0-500 yard accurate THUMPER

[etisll40]

I'm thinking about building a 338-06 very accurate 0-500 yard Thumper gun. The 338 has so many bullet options it seems like the best idea. The gun must be able to shoot 3/4" Moa at 200 yards or less. But I want to be able to reach out and kill a Grizzly or Big Russian boar out to 500 yards accurately. Also, if I'm stalking and run into either to drop it dead at 50 yards or less. I'd expect to have 2 loads with me, probably 1 in mag for a the 0-50 yard stumble into a big beast and maybe another for the longer shot to 500 yards. Probably iron sights and then a quick attachable scope. I plan to carry 2 magazines , one for the short range and the other out to 500 yards.

Any ideas here, 338-06 fit the bill?

Barrel length not exceeding 24" and carrying weight under 10lbs, allweather. Also, what twist rate.

Any thoughts welcomed, even a different caliber.

 

[Tikkamike]

338-06 isnt really going to be a grizzly thumper especially at 500 yards. you want a simple do all thumper for everything from squirrels to griz... get your self a 375 H&H load it up with 250 or 270 Barnes TSX put a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 with a Boone and Crockett Reticle. and you will be "loaded for bear" as the saying goes.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

The 338-06 AI or the 338 Gibbs which has a little more powder capacity blowing the '06 case out a little more. They virtually equal the 338 winchester and are excellent cartridges for accuracy and will kill anything to 500 yards.

 

[Scot E]

I would say you are dead on with your choice. It was going to be what I recommended from just reading your title. I chuckled when I opened your thread and saw you were already thinking about the 338-06.

As far as bullets are concerned, nothing wrong with using a close range and a LR bullet but I think you may find that in 338 it isn't needed. There are some really good bullets in 338 that I would feel very comfortable with for close range protection against a predator and for LR precision use on big game. The Swift 210 would be one, followed by the Hornady IB and Nosler AB. I believe they all have BC's around .51 and perform well on game under a wide range of velocities.

The thread below was a good one for info on the 338-06 and also the AI version. Lots of good info and comparisons.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/338-06-vs-30-06-ackley-63107/

HTH,

Scot E.

 

[etisll40]

Thanks Scott. I am learning as I want to take a Grizzly and a big Russian boar too. Distance may be less important as having the stopping power if I stumble into trouble. I'd like to be around to tell the story! Show the pics!!!

 

[MTBULLET]

I like the 338-06, worked GREAT on alaska brown with 225 gr.

 

[kennygss]

I still fail to see ( grasp might be a better word!) the advantage of a 338 06' AI vs. a 338 06. It seems the performance is virtually identical, and the non AI brass perhaps more durable, and easy to form.

 

[FEENIX]

I'd pick. 338 Win over. 338-06/AI.lightbulb

 

[etisll40]

From what I've read, the main benefit of ai. Is longer brass life by a large margin and better fit in the chamber, easier and less resizing and better burning if the powder. I think you actually get less powder volume but more efficient burning which yields more velocity.

 

[Scot E]

I still fail to see ( grasp might be a better word!) the advantage of a 338 06' AI vs. a 338 06. It seems the performance is virtually identical, and the non AI brass perhaps more durable, and easy to form.

I haven't owned a 338 -06 AI, just played with the numbers trying to determine what kind of performance I can squeeze out of a carry gun.

What I like about the 338-06 in general is that it gives excellent accuracy and power in a standard long action and you don't have to go belted to get it like you do with the 338 Winny. It gives about 85% of the performance of the win mag with much less recoil. That caliber is about the perfect North American carry gun IMO. You can shoot ligher 160-185gr class bullets and have a very flat shooting deer and pronghorn gun. With the 225 grainers you can have a great dangerous game or LR big game load.

The AI will add 75-100 fps of velocity to the standard version but still be much lower in recoil when compared to the 338 win mag. Maybe more importantly the AI's are great for giving better case life and barrel life. Admittedly barrel life in a 38 caliber gun like the 338-06 isn't going to be a big issue but I will take every advantage I can get.

If you already have 338-06 cases they are easily formed to AI by simply shooting them in your AI chamber.

Scot E.

 

[bigngreen]

I'd pick. 338 Win over. 338-06/AI.lightbulb

Absolutely!!! I can see zero use for a 338-06, why screw around forming cases and getting things to feed and have less power than a round you can just punch a bullet in a go to work and have the power you want!!! I see no practical purpose for this round other than just for something to do.

 

[kennygss]

I haven't owned a 338 -06 AI, just played with the numbers trying to determine what kind of performance I can squeeze out of a carry gun.

What I like about the 338-06 in general is that it gives excellent accuracy and power in a standard long action and you don't have to go belted to get it like you do with the 338 Winny. It gives about 85% of the performance of the win mag with much less recoil. That caliber is about the perfect North American carry gun IMO. You can shoot ligher 160-185gr class bullets and have a very flat shooting deer and pronghorn gun. With the 225 grainers you can have a great dangerous game or LR big game load.

The AI will add 75-100 fps of velocity to the standard version but still be much lower in recoil when compared to the 338 win mag. Maybe more importantly the AI's are great for giving better case life and barrel life. Admittedly barrel life in a 38 caliber gun like the 338-06 isn't going to be a big issue but I will take every advantage I can get.

If you already have 338-06 cases they are easily formed to AI by simply shooting them in your AI chamber.

Scot E.

So, perhaps 100 FPS, but can you not just form 06" brass into 338 06 via neck sizing? Also, commercial rifles are in the 338 06 Asquare which is non AI. . . . . . correct? Lol, I better stick with my 22.

 

[MTBULLET]

Absolutely!!! I can see zero use for a 338-06, why screw around forming cases and getting things to feed and have less power than a round you can just punch a bullet in a go to work and have the power you want!!! I see no practical purpose for this round other than just for something to do.

I have (had) all 3, sold AI to good friend. The 338-06 moves about as fast with the 225 gr. hornady as my 338 WM with a 250 gr. BUT, with a lot less recoil, and the few I've built are extremely accurate. Plan on building another 338-06AI this summer.

 

[FEENIX]

The 338-06 AI or the 338 Gibbs which has a little more powder capacity blowing the '06 case out a little more. They virtually equal the 338 winchester and are excellent cartridges for accuracy and will kill anything to 500 yards.

Don't let the short response fool you, he knows what he is talking about. He is one of the resident subject matter experts. lightbulb