338-06 info and bullets

[BountyHunter]

I ended up with a 6.5 lb colt light rifle 338-06 with Basner stock on a trade. Looking at using it for an elk hunt next year. My body said "Fxxk It" at 55 and now (age 66) with all the issues with neck, both shoulders, knee replacement and both ankles broken 2x, hiking the mountains with heavy packs days are gone. 1000 jumps and 2 major parachute accidents will play hell with you as you get older.

I feel very comfortable with almost any combo up to 500-600 no sweat. I was busting 8" plates with a 20 ga slug gun at 200 and 300 yards with Nikon BDC 4 weeks ago. Had to wear my PAST pad but took a really nice 12 pt on a special draw hunt in Va the next week and 3 more with 7-08 in NC mountains.

I am down to a 10 lb 6.5-06 AI and 6 lb 7-08 as main hunting rifles plus assorted ones on the sell block.

I am going to try and stay with 200-225 weight bullets and wear a PAST pad when shooting it.

Any suggestions on which bullets and powder combos? H414, H4350 and IMR 4350 seem to be front runners along with the accubond bullets.

thanks

Herman

 

[TMill308]

I have a 338-06 AI that works best with IMR4320 and a Hornady 225 grain Interlock. This is an older flat base bullet but it shoots very well. The 210 Nosler Partition is another good bullet that shoots very well. I've recently started testing H4350, but haven't tied it down yet to a good load.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I'm looking hard at the 213 Hammer Hunter for my 338-06:
https://hammerbullets.com/product/338-cal-213g-hammer-hunter/

It's possible to run some of Hammer's larger bullets, but I'm saving those for the 340 Weatherby. I think that the -06 case is better suited toward the 213 and trying to get a bit more speed compared to anything heavier.

 

[Worriedman]

Two shots, two elk, 185 gr. TTSX over Reloader 15.

 

[laker]

That rifle happen to have a barrel band on it?

 

[BountyHunter]

here is a pic, you tell me? PM me

 

[laker]

here is a pic, you tell me? PM meView attachment 114570

PM sent

 

[Forcedoutage]

Little late but 200 woodleigh PP with 4320 works for me.

 

[Capt RB]

If your starting off with no powder I'd look hard at RL16 or the enduron 4166 4451. If you have Rl 19 on your shelf you have about the highest speed powder for that cartridge. The others are just very stable and with the decoppering agent work well longer between cleanings.
Bullets I ran a ton of speers in a 338 win mag. Mostly 200's and 225's. They shot well cost less than about any other bullet and stuff died when you put one in them. Never recovered one in 300wby or 338 win mag so I couldn't tell you how much weight they retain or what they looked like. I do know we like them better for bear hunting than the partitons because they shot better. My dad loved the 338 win mag for everything. I was more a 300 fan but could appreciate the big holes they provided

 

[RevJim]

I have a friend here in Utah that uses the old ( I don't know if they still make it) Hornady 200sp in everything, but I don't know what powder he uses. He did kill a big cow elk with that bullet just fine! I have used the older Barnes 185 XLC on elk, but from a 338 Mag, and it was wonderful. I highly recommend you even try the Barnes 160TTSX! I got it to 3000fps from a little 338 Federal! Good luck to you pard...us "bolted together" vets and old pharts need to keep at it! ha

 

[Randy Tidwell]

I shoot a 338 Gibbs (338/06 IMP's with the shoulder moved .100" out).

It loves the 225 Barnes TSX. The best it ever did was with 3100 powder, but they discontinued it

Currently my go to powder is RE19. N150 also worked well.

Great cartridge out to 400-450 yards.

Randy

 

[HARPERC]

.......I'm looking hard at the 213 Hammer Hunter for my 338-06:
https://hammerbullets.com/product/338-cal-213g-hammer-hunter/

It's possible to run some of Hammer's larger bullets, but I'm saving those for the 340 Weatherby. I think that the -06 case is better suited toward the 213 and trying to get a bit more speed compared to anything heavier........

Likely the best choice, but a light rifle, and a bad shoulder I might go with the 186 Hammer. I'd have to see them side by side in a round loaded magazine length, and shoot a few of each to decide.

The 213 would my preference going in.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I think I like the Sledge Hammers for the 338-06.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I think I like the Sledge Hammers for the 338-06.

As you know, I've changed my mind due to the length of the 213. At this point I plan on going with the 225 Sledge Hammer, as it's essentially the same length as every other 225 grain bullet out there (1.456) and will fit in my magazine. The 213 is, unfortunately, too long for a standard 30-06 (i.e. 338-06) length magazine at 1.602.

For comparison, the 186 is even shorter at 1.233
Nosler 225 AccuBond is 1.450 inches, and I know that will fit. The Speer 225 is very similar.