Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 30-06 vs .338 fed

Out of curiosity for large game such as moose, brown bear etc. at 250 yards or less would someone be better suited with a 30-06 or .338 federal.

I'd take the 06 with TSX bullets myself.

I would take the ought six with 200 NPs or a TSX myself.

The 06 based on flatter trajectory or stopping power?

For me, both.
But as they say, your mileage may vary.

Owned a .30-'06 for a while...pretty boring and middle-of-the-road, so it went away. It's just fine if it's the only big game rifle you own, but there's really nothing at all about it that's interesting. It's like owning a 4-door Ford/Chevy/Dodge sedan...functional, but dull.

I do have a .338 Federal, and it's interesting, fun, accurate, and hits like a small hammer. Certainly within 250-300 yards one couldn't tell any difference in terminal effect, assuming good bullets. As Federal factory ammunition is readily available with TSX's and Partitions, among others, even those who don't handload can use good bullets.

The simple reality is, in today's world with today's bullet choices, selection of a rifle and cartridge is based almost completely on personal whim, as there are literally dozens of selections that will all do the exact same job of killing game at normal hunting ranges.

A functional bullet striking the correct spot is, above all, the part of the equation that matters.

Dennis

Dennis,
I am curious-what bullet weight(s) do you prefer in the .338Fed?
I was kind of under the impression that it runs out of steam pretty quick with anything over 200grains??

I shoot 185 gr TSX's and 200 gr Hornady Spire Points at 2550-2600 fps, as mine has an 18.5" barrel. A 22' barrel would run my loads to 2700-2750 fps -- one of these days I'm going to buy or build one at 22-23" just to find out -- and that would run them in pretty much a dead heat with actual '06 velocities. Out to 300 yards or so, the trajectory differences will be miniscule.

In no way is the .338 Fed "better" than the '06 -- it's just a lot more interesting to me . It also isn't "worse' at practical hunting ranges. The truth is that nearly everything available to us nowadays works...it's a matter of what turns our personal cranks.

For heavier weight .338 bullets I shoot my .338 RCM... .

Dennis

Sounds like the 338 Fed does alright.

BTW, I like the 340Wby for 225 and up!

No doubt, as you are young and spry. My .338 RCM only hurts on the receiving end, not the launching end... .

Dennis

I would use the 30-06. "just me'

I won't use a .30-'06. Haven't since 1982. Has made zero difference in my ability to kill things, but has greatly increased my enjoyment of owning rifles and cartridges.

Just me...

Dennis

That 340 boots me pretty good, especially with a 250gr @2900fps!

I know Dennis, the 30-06 is kinda old, not a new flash in the pan.
It hasn't change my ability to kill anything, pull the trigger "Bang" things die.

Have a good day

Fact. There are now about 97 cartridges that will accomplish pretty much the same task.

Might be a Golden Age, or it might be Tragic Opulence...

It's at least interesting... .

Dennis

The .338 Fed. is an odd concept that only beats the 30-06 in the expense of and the difficulty finding ammunition.

It's a very functional cartridge -- but then I in fact have killed game with it, rather than merely conjecturing on its usefulness.

The ammo is no more expensive nor more difficult for me to find than .308, .30-06, or anything else. Of course, I don't buy ammunition that others manufacture, so that may have a bearing on its convenience to me.

I find nothing odd about it at all...

Dennis

It is the old "splitters" vs. "lumpers" again.

Splitters enjoy variety and just the thing for the job.
Lumpers are men with one gun/cartridge of tradition and class (of course) that can do it all. Practical minded folk - easily recognised by expression. They are your old trigonometry teacher, the guy eating an apple at lunch, riding a bicycle. Usually viewing the world from a higher moral ground. Good folk. Like eating green salad at a promotion BBQ...

I would expect there is no practical difference, given equal bullet quality, in killing power under 300 yds. Over 300, trajectory wise, the 30-06 wins.

I think you choose the cal;iber by which rifle you like better. Like a short action, buy the 338Fed. Like the long action, buy the 30-06.

Wisam, 338 Fed is available in Kimber's tiny little 84M pkg in both wood/blue or plastic/SS. THAT is what makes a 338 Fed interesting---30-06 punch in a 22LR size and weight gun. If I had to carry a gun as big and heavy as a 30-06 then a 338WM is logical choice.
Think your original post mentioned moose or brown bear....