Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338-06

A few years back, I saw a Dakota Classic Deluxe in 338-06, 23" barrel, on sale on the 'net for $2,900. I bought it and have been shooting it at the range with Nosler Custom ammo in 180 gr., 210 gr. & 250 gr. bullets.

It is my hope to take it on my next Elk hunt. I have not taken any animals with it as yet.

Here is my pair of 338-06's.





Top
Model 70 Classic
Shilen 1:9 twist 23"
Mcmillan Edge
Trigger breaks at consistent 2.75#
Leupold VXR 2-7 illuminated
Weight is 7.75# as shown
Really likes 200gr NBST's and 210gr TTSX both right around 2800 fps. Shoots the 200gr NAB not quite as good into 1.25"

Bottom
Model 70 Classic
Shilen 1:9 twist #4 22" threaded for suppressor
B&C stock
Trigger breaks at same 2.75# consistently
Leupold VX6 1-6 European
Weight is 8.75# as shown
Likes both 200gr NBST and NAB, also have a suppressed load at 1050fps using Hornady 200gr FTX bullets

I call the top rifle my hunting rifle and the bottom rifle threaded.
The hunting rifle has done this.



200gr NBST recovered from deer. Complete pass through on bear.


Both dropped on the spot.

My son actually prefers the threaded rifle.


200gr NAB recovered from bear on off shoulder.


I love the looks of a 338-06 cartridge!

Those two bullets are my favorites.Mine shoots them the same POI.I think the B.C. could be wrong on that bullet.It sure doesn't affect it's performance on game,just looks a little better on paper.It is listed at .414.Hornady shows their 200gr SST at .455.Even the 200gr FTX is at .430.A closer comparision would be the Barnes TTSX.It's B.C. is .432.The length is 1.349 S.D. is .231.Nosler 200gr B.C. .414 Length is 1.340 S.D. is .250.

Nice rifles and pics of game Gents, I grabbed my 338-06 yesterday evening to check zero, BLAMMM, yep, still three inches high and a rch from dead center, ready to go this season! 210gr NPT at 2800 fps will bring quick lasting relief for any intendeds ; ]

My last trip out with mine was to BC for grizzly and black bear in 2008. Using the 225 gr AB all was good. I am booked for 16 days in BC end of August for goat, elk and moose. I have set the rifle up with the 185 gr TSX which I have taken elk with previously. Expecting the hunt will move to 2021...

I played around considerably with 180gr class with a NAB, GMX, and TTSX offerings. Both of these rifles shot the 200gr bullets better. Does it have something to do with the 1:9 twist? I do not know.

I did have a Model 70 classic wood stainless featherweight with a 1:12 twist that shot the 180 NAB better than the 200gr. A good friend bought it from me because he has a weakness for wood stainless rifles.

I should try the plain 185gr TSX and see if that shoots better than the TTSX. I see Barnes makes a 285gr TSX, that might be fun to experiment with too.

I’ve had good results with the 200 NBT and the 185TTSX at 338-06 velocities. Very leaky blood trails on medium game. Hits hard.

Here the .338-06 I built about 18 years ago.



Rem 700, 22 inch Pac-Nor barrel, TI stock. Leupold 2.5X8 in DD mounts. 7.25lbs empty.

Built for elk hunting, (which it did get one), but has been mostly employed for use on a bunch of whitetails.

Great looking rifles fellas!

Is that Cerakote on the bottom rifle -- what color?

This is making me want one. I like my 338 Win mag, a 338-06 would be a fun cartridge to have!

It can do everything a 30/06 can, but at a greater cost.

Have had both, still have the 338-06. This one on an FN action. Not as fancy as some, but I don't have that much in it. Good shooter.

Bought it on the Classifieds, reworked the bedding, painted it.

DF

The 798 is a straight-up commercial 98 Mauser action. It's a good choice for anything and a better choice for cartridges that generate much recoil.


Okie John

That would work.

DF

Yes cerakote, cannot remember the color. I will check with my smith tomorrow. I think it is a new premium cerakote, straight up black I think.

Cerakote Elite Blackout

This right here!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Best choice if you can find one...I loved the Ultra Lite Weatherbys...

That said, mine is a rebored Model 70....it was a brand new unshot 270 Win, bought new for $250, after deer season, before Walmart had to pay a tax on its inventory in Montana...

I shot 3 bullet types out of it, for all my hunting.... all Hornady SPs, 200s, 225 and 250 RN....

powders used, RL 15, 4064, IMR 4895, H 380 with the 250 RN...

What would I hunt with it? Pretty much anything in the lower 48....