell you the same. Granted there are certain caliber and bullet size restrictions, but I would use which ever is more comfortable to you. If the .30-06 fits your shooting style or has something that makes it more comfortable by all means use it. Hunters and outfitters use 270's for moose, which is IMO a tougher animal than a black bear (maybe not a large Brown bear) so a .30-06 will definitely be able to handle it.

I would and have chose 338-06. I have been duly impressed by the last three elk I have shot with this cartridge. Two with the 210 Nosler Par @ 2730fps. One with the 210gr Barnes TSX @2850fps.

Compare: 308 vs 30-06 vs 300 mag vs 30 super mags.

338 Federal vs 338-06 vs 338WM vs 338 supe mags.

This round will do anything the 338WM will do. Just not as fast. A 250gr bullet @ 2400-2500fps will easily kill anything in NA. You may not get the spectacular bang flops that can come with high velocity rounds. But you will not be disappointed. It is a real hammer on deer.

They will both do the job, but I feel the 338 is better for bigger animals.

I have the 338/06.... which I will never be without one!... I also handload 30/06s and have seen what some reloading can do to improve upon them.... with H 4831 SC, pushing a 200 grainer to 2850 fps.....with no pressure signs, regardless of what all the armchair ballisticians of the world will tell ya!

I don't think you can go wrong either way....But having access to both... the 338/06 is the one always in the truck when I leave to go elk hunting and an O6 is in the truck as a back up rifle... if that means anything to ya....

There is no downside, it is whatever you feel best with....

cheers
seafire

Id suggest simply switching to a bullet that penetrates better.

Either a partition or a Barnes TSX, but in either case stick to the 180gr bullets
I don't believe that the 30-06 tosses 200gr or heavier bullets well enough to justify using them.

A 180gr nosler partition drivento just shy of 2900fps by a maximum charge (61/0gr) of RL22 should penetrate through and kill anything.
If you don't think it will then a 180gr Barnes TSX at the same speed might do better....


AllanD

Don't forget 30-06 can be loaded with 220 gr. or even 250 gr. for up close and personal hunting. I love my big bores,but I don't need them up here in Alaska.I ride a 500cc Atv, but used a 300cc for many years. It's not mission creep, its equipment creep. Why? Just because.

Allen, I run 61gr RL22 under a 180grNP out of my son's 06. From it's 22"bbl. I can only manage 2750fps. Seafire quotes some amazing vel. from his 06, are you guys using 26"bbls?

I used a .30-06 with 220 grain Nosler Partitions, 51.0 grains of IMR 4350 in new W-W brass for a South African plains game Safari in 2004. Nothing hit with the 220 grain Nosler got away, or required more than one shot at ranges out to 200 yards. Took Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, and a Blesbok, yeah and a lil Steenbok too. The 220 grain load has been around for years, yet is not all that common because of our love affair with high velocity, but it sure gets the job done!

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

I use the 06' with 200 gr. Speer spitzers. Why, because I have an 06'. I like High s.d. & b.c.. Plus, I can shoot more for less. If I had the time and more $ I would be shooting the .338 because I like the bigger hole it will produce. But, in reality, I have yet to have any game (deer or elk) get away from me with the 200gr Speer. My load, 57grs. of H-4350, w/CCI200 primer. Avg's 2560 fps from a 22" Bbl. and shoots 3-shot's into less than 1 moa @ 100 yds.

quote:

Originally posted by Trenton:
I use the 06' with 200 gr. Speer spitzers. Why, because I have an 06'. I like High s.d. & b.c.. Plus, I can shoot more for less. If I had the time and more $ I would be shooting the .338 because I like the bigger hole it will produce. But, in reality, I have yet to have any game (deer or elk) get away from me with the 200gr Speer. My load, 57grs. of H-4350, w/CCI200 primer. Avg's 2560 fps from a 22" Bbl. and shoots 3-shot's into less than 1 moa @ 100 yds.

My younger brother borrowed this rifle and load last season. He shot a Muley @ appx 125yds through the left rear qtr and the bullet exited through the rt. frt. shoulder. Being ignorant to bullet construction/performance, he complained about destroying meat. All I had to say was, "You bagged a Buck, Did you not?" He shut up.

I just loaded up some 200gr Speer spitzers cant wait to take them to the range this weekend. I also loaded up some 220gr round nose bullets. One of these will become my heavy weight hunting round. Will test out on coyotes first muhahahah

Seanyeager,

I have shot but one yote with the 200 grain speer. It was straight on in the chest, the bullet exited out his rear end.
His gut cavity dropped out like somebody opened his zipper.

The .30-06 properly handloaded with either a 180 or 200 grain A-Frame and 62,000 PSI behind it will be totally adequate for all the elk in North America.

The .338-06 is a bit more muscle.....but it's truly more than needed if you already own a .30-06

quote:

Seafire quotes some amazing vel. from his 06, are you guys using 26"bbls? Confused

fred,

It isn't so amazing, if you try it...

work up, of course.. but a little input from a guy over at Nosler, said they had pressure tested the same load and it was not over SAAMI specs.. why people don't publish, I don't know...

My load is using H 4831 SC...62.5 grains with a 200 grain Speer...2850 fps in a 24 inch model 70, and a 26 inch Enfield....2800 plus in a 22 inch Barrel Browning A bolt....Regular CCI large rifle primer....Winchester or Remington cases...

If anyone tries this load, work up.... We all have to be responsible for our own work....Don't substitute IMR 4831 for this load.. the powders are not interchangable....If ya don't know what you are doing... pass this by.. or get someone who knows what you are doing to load it up for ya....HOwever, this load has been safe in All OF MY 06's....

cheers
seafire

Used both for years, the 30-06 with 180 Nosler Part and the 338-06 with 210 and 225 Part.

Went back to the 30-06, sold the 338-06. I proably have killed more game with the 30-06 using handloaded 180 Nosler Part than any gun gun in my safe.

For Moose/big bear up here most the time I carry a 338 Win or 30-06.

Wow Sea, I can't get even close to that w/ RL22 in my son's Ruger. That's ok though, I have fast burners when I need more than my .280 or .338-06.

Fred:



cheers
seafire