M/D,
I have read your replies on this post and would like to reiterate some of your points and respectfully disagree with some as well.
I have owned many 338-06 rifles since 1981 and have taken many animals including a half dozen elk with them.
You say the 200 grain 30-06 and the 210 grain 338 would be launched at the same velocity at same pressure, or words to that effect, and I will disagree with that. The area of the .308" bullet is .075 square inches, the .338" is .090". At the same pressure the 308 has 4500 pounds of force and the 338 has 5400 pounds. That is an increase of 20%. That 20% will relate to an increase of bullet weight of 20% . A .338 caliber bullet of 217 grains is the equal of a .308 caliber bullet of 180 grains, in both SD and area. The 200 grain .308 has the same sectional density of a 240 grain 338 bullet. Bullets with equal SD respond equally to the same pressure. We would have to consider the greater friction of the greater area of the 338 circumference but still the pressure vs velocity of the 200 grain .308" bullet is not comparable to the 210 grain .338" bullet. The 225 grain would be a much close match to achieve velocity comparable to the 200 grain bullet from the 30-06 case, and in my experience it does.
All this is based on the same volume of powder of the same burning rate, which doesn't work, the 338 uses faster powder so it balances out, and my test and experience does play this out.
All that aside, this is a great caliber. As I compare it to the 30-06 for elk, my experience with the '06 has been with 180 grain bullets, and I see a difference with the 338-06 with either the 210 or 225 partition, but nothing to write home about. I've never had a problem with the '06 either but don't push it beyond what I consider it's capabilities. It's (338-06) advantage seems notable for bigger animals at closer range.
Now as to velocity of the 210 partition in the 338-06, it is prety much a 2750 fps round on the top end. I've never got a 30-06 200 grain to that velocity.
The Weatherby/Norma ammo with the 210 partition is advertised at 2750 fps and is close to that. My 23" M97 gives 2727 fps and my 24" Sako/Shilen rifle will give 2731 fps. My handloads with RL-15 are loaded to the same level. As for the AI version, I have one that is a very good shooter but I would not do that again. It is a good rifle but there is no ballistic advantage. I've owned four of these in AI and none would get a 210 partition above 2800 fps. (at pressures where I like to run it) I think the problem is powder. RL-15 is too fast for the AI case and H4350 is too slow. Maybe there is a powder out there but there is no real advantage. A 210 partition at about 2750 is a great load, just as a 30-06 with a 180 partition at 2750.
Regards,
