Any 338-06 owners here?
- Thread starter Dano5001
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Kevin Thomas
Well-Known Member
Dano,
I have an M700 that was just rebarreled to a 338-06. It's wearing a 24" Hart 1x10" barrel, and I already have a batch of Lapua '06 brass already necked up and ready to reload. No stock yet, so it's not operational at this point.
This is my second 338-06. The first was an '03 Springfield I built up many years ago. In that one, I found best accuracy with the 250 grain SGK with about 47.3 grains of IMR4064. The hunting load with the same bulit was was RL-19 at 61.2 grains, for about 2500 fps. With the 215 grain SGK, the accuracy load was RL-19, at 59.4 grains. The Hunting load was the same powder, bumped up to 65.8 grains. If that sounds familiar, it's right out of the Sierra manual; that was my rifle that was used to develop that data.
I'd be more inclined towards a Nosler 210 or 225 Partition for elk now, but that should be a good place to start with the loads. For anyhting at more extended ranges, I'd probably take a look at the new Berger 338s. Still, this isn't really what I'd call a long range cartridge. Great hunting cartridge, no doubt, but not one I'd want to be stretching across canyons or open plains unless I really had to.
KevinThomas
Lapua USA
I have an M700 that was just rebarreled to a 338-06. It's wearing a 24" Hart 1x10" barrel, and I already have a batch of Lapua '06 brass already necked up and ready to reload. No stock yet, so it's not operational at this point.
This is my second 338-06. The first was an '03 Springfield I built up many years ago. In that one, I found best accuracy with the 250 grain SGK with about 47.3 grains of IMR4064. The hunting load with the same bulit was was RL-19 at 61.2 grains, for about 2500 fps. With the 215 grain SGK, the accuracy load was RL-19, at 59.4 grains. The Hunting load was the same powder, bumped up to 65.8 grains. If that sounds familiar, it's right out of the Sierra manual; that was my rifle that was used to develop that data.
I'd be more inclined towards a Nosler 210 or 225 Partition for elk now, but that should be a good place to start with the loads. For anyhting at more extended ranges, I'd probably take a look at the new Berger 338s. Still, this isn't really what I'd call a long range cartridge. Great hunting cartridge, no doubt, but not one I'd want to be stretching across canyons or open plains unless I really had to.
KevinThomas
Lapua USA
Kevin Thomas
Well-Known Member
Dano,
I used a Sinclair mandral die and one of their 338E mandrals, with the addition of just a touch of Imperial inside the necks. I'll run these through a 338-06 size die (bushing type, just touching the necks) and then load up as usual. Had no problem at all in the neck-ups, it's not that much of a stretch.
The range issue shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't hink twice about a 300 yard shot, and 400 should be entirely doable. Never used it on elk, but it sure puts deer down like a hammer. I may get a chance to try it on moose in Finland later this year, and it should be about perfect for them.
Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA
I used a Sinclair mandral die and one of their 338E mandrals, with the addition of just a touch of Imperial inside the necks. I'll run these through a 338-06 size die (bushing type, just touching the necks) and then load up as usual. Had no problem at all in the neck-ups, it's not that much of a stretch.
The range issue shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't hink twice about a 300 yard shot, and 400 should be entirely doable. Never used it on elk, but it sure puts deer down like a hammer. I may get a chance to try it on moose in Finland later this year, and it should be about perfect for them.
Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA
Long Time Long Ranger
Well-Known Member
I have the 338-06 AI and the 338 Gibbs. I have best luck necking 35 whelen brass down and making a nice shoulder to headspace on. Aneal the necks and they will give you long case life. I have been shooting 200 grain ballistic tips and 210 grain swift scirrocos in them. No problem taking elk at 400 yards. They are very accurate hard hitting rifles. Next I am going to the 185 Barnes for the higher velocity while retaining a .432 bc which is better than the 200 grain nosler. I have no problem shooting the light barnes bullets at game. This is not a long range cartridge so I figure I may as well get the flattest trajectory possible that will kill effectively.
etisll40
Well-Known Member
LTLR, I've always followed your posts, 338-06, 338-06 ai, 338-06 a-square. Or just plain 35 whelen.
Black bear and hogs out to 200, deer and elk out to 400-500? What's easiest and best to reload and get accuracy? I'm a new re loader. I have 300 wm, 7 stw already and 7 wsm. Going to sell my 338 Lapua as I don't have anything or place to shoot it these days. I have a never used FN Commercial model 1950 action in 30-06 that I want for rough weather and hunting with. I think 1 of these 4 is the ticket.
Replacing the 338 Lapua with a custom Ruger No 1 in 300 Weatherby, between the stw and that, I probably won't need anything at my current level, 750 yds or less.
Help!
Ed
Black bear and hogs out to 200, deer and elk out to 400-500? What's easiest and best to reload and get accuracy? I'm a new re loader. I have 300 wm, 7 stw already and 7 wsm. Going to sell my 338 Lapua as I don't have anything or place to shoot it these days. I have a never used FN Commercial model 1950 action in 30-06 that I want for rough weather and hunting with. I think 1 of these 4 is the ticket.
Replacing the 338 Lapua with a custom Ruger No 1 in 300 Weatherby, between the stw and that, I probably won't need anything at my current level, 750 yds or less.
Help!
Ed
alaska
Well-Known Member
My favorite 338-06 load
210 gr Nosler Part
iMR 4320 @ 52.0
fed 210m primer
WW brass
2650 FPS in my 338-06 WBY UL 24"
Heavy 250gr bullets tend to rob powder space, ok for short range work, but to get the most out of the 338-06 I suggest bullet weights 225gr and lighter.
Reloader 17 suppose to be excellent in the 338-06 with 225gr Hornady SP @ 63.0 to 63.5 MAX for 2700 FPS. that is excellent performance from the 338-06.
I keep my shots around 300 yards on moose with the 338-06.
Same distance as the 30-06.......for deer you might extend the distance 50 yards.
210 gr Nosler Part
iMR 4320 @ 52.0
fed 210m primer
WW brass
2650 FPS in my 338-06 WBY UL 24"
Heavy 250gr bullets tend to rob powder space, ok for short range work, but to get the most out of the 338-06 I suggest bullet weights 225gr and lighter.
Reloader 17 suppose to be excellent in the 338-06 with 225gr Hornady SP @ 63.0 to 63.5 MAX for 2700 FPS. that is excellent performance from the 338-06.
I keep my shots around 300 yards on moose with the 338-06.
Same distance as the 30-06.......for deer you might extend the distance 50 yards.
Are you able to buy pre-loaded ammo for 338-06 A Square in stores ? I see it at midwayusa, but not sure about stores.
The reason I am asking, is that I am thinking about converting a Rem 700 ADL into either a 338=06 A Square or 35 whelen.
Thanks
Harry
The reason I am asking, is that I am thinking about converting a Rem 700 ADL into either a 338=06 A Square or 35 whelen.
Thanks
Harry
Rock 29
Well-Known Member
Dano,
I have a 338-06 AI in a Sako w/ a 24" shilien barrel. I started with Norma 338-06 brass and have been getting great results with ww 760 and 225 hornady's. Like LTLR I have some 185 Barnes and some older 225 XLC's I am going to try next.
It has killed a 5x5 Bull, and a few mule deer and does a great job, All these kills have been 250 yds or under. Good luck.
I have a 338-06 AI in a Sako w/ a 24" shilien barrel. I started with Norma 338-06 brass and have been getting great results with ww 760 and 225 hornady's. Like LTLR I have some 185 Barnes and some older 225 XLC's I am going to try next.
It has killed a 5x5 Bull, and a few mule deer and does a great job, All these kills have been 250 yds or under. Good luck.
I have been shooting the 338-06 for 25 yrs and have taken deer out to 400 yards
and have not ever recovered any slugs yet. This is one very accurate round and is not real finicky on the bullet selection. I have shot bullets ranging fro 185-250 grns.
I hope this helps you on your decision process.
and have not ever recovered any slugs yet. This is one very accurate round and is not real finicky on the bullet selection. I have shot bullets ranging fro 185-250 grns.
I hope this helps you on your decision process.
Cold Trigger Finger
Well-Known Member
A good friend and hunting partner of mine built himself a 338/06 a long time ago and has killed lots of moose, caribou and a Dall sheep with his. He is getting stupid fast velocity from his with 215 Nosler ( his favorite bullet in it ) . And various 225 gr bullets . His has a 24" barrel.
The 338/06 is popular round here in the Interior and generally all over Alaska. I myself have never had one but would enjoy one. If I had a 1950s 98 Mauser it would be a first pick for a 338/06 AI or Gibbs.
The 338/06 is popular round here in the Interior and generally all over Alaska. I myself have never had one but would enjoy one. If I had a 1950s 98 Mauser it would be a first pick for a 338/06 AI or Gibbs.
alaska
Well-Known Member
One of my favorite rifles a Weatherby UL in 338-06
I have great results with Reloader 17
225 gr XLC Barnes
61.0 of RL 17
WLRM primer in WW cases
2700 FPS
Suggest no shorter than 22" prefer 24"
I have great results with Reloader 17
225 gr XLC Barnes
61.0 of RL 17
WLRM primer in WW cases
2700 FPS
Suggest no shorter than 22" prefer 24"
