quote:

BTW, i like the heavier bullets best..

That seems to be a vote for higher SD bullets.

Warrior

Nice looking rig there-what do you like for bullets in it?

Thx

Mark D

quote:

That seems to be a vote for higher SD bullets.

Personally i don't see any sense in useing bullets that won't give deep penetration, as i don't need anything this big to use as a "deer" rifle. That means for me, i've settled on two big game bullets... 250 NP's and the 275 Speer semi spitzer...

I remember a brown bear i shot with the Speer 275 that was "walking" quartering toward me.. The Speer entered the left front shoulder, broke it, and traveled the full length of the bear exiting out the right rear corner, showing good expansion all the way!

Another bear i remember, was already wounded when i shot it with the same bullet. It was hauling ass straight away from me and the bullet hit him in the "A" hole. It's butt was going "up" as it ran, so was higher as the bullet entered and went into the back bone. The bullet crushed a full 12" of back bone before exiting out the top of the hide... That put a end to the whole thing as it rolled to a stop!

Speer 275's at around 2400fps are great brown bear stoppers... And 250 NP's are a good all around bullet...

DM

I noticed that this was an old topic but have been contemplating a 338-06AI and was curious as to recoil. How does it compare to a 300 RUM or the standard .338 Win. I was going to buy a Kimber 8400 in .338 but have been bitten by the custom bug. I am not a rich man and will be saving and paying for it over time so I want to make the right choice. Any tips in barrel and just general custom tips would be appreciated. Thanx Guys

I'd guess about 80% of the Win mag recoil.

If wanting a lightweight big game rifle, a kimber barreled in 338-06 standard in my mind would be a logical choice, simple, very effective, and perhaps more shootable, but it is going to come back in a light gun, but less so than a magnum.

Now a 338 federal can be had factory, and it will get it done within 300 yds. Ask yourself just how far will you be typically hunting/shooting.

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Now a 338 federal can be had factory,

So can the .338-06 (well, ammo is) and it will push heavier bullets fast enough for the biggest animials in any of the 50 states!

Not sure if I may have confused you.

The 338 federal is the new 338 FEDERAL round that is on the 308 case. If you are asking if it will push a heavy bullet fast enough for the biggest north american animals, I say yes, at a range of 100 less yards than the 30-06 version.

To my mind a 338-06 is a SOLID 350-400 yd deer, elk, and similar size game rifle. Black bear as well, but Grizzly closer, and I think most bears are not often shot at long range for many reasons.

A 338 Federal, on the 308 case, with 180 x bullets, 210 partition, or even loaded with 225 partition or similar, will kill game well in my opinion just as a 358. I just don't see much advantage with either 308 based round other than preferred bullet choices. Obviously the 338 version will recoil less with similar BC/SD bullets, but a slightly larger 35 bore will cut a tad larger hole with a bullet if heavier, a little more momentum, but I contend a 225 in a 338 Federal should do in the field what a 250 gr 358 winchester does, alot at most practical ranges.

That said, if you plan on longer shots, or want the capability beyond 300 yds, on larger game, than a case larger than 308 is preferred, and the 30-06 case will drive a bullet faster to extend killing range by around 100 yds or so.

It is a shame all that said (and I am very fond of the 338 Federal), that more ammo and rifles are not currently mfg in 338-06, as I would think it would steal about half the 35 whelen and 338 win mag rifle and ammo sales.

Just my .02 of course.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
It is a shame all that said (and I am very fond of the 338 Federal), that more ammo and rifles are not currently mfg in 338-06, as I would think it would steal about half the 35 whelen and 338 win mag rifle and ammo sales.
Just my .02 of course.

The 338-06 is a great round for hunting just about anywhere. It would even make a decent antelope round w/ a 180gr SXT or NAB. For bigger game in close, 250gr anyhtings @ 2500fps. All this w/ tolerable recoil is a rifle that weighs 1# less than the avg. 338wm, what's not to like?

My hunting buddy and I each have one as does #3 grandson. Our standard bullet is the 210gr Nosler Partition. So far, the caliber and bullet has shown no faults on elk for us here in Colorado. Still haven't found one bullet after a number of years use. We also have .338 WSMs for fun, but jump to 225gr bullets there.

Your 210grNP is a great choice. It's almost like it was made for the 338-06. I have taken dozens of game animlas, many elk size & larger, & have only recovered one of them. It is my go to bullet but the exc. 200grNF is more accurate & may likely get the nod this year if I draw.

quote:

The 338 federal is the new 338 FEDERAL round that is on the 308 case. If you are asking if it will push a heavy bullet fast enough for the biggest north american animals, I say yes, at a range of 100 less yards than the 30-06 version.

How fast will the 338 Federal push a 275 or 300 grain bullet and still work in that short action?? Will be fast enough to expand well???

That's the bullets that gave me the kind of penetration needed when crawling through the alders mopping up someone elses "mess" on brown bears. 210NP's just weren't ment for that, and yes i have used them in the past.

Don't tell me i should have been carrying a "cannon" of some type for the above job, as my .338-06 worked perfectly for me for many years in those alders, as long as i loaded it with proper bullets... My bullet of choise is the 275 Speer...

Also, it is possible the bullet will hit an alder limb on it's way too...

As for elk sized animials, a "properly loaded" 30-06 is plenty of gun for them so "i" sure don't need to use my .338 on them.

My "above" point was/is, the .338-06 will do both jobs, and the .338 Fereral won't...

DM

quote:

Originally posted by DM:

quote:

The 338 federal is the new 338 FEDERAL round that is on the 308 case. If you are asking if it will push a heavy bullet fast enough for the biggest north american animals, I say yes, at a range of 100 less yards than the 30-06 version.

How fast will the 338 Federal push a 275 or 300 grain bullet and still work in that short action?? Will be fast enough to expand well???

That's the bullets that gave me the kind of penetration needed when crawling through the alders mopping up someone elses "mess" on brown bears. 210NP's just weren't ment for that, and yes i have used them in the past.

Don't tell me i should have been carrying a "cannon" of some type for the above job, as my .338-06 worked perfectly for me for many years in those alders, as long as i loaded it with proper bullets... My bullet of choise is the 275 Speer...

Also, it is possible the bullet will hit an alder limb on it's way too...

As for elk sized animials, a "properly loaded" 30-06 is plenty of gun for them so "i" sure don't need to use my .338 on them.

My "above" point was/is, the .338-06 will do both jobs, and the .338 Fereral won't...

DM

I can agree with preferring heavier bullets, but push comes to shove, a properly placed 225 partition should down any grizzly in my opinion, about as well as a 250gr 35 bore, esp. if you are using it up close where velocity gives expansion and penetration with energy.

It would not be my choice mind you, but I would not feel over 'undergunned' either, that said, I don't hunt bear, or have yet to. No desire for blackies myself, perhaps a grizzly, but doubt I will get on a hunt. If I do, I would likely choose something serious. I don't know if the 275's are still mfg or not, but a 250 would do alot in a 338-06 at 2450 or so.

With a properly loaded BLR for example, you would have some good short range fast firepower in 358 or 338 federal if they chamber it someday, and that would seem to be a good combo, of course a Marlin in a big bore would also. I read about an Alaskan hunter who used the lever Winchester repro like Teddy Roosevelt used, only he had '06 cases necked up to I believe 375 and 416 bore, or thereabouts, using 400 or so grain bullets. I imagine after tromping miles of back country, he felt qualified to choose what was comfortable and practical roaming large bear country.

I guess larger bore and heavier bullets often ease the anxiety about being 'properly armed' but I do say whatever you use, it must be reliable AND you must be able to hit with it. I shot a 416 magnum once, and I believe it would be better for me to use less gun for recoil management, i.e. follow up shots, that will hit something!

That 416 can do some serious killing, on both ends mind you! That said, my 338-06 I had was my choice as an all around medium bore after having researched it greatly, reading Aaggard, Elmer Keith 333 OKH, and many others who were before my time. I shot it very well, and it thumped very hard, the game I hit with it. Flattened them for the most part, literally.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:

It is a shame all that said (and I am very fond of the 338 Federal), that more ammo and rifles are not currently mfg in 338-06, as I would think it would steal about half the 35 whelen and 338 win mag rifle and ammo sales.

Just my .02 of course.

Time to petition Hornady and Ruger! A-Square SAAMIed it. We just need it brought out in affordable rifles, i.e. not Weatherby or A-Square. Also Nosler loads factory.