Does anyone shoot this caliber? I just picked one up and would like some feed back good or bad on this cartridge. I will be hunting Black Bear & whitetail. Thanks for your replies!!!

Great cartridge!

I use 210 Nosler PTs in mine. Really puts the thump on elk. I'm sure you will be very pleased with yours.

Edited to add -
Welcome to the board, I see this is your first post.

[ 03-13-2003, 00:05: Message edited by: Elkslayer ]

I've been hunting w/ a semi-custom Ruger M77 in .338-06 for (10) years now & really like this caliber. I have taken Duiker to elk, zebra & Kudu w/ mine. It really hammers deer size game to any reasonable range & is great for elk size game out to 300 yds or so. My favorite load is also the 210gr NP over RL15 or IMR4320. It's very efficient, you'll like it.

I've had mine for a couple of years but have yet to take anything with it.For deer and black bears check out either the 180/185gr at about 3000 fps or the 200 at 2800 to 2900 range.If you want some data let me know I have collected a bunch. Just start 10% below and work up to your max.You'll love it.

I'm in the same boat as Rob, I've started shooting one but am yet to kill anything with it. It's kinda fun to answer the question, "what the heck is that thing". So far everyone who has shot it has been completely impressed, myself included. You'll enjoy it!

Tim,
I really like mine, have a Ruger M77RSI
re-barelled to .338-06 love it! I use 59 grains of IMR 4350 under a 250gr NP or Swift A frame, got 3 Blacktail's with it this past fall, this was my first season with it, remarkable...I do plan on using it for an Elk hunt this coming fall and for spring bear. Wish I would have had it built sooner.

John

Mine is the Ackley Improved version on a CZ550. Just starting to work up some loads for it and having a blast! Think I'll stay with the 225's. I can't wait to kill something with this one!

Good Hunting,

Mine is the Ackley Improved version also. Try Nosler 180 BT's or 200 Speer soft point on our whitetails. Believe me, they are both more than enough.

If you're into Barnes X bullets, Midway has a sale on 225's. $30.13 per hundred.

can't go wrong with a good 338-06. mine is a rebarreled win mod 70 classic with 26" shilen s.s. bbl with 4-12 leupold. after some simple problems that my brain just failed to see, 52 grs rl-15,fed 210 primer, win case& 250 gr sierra @ 2600 fps, best group so far has been 3 shots into .254" @ 100 meters. no groups with this load have been over .500". 210 gr barnes xlc's typically run around .750" @ 2750-2800 fps. rifle for some reason does not like the shorter bullets. hope this helps. most cordially, victor e.

I am a .338-06 fan also. Had one for a number of years...hasn't failed me yet. I favor a 250 gr X-bullet @2600 fps. It will really wallop an elk. Hits like the Hammer of Thor.
I use a 225 gr on deer. This round performs so well with the 250's and 225's I havent gotten around to doing much with the lighter bullets. The 250 gr is where this rifle really shines.
I like the fact that you get magnum performance without the rifle pounding you unmercifully. Hope you enjoy yours. swede

I built one on a current M70 three years ago. Twenty four inch Lilja, iron sights, Talleys with a 2.5-8X. Took five head of game in RSA with 250 Swifts, all one shot kills. Then a mature bull elk here in MT with 225 partitions a year later. The bull was 300 yds and change, was down within seconds of the shot.

Everyone who shoots mine is amazed at how much poop it has yet how softly it kicks. Great cartridge, too bad Rem/Win or Federal doesn't load ammo for it. Maybe someday.

FN in MT

I have one built on an comercial FN mauser,22"pacnor bbl. Loves the 175 gr barnes X and rl 15,grouping right around an 1" at 100yds.Hope to take a black bear with it this spring!

I consider it the North American sister of the .330 calibre 318 Westley Richards, which has an awesome reputation on African Game. I understand Oldsarge has one.

Regards

Do you think I could rebarrell at BAR safari to this caliber?
I'm not over fond of recoil and the auto would take a lot of the punch out. . .

What's anyone's opinion for the best barrel length? Would a heavier contour (#4) be a plus or minus?

C172E,

When I started to build my 338-06 I had just that in mind. A #4 contour barrel. When the gunsmith finished, I had an Ackley Improved version and a #6 barrel, fluted, Basix trigger, and teflon coated. Funny how these things sneak up on a guy.... I am presently finishing a walnut stock and it will be 100% complete by April 1st.... no foolin'!

Anyway, I couldn't be happier with the heavier choice of barrel. And while it is not radically fluted, weighs a smidgeon less than a #5. Oh and BTW it's 23.5 inches long too. The stock also has an Edward's Recoil Reducer, which perfects the balance. The gun tips my scale at 9.75lbs fully loaded and scoped. Not a particularly light rifle, but it is amazingly steady and follow up shots are easy. It was a dream to carry last fall at high altitude chasing elk. I just applied for Wyoming mountain hunt and will be toting this rifle then too.

Waldog,
I was thinking a 23" #4, for no particular reason. Maybe express sights and a barrel band, too. I'm still aways out on this project unless an action needing a barrel gets dropped in my lap. Who did your barrel?

I think the 23" is about perfect for 06 based carts. PacNor can set you up w/ a prefit bbl. I have one on my .280 & like it a lot. A #3 or #4 if you like it a bit muzzle heavy.

!!!!! PAC-NOR !!!!!

Figured out how to post pics! Anyway this is my 338-06.Fn Mauser action,22"pacnor bbl,NECG sights,Leupold 3X9 in Talley QD mounts.

Nice rifle, Diesel_Dude, and a real good caliber!