Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting What bullet in 338-06?

The 2 I had the very best results with are the one you chose first, the 210 Partition and the other one was clear on the other end of the scale the old (now discontinued ) 275 grain Speer.
Because the 210 Partition is still available that's what I would recommend now or a bounded bullet of about the same weight. I used them with perfect results from my 2 338-06s and I have made about 20 rifle in that caliber and all those I have made guns for that used the 210 Nosler also said it was great.

The old Speer was slow, like 30-30 slow.........but man oh man did it work well on elk!

Im old enough to remember the 275gr Speers.

Another vote for the TTSX. 210 is my favorite but I wouldn’t hesitate to use 185s either.

185 GMX worked fine for me.

I'll be using with the 185 ttsx the next time I go for elk or moose.

I don't know what is best. I have killed exactly 1 deer and 1 elk with the 338-06. The deer was killed with a 225gr Hornady Spire Point handload and the elk was killed with a Barnes 210gr TSX, also a handload. Both worked perfectly so I would think any good bullet from 200gr to 225gr would work just fine on elk.

Mine shoots 185 TTSX well with a max load of RL15, I would not feel under gunned with that load. If a larger bullet shoots equally well, I would move up in weight as long as I could keep the velocity high.

I have a box of the old 275's, I may have to give them a try

Check out the 210gr Swift Scirrocco II.

I had perfect results with the 210 Partition, and 200 gr is as light as I have ever played with in a 338-06. If I was going to drop down to bullets in the 180 gr range, why not just use a 30-06 and take advantage of better BC and SD?

Unless, of course, you don't own a .30-06.

Pretty much any 338 bullet at 338/06 velocities. I would pick whatever shot the best. Elk are not bullet proof.

I've taken elk with the 210 gr Partition and the 185 gr TSX, grizzly and black bear with the 225 gr AB and, hopefully, will be taking the 185 gr TSX to NE BC for goat, elk and moose this fall. They are all accurate and work.

I'm pulling together my 338-06 build with a LH M70 Classic. Going to duplicate my factory 06 barrel and planning on the 210 NP.

A 200gr NAB will work just fine.

In the past, I have used the 210 NP and 210gr TSX on elk with much success. I really liked the 200gr Hornady Interlock on deer, but alas, no longer available.

A friend has used the 180gr NAB on a couple of deer and plans to use it when he draws a South Dakota elk tag.

In my current 338-06's I have 200gr Ballistic Silvertip Tip, NAB, and 210gr TTSX loads worked up. Neither rifle liked the 185gr GMX or T/TSX. Never tried 160gr bullets as that is not the reason I have 338-06's.

Have used the Ballistic Silvertip Tip on a couple of deer and a SE Alaska black bear and my son used the NAB on his SE Alaska black bear.

The 210gr TTSX will get used the next time I go elk hunting or after something that weighs more than 500#.

A couple of bullets that I have not tested is the 225gr TSX and Hornady Interlock, on the agenda just to see how they work.

I have also used the 200gr Hornady FTX at the range with subsonic loads. Lots of fun, but you can sure hear the bullets thwack the plywood.

I have stated before that I would not hesitate to use the 210gr TSX on pretty much anything that walks the earth short of Elephant, Rhino, and buffalo. Even then I think it it would work in a pinch.

In summary, I think it is harder to find a bullet that doesn't work in a 338-06 than one that will.

Finding a bullet to BUY these days is the hard part! Happy Trails

338/06 is made for 210’s... flavor is up to you, but I’d start with swift siroccos

I personally agree that 200-210gr is the sweet spot, but lighter and heavier work too! I would not have serious issues using most of the bullets listed above.




No kidding......glad I stocked up over the last 5 years.

You're there already. They have a great BC for longer work, and at 2,700 give you all you need and more.

if you shoot a lesser weight just shoot an '06.

Ok guys, I have loaded up my 338-06 with the 225gr Accubonds. Velocity on these is a little low & 2680fps but it will have to do. I looked at Barnes, not impressed with the velocities achievable so gave them a miss. I guess I am a snob when it comes to bullet brand.
There are no Partitions, other than 30 cal, to be had in Australia anywhere. No 200gr Accubonds or 180’s.
I, too, remember the 275gr Speer, that’s what I used 30 years ago on Kodiak bears in my 338WM.

I have until July to hope to find some 210gr Partitions, but I’m not holding my breath.

Cheers.
P. S.
I do have many other capable rifles and cartridges to use, 270 Bee, 264WM, 300WM, 338WM, 338-416 Rigby Improves or 375Bee, but my 338-06 is a custom Mauser ‘98 with exhibition Grade stock and the very first rifle I built myself. Taking it for nostalgia reasons.