Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 338-06 vs. 300 win mag.

Which would you rather take for elk. A 338-06 shooting 225 grain accubonds at 2700 fps. or a 300 win mag shooting 180 grain accubonds at 2975 fps? Why would you take that certain rifle?

I would take the 338-06. One, I don't like the 300 Win Mag. No reason, I just personally don't like it. Two, I like the larger frontal area of the 338.

laker,

Are you limited to those because you have lots of ammo already loaded? Or, if you could, could you load something else? That would open up your posiblities.

if i was hunting in an area that was heavily wooded i would take the 338-06. if shots were possible past 350 yards id take the 300

Laker, I'd take whatever rifle is lightest and/or handles best to you personally.

Sounds like meat on the pole, to me..

What load are you using to get 2700 fps with 225 grain bullets in the 338?

I am using 62.5 grains of H4350. There are no pressure signs at all. It is a very accurate load. You have to have a long drop tube to get that much powder in there. This is a compressed load. I have only tried this load on a mule deer doe but man did it lay the smack down on her.

The reason I asked is because that seemed fast to me. I just retrieved my Hodgdon manual, and they list 2744 fps as maximum velocity with a 225 grain bullet, charge being 62 grains of H4350. You are in safe territory. I didn't realize you could come that close to the 338 WM with the 338/06.
The 7/08 has proven itself to be a perfectly good elk round, so you'll be in good shape with either rifle. I'd consider things like weight of the rifle, what they have on them for a scope more than I'd worry about picking between the two calibers you have.
Fred

There is not an elk living that will know the difference between the two. Take the one that makes you feel the most confident to shoot.

Both cartridges will kill your Elk. If finding factory ammo is any issue the .300 win is a better choice. If your loading your own .338/06 ammo just don't leave it at home or you'll be S.O.L. as few stores carry it.

My .338WM gets 200fps more speed with that bullet, and eleven grains more of the same powder. The .338-06 is no slouch though.

What cases are you using with that load? Thanks!

I'm with fellas that said, use the rifle that you like to carry and that you prefer to handle. I've used both rounds on elk and would be fine with either.

4 me, one of the finest elk rifles I ever used/carried was my G33/40 in 338/06. It carries a Chanlin cut to 23" that goes about .6 at the mzl which for me is about model perfect as it feels/balances and all that best 4 me. It has a Burris 3-9 BP on it and a wonderful piece of African Walnut....grin

Suit yourself and you'll be fine with either and make no doubt about it either can be set up with a Burris BP or Leo LR dotz and make em perk to 500. Heck even my slow poke load of a 250 Nozler going along @ 2496 I had the BP set to kill to 500.I say slow poke as I have another load that maxed out at 2600 and for the most part I now a days find max and drop off 100.

Good luck on your decision.

Dober

I am quite surprised by the velocities mentioned for the 338-06. I have shot two more than a little. One was an ackley on a G33-40 and the other a ULA 24. There was less velocity increase in the improved version than the difference one routinely sees between two different barrels. The best I ever did with either was 200 grain bullets at 2700 to 2725. Both were much harder to hit with at over 250 yards than a 270 or a 7mm Rem Mag or a 300 Win so they found new homes. High pressures can be a disaster. I know a fellow who took ten years to draw a sheep permit and then had a pressure excusion with a hot loaded wildcat which resulted in his action frozen. If you want to go faster then get a bigger engine.

I can't speak for others but mine with 200 Horns and or 200 NBT's and either R15 or H4350 move along at 2800 with ease.

As far as it being tough to hit past 250 yds I don't really feel so and it is really quite easy to modify that.

For any and all of the rigs that I plan to run past 300 I always have a LRF and I have either Burris BP's on them or scopes with Premier reticles on them or the new Leo LR dotz. Set up in such a manner it is no rocket science to have them perk to 500, unless of course one wants to make it rocket science. Faster isn't neccessarily better, although at times it sure doesn't hurt. A better way to scope a rifle is a good idea however. If I were to go with an antiquated method like sighting it 3" high or something like that then yeah the 270 or the 300's are easier to hit with.

Although I've found that if I practice with it to the ranges that I am gonna be shooting them then it doesn't matter to me if I am holding 3" above the back or 13" above. As long as I know the range and the drop and I've practiced enough with it to deserve to take the longer range shot then it's not gonna be a big deal to me.

Make no doubt about it high pressures can be a bad thing, I like to do my load developemnet for the year in the last hour or two of daylight on summer nights and I'm big time in favor of loads that will give one very good case life (10 loads and gone is my goal). I've known more than a few people over the years that push a round so hard that I just can't believe, and in all honesty I used to be the presidente of that club!

It isn't to spot someone who wants their round to go this or that speed and normally they're really leaning on it hard. And for what, well normally it comes down to pride and ego in some shape or form.

Just a few thoughts

Dober

If you were the president, then I was your VP. I used to try to get more and more velocity. Now I like moderate pressure. I like reliability.
It is relatively easy to hit a target if the exact range is known and if the user has done the homework (eg rangework). In the field, theory is not so easy to apply. I have seen a number of hunters fiddle with their range finders and their variable scope and miss an opportunity which would have been pretty easy with a properly sighted scope on a 3000-3150 fps outfit. Yes, the spipers can hit with a 308 delivering 2600 fps or so, but those shots are more deliberate and the users much more familiar with all aspects of what they are trying to do. Can it be done...yes...but is it the optimal use of readily available technology...I don't think so.

Im a very big fan of the 338-06,Ive only had one,it delivers optimal accuracy and with near magnum velocities out of a non magnum round its got my vote,I have never knocked the 300 win mag. there is no doubt its a fine long range big game rifle,Ive never owned one and probably never will,I have shot other peoples 300 win mags and Im not a real recoil sensative person,but the 300s I have spent any time with have just rattled my teeth and dont get me wrong I know a full house 338-06 has a little punch to it but it doesnt rattle my cage nearly as bad as the 300 win mag and Im just pretty sure that any work that needs done I can do just as easily with the 338-06 as I could with the 300 Win. Mag.........

That's easy.

The 338 225 gr would be my choice.

If I did my own choosing;

The 300 mag would have a 200 gr Partition or Accubond in it and the barrel would Say Norma on it.

The 338-06 would have a 200 gr Accubond or 210 Partition in it.

Then I would have some trouble deciding....

I simply do not understand why the .338-06 is not more popular, etc.

Who is this "Norma" chick and why do you want her name tattooed on your barrel?