There have been a lot of discussions about this. The 200 gr. Nosler BT is supposed to be pretty tough, and the 210 gr. Nosler Partition has a good reputation. The 225 gr. Hornady is also good. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these. I'm not sure what you mean by a premium bullet, but I don't think any decent .338 bullet at .338-06 velocities is going to be a problem. It's just not a fussy caliber, which is one reason I love mine.

After four months of planning, a few minor financial set backs (Did anyone know that a transfer case for a '98 F150 costs $2400 to replace?), and some pretty shameless begging, my wife finally gave me the all clear to send my rifle off to be rebarreled. While this is being done, I want to start loading up ammunition for when the gun gets here.

The problem is that I have no idea where to start. I am really curious about what powders and bullets have worked best for everyone else.

I want to find one load to use for all my hunting. This going to involve black bear, deer, and elk. I'm not sure if I need a premium bullet or if something like a Hornady Interlock will work. I have been thinking about using a 225gr bullet, any thoughts?

I have also been told that .338 cal bullets are more heavily constructed than similar bullets in smaller calibers. Is there any truth to this? If so, would a 200 gr Nosler BT work as an all-round bullet?

I would love to hear from anyone with some experience with a .338-06. Thanks,
Andrew

I am using WW cases with WW "combo primers", a 210 grain Nosler Partition bullet and 64.0 gr. of H414. It's a little warm in my Mauser, so start with less,
and work up.

This is what my .338-06 can do with the 225 Hornady SP when shot off the bench. The load consists of a near max load of IMR 4064 in a R.P. case.

This 100 yard, 5 shot group measures at just under an inch (13/16" to be exact)

3 loads I standardize on:

62.5 grains of H 380 and a 225 grain bullet (take your pick on brand). In a 24 inch barreled Winchester Model 70, it chronographs at 2700 to 2775 fps.

50 grains of IMR 4064. This is a versatile load. The cool thing is if you use bullet weighs from 200 grains to 250 grains, your muzzle velocity will be 2500 fps. ( + or - 25 fps)
Gives pretty much same point of impact at 100 yds.

60 grains of H 380, 250 grain Hornady Round Nose. 2650 fps, and very accurate.

CCI or Federal Large Rifle primers used in all the above./

I have tried a lot of different powders and with the 210 bullets Varget 56 gr worked the best.Chrono'd at 2730 and 3/4" groups.I don't like the 180-200 BTs I tried them on game this year and was not happy with the results.

I have settled on the exc. Nosler 210gr part. for everything in my .338-06. 53.5gr RL15 or IMR4320 gives me 1-1 1/4" groups @ about 2700fps from my 22 1/2"bbl. For a timber load, 250gr Hornady or Speer GS over 61gr RL19. These get out a bit over 2400fps but penetrate like crazy. I've only every recovered one of those 210grNPs & I have teaken Duiker to elk & zebra. Great caliber, you'll be happy w/ it.

After a bunch of figuring on this, I've decided that the capacity of the 338-06 is about perfect for the 200-210 gr bullets. I use a 200 gr Hornady for deer and the like, and 210 Noslers for elk and others that may require the better penetration. Deer are not nearly as tough as people think. They just don't need (deserve?) a premium bullet. The cheap Hornadys will do everything needed on them and similar game.



Beneath these bullets is a goodly charge of Varget and a CCI LR primer. Keep in mind that I'm shooting the AI version of the 338-06, so my values will not work for you without some reduction. I've got a 24" bbl on a mauser action. For the 200 gr Hornady:

55 gr = 2763 fps (starting level)

up to

61 gr = 3049 fps

I quit there because I ran out of powder, but I get the feeling that I was about topped out anyway.



I ran the 210 Noslers up to 57 gr Varget for 2944 fps, and that was getting too warm I think. I dropped back down to 56.5 gr for a typical hunting load. With either of these loads, I can zero at 100 yds and only be 3" low at 200 yds. Plenty good out to 300 yds with a bit of higher hold if need be.



Note that Hodgdon recommends loads for the standard 338-06 with 200/210 gr bullets as follows:

Varget 43.5 - 57.3 gr

H380 54.5 - 58.5 gr

I am planning to try H380 in this cartridge as well. I have had great results with it in other rounds, but just have not taken the time to test it here. I am not seeing a great difference in powder use for the 210 Nosler. My maximum is about the same as recommended for the standard 338-06. Sometimes the Improved version does not add a lot of performance - but then again, every rifle is different! I do see a marked gain with the 200 gr Hornadys, so again, you should try a few things and see what shoots the best in your particular rifle. Hope this helps out. maxman