Still with the 35 Whelen as the best two "hunting" wildcats, IMHO.
The 338 -06 Ackley Imp and the 338 HGT on the 270 case give an extra 5-7 % but the basic 338-06
is still the way to go. Anneal your case necks
in the o6 cases, per John Barsness. He is right,
using just candle heat flame. It works with gloves.

The 338 Federal is like WSM cartridges: also rans....but no cigar or diplomas...

The 338-06 is simply a modern 318 WR and there were no flies on that one.

Not worth the extra hassle of IMP cartridges for 5%; yes I have some.
The standard 338-06 is a great round; I have built ten of them. 35 Whelen is a great round too.
NO use for any WSM or any short cartridges; I think I can operate a bolt that extra 3/8ths of inch.
I have found that LC match brass does not require annealing to neck up. Others, yes.

WDM Bell used the 318 WR in Africa a great deal on elephant. Solids. I have a few 250 gr solids so loaded.

My 338-06 and 35 Whelen are both original barreled pre-64 M-70s. Easy transition with reboring, chambering and cut rifling.
The 333 OKH was Keith's early answer and he was right, as he was on larger bore killing power.

I am really high on three cartridges: 338-06, 35 Whelen & 9.3x62. I’ve used the 9.3x62 on two safaris so far, one being in Nov. last year, where I took Hippo, Hyena, Kudu and Warthog, and then African Wildcat, Impala and Porcupine two weeks ago. I’ve used the 35 Whelen in both North America and Africa, taking Moose and Elk in Colorado and Leopard, Sable, Sitatunga, Hartebeest, Warthog, Bushbuck, Oribi, and Lechwe in Africa. So far I have not used my 338-06 hunting, but it will be accompanying me to Zambia next summer along with my 404 Jeffery.

I think of this trio as the ‘Three Amigos’, all based loosely on the 30.06 size case, with similar ballistics, but all three with slightly different attributes, one of them being legal on DG where I hunt a lot. I love all three and they compliment 40+ calibers as the light rifle in Africa in a two rifle battery nicely.

I will be using Nosler Custom ammo with 250 gr. NP in my 338-06 for next year’s trip to Zambia, and 430 gr. NF in the 404. Hopefully, the 338-06 will take Black Lechwe, Tsessebe, and Cookson’s Wildebeest, while the 404 will be assigned Buffalo duties.

I have used the 338WM on many animals in Africa, but am looking very much forward to trying out the 338-06 in its stead.

Good choices. When seriously reflecting, the
30-06 case is capable of anything worth doing
from 270 thru .30-338-35 Whelen-375 -400 Whelen.
Amazing and efficient cartridge.

The only cartridge that I have used more is the .348, but that one is for North America.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
The 338-06 is simply a modern 318 WR and there were no flies on that one.

This! I love mine. And as much as I love my 375s I'm convinced that if the H&H round hadn't come out two years later the 318 WR would still be known as the best all around medium bore cartridge (250 grain .330" bullet @2400fps) for moose/eland size game and down.

Bob

PS: I haven't had to do it in years, but IIRC all I had to do to make 318 brass was neck Whelan brass down to .330" and trim the neck .100". OAL is .1" longer so slightly more resulting case capacity. The 318 IS the 330-06 and predated the Whelan by years.

Here's another voice for both the 338-06 and the 35 Whelen. My 35 is in a pre-WWII Deutsch-Waffen M98 and the 338-06 is in a Argentine M98 of the same time period. Each has a M70 type safety.

I bought a life-time amount of factory brass for the 35. For the 338 I use Lake City NM brass which I have tons of, and which I find very easy to size. Never had an issue.

Recoil is nothing, even in lighter rifles.

I've taken both rifles to Africa several times and shot a couple dozen of virtually all the antelope from eland on down using a variety of bullets and loads. My favorite bullet is the original Northfork. 250gr for the 35 and 225 for the 338.

I am a 35 Whelen guy. I wish I would have discovered this cartridge sooner. It is everything folks say the 30/06 is. Recoil is nothing.

The 338/06 is the ballistic twin. Thus, it must be an amazing cartridge. My FIL keeps trying to buy my 35 Whelen. I actually live the 225 grind Accubond in my Whelen. I have seen folks slinging 250 grain bullets on the Whelen at 2600. The best I got was 2450 which was fly eyes accurate and more then enough.

Hey LH500,
Put more powder in the case---don't be so cheap! I get 2425 fps outa my 22" bbl'd .358 win. with 250 gr. Speers.

Hip

It is really accurate load though. I am going to have to do it.

Just checked my loading notes for these two.

My go-to hunting loads:

338-06: Lake City NM brass - Federal Premium large rifle primers - 225gr North Fork soft point - 57grs IMR4350 - +/-2500 fps - .75" group @ 100 yards - per 3 round string.

35 Whelen: Remington Factory brass - Federal Premium large rifle primers - 250gr North Fork soft point - 57grs RL15 - +/-2550 fps - 1" group @ 100 yards - per 3 round string.

Thumped a lot of African PG with these loads. Very effective.

I am not saying this to be a jerk. I would like to know your thought process as 57 grains of RL-15? 57 grains of RL-15 is above the Nosler Book load of 53 grains max. That seems a lot over.

Please educate, if you would.

Yes I really like the big 3; 338-06, 35 Whelen, and 400 Whelen (and 9.3x62). All are super efficient and give ballistics above their size. (Zero use for 270)
As for the 57 RL15, Nosler book is slow.
A pre WW2 DWM Mauser is also a pre WW1; Versailles Treaty and all.
Just some observations.....

No offense taken. Fair question. That what these forums are for.I have used the Barnes Reloading Manual Number 3, published in 2001, among others, for years. It shows 57 grains of RL15 as a max load for the 35. Page 570.

As most know, load data seems to change over time. This load was safe for me in 2001 and remains so today.

Bought a 338 06 AI from our own Tiger Tate. Shoots 210 partitions at 2750 into an inch. If I want to go heavier, I will grab the 9.3x62.

quote:

Originally posted by JonP:
Bought a 338 06 AI from our own Tiger Tate. Shoots 210 partitions at 2750 into an inch. If I want to go heavier, I will grab the 9.3x62.

I did indeed go heavier last Nov. with my 9.3x62, and used 300 gr. SAF on all those animals I mentioned, including the two Hippos.

But of course, one could use 300 gr. in the 338-06 and 310 in the 35 Whelen. But when I go heavy in those two calibers, I use the 275 gr. SAF and the 280 gr. SAF respectively. Such wonderful cartridges!!

My 338-06 and 35 Whelen were both pre-64 M-70s that had been re-rifled and re-chambered. I tend to favor 210/225/250 gr Noslers. Have also used North Fork and Hawk bullets. They work on elk, moose, and bear. accurate. The 275/300 gr bullet virtually
converts the 338/06 into the 318 W/R and the same weight bullet gets into 333 Jeffrey or 350 Rigby country. The 225 bullet was used a lot with the Rigby and a tough steel jacketed bullet loading was also available -like the .416.

I prefer to neck down 35 Whelen brass for my 338/06.
Especially because I don't own any 35 Whelens but
have several 30/06 guns. Eliminates any chances of
A mistake.

Keeping 30-06 separated and neck area annealed helps in forming cases.
Remington, Govt GI, and Starline are best as to
tough brass.
First shot will fireform to chamber dimensions.

Hawk makes an ideal 230 gr bullet. Bullets in 338 diameter are all over, and the 338-06 will keep up with the 338 WM under 150 yards.

No flies on the 338-06 , had one years ago on a 760 Remington

I was a 338-06 fan for years, then the IMP version that I liked even better, but I ended up favoring the 9.3x62 as the best of the group..

Ive allways been off and on as to the 338 Win and the 9.3x62, never have figured out which one I like best, and will probably take that to my grave..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Ive allways been off and on as to the 338 Win and the 9.3x62, never have figured out which one I like best, and will probably take that to my grave..

I think I’m on the same side of the fence with Ray on this one. 338, 358, 366 & 375 are all just fine with me as part of a 2-rifle battery for Africa, with a 40+ for DG. I’ve used the 338WM, 35Whelen, 9.3x62 & 375H&H as light rifles with either a 404 Jeffery or 458 Lott.

If forced to choose just one of the mediums for the rest of my life, I guess I’d have to choose the 9.3x62, but only because it’s also legal for DG as a backup to my 40+ large bore for many countries (not all). No flies on the 338WM or 35 Whelen however, but not legal for DG in most countries (again, not all).

The 9.3 is awfully close to the 375 caliber wise, and it’s ‘regular’ bullet weight of 286gr. is also nudging the 300gr. 375. However, I use the 300gr. SAF in my 9.3, so it’s a wash. I get better SD in my 9.3, but bigger bore in my 375. Choose your huckleberry. My 9.3 rifles are also smaller/lighter than my 375s.

This is not a slight on the 375. Next to my 338WM, I’ve taken my 375H&H more times to Africa than any other medium, and, the 375 is legal for DG in almost ALL countries.

Still, if legal, like Ray, I choose the 9.3 as a medium bore for PG, and for backup for DG. YMMV.

Nobody has yet to be arrested or even challenged in any African country for using the 9.3x62 regardless of the law! and that is apparently a true story..I know I've never been even questioned about it in 40 years of hunting the continent. . I think its Zim that has a special clause in there law that basically states it legal for expert hunters..Were it a problem, I would not have used it as much as I did. Ask any game scout or PH, I got the same response..

I have gone the 338-06 IMP route.

I plan on taking it as my light rifle along with my 470 to Tanzania as it should be just dandy on Patterson Eland and Rosevelt Sable and a host of smallenrPG

when I was in the business and clients asked what combo I would suggest for the Average American hunter to take to AFrica.

My answer was a 338 win. and a 416 Rem and up ? but to each his own..

In Tanzana for instance you might want to consider the 338 win, 375 or 9.3x62 for PG where buffalo, Lion, Hippo, or eephant might come out of nowhere with a sore tooth or wire on there foot, and surprise you while shooting PG for the pot or whatever isn't a bad idea..

I have been shooting a 338/284 which is equal to the 338-06 for several years. It has accounted for many animals in the US & Africa. I use AFrames & have never been disappointed with the performance.I can count on one hand the number of animals that required follow up shots. As they say " put it where it belongs & no problem".

Guys,

I have owned and used 35 Whelen and 338-06. I prefer the 338-06. Mine shoots the 185 TSX at 2900 fps and the 210 TSX at 2725 fps. Having shot mule deer at 300 + yards with the 185 and rolling a moose over backwards with the 210 on a frontal shot I don't think I need anything else.

Mark

I hunted aka monkied around with them all at one time or another, liked them all but to my distain I found the 30-06 with a 250 gr. bullet did for all game both DG and PG with todays good bullets, Ive even used it on rock chucks!! Hippo and buffalo, but dont tell anybody...Dont argue with that until you have used that penetrating little booger!

Ray has a good point on the 30-06 Govt capability
and todays bodern advances in bullets. With Swifts, Fail Safes, North Forks, and Noslers-the 06 acts like a 300 H&H-especially if its a 30-06 Ack Imp Mauser like my latest acquisition. It likes 220 gr Noslers or 225 gr Barnes originals.

But...the 338-06 can do wonders and I have some 250 gr solids that would work on most anything
with a thick hide under 125 yards.

So will an 06 move 210 grains at 2800 like my 338 06AI?
May not matter in the real world.

Probably not. But I have some 210 gr SPBT bullets for your 06 or 300 if you need some for long range.
High velocity is not the recipe for penetration on game-especially with long claws and teeth.
Repeat shots may be necessary.
"Winchester Repeating Arms", New Haven, CT.

First and foremost don,t monkey with a 318 WR, its soaked in collectability, worth big bucks, even if restored by Doug Turnball or RJ Renner..keep it original as possible..

No need to defend the 338/06 for anybody that's owned one, its a great caliber. I always used the 225 gr Hornady SP, worked great. Once in a while the 210 Nosler. Our rock chucks were tougher than those magic valley chucks.......

Dick

I didn't even know rock chucks lived any where but in the magic valley. but we have albino chucks and some blondies, so there!

Ray, our chucks are still burrowing up through the snow, no kidding, I seen probably 8 of them today. I shot an albino chuck in 1971 just across the canyon at that first exit going west towards Twin Falls in a hay field. There were actually 3 of them, only ones I've ever seen in my life. At first I thought it was a field lion (cat)

Dick

Ive seen albino and blond chucks, but never got a shot at one, but the locales kill one or two a year is my guess..

What I did see with two of my boys was a mother Mt. Lion and two short yearling cubs, all albinos and that made my day and my hunt, we watched them for about 45 minutes, playing and mama fussing at them then they disapeared and have never seen them since or heard of a sighting of them..In unit 54 South Hills out of Twin Falls, Id..

I ordered a 338-06 and a 404 Jeffery from Parkwest (Dakota) a while ago. They called me yesterday and said the 338-06 will arrive tomorrow (5/25/23). I’ll ask my friend to post pics of it for this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
I ordered a 338-06 and a 404 Jeffery from Parkwest (Dakota) a while ago. They called me yesterday and said the 338-06 will arrive tomorrow (5/25/23). I’ll ask my friend to post pics of it for this thread.

Thanks again Frostbit for posting my pics on this thread as well. I appreciate your kindness!

The rifle is truly beautiful and a testament to the talent of the artisans, who are actually all of the old workers that worked for Dakota: same people, different company name, due to the bankruptcy of Remington Arms who owned Dakota at that time. ParkWest (Dakota) survives, Thank God!

Note the excellent rifle case it came in as well. It’s an SKB with (6) metal padlock holes for travel, with the new ParkWest logo. Best case they have ever offered.