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I'm liking the sounds of this 338-06 but I was wondering how recoil is compared to a 30-06. I was also wanting to know how it performs in a 18" carbine. And is it a just a rebarrel job in a Rem 760 30-06


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Form die for a 7mm Mashburn Super.
.284 Hornady AMax 162gr.
.224 Hornady AMax 75gr.
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A couple Glock 42 380ACP mags
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Recoil is a basic math equation and physics statement that we've all heard; "for every action there is a equal and opposite reaction. (Newton's law of motion)"

When you speak of recoil, what's your build idea going to weigh scoped out?

A normal common load, for the 338-06, is the 210 gr. Nosler Partition around 2701 fps (Varget, 53.9 grs.) with a 8 lb gun: 24.27 ft/lbs of free recoil energy.

Compare that with a 30-06 and a similiar load. 180 gr. Sierra, Varget, 47 gr., 2668 fps with a 8 lb gun: 17.69 ft/lbs of free recoil energy.

I'm assuming your gun will be a good bit lighter, falling somewhere around 7lbs (recoil increasing) so it's going to be a rocker in most folks considerations for a standard long action (non magnum) rifle...


My 338-06 is a heavier than the normal campfire build; around 9.25lbs (scoped). The recoil doesn't seem harsh to me at all. Shooting deer, never feel it. It's a deer stomper though. So far, nothing has taken a single step after the trigger squeeze.


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It really depends on what weight bullets you are using.

Recoil is simply conservation of momentum. So mass x velocity of what is leaving the barrel = mass x velocity of rifle, scope etc moving backwards. What some folks miss is that there are two things leaving the barrel - the bullet and the combusted powder. Capacity of the 30-06 and 338-06 is very similar, so combusted powder is little different. The difference tends to be in bullet weight. Traditionally, folks launched bullets in the 210 to 225gr range from the 338-06, so not suprisingly it recoiled a bit. However, with the new copper monolithic bullets (like Barnes), it makes a lot of sense to use lower weights - say 180 to 200gr, because they retain weight like a heavier lead-core bullet of higher sectional density.

If you are launching bullets of similar weights, there is very little difference in the recoil of a 30-06 and 338-06. It is a touch higher, because the 338-06 will launch a 180gr bullet about 100-150 fps faster than the 30-06, so that increase in bullet velocity produces a small increase in recoil by conservation of momentum. However, also consider that on thin skinned game, bore and kinetic energy are really the only significant determinants of killing capacity. And both give you an exponential increase in killing capacity, not a linear relationship. The area of the wound you generate is proportional to the square of your bullet diameter (area of a circle=pi.r^2), so the .338 generates a much bigger hole than the .30-06. And kinetic energy increases exponentially with velocity, but not to mass (KE=1/2mass.velocity^2). Also not that there is very little fall in BC with the 180gr .338 bullet vs the .30 bullet.

So, in short a 338-06 with a 180gr bullet recoils a touch more than 30-06 with a 180gr bullet - say about 10% more. But the there is just no comparison in the terminal ballistics. The 338-06 is just in a completely different class. I will add, it is probably not a class that many folks require in a deer rifle - the 30-06 is clearly already more than adequate. And you can't get more than 100% dead. And if i wanted a shorter barreled rifle, i'd go for the 30-06. I think the .338-06 really deserves at least a 23" barrel.


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I have no experience with a 338-06 but have some with a 35 whelen. In my opinion, running something like a 250 grain bullet gives a bunch more recoil. Whether it is too much is a personal thing, somewhat based on the rifle (stock) in question. For me, an 8lb whelen is about the same as a hot 300 mag, maybe less jump but a fair amount of push on the shoulder. No way I'd run one with an 18" barrel, for a variety of reasons. (rifle balance, noise, and performance being only three) But then, there are very few instances where I'd be very interested in any 18" barreled rifle.

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listen to dawn2dusk. he hit it!

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Originally Posted by hotsoup
listen to dawn2dusk. he hit it!


Gotta 2nd that, mine is also close to 9+ with a 24",just got done working a load up with 200 gr Horn SST and H4350 somewhere between 2700-2800 but haven't chrono it yet. I thought the recoil was very comparable to some of my 06's using 180 gr bullet in a 1# lighter rifle. Magnum Man

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Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'm gonna have to find another doner Rem 760 and throw a 24" heavy contour Brux barrel on it. I like the idea of throwing a 200 grain bullet at 2700/2800 fps. Should make a good prairie dog round. I'll save the 225's for elk


Want To Buy;
Form die for a 7mm Mashburn Super.
.284 Hornady AMax 162gr.
.224 Hornady AMax 75gr.
22-250 bushing die
Bushing die that will work with the 7mm Mashburn Super
A couple Glock 42 380ACP mags
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The .30 220 NP will out penetrate anything coming out of the 338.


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Originally Posted by SU35
The .30 220 NP will out penetrate anything coming out of the 338.



I can believe that due to a smaller frontal diameter. But it doesn't matter to me how deep in the dirt they go after either one pass thru the animal. I didn't even know they made 220 grain NP's. If you have any extra ill buy some.


Want To Buy;
Form die for a 7mm Mashburn Super.
.284 Hornady AMax 162gr.
.224 Hornady AMax 75gr.
22-250 bushing die
Bushing die that will work with the 7mm Mashburn Super
A couple Glock 42 380ACP mags
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I own both 338-06 and 30-06, both right at 8 lbs all up. The 338 with 200gr bullets recoils more, a lot more than 30-06 with 180's. In fact my 300 WSM with 180's seems to have less recoil than the 338-06.


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Originally Posted by SU35
The .30 220 NP will out penetrate anything coming out of the 338.



My favorite 30 cal bullet for heavy stuff...

I also love my 338/06.. since it is pretty much a handloaders cartridge, one can tailor the recoil factor by matching your needs with adequate MV...

one doesn't need a premium bullet in the 338/06...of course it doesn't hurt either...

I load mine as a step up from the 06...but I shoot everything from 180 to 200 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips at 2200 to 2400 on the light end, with a charge of 30 to 35 grains of SR 4759..which is light recoiling with that small of a charge of powder... to the same bullets with a heavy charge of H 380 of 60 to 65 grains...running 200 grainers past 2900 fps with a charge of IMR 4895 right out of Hornady's manual...

the 225 grainers see use in mine a lot with various charges or MVs in the 2200 to 2750 fps range...

to the heavy end...250 grain RN Hornady bullets with a charge of IMR 4064 that will run 2650 fps out of the Model 70s barrel..100 fps faster than the manual states it should be running... but I just smile and don't worry about it...

its as flexible a round as the old 06 ever was...

loading it to the specs of the old 33 Winchester, which P.O. Ackley gave good comments on it's capability, and it is easy to shoot...still giving good range performance with the ballistic tips...


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Originally Posted by SU35
The .30 220 NP will out penetrate anything coming out of the 338.



Would you put a .30 cal 220 NP up against a .338 cal 210 gr. solid barnes? I think "Anything" was a little bold in the statement.

Apples to apples sort of comparisons might hold true that a missile 220 30 cal is a deep penetrating round but it won't out penetrate "anything" in 338.





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Having shot and loaded both cartridges in various bullet weights, the 338-06 will generate more felt recoil all of the time. But it's not gonna scramble your brains....

I never owned one in 18", but I'd opt for a really good pad for that 760...

If you can afford to do so, I'd leave the carbine alone and stuff it with 165gr partitions and buy/build a 338-06 with a 22" to 24" tube....would be a great rifle combo!

If you like velocity, if you load the 338-06 with 180 AB's for example, you'll drive them faster than from the 30-06...

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The carbine is getting a custom build right now in 30-06. My first build. It's harder to wait than it is to come up with the cash. I was just thinking that if I get bored with it the 338-06 would be fun to play with. I know you can kill anything that walks with a properly loaded 30, but "most" everybody loads, shoots, and brags about it. I like to be a little different. I think I will keep the carbine as is. I also see a 24"semi heavy barreled Rem 760 with a little lead in the stock to balance it out in my future. Sorry to the bolt guys for ruining your lunch, but I like the old pumps and they flat out shoot great. Thanks to everyone with all the great info.
Anyone know of any realy good powders for a carbine throwing 180 to 200 gr. NP. My smith bought out a estate sale. He hooked me up with 3 1/2 boxes 180 and a box of 200 gr NP for $60 bucks.


Want To Buy;
Form die for a 7mm Mashburn Super.
.284 Hornady AMax 162gr.
.224 Hornady AMax 75gr.
22-250 bushing die
Bushing die that will work with the 7mm Mashburn Super
A couple Glock 42 380ACP mags

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