Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles The 338-06

If I were to moth ball my 30-06 for anything I believe it would be a 338-06. So, to all of you that have experience with the 338-06 I have a couple of questions, just a few;
Any real increase in recoil?
Is it too much for everyday deer hunting?
I already handload for the '06 and have a butt load of brass. Is bumping it up to 338 a big deal?
Is a 338-06 that much more than an 30-'06 that I already run 180's and 200's out of?
Is it as flexible as a 30'06 for lighter game read as deer at close range?

Yes I'm trying to convince myself on getting one!

Any real increase in recoil?
Yes, 200 grain bullets at 2900 fps and 225's at 2700 fps will increase recoil. Really depends on how the stock fits you and how light you build the rifle as to if it is a noticable difference.

Is it too much for everyday deer hunting?
No more so than the average .30-06.

I already handload for the '06 and have a butt load of brass. Is bumping it up to 338 a big deal?
No, it is a simple one step operation or you can neck down .35 Whelen brass if you don't want to spend the money to buy properly headstamped .338-06 brass.

Is a 338-06 that much more than an 30-'06 that I already run 180's and 200's out of?
Not really, but it is fun to play with and to have something different.

Is it as flexible as a 30'06 for lighter game read as deer at close range?
Not as flexible because you don't have the same range of bullet selection. The bullets aren't going to blow up on your deer at close range if that is what you mean? Plus you do have the option of using some light weight .338 bullets below 200 grains from Nosler and Barnes. You can produce some pretty impressive velocities with these bullets.

My opinions:
No increase in recoil.
Too much for deer? No.
No big deal as Redding includes a .338 expander button in the FL sizer, just run her through and you're good to go.
I'm using Barnes 185 gr TSX and I've a total of 3 shots at Elk with 3 Elk down.
Can't really say on your last question but those 185 grainers should be all you'll need, up or down.
Lastly, just do it and you'll never look back.
V

Ive owned several 338/06 and 35 whelen rifles over the years ,after using both calibers, I settled on a 250 speer bullet in a 35 whelen as the best load for hunting and just load that and sold both my 338/06 rifles.
Im sure you could hunt damn near anything with a 30/06 or either of the calibers successfully, we all have favorites.
yes theres zero doubt the 338/06 shoots a tiny bit flatter,at longer ranges, but out to 250-300 yards Ive had better results with the larger 35 whelen and 250 grain speers on game.
I can,t even remember seeing more than a few elk past 250 yards where I hunt in the last 40 plus years, besides my 7600 slide action rem in 35 whelen s proven to be damn effective in the lodge poles and blow downs and skulking thru the aspens

I have had two. Foolishly let those who wanted them more than I did have them. All else being the same, they have to recoil more. Not much difference if you are using 185s from the 180 in the '06. I used a lot of 200 Speer and 210 NP on deer. Loaded some 250 Woodleigh for a Nilgi hunt and tested them. On hogs, javelina, and coyote in S. Texas. (Fate never let the Nilgi hunt come off.) Too much bullet for small critters.

I need another. Making brass is one step. A person with a .22CF or .243, something between 6.5 and .284, and a .338-06 would be well armed for center fires on this side of the pond, IMHO. Jack

Just do it.

Mine is one of my favorite rifles.

Forming brass is really no more difficult or technical than running your 30-06 brass over a larger expander ball... easy one step operation with no tricks.

Recoil is very manageable.

Load it with 210 grain Partitions and never look back!

And or 200 BT's.....

The ultimate weapon.

I hunt with a lot of different calibers... but if I had to start getting rid of some of them, my Model 70 in 338/06 would be one that I will keep until the day I die...

one thing I sort of like with mine, from out of the Sierra Manual, a charge of 50 grains of IMR 4064, will give you an MV right around 2500 fps with bullet weights from 200 to 250 grains...

I admit my favorite bullets are the 225 grain Hornady SP and the 250 grain Hornady RN....

with a 338/06 you definitely don't need any "premium bullets" with one... nothing wrong with them, but a 338 bore bullet, with Sectional Density over .250, I look as a major step up from an 06..

I've had one for about 8 yrs now, one of the best and most accurate guns I ever owned. Shoot 180 Nosler BT's and AB's for a deer bullet and 210 Nosler PT for everything else. Is it more than an '06...debatable but alot of fun to shoot. Recoil could be considered a little more especially when you get into the 225 and 250 bullets. To me the best is the 210 Nosler at 2600-2700fps, ain't much that won't fall.

I had one made up back in 1982, was the AI variety.
Shot most loads/bullets well. Was an easy to load for ctg and making cases was a snap. Went the AI route as I was chasing higher velocities. That was the big mistake.
Carried it alot of miles before realizing that Big W had already done the work, and that my hottest loads weren't as good as factory 338WinMag loads. Total weight of gun was a tad MORE than a Std length Magnum. Was no value build either. Could have bought a good used 338WinMag for less than barrel/stock/action.
Cut my losses and sold it years later.
However, Original Poster already has gun to re-bore so should be cheap and fun build.

I own three. A 700, 70, and a Remington pump. I really like them. They are not too much for deer. Recoil is there, but not unmanageable. I built my first one as an elk rifle and because I wanted to be a little different.

I exclusively use 200-210gr bullets. C&C for deer and TSX for Elk. I am fortunate that I have loads that shoot to the same POI, so I can use them interchangably. The velocities are running from 2735 to 2850 depending on the individual gun.

Forming brass is simple, as is loading for the round.

If you want one, get one. In all reality though, your 30-06 will perform the same.

Bigger diameter kills better, higher velocity kills farther.

get one you wont regret it.