Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Premiums Really Necessary in a 338-06?

I had a 338-06Ai several years ago. Loved the thing, but for some stupid reason got rid of it. So, I'm going to build a standard 338-06 again.

I know a lot of people on here don't like em, but I am a fan of Gameking bullets. I had bought some 215 gr to shoot out of a 338 win mag, are these to hard of a bullet out of the 338-06?

When I had my other 338-06 I shot the 200 gr Hornady interlock flat base, it did its job well on deer and elk. Plus they are easy on the pocket book.

I've only ever shot one big game animal past 400 yds, 416 to be exact, most of my shots are under 200 with the occasional in the 300-350 yd range.
For this application, out of a 338-06 is a higher end bullet necessary?
I've had limited experience with the accubonds, would the 225 Accubond give me a litte more range if need be with its higher BC?

Are Nosler Accubonds worth the money?

Guess I answered most of my own questions in my original post.

However what do you guys think of Accubonds?

They are on discount as blems on Noslers SPS. Your timing is perfect.

I seriously doubt the AB's will give you anymore range. They may be tad more accurate, but not much.
One thing to consider. Are the AB's a lot longer than the GK's? If so, how do they match your twist rate?

I also don't think you will be pushing the GK"s fast enough to worry about the toughness of the bullet and they sure will expand at lower velocities.

If SPS has them on sale as blems, they should be a lot cheaper than GK'S. Shoot what is most accurate. Either will work.

I have never seen a non premium bullet significantly malfunction under 3000 fps. Over 3000 fps, I have seen a good few bullets just totally break up. 223/55 grain, 270/130 grain, 243/95 grain are the ones I have seen fragment standard cup and core bullets.

The fragmented bullets do tend to result in dead right there (DRT) AKA bang flop, which has some advantages. A clean pass thru with a good exit wound frequently leads to the dash, splash and crash (DSC), and tends to save the meat on the off shoulder.

If your bullets will be traveling <2900 fps, buy some standard bullets and don't worry about it.

On the other hand, I have never tried that theory on an elk's shoulder, I guess I would probably spring for premiums if elk were involved.

I really liked the 215 SGK when I had a 338-06 but saw some pics from testing here suggesting they're too hard.

I'd do 200 gr Interlocks; I am with you on premiums, considering them to be for magnums... I mean, that's why John Nosler developed the partition right?

Get beyond 400 yds & more BC can benefit. A nice compromise might be the 200 gr Combined Tech Ballistic Silvertip (coated ballistic tip). They're godd and stout and have a good BC.

I've posted it here before, but much to my surprise, I found the 215 GK did not open on ~2'+ of dry magazines at 338-06 muzzle velocity. I fired another and got the same result. I can't explain it, but that's what happened and I'd never use them on game. And I had wanted to us them. 225 Accubonds and Partitions did great.

Shot a doe a couple years ago with a 225 grain accubond out of a 338 RCM at 2550FPS about 300 yards behind shoulder. Bullet hit a rib going in and exit hole was about the size of a silver dollar. I now shoot them in my 338-06. I know they aren't needed but they shoot great so I don't mess with it.

Sierra describes the 338-215 as too hard to expand at 338-06 velocities. They mean what they say.

I would never of thought the 215 would be too hard for 338-06, I had bought them when I had 338 win mag on the brain. Sounds like there is plenty of evidence to say that is what they were made for.

Even on sale at SPS the 225 Accubonds are still more money per hundred than the Hornady, are they worth it?

I've shot a lot of 200gr BT/CTs out of a 338 Win Mag and haven't caught one. They'd be my first, and likely last, bullet I'd try for the 338-06.

I shoot the hornady 250 round nose from a 338/06 Imp at 2450. Haven't recovered one from an animal yet and don't expect to.

"Premiums really necessary"???...certainly not IMO this 245 gr cast GC has more than ample AI wallop for any critter I'll ever hunt.

Get a box of Hornady 225 interlocks, pretty sure they will cover everything.

There sure isn't much of a meplat on that bullet.

Pretty much that right there. If I have any question about whether I can keep the bullet off the big bones or not, then I'd run a like-weight Partition instead.

All I've ever shot for the Hornadys are the regular interlock. Always shoot great and kill spot on.

Anybody here like the SST?

I use the 225g SST for practice loads, and the 225g AO for hunting in my 22" .338WM. At most I'm running 75fps faster than a .24" .338-06 is capable of providing.

Worst case I figure appropriate premiums can't hurt when hunting. Best case is they might help.

No there certainly isn't as compared to this 225 grainer but it penetrates well and the nose deforms nicely in water jug tests.Might call it my cast TSX..