Other than the page of 'who's got the biggest gun' posts, this was one of the best threads I've read in awhile. I don't have a 338-06 yet but I'm planning on putting one together this year. Looking to do either a straight 338-06 or the JDJ version for an Encore or rebarreling a Sako. Either way I'm looking forward to the project.

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It all depends on where you draw the line on "how big is big enough?" for power, diameter, mass, etc. Nearly an endless debate.

Truer words never spoken. Gun debates are like driving on the freeway...anybody driving slower is a moron, anyone driving faster is a maniac.

Question for those of you who reload the .338-06 not using .338-06 brass.

Do you neck down .35 Whelen brass or do you neck up .30-06 brass? Which is the better way to go?

Do you use a full size die or neck resizing die?

Thanks in advance.

I neck up with a Redding Neck Type B Sizing die.

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Do you neck down .35 Whelen brass or do you neck up .30-06 brass?

Lapua makes 30-06 brass so no question I'd go that route.

My best success making 338-06 brass from 30-06 has been tsking the neck up to .366 and then back to .338. This assures I can get the headspace right for the first firing.

and ... Yes the headspace of my rifle was set and checked (at Douglas Barrels)

Here is my experience with the 338-06. Changed a Win mod 670 ranger from 270 with a ER Shaw 24 in barrel.haven't loaded anything larger than 225 SST/Accubonds but they get 2700 with H4350 or IMR 4320 3/4" 3 shot groups. My favorite elk load is 200 Accubonds with IMR 4064 at 2850-2900 dropped a 5x6 bull at 250 yds with all four legs just folding. Same rifle had to put down a wounded bull who was leaving the country same effect on target. Next year used a 200 Norhtfork on a cow at 250 she went maybe 50 yds.lately I loaded up some 185 MRX with 4064 moderate load at 2900 two touching and the 3rd about .5" low right which I think I pulled a little looks like the next elk load.I have never recovered a bullet complete penetration Nosler 210 Part don't seem to shoot in my gun.The 250's are too much bullet for anything I hunt. I have taken a bull and cow with my 7mm RM w/160 and 175 gr but effect on target was not even close to the 338-06. Just my experience with it.

Your elk experience sounds like what others have posted in the past. I think FN in MT shares a similar story about a bull elk he shot with his 338-06 using perhaps a similar bullet weight.

Since this caliber mimics the old 318 WR I wonder how it would be to use cup and core 250 gr bullets at about 2450 fps as a walk around rifle setup like it was originally designed for?

JSL3170, I think a combo like that would be great. The Hornady 250 SP comes to mind or the Speer Hot Core. However if Big Bears are about then it would be the nosler 250 Part. or the Barnes 225 TSX

I've actually got a box of those Hornday bullets sitting on the reloading bench at my dad's.

I thumbed through my well-worn copy of Rifles for Africa, by Gregor Woods, and he mentioned the 338-06 as simply one of the finest bushveld rifles he ever saw. He then described the popularity of the 338 Sabi (seems akin to the 338-06 AI) built for lower operating pressures amongst many South African hunters. He suggested lightweight, short barrelled rifles with a 250 gr SP loaded to about 2350 fps was pretty much the answer to the maiden's prayer for what most of us hunt at distances most of us shoot.

Regardless, my M70 goes out the door to the gunsmith's on December 1st.

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Originally posted by Rob1SG:
JSL3170, I think a combo like that would be great. The Hornady 250 SP comes to mind or the Speer Hot Core. However if Big Bears are about then it would be the nosler 250 Part. or the Barnes 225 TSX

If, big bears are about and numerous, as they are here in BC and you want to use the .338OKH, go to a 275SAF at 2300 and call it good. You want to put a BIG HOLE in a big bear and a BIG bullet does this best.

With our large and rapidly growing Grizzly population here and the major increase in attacks in recent years, many guys are packing .375s and .416s and not feeling "over-gunned" whatever the hell that is.

All in all, a good heavy slug in the .338OKH is a pretty good tool for this particular task.

Dewey, Great advice Swift is like the Partition just more of the same.Good to have somebody with real world experience join in.

My fav big bear bullet in the .338-06 is the 275 Speer. It will penetrate corner to corner in a big bear, with good expansion, i've done this myself so this isn't second hand info.. It's always what i have in my rifle when i was doing follow up on big bears. I'd bet Swifts are too though for 338-06 velocities, as they are tougher than an NP.

My second choise is the 250NP, and i also think the 250NP is the best all around bullet for the 338-06, IF you are hunting something bigger than deer.

Deer are easy to kill, pretty much any bullet will work when you are over gunned, and you ARE overgunned for deer with an .338-06.

DM

Put my brownie down with one 250 A Frame from the 338-06. He thought it was good to go!

you guys with 'em need to post pics of your 338-06s for us guys wishin about 'em!

I am still planning to build one and agree that it should be built to shoot the 210 to 250 grain bullets. It really is counter productive, IMO, to load it with 180 to 200 grainer unless you don't have anything lighter. Most of us usually do!

I am still milling over the configuration, barrel contour, sights or not, laminate or glass stock, etc... I have been reading much on the 9.3x62 which is more readily available and begs the question, If I get the one do I need the other?

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Originally posted by jsl3170:
you guys with 'em need to post pics of your 338-06s for us guys wishin about 'em!

Think I've posted this one before but here it is.


M700ADL, trued and fitted by Mickey Coleman, 23" Douglas #3 Stainless, Remmy Ti takeoff stock, weighs just under 7.5 lbs with the VXII 2-7 mounted. Shoots 1 1/4" +/- with 200 Hornadys, 210 Partitions, 210 TSXs, 225 Hornadys and 225 Accubonds. Been thinking of selling it but I've got too much in it. I doubt I'll make it back to the elk mountains and sure don't need it for deer.

I think it would be interesting if anyone had a few loaded rounds to post pics of beside say, a 30 06 for comparison sake.

and while we're at it, what other calibers would make a good pairing with our friend, the 338-06 for NA?

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Originally posted by jsl3170:
I think it would be interesting if anyone had a few loaded rounds to post pics of beside say, a 30 06 for comparison sake.

and while we're at it, what other calibers would make a good pairing with our friend, the 338-06 for NA?

The .338-06 will cover pretty much everything in the U.S., but my main "go to" huntin' guns are a .243, 8x57, .338-06AI, .300 WM, and a little .375 Ruger. That said I want just one more rifle, and am thinking of gettin one of those little Kimber 84Ls in .30-06, and having it rebarreled with a Kreiger, again chambered for the .338-06. That's how much I like that caliber.

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Originally posted by jsl3170:
you guys with 'em need to post pics of your 338-06s for us guys wishin about 'em!

DM

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
you guys with 'em need to post pics of your 338-06s for us guys wishin about 'em!

As you wish !!

Sako m75 Greywolf 338-06 Ackley Improved with Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 scope. Shoots 225gr Accubonds and TTSX's. Last pic is with new Norma brass stamped 338-06 loaded medium/hot to fireform brass.







Should of taken this rifle out to moose camp this year-took a sweet bull with my buddies..used my Sako m75ss 300WM-my traditional moose camp rifle since 1997.

Here's one I just found:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=203351089

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Originally posted by Kabluewy:
I would like to read some more discussion about the 338-06. The more I think about it the more appealing that cartridge seems. From what I know, the old 318 Westley Richards was close to the 338-06, and the reputation of the old cartridge was great, based on the info I read.

Also, I would like to read what you guys think of a 12" twist rate in the 338-06, since up to the 250 gr bullet should stabilize just great in that twist. Besides, the bullet weight range that I think most likely to be used is 200-225 gr.

KB

Assembly of parts are now on the way to become my 338-06.
Benchmark 1-10" twist with 5R rifling. I asked for finished length to be 23".
Action is a trued 700, stock is a Bell & Carlson #2963 ( Weatherby style Medalist)
It is painted dark green with black spiderwebs.
Atlasworxs bottom metal and a Gentry 3 position safety.
The trigger will be reshaped slimmed and brought to a respectable 2.5 lbs.
Because the AICS mag can accommodate a 3.6" OAL, it'll be throated to accept a 210 TSX
seated at level with the base of the neck.
Brass will be Lapua and the dies shall be Redding.
I'm hoping RL-17 works.

I'm getting excited!!

I'm surprised this thread is still going.
I finally got my Kimber Montana and had it bored for the standard .338-06.
It is by far my favorite rifle and caliber. It weighs in right at 6-1/2 lbs scoped, and is a joy to carry all day long, and I see zero difference in reaction between it and the Win Mag. when used on game, except that the .338-06 recoils a bit less.
I now have three standard .338-06 rifles and one Improved version.
I have settled on a 250 grain bullet for all with a full charge of IMR4350. This seems to produce the highest velocities with this heavy bullet in my rifles and accuracy is extremely good.
My old '1916 Mauser with peep sights works very well in the pouring rain out to 300 yards with a 250 gr. round nose Hornady.
I see no real need for lighter spritzer bullets and they're higher velocities in this caliber.
If you can aim correctly the heavier bullets definitely tell better for my tastes than the light bullets.
Cheers!

If you want to close the gap even more between the 338-06 and the 338 Win Mag, try the 338 Gibbs.

I now have a 338 Gibbs (it used to be a 338-06 AI), HVA Mauser Action, 26" Lilja Barrel, Canjar trigger

66 gr. Re17/200 gr Accubond/3006 fps/~4000+ ft# muzzle energy

64 gr. Re17/210 gr Scirocco/2927 fps/~4000+ ft# muzzle energy

64 gr. Re17/225 gr Speer BT/2861 fps/~4000+ ft# muzzle energy

Hot loads, but room to spare with GOOD solid/tight pockets, easy bolt lift - I'm very pleased.