Someone mentioned Steve Timm and an article he wrote in Handloader #109.
I couldn't find the article online, but Steve did post his opinion on that cartridge in a thread I found on the 'fire created somewhere around 15 years ago.
I thought I'd add it to today's discussion:
DOGZAPPER:
I'm really enjoying the thrashing of the .338-'06. It's fun sitting on the sidelines, having killed well over 100 head of big game with the cartridge. Just sittin' here eating popcorn, watching the show.
Trust me, it is a GREAT cartridge.
I believe that logic would lead the elk hunter to a cartridge in which he has confidence. I've killed more than a few elk with both the .30-'06 and the .338-'06; they both work and work exceedingly well. My personal feeling, over many elk, is that the .338-'06 has the edge. Your mileage may vary, depending on the number of elk slain with both and prejudice if you have not killed lots of elk.
To some degree, it depends on the individual rifle, as well. Some rifles just have the "magic." They fit perfectly and seemingly kill way out of their league. I have a 7SGLC that shoots 120 Ballistics at 3,250 fps that handles like a fine English shotgun and is my lucky elk rifle. Bulls get up and the SGLC lays them right down....pronto.
So, is the 7SGLC a great elk rifle???? I can state that in my hands that my individual rifle sure as heck is.
Beyond all of this, the hunter himself is by far the most important element. We used to have rich-dudes show up in elk camp who never shot from year to year; guess what, they failed to kill and one of us grunts ended up running down their bulls and killing them. I cannot stress enough that the hunter should train year around, he should get lots of trigger time, he should practice in field positions (archery targets are great) and he should know the animal and scout, scout, scout.
The hunter is WAY more important than the cartridge or rifle.
Guns don't kill critters, I KILL CRITTERS!!!!!
Steve Timm
