338-06 A sq, good for long range shooting?

[Mark611]

Let me say this first I have no interest in a magnum cartridge! I'm looking to stay away from the magnums I have no interest due to recoil, ok got that out of the way I'm looking to build a 1k+yd capable rifle/cartridge combo, I already have a few nice 308win rifles, I've looked at the 3006 and the 7mm-08, but I would like to have a bit more energy and velocity out past 1kyds then the 3006 produces, the match bullets I've been looking for the 338's have some serious BC's hi 600's since I'm not gonna be hunting with this rifle but I do want it for long range protection if the need ever arises, I plan to use it for shootin steel or paper. I plan to build a 24 to 26'' HB with a custom fiber glass stock the whole bit it will be built for long range shooting I just some input on the 338-06 to see if its worth my time? I like the fact you can run the heavier bullets with the 338 over the 3006, and from the ballistics with a Hornady 250gn BTHP @ 2450fps its still pretty impressive to me @1kyds, it still has over 800ftlbs of ME, what do you guys think? thoughts, opinions I'd like to hear them thanks

 

[pmh-usa]

Hope you're right because I too have a 338-06 project in the works plus an 8mm-06 Improved - why? just because I can and I'm curious as hell

 

[Jud96]

Doesn't have enough kahunas to push those heavy, high BC bullets. Really need a magnum for work out to 1000yds. The wind will destroy those 250s that are slowly poking through the air at 1000yds. Get a .30cal magnum like the .300 Winchester or .300 Weatherby and shoot high BC bullets like a 208gr A-MAX, 210gr Berger and SMK, or 215gr Berger. Your energy at 1000yds will be around 1300lbs or more with anyone of these bullets and cartridge combos and that's at my low elevation of 1000 feet! If you want to shoot the distance have to cowboy up and step up to the magnums if you want to kill anything effectively and buck the wind at 1000yds.

 

[AZShooter]

I think you could do just fine if you choose to shoot the 300 gr Berger match hybrid OTM tactical bullet . You might have to make it a single shot proposition with proper throating. You may also reconsider the barrel length to get more velocity. Some added weight would make it more pleasant too.

I made a long throated 338 RCM repeater in a LA and shoot 300 gr Bergers @ 2525 fps from a 30" barrel. Rifle weighs 14 lbs. Sounds like a dog doesn't it?

Why do it at all? Long barrel life, can shoot up to 5 rounds in a row in Tucson's summer heat with barrel only getting warm. Many rounds between cleanings.

Now for performance:

I crunched numbers through the JBM program using Berger's G7 values for the above mentioned 338 RCM with 300 gr hybrid and a 300 win mag with a 215 Berger hybrid.

I used 4000 ft 59 degrees 30% humidity and scope height of 1.6". Both rifles zeroed at 263 yds. (I didn't bother to recrunch the 338 RCM's data which I use where I deer hunt)

300 win mag with 215 @ 2850 fps:
requires 20.3" MOA comeup to be zeroed at 1000 yd
38.9" Wind drift at 1000 yd (10 mph crosswind)
1818 ft/lb of energy at 1000 yds

338 RCM with 300 Berger hybrid @ 2550 fps:
24.5" MOA comeup to be zeroed at 1000 yd
38" wind drift at 1000 yds (10 mph crosswind)
2217 ft/lb of energy at 1000 yds


The 338-06 should have very similar velocity to the 338 RCM but even if it were 100 fps slower it would still do quite well with the 300 gr Berger.

Regarding recoil the 338 RCM will have 22 ft/lb of recoil. A comparable weight 300 win mag 20 ft/lb

Skip the lower BC 338 cal bullets and have some fun with the 300 gr hybrid!

 

[pmh-usa]

Hey Jud, where I'm from, anything beyond 200 yards is LONG range

Seriously, I'm looking for something that I can reach out to 500 yards max and still have the velocity and available bullets capable of expanding properly up to that distance, and adequate for anything up to elk.

 

[Jud96]

Hey Jud, where I'm from, anything beyond 200 yards is LONG range

Seriously, I'm looking for something that I can reach out to 500 yards max and still have the velocity and available bullets capable of expanding properly up to that distance, and adequate for anything up to elk.

Well in that case the .338-06 will work fine, especially on big game at close ranges with good bullets. Will really put moose, elk, bear, and anything else down out to 500yds.

 

[bigngreen]

My opinion is that your loosing sight of some key fundamentals of long range hunting over a thing about Magnums!!!

Best case, with the 300gr Berger giving you 2500fps in a 30in barrel and 6000ft elevation I'd hunt with it to absalutely max 800 yards!!

A 300 Win mag with a 215 Berger 3000 fps and 28in barrel is good past 1000 and with the same or a little less recoil than the above 338-06, less wind drift, less trajectory, and delivers more energy because the bullet opens up very well.

 

[Jud96]

My opinion is that your loosing sight of some key fundamentals of long range hunting over a thing about Magnums!!!

Best case, with the 300gr Berger giving you 2500fps in a 30in barrel and 6000ft elevation I'd hunt with it to absalutely max 800 yards!!

A 300 Win mag with a 215 Berger 3000 fps and 28in barrel is good past 1000 and with the same or a little less recoil than the above 338-06, less wind drift, less trajectory, and delivers more energy because the bullet opens up very well.

+1 this is what I was getting at in my first post.

 

[AZShooter]

You are right Jud96 with a longer barrel and the resultant higher velocity the 215 Berger is a better hunting bullet.

The OP wanted to shoot LR and wasn't worried about hunting. Just reporting on what he might be able to do with his 338-06.

Just so you know I use a 8.5 lb 300 RUM with the 230 Bergers as my LR elk rifle.

 

[Jud96]

You are right Jud96 with a longer barrel and the resultant higher velocity the 215 Berger is a better hunting bullet.

The OP wanted to shoot LR and wasn't worried about hunting. Just reporting on what he might be able to do with his 338-06.

Just so you know I use a 8.5 lb 300 RUM with the 230 Bergers as my LR elk rifle.

Ya I see what he was after now haha. Anyways what's your longest kill with your .300 RUM you mentioned?

 

[AZShooter]

We are getting off topic. This year is the first year I used the 230 target hybrids on an elk which was a cow. 249 yds. Double shoulder DRT.

Longest shot was three seasons ago with 200 gr accubond 550 yds with a slightly misplaced shot due to wind drift . The next shot was at 650 yds. That 650 shot was the only time I ever caught a 200 gr accubond inside an elk. I switched to the 230 to deal with future wind drift issues.

I also like my 338 RCM for mashing our tiny coues wt flat. It always exits but without much damaged meat.

 

[rcerro]

Rocky Mountain Bullet Test Fire


Very pricey but worth a look. The 225gr ULD can be very effective at 338-06 velocities and has a very high bc.