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Originally Posted by 338Rules
Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer
Here is a link to my recent Fire Classifieds purchase of a 338-06 FN Mauser.

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14114129

I mounted a Bushnell 4200 Elite 2.5-10x50 Firefly in med Weaver rings. Scope already with rings was sitting on my work bench. Gun came with steel Weaver compatible bases.

I think I'm gonna like it. Waiting on dies, got new W/W 30-06 brass to form into 338-06 rounds. Have 200 gr. Speer and 225 Federal Fusion bullets and most any powder one could think of for this round. gunner500 likes H-380. H-4320 has long been a classic with RL-15 a popular choice. Some like RL-17 for a slight velocity edge. I have those and a bunch more in that general burn rate range. Just for local WT's and hogs, don't think I need premium bullets. With big chunks of lead like these two, I think I'll be well prepared for whatever.

DF

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


DF - I’d like to hear more about your experience, and overall impressions wrt that scope & reticle.
Does it work much better in low light ? How is resolution at 10X in daylight ?

Thanks

I've used that scope on other guns. It has great glass, about VX-3 level. It's a good low light scope. The heavy reticle takes some getting used to. It does have fine wires at the center for precise work, then two step ups instead on one as in a duplex. That's why I refer to it as a triplex. The Firefly feature will glow for a while after being charged with a flashlight. It doesn't last that long, has to be re-energized. But, it's pretty neat for a non-illuminated reticle.

DF

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Originally Posted by 338Rules
Originally Posted by Rugerfan4374
Originally Posted by CRS
Quote
LOL, Guess I may just have to do myself a favour!


I am telling you, you do not need one...…. grin




I am still on the fence, but....... thinking about a Interarms Mark X 30-06 re-bored to 338-06 be JES. Hmmmmmm!!!!!!!! Already looking at one.


With the taper on the ‘06 case, it really is easiest to go with a CRF Mauser action and a simple rebore.

If you haven’t seen it, search out AlaskaLanche’s thread on his 84L bored out to 338,
and lopped off at 20”. — Lite Done Rite , iirc was the thread title



I did a quick search and came up with nothing on that thread. Doesn't cutting the barrel down create excessive muzzle blast? Did you hit the deer? Nope!.... but the muzzle blast got him!

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I have been interested in the .338-06 since Steve Timm's article in Handloader #109. Just got one from Melvin, gotta be the pinnacle for that cartridge! BTW, Midway has a sale on 35 Whelen brass, IMO the best way to start. Neck them down until they just chamber with no headspace, you can fire a full load right from the start.


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I'm looking at #109 Handloader mag for sale on line, but there is no table of contents.

If that's the one, for sure, with Steve Timm's 338-06 article, I'll order it. This one has a Pro Melt electric lead pot on the front cover. See link.

https://www.wolfeoutdoorsports.com/handloader-109-may-1984/

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Just ordered Handloader #109.

DF

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DF,when I had a .338/06 I used RL-15 and 225 grain NP's. I would start with RL-15 and go from there.


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Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard

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Originally Posted by elkhunternm
DF,when I had a .338/06 I used RL-15 and 225 grain NP's. I would start with RL-15 and go from there.

Thanks, Elk.

Have 225 gr Fed Fusion, RL-15. Will see how that combo works.

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wink


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I have an FN 338-06. Mine does well with RL15, RL17, H4350 and Ramshot Hunter and 210-225s. The edge regarding velocity and accuracy goes to RL17 in mine. Over time, I have drifted to 225s in mine.Seems to be an easy cartridge to load for.

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Would you mind sharing your best load?

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Thanks.

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My best loads for my 338-06:
200gr Accubond or Ballistic Silvertip
Win Case,WLRM Primer
59.0grs of Big Game or 59.0grs of CFE223
These run a tad over 2800fps out of my rifle

210 Partition
Win Case,WLRM Primer
54.0grs Varget
This load runs a little over 2700fps out of my rifle
Really,I found the 338-06 to be easy to load for.With the 200gr bullets,I think any powder between say Varget to 4350 will give you an acceptable load.
59.0grs Big Game 2812fps
[Linked Image]

59.0grs CFE223 2807fps
[Linked Image]

54.0gr Varget 2721fps
[Linked Image]


~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............
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Good info.

That Big Game load looks familiar... Did pretty well in my HVA '06 wtih 130 gr. Ralph Council match grade bullets.

Guess I could join Pharmseller, pimping Big Game powder... grin

It is good stuff.

Seems Varget works well with 200's. Varget is a very consistent powder, ususally with low S.D.'s, probably why it's so popular with target shooters.

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My first custom was a stainless m77 mkII action rebarreled to 338-06. I never killed anything with it but it shot well. I sold it to someone here in the fire in a moment of weakness. I thought it was a great go anywhere do anything round and it probably was but I realized a standard 30-06 was too and ammo was everywhere.

Those 06 based rounds just feed well and hold more in the mag than magnums. I just went through a phase where i got rid of everything between 30 and 375 and the 338-06 fell victim to that. So did my little 20" 338 rcm stainless that i kind of miss.

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Just read and downloaded from the CD, Steve Timms .338-06 article in Handloader #109. Very good article.

Bottom line, he considers 200, 210, and 225 gr. bullets the most practical. IMR-4320 seemed his best powder. In June '84, he didn't have some of the newer powders, like RL-17, etc. So, not too unlike Ken Water's Pet Loads, excellent but somewhat dated info.

Steve quoted Ken Waters' note from his Handloader #87, .35 Whelen article. "I suspect the best way to improve on the .35 Whelen is to neck it down to .338... taking advantage of the better sectional density of the .338 bullets, as compared to .358 bullets, as well as the larger and better selection of available .338 bullets".

I think ole Ken was right, not to insult Whelen fans. But it is what it is... wink

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DF,
Went to the range today to wring out my 338-06. I tried 185gr GMX, TTSX and 200gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertip.

Used H4895 with the 185's and Varget with the 200gr.

I got to the max load listed in the latest Hornady manual of 57.3 Varget with 200gr bullets and no issues and running right at 2790 fps.
These were only three shot groups but the best was 0.3 and 0.5 with single digit ES and low single digit Sd's.

The 185's were less than stellar with H4895 best group was .9 with velocities running way behind book numbers. But I just had to try them.

I also feel the 200-225gr bullets are best, with extreme bias towards the 200-210gr range. This is from actual hunting experience. I am of the humble opinion that a 200-210gr mono at 2800fps will take anything on this planet, with the exception of elephant, and buffalo due to legal requirements.

I have some 210gr Barnes T/TSX's on the bench and will work up load for them later. Want to hunt deer/antelope this fall with the 200gr NBST's. Our pronghorn season opens a week from Saturday. I have found the mono's to be too hard on deer size game, but perfect for elk.


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Originally Posted by Burleyboy
My first custom was a stainless m77 mkII action rebarreled to 338-06. I never killed anything with it but it shot well. I sold it to someone here in the fire in a moment of weakness. I thought it was a great go anywhere do anything round and it probably was but I realized a standard 30-06 was too and ammo was everywhere.

Those 06 based rounds just feed well and hold more in the mag than magnums. I just went through a phase where i got rid of everything between 30 and 375 and the 338-06 fell victim to that. So did my little 20" 338 rcm stainless that i kind of miss.

Bb


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The 210 Nosler partition is still hard to beat. Bob Hagel liked it.

Some additional articles, with my comments:
1.Wildcat Pump for the Alaskan Hunter by Jay Turner, Handloader 146, July-Aug 1990, p. 30. He got his .30-06 barrel rebored, not realizing that the barrel threads into the steel block in front of the receiver and is easily replaced.
2. The .35 Whelen and .338-06 Compared by Layne Simpson, Rifle 105, May-June 1986, p. 18. A good, in-depth article as is typical of his work. However, I think he tries a bit too hard to rank the .35 higher, which was his choice of the two. In particular, I feel that at that time especially there were more quality bullets available in .338 than in .358, with better ballistic coefficients and sectional density for a given weight.
3. .338-06 Improved, Pet Loads, by Ken Waters, Handloader 126, March-April 1987, p. 23. Up to his usual level of quality and thoroughness.
4. Medium Bores .338-06 vs. .35 Whelen by Finn Aagaard, Handloader 184, Dec-Jan 1997, p. 32. In-depth study including penetration tests.
5, The ,338-06 by Finn Aagaard, American Rifleman, Dec. 1986, p. 22.
6. Goliath Junior: .338-06 by William Corson, Rifle 16, July-Aug 1971, p.32. This is the article referenced by Steve Timm.
7. .338-06 A Wildcat Powerhouse, by Geoff Steer, Guns & Ammo, Dec. 1985, p. 54.


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Lots of good references. Thanks.

I guess the .35/.338 argument will continue as an ongoing Loony thing.

But what would a Loony be doing otherwise.

DF

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