Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Thinking of a .338-06

Would be interested in seeing what you built.

I have a .338-06 that I would be willing to let go pretty cheap as I'm cutting down on number of rifles I own as the years catch up with me. PM me if interested.

I really think for shots under 150 yards, the .338-06 with 160 grain bullets at 3100 fps is a better killer than any of the smaller bore variants of the .30-06, including the .30-06 itself.

Yeah. Me too!!

Any rifle that will shoot a .338 200gr Ballistic tip is a fine elk hunting rifle.
Been thinking of putting one together myself...

The only real reason for owning a .338-06 is that you want one!

True that!

I guess, that's why I have one.

A 210gr Partition at 2800 fps from a 7.75LB all up rifle has many, many good uses, I need to hunt mine more.

The .338-06 will probably over penetrate on turkeys.

Have a good one today, don't forget the nap.

Probably, but I'm really worried about "bullet failure."

I'm currently building a .338-06 and intend to shoot the 185 Grain TTSX bullet.According to published data it will still have 1670 ft-lb energy left at 400 yards and still be cruising about the speed of a .30-30 at the muzzle with a similar weight bullet.

It's trajectory is something I like....I call it the 2-0-8-2-4 curve...2" high at 100 yards, zero at 200 yards, 8" low at 300 yards and 2' low at 400 yards.

This means one can shoot dead-on to 250 yards and hold on the top of the back 250 to 350 yards and hold 1/2 elk body over the back at 400 yards.....all one needs then is a good range finder and that's something he needs regardless of what he's shooting.

After shooting three elk this year (and then four mule deer) all with TTSX bullets I'm totally sold on their performance and have heavy confidence in the 185 grain .338 caliber TTSX bullet.

Given this round fits nicely in standard .30-06 actions, and has plenty of poop for 400 yards, it's had to pass it up.

While there may be several rounds of greater power, it simply seems that the .338-06 has power to spare for 400 yard shots and without the muzzle blast and recoil of many of those more powerful rounds. One can stretch it another 100 yards but we just run out of my shooting ability.....and from what I've seen most of my life, most others as well.

The only negative to the .338-06 is that it's totally a handloaders proposition as I don't think any economical factory rounds are available.

Smokepole, I had a .338-06 Weatherby I bought from Bill Krenz to be my ultimate backpacking elk rifle. Then we downsized and I gave up reloading making a .338-06 problematic, so I traded it for a Kimber .308. As I tend to carry rifles and not shoot creatures, the Kimber was an improvement for me. If I were to not be shooting big bears or moose, I'd feel better with the .338-06. Have also messed around with the .35 Whelen. Keith made an impression. However, after reading 17 pages of erudite (and not) postings, I am totally sold on the 9.3x62mm. It seems to be an inarguable step up from a .30-06. Looking forward to your decision and build.

Posted a new thread in the hunting rifles forum on my new 338-06.

Teeder, taken a few head myself with various 7s....BR, 08, RM Nothing wrong with them either as you know.

I am still thinking of one.
Have everything including a spare rifle and barrel to re-bore and dies, but because I have a long history with the .338, .340 and .338/378 Weatherby, it stalls me.
But I do recognize its worth, a 186gn Barnes TTSX at near 3000fps for general use and a 250gn Nosler Parition at 2400fps is awfully attractive, not to mention all the 265 grainers and the wonderful 300gn Woodleigh Weldcore for heavy game in brush although the weight is the attraction , not the round nose for that task.