Hello Folks: I recently had a Winchester Model 70 Pre WWII 30/06 converted to an 338-06AI. I did this because I had worn the barrel out in 50 short years. It's an easy conversion and I am very happy with the results. Pac-Nor provided all the barrel and rifle work and if you want to get your money worth on some rifle work I suggest this fine company.
Through the suggestion of another rifleman with this caliber rifle I worked up a load of IMR4320, and 55.5 grains of powder. I have not had the velocity checked yet but I'm fairly certain of the "range" it shoots in. 2700-2800fps is the usual velocity with a 24" barrel. I am very satisfied with this combination (Nosler Part.210 grain) but my natural curiosity leads me to ask others what they are experiencing with other load combinations??? I'm also curious about what other Premium bullets others are using? I am especially curious about the Hornady Interlock bullet. I have heard some good things about this bullet and it sells for a very reasonable price. If it is as good as some say I would convert to it in a minute. I believe it costs about half that of the Noslers.
So, if any of you folks have some information on this caliber and bullet use I would be grateful to read about it. I'm primarily using the bullet for elk and black bear. Thank you and good luck. Jim

Hardley welcome aboard. I shoot a 338/06 & really like the Hornady 200 & 225's with IMR 4320.

[ 10-10-2002, 17:13: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

Hardley06,
There is a thread on the 338-06 going over on the Big Game board check it out. And welcome to the 338-06 club. There are several of us that post on the 338-06, so you will get plenty of responses on this great round.

C-ROY

I'm also one of those .338-06 guys. I pretty much settled on the 210grNP for all of my hunting needs. The 250grNP also shoots well & I might choose the heavier bullet for moose or bear.
I have also shot the Speer 200gr (cheaper than the Nolser w/ the same POI). I have never been able to get any of the 225gr bullets to shoot well (under 1 1/2"), go figure? You might try RL15 in your AI, IMR or H4350 may also give good performance in the slightly larger case. Welcome to the group.

Glad to be in the company of such knowledgeable folks!

I too have a .338-'06 AI built by RW Hart on Rem 700 action, 24" stainless barrel w/muzzle brake and H+S Precision stock. Only kicks like a .243 is absolutely true.
I'm going to Namibia for plains game and need a suitable load for the larger species; kudu, gemsbok, hartebeast. Every safari website I looked at demands premium bullets, so I decided to go with 225 grain Barnes "X" FB as all of the factory .338 mags use that weight. But all the talk here centers on the 210 Partition.
Bobby Hart the gunbuilder, swears by the Nosler 180 grain Ballistic Tip and he's got trophies to prove it. I always thought they were too fragile for that purpose. I haven't worked up any loads yet for the Barnes bullets. Did I make a mistake choosing them?
I'm also apprehensive at using a bullet that's designed to go straight through such an animal. I was raised on the Remington Core-lokt, deadliest mushroom in the woods.

Ray A. has said it here before; the 210grNP jsut plain works. I think it works even better @ the velocity of the .338-06/.338-06AI. If your rifle handles the 'X', then by all means use it. I would go w/ the 210gr 'X' as well. Striking vel. will be a bit higher, giving you a bit more expansion. Good luck on your trip.