Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 338-06

I ran the 180 NBT over a max load of RL15 and had stellar results.

I use 52 gr of RL-15 and a 210 Swift SCII. Pretty sedate at 2,450 but kills stuff dead.

That is rather sedate, but the extra BC likely helps from that SSII. I lob Accubonds at that speed from my Whelen and they fly pretty well and thump stuff hard.

Some great loads. Need to get that old pumper in the mail I guess.

Honestly, pick a bullet. Would be real hard to find one that doesn't work.
210gr NPt
210gr TSX
200gr Hornady SP (disc)
200gr NAB
200gr Nosler ballistic Silvertip
180gr NAB have all worked.

Have on hand, but never used on deer; 200gr Hornday SST, 210gr TTSX, 225gr TSX. Pretty sure they would work.

I loaded 225 gr Hornady's just because, but have a slew of 210 gr Partition's for next loading...Have not hunted with the rifle it is a safequeen really. I need to remedy that this season.


Mike

Never used the 200 NAB but I see SPS have blems at 25/50 it's yoube gettner time. Mb

The best I have found for deer are 200gr Hornady Interlocks, unfortunately they are discontinued. You are in luck though as there is a box and 1/2 or so, 152 to be exact for sale in the Campfire "Classifieds"

I have plenty so I would highly suggest someone get these.

200 NAB with 57gr RL-15. It gives good accuracy at 2850fps from a 24in M70 rebore. I recently bought a bunch of the Federal Fusion 200gr component bullets and they are very accurate with the same load.

I agree that they are great deer bullet, but I am not into chasing unicorns.

Since the 338 was born a hunting cartridge, most bullets available are hunting bullets. That changed a bit with the 338 Lapua, but those LR bullets are not well suited to a 338-06 or 338 Win Mag.

Sticking to the 180-225gr range, it is harder to find a bullet that will not work, than one that will. Especially on deer. I went with the 200gr Nosler ballistic silvertip simply because of the way Mule Deer talked so highly of the 200gr ballistic tip, and stated they are same bullet. The silvertip is just coated.





Top rifle shoots the Silvertip a little better and the 210 TTSX load is for this rifle.
Bottom rifle shoots the NAB a little better.

The silvertip and NAB are interchangeable between the two rifles.
Silvertip separated on this deer. It did shatter shoulder blade and into the spine.


NAB came out of this bear.


Have not used the TTSX on anything yet. Past experience with the TSX tells me it will work just fine.

For kicks and giggles, I went to Midway USA and brought up all the 338 caliber bullets from 180-225gr. The only one I would be hesitant about is the 200gr Hornady FTX. Simply because it is designed for lower velocity cartridges.

With that being said, I have a subsonic load worked up with Trailboss for the bottom rifle using that exact bullet. Pretty cool hearing that bullet slap the plywood and steel after coming out of the suppressed rifle.

I have never recovered a 210gr TSX. Besides the two bullets shown, the only other bullet I have recovered was a 210gr NPt that filled the freezer with elk one year.

Who made the stock on top with the green finish?

McMillan edge

Really like the total look of that top rifle!

Back before the shortages and price increases, I was able to get 225 grain bonded fusions for about $17-18 a box. I bought a pile of them. Very thick jackets on them.

They're cheap enough that I get great target sessions out of em. Then the same bullet for my caribou and sheep carbine. (338 RCM same ballistics as a 338-06)

forum member west coaster from B.C. stated this about the 225 grainer:

"Before I started reloading I was using Federal Fusions at 225grns IIRC for my 338win mag. Several deer, a couple of bears, and a moose no issues.

The moose was a bad shot and caught the spine right near the hump, wedged between two vertebrate. Moose dropped and couldn't move. I walked up and finished. When we dressed Bullwinkle we recovered the bullet from the spine. Retained most of it's weight.

Overall I think they are a decent bullet."

Thank you, one of my favorites. I really want to get it to Africa!

Those 225gr fusions look like another great option.

The great thing about the mid-bores on the ‘06 case is that they hunt and work with such a range of bullets. You can spend a little or a lot on bullets and all work. My preference would be cup and core for whitetail 200 or 225 range whichever my rile liked best.

You 338/06 and 338 WM guys are missing the boat if you are not trying the 160g Barnes TTSX on deer and hogs....have yet to see an animal stop one...accuracy is unbelievable...super easy bullet to tune.

Thanks for the tip.

For deer to 350? Pretty much any 338 bullet is gonna work pretty well. Don’t overthink it.
Les