338-06 vs 338 Win Mag

[Scott Adams]

I built a 338-06 a couple years ago, I love that gun. It's very accurate, it likes 210 accubonds. I bought an old Savage 11 270 that was pretty beat up, bought a Shaw 338-06 barrel replacement kit off of Brownells. I also replaced the stock with a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock and changed the trigger to Timiny trigger. I put a Vortex Viper HP 4x16 scope on it. It's an absolute tack driver sub-MOA.

 

[Michael Souther]

I'm away from my load manuals right now but this guy usually has pretty good info on specific cartridges and on game performance. There are several guys here using the 338-06 so I'm sure you will get particulars soon.

.338-06 A-Square

.338-06 cartridge performance

www.ballisticstudies.com

I have a 338 Win Mag and I love it. Not too much recoil and it's emphatic on target to say the least.

I have been shooting my 338 win mag since I built it in the 70 s French walnut stock. I have upgraded the scope and that's it. Super accurate and dependable. Love it . Use it on deer and any north American game.

 

[baldhunter]

My 338-06 was a Remington 700 Long Range 30-06 rebored by JES.It is one of the best shooting rifles I own.I really like the 200gr bullets,both the Silver Ballistic Tips and Accubond.My rifle shoots them both same POI.It's accurate with several loads.I have found it shoots well with so many powders,but I keep going back to Big Game because it always groups so well with it.I use the WLRM Primer and resized Winchester 30-06 once fired cases necked up on all of them.Here is my load data.
180gr Accubond 58.0grs Varget 3010fps
180gr Accubond 60.0grs Big Game 2940fps
200gr Accubond 60.0grs 760 This load grouped good just never got a velocity on it
200gr Accubond 62.0grs H4350 2740fps
200gr Accubond 63.0grs Hunter 2730fps
200gr Accubond 59.5grs BLC-2 2830fps
200gr Accubond 56.0grs Varget 2849fps
210gr Partition 54.0grs Varget 2721fps
200gr Accubond 59.0grs CFE223 2807fps
200gr Accubond 59.0grs Big Game 2812fps
200gr Accubond 61.0grs Accurate 4350 2661fps
210gr Partition 59.0grs Accurate 4350 2777fps
I had a 338 Win Mag for a while but it had a bad barrel and went with a 308 Norma Magnum for my rebarrel job.Most of the loads with those same bullets ran around 3000fps.I'm still undecided if I want another 338 Win Mag.The 338 certainly makes a big hole on game.The 338-06 is a great hard hitting cartridge for sure,but if you want to shoot some heavy bullets,the 338 Win Mag certainly is a good choice.

 

[bgouin]

I have been struggling with my 338-06 hand loads to approach 2700 fps. with 225 gr. Hornady interbonds. I am using Nosler and Norma brass because of the proper head stamp. Many shooters recommend using harder brands of 30-06 brass and necking up to .338. I believe that this is the best option for max loads. The cases are short, but seem to hold up better. I was able to get 2700 fps with a 225 gr. NAB and 53 gr. of IMR 4064 using Rem brass. I am trying Win StaBil 6.5 with Hornady 225 gr. interbonds now. One great option with a 338 WM is factory ammo and I am tempted to rechamber to said round. Most folks on this forum have much better luck with the 338-06 than I do. Just some thoughts. You can buy 338-06 ammo from Nosler, but the 225 gr. NAB loads that I tried were about 200 fps. below Noslers stated 2600 fps.

 

[Warbird2006]

In the process of rebarreling a pre 64 model 70 in 30-06. Wanting 338-06 but 338 Win.mag looks like a gain of 300 fps +.

From you handloaders out there, with a 26" barrel, what sort of speed can I expect with a 220-250 gr bullet out of a 338-06?

Man, if it is a nice Pre 64 Model 70, chamber it in 300 H&H. That is a classic.

 

[derfssor]

Sir, i have owned more than one of the 338 winny and 338-06. All were good shooters and both hit like the hammer of Thor. Both are easy to reload. I have collected most game with the winny. The real difference is recoil there is a substantial difference in recoil, so if you are any recoil sensitive go with the 06. Also reloading the 338-06 do yourself a favor and use 35 Whelen or neck up 270 or 280 brass. The neck on 30-06 brass is much shorter when sized. Also you will need more alterations on the winny by opening up your bolt face and claw extractor or replacing it. This is just my 2 cents worth. What ever you decide i am sure you will enjoy it. Have fun!!!

 

[nwhunter]

My 338/06 is a pre 64 model 70 that was bored from 30/06 with a 24" barrel.
The ammo I got with the gun was 55 grains of win760 with a 250 grain sierra bt at about 2500 fps.
The load I worked up to is 67 grains of win760 behind a 186 gr Shock Hammer bullet, the hammer load shows no pressure and must be up around 3000 fps( my old chrony, which I doubt told me both 3250 and 2750 for this load)
I will be elk hunting with it in a couple weeks. I killed a blacktail with it Saturday, not much of a challenge, bang, flop.
I have owned and sold 4 different 338 win mags over the years and it a proven elk killer, I just think I can fill the same tags with a lot less powder in a 338/06.

 

[JMW67]

also do some checking around I found 338-06 Norma brass not to long ago its makes everything alot easier and you have the correct headstamp you will love the 338-06 Graf and sons is still showing in stock

 

[skipglo]

In the process of rebarreling a pre 64 model 70 in 30-06. Wanting 338-06 but 338 Win.mag looks like a gain of 300 fps +.

From you handloaders out there, with a 26" barrel, what sort of speed can I expect with a 220-250 gr bullet out of a 338-06?

You might want to check around on the prices of PRE 64 model 70s are selling for before altering it!!! Could surprise you!

 

[RD57]

I was really tore up with the same decision making process. For the 338 Win Mag I use 225 grain and heavier bullets, but I also own a 30-06 which I use 220 grain and less. In my opinion I'd rather have the higher sectional density of a heavy 200 - 220 30 cal bullet coming out of the 06 than using that same grain weight from a 338.

 

[nimrod_gn]

you might want to look into the 338 Sherman: https://shermanwildcatcartridges.com/338-sherman

 

[KMLampson]

I like my 338-06, zero complaints, but if I wanted more horse power, would probably go with a 338 win.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

In the process of rebarreling a pre 64 model 70 in 30-06. Wanting 338-06 but 338 Win.mag looks like a gain of 300 fps +.

From you handloaders out there, with a 26" barrel, what sort of speed can I expect with a 220-250 gr bullet out of a 338-06?

I barrel swapped a old savage 110 to .338-06 using 225 gr nosler AB I am right at just a smidge over 2600 fps this load was not max for me but did have the best group using some old IMR 4064

 

[MagnumManiac]

I was really tore up with the same decision making process. For the 338 Win Mag I use 225 grain and heavier bullets, but I also own a 30-06 which I use 220 grain and less. In my opinion I'd rather have the higher sectional density of a heavy 200 - 220 30 cal bullet coming out of the 06 than using that same grain weight from a 338.

Sectional density doesn't make up for frontal area.
You can see a physical difference in game when hit by the 33 cal in comparison to a 30 cal.
Same goes going from a 30 magnum to a 33 magnum. They just hit harder and displace more tissue.

Cheers.