The 338/06 has to be one of the easiest wildcats to form & load for. I really like mine.

thats right...most of us here are pretty hands on and actually like doing this stuff

quote:

and accuracy was still under an inch for five shots.

Good honest group, a lot of these wonder groups are 3 shots, or want to throw out the flier. That isn't 1/2" MOA, any rifle that can shoot three 5 round groups in a row and hold 1/2" MOA is a keeper even ifs it butt ugly. I have seen rifles that will better this but they are rare birds indeed. And usually had big bucks tied up to get another .10 MOA trimmed off.

I just loaded 25 rounds to break in the barrel of a new 338 Win Mag. The load consists of WW brass, 200 grain Speers, CCI 250 primers, and 69 grains of IMR 4350. Noslers book says it will run about 2752fps. I expect a bit less, say 2700. Again, this is a load just to break in the barrel. It will be accurate enough.

The same book lists the 338-06 pushing a 200 grain bullet with 60 grains of IMR 4350 at 2610.

I don't see the advantage of the 338-06, considering that it's primarily a "Reloaders" cartridge... pretty easy for me to back off the powder and get to that velocity, and I'm sure I could develop a load that was plenty accurate.

Not being critical of anyone who has one, but why? I wanted one for awhile a few years ago, but the more I thought about it, it just didn't make any sense. Like Allen said, you can do anything with the 338 Win Mag, that you can with the 338-06, but when you want to rachet up the power, you have that option to.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I've been fiddling around with the new Accubonds by Nosler in one of my other 388's. Velocity is 2827 fps on average, accuracy runs around 3/4 of an inch, energy is 4009 fpe at a hundred yards. With a 200 yard zero, it's about 7 inches low at 300 yards, 21 at 400. And the energy at 400 yards is still 2400 fpe. All reports say they hold together better than the Partitions, if that proves true for me, I'll have a new bullet as my primary go to load.

I think I'll stick with the best of the .338 bore cartridges, the 338 Win Mag...

quote:

Winchester Custom Shop lists a 338-06 as one of their available calibers for those that want a factory gun.

WHere did you see this? I perused the WInchester web site and didn't find any listing of 338-06. Although if I was dropping the money on a high dollar Winchester custom rifle, I would slide into the 338 Mag camp. Big dollar wildacts ( which I admit the 338-06 falls almost into that camp ) don't interest me much as the resale value usually is terrible.

No for this the be really successful it needs to be chambered in a standard rifle, not enough custom Winchesters are sold to change this from the semi-wildcat status its in.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
bfaucett...thanks for bringing up the 318 wr...nobody badmouths that chambering, probably because it runs in the multiple thousands of dollars just to get one. everyone loved it. this is the poor mans 318 wr. what do all you cart snobs say to this?

.

I am one of these "snobs" you are referring to, and I am feeling real good about it !
For me it sounds of a inferior complex when reading your post, but excuse me though if I am wrong. Because some CAN effort to have a .318WR doesn`t make them snob. The whole world can not be judged according to your wellfare check!

wow!

jens...

thats a pretty name i dont know if i should slap you like a whore who likes it or beat the crap out of you like a man. you dont talk like this here and hide behind the net in denmark. if you have money thats great. if you have a 318 wr thats even better hope you have fun with it. the "snob" aspect i am refering to is that if it does not have a "pedigree" it's crap. the only way to insult another man personaly is to his face so keep your future comments to yourself. i admire your balls but i am not afraid to kick you in the balls. now play nice or go find another forum to brag about the contents of your gun safe.


Posted 09 June 2005 17:54
I am not a fan of "blowups". My wallet doesn`t permit me so !, I just hate to any rifleaction
going caaabooooom!.
Posts: 20 | Location: Denmark | Registered: 09 June 2005

isnt this your post jens????????

sounds like your not the bilionaire you make yourself out to be.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
wow!sounds like your not the bilionaire you make yourself out to be.

I, unfurtunatly, have to work like most people and regardlessly howmuch I can save up, I hate seeing things being wasted. Yes ...you`ve guessed it I am not a bilionaire!. I believe however it is much easier to defend ones point of view, rather than attacking others. It looks much so better and sounds better too.

I truly believe the biblical statement: Whatever lies on a mans heart, his mouth will overflow with!

Jbab, didn't you read the other posts? A lighter, handier rifle that kicks a bit less & delivers 90% of the perf. of a .338wm. Ok, so it's a 300yds round instead of a 350yd, the point? Plus you get one extra round down. I just don't see a down side other than you have to handload, but then you have to handload the .338wm to get those "lighter" loads. Don't get me wrong, I own a .338mag (not a WinMag though, someday), but there just aren't any flies on the ole .338-06.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
Jbab, didn't you read the other posts? A lighter, handier rifle that kicks a bit less & delivers 90% of the perf. of a .338wm. Ok, so it's a 300yds round instead of a 350yd, the point? Plus you get one extra round down. I just don't see a down side other than you have to handload, but then you have to handload the .338wm to get those "lighter" loads. Don't get me wrong, I own a .338mag (not a WinMag though, someday), but there just aren't any flies on the ole .338-06.

thanks for saving me the typing fredj338!

The downside is you have to get a custom gun built for the round. It's akin to getting a custom 300 savage built, because the 308 win kicks too much, or like buying a 1300cc motorcycle, but having the cylinders sleeved and new pistons fit to make it a 1000cc, since the 1300 was too fast?

I've played with my fair share of wildcats and oddball rounds, and the allure is well and goodly dead.

Midway has a pile of really nice 338-06 bbls for the Encore rifle, AND they are ON SALE. Got mine for $213 and popped it on my frame in 30 seconds. Does were $26.

I have worked with 180, 200, 210 225 250 and 300 grain bullets and nine different powders. It is the most flexible, forgiving and fun round i have ever worked with. I have owned and sold both a 338 Win Mag and a 338 RUM, but I will never tire of this 338-06.

The whole wonderful point here is that there is something for everyone in a 338. And if the 338-06 or 338-06 AI isn't odd enough for you there's still the 338-308 which has a real following; the 338-303, 338-378 (which by the way I hear can be downloaded to match the 338 Win Mag), the 338-444, 338-225 Win (I know those have trade names but I'm thinking cases here...), the 338 Rhino, 338 Lapua, 338 ad infinitum.

Its just a great bullet no matter what case you use.

Schromf,

It was listed as one of the Custom Gunshop calibers they would chamber in either their 2003 or 2004 catalog. After I read your post, I went out and looked and, like you, couldn't find it. They still list the 35 Whelen for the Model 70 Ultimate Custom Classic, so my guess is that if someone wanted to part w/ $3000. for one of their guns, they'd chamber it in 338-06. I didn't take the time to download their 2003 & 2004 catalogs, but I'm sure I could find it. I'll call Leslie at the Custom Shop tomorrow morning and ask her. it's too late to reach them today.

brianbo,

I was just curious, I am not really interested in a custom Winchester in this caliber. If I had to have one I would get a 30-06 supergrade and rebarrel it.

Allen Day, thanks for your post on downloading the .338mag. A lot have mentioned doing this, but I don't remember seeing results. I have had two .338's and it is a fine cartridge.

For those others who keep saying why do you want a .338-06 when you can get the .338mag--it is simple--because we want one.

quote:

Originally posted by Sabot:
Midway has a pile of really nice 338-06 bbls for the Encore rifle, AND they are ON SALE. Got mine for $213 and popped it on my frame in 30 seconds. Does were $26.

I have worked with 180, 200, 210 225 250 and 300 grain bullets and nine different powders. It is the most flexible, forgiving and fun round i have ever worked with. I have owned and sold both a 338 Win Mag and a 338 RUM, but I will never tire of this 338-06.

sabot...please share your loads with us!!!

Exactly Tiggertate, & don't forget my favorite Ruger #1; the .338x74 Kieth. yeah I could have just bought a .338winmag, but I like shooting something a wee bit different. Besides, the 4"OAL looks way cool.

quote:

The downside is you have to get a custom gun built for the round. It's akin to getting a custom 300 savage built, because the 308 win kicks too much, or like buying a 1300cc motorcycle, but having the cylinders sleeved and new pistons fit to make it a 1000cc, since the 1300 was too fast?

I've played with my fair share of wildcats and oddball rounds, and the allure is well and goodly dead.

fredj338,

Please tell me more about the 338x74.

It's a rimmed case, really works great in the Ruger #1. It starts w/ a 9.3x74R, I use Norma or RWS (prefer the RWS), neck down & fireform. The original case gets "improved" on firing. The case cap. is pretty close to the .338wm. in cap.

Amazing Boomstick, someone asks for opinnions on these forums, then if someone disagrees with them they are bashers...Now I ask you, whats wrong with that picture...

I shot the 338-06 for years, in fact, until the advent of the .338 Win. I came to the conclusion that the .338 had every advantage over the .338-06 based on shooting game and a lot of it...not on some gun article or whatever..so whey asked I voice my opinnion as follows:

1. There is no difference in recoil contrary to some reports as far as I can tell.

2. Both can be had on the SAME action.

3. The .338 Win can be loaded down to duplicate the 338-06 but not the reverse.

4. The .338 is considerably more powerful and has a wider range of usefullness.

5. .338 brass is not expensive, and that to me was never a justification for a rifle.

6. The 338-06 was and for all practical purposes is still a wildcat round of sorts.

7. With the .338 Win there is no fireforming cases, no case loss, nor any of the problems that go with wildcatting and I know the 338-06 was one of the better wildcats as was the 35 Whelen, but the 9.3x62 was and is a better round IMO...

The bottom line is that is not bashing, thats an opinnion, one can take it or leave it, thats what these boards are about, if we all agreed then we would have no reason for these boards..
Now if the 45-70 boys could just figgure that out we would be just fine.

So if you dislike someone elses opinnion then why ask for it?

Ray, that was a great and honest post

AD

ouch! i AM one of those 45-70 people grrrrrr

i am not a self deluded true believer drink my own cool-aid type, but the 45-70 properly loaded and the right bullet is awesome under 200 yards and especially in the thick stuff with fast follow ups. it is my guide gun where i get my handle "boom stick" it is just the most appropriate name for it. either that or boom...flop! it's my favorite gun bar none.

there is the other side too, if it is not a $15,000 double rifle than its crap. if it is not a bolt action mauser than its crap it is like the different denominations in christianity calling eachother names when they are the same religion. we here are the same religion...gun nuts! there is not much rational here but people believe in their guns and bullets so much it can only be described as FAITH.

i agree there is honest disagreement and just plain "not for me" or "i'd rather have_______"
but people here go to great lengths and spend as much as half their income and time in guns, gear, cabins boats cammo game calls you name it. i love it! it is better than box seats at whatever sport for me. being connected with nature and the thrill of the hunt and time spent with good friends, i dare say some people call this...heaven. so for the average gun nut reloading fire forming or whatever is FUN! its like a good dream that will keep a smile on your face all day and when people ask you why you are so happy and you say "i just handloaded the new barnes x tripple shock bullets and cant wait to use them" they will want to keep a distance or call the fbi on your but but you njust smile and say "nothing"

we are all different but pretty much the same here and if you are like me and live in california not many people can understand you and this is like your support group

By Golly, the things we have to do, just to feed the wife and young'uns. The worst is, what kind of appreciation do we get? For example......

"What did you DO to the back of your pants"?

"It's going to cost HOW MUCH" to get those stupid horns stuck up on the wall"?

"What's wrong with the guns you already have"?

"If you have to shoot something, isn't there something a heck of a lot closer than having to travel across the country"?

"Why don't you just give all that meat to your relatives? They probably won't like it either."

does this sould familliar???

the 338-06 is not the 338 win mag, i just think it suits me for an all around large game gun. its my second favorite round.

much respect and no hate

cant we all just get along...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by boom stick:
we are all different but pretty much the same here and if you are like me and live in California not many people can understand you and this is like your support group
QUOTE]

You said that right, brother! I recently spent some time in San Jose for some training. During a break, I was telling this guy about a boar hunt I was on last year. I couldn't begin to tell you how much anger I got back from about 60% of those in the class! Apparently "tolerance" is not a two-way street.

When that class was over, I hightailed my a$$ back to Bakersfield (Buck Owens country) faster than two pole smokers will exchange fluids.


This is why I'm looking to get out of this state.

I escaped from Kalifornia over 8 years ago, I haven't been back since, nor have I any desire. When you live somewhere else, then you'll fully understand exactly how bad it really is.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul H:
I escaped from Kalifornia over 8 years ago, I haven't been back since, nor have I any desire. When you live somewhere else, then you'll fully understand exactly how bad it really is.

My wife's parent's are starting to "get up there" if you know what I mean, and we have to remain here for a while longer. For their sake, I don't really mind. After that, I'm gone. I'm looking for a small track of hunting property in Colorado/Idaho/Montana/etc now. Something with a small cabin on it where I'll be able to let my boy take his first deer.

I couldn't really give a hoot about this state anymore though, to be honest. The whole state is controlled by the GBay area and L.A. I wish they would break the state up, then we might have a chance in the central valley where I live. They want to put serial numbers on bullets! WTF? It is a damned Socialist state. I'm lucky enough to live where I do, regardless of the air quality.

The thread has been Hee hee hee!
Frankly, I think bashing kalifornia is more productive than bashing the .338-06. Does that bring the thread back on track? Seriously, I left the land of fruits, nuts, and flakes in 1970, only returning for very short stays to visit family. Now that they're all dead, it would take an act of God to get me back there. I know when I've got it good.
I don't have any use for a .338-06 because I already have a .35 Whelen and a .338 Win. mag. Probably, if I hadn't gotten those two, I just might have built up a .338-06. Who knows? I just might yet.
Paul B.

No matter how you cut it, a .338-06 is an answer in search of a question. It won't do a damn thing a .30-06 won't do, and it sure as hell won't do what a .338 WM. will do. It's about as useful as an 11/16 wrench.

Have one (or half a dozen) if you want, but arguing about how wonderful it is makes as much sense as arguing about what width of chrome strip is better down the side of an Edsel.

Ah Paul, some of us can't help that we live here. I have bought some property out of state & will hopefully be gone in 5-6 years. I like to shoot & hunt & Kalif. is just about the most inhospitable place to do either. Hey, but the weather is great! I hope the lefties keep moving here, especially the ones w/ money. My house will need a new owner.

quote:

Originally posted by Tumbleweed:
It's about as useful as an 11/16 wrench.

quote:

It's about as useful as an 11/16 wrench

Since about 1/2 the bolts on my 1 ton Ford are 11/16's I would comment that its pretty darn good for the application.

quote:

Originally posted by schromf:

quote:

It's about as useful as an 11/16 wrench

Since about 1/2 the bolts on my 1 ton Ford are 11/16's I would comment that its pretty darn good for the application.

What year was this truck made? Are you sure they are 11/16 bolts or some metric size that a 11/16 wrench fits over?

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by Tumbleweed:
No matter how you cut it, a .338-06 is an answer in search of a question. It won't do a damn thing a .30-06 won't do, and it sure as hell won't do what a .338 WM. will do. It's about as useful as an 11/16 wrench.

Have one (or half a dozen) if you want, but arguing about how wonderful it is makes as much sense as arguing about what width of chrome strip is better down the side of an Edsel.

I have two Fords actually, both use them one is a 64 and the 1 Ton is a 71, but I put an older 429 in it that I bored and stroked out 484 cu in.

But my 2500 4X4 Suburban has them scattered around also, just not a common.

Obviously Tumbleweed hasn't read all of the posts.

One could just as easily say that hunting with a 30-06 is like driving a 70 white BelAir 4 dr with black painted rims, 2 speed auto and a 307 2 bbl. Gets the job done if you don't fall asleep looking at it.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
Obviously Tumbleweed hasn't read all of the posts.

Naaahhh....I just read the headline; somebody said "stop the bashing"....how could I resist bashing, after that? .. if a .338-06 is what floats your boat, go for it. Hell, I even have some 11/16 wrenches.

In conclusion, I really had this caliber in the down select on a model 70 build I am currently embarked on. I opted for a 280 rem in the end. I was not wanting to open up the bolt face on the build to a mag case, so I had self impossed restrictions.

But without readily available factory fodder, I side with the 338 mag guys on this one, its a lot simpler, I can load the mag down or up which is definately more flexible, and finding a rifle isn't a gunsmithing project ( yes I know its straight forward and reletively simple but it adds cost ).

The 338-06 is still a good cartridge though, if I had one in my safe that shot well I doubt real seriously I would be looking to rebarrel or rechamber it, and have a strong suspition it would get a fair amount of field use.

My my, this is humorous.. We are certianly digging deep to find reasons NOT to get a 338-06 arent we?

The fact that a magnum crazed manufacturer like Wetherby found a place for it among their line of blunderbusses speaks volumes of its virtues.

I see this debate as being no different than any other chambering debate. I can name off about a thousand chamberings that "I" have no use for, including the 300 Wm and the 338 Wm, but it is all a matter of personal preferance, isnt it!!

I like the "why bother with a 338 WM when you can load down an ultra" take.

Same reasoning that so many WM advocates find so usefull.

They all go bang and drive bullets down the bore, use whatever suits you and get off those who choose something you dont..