Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best loads for a 338-06

I think the world is missing an opportunity with this cartridge.

If Winchester made 2 versions in the Featherweight model, one blued and juicy walnut and a SS version in a tupperware moulded version, it would be rather popular with the handloading inclined.

JW

I don't disagree. I would love a M70 Featherweight in this cartridge. Currently have one built on a Savage action. I also think a Kimber 84L Montana in 338-06 could quite possibly be an ideal mountain elk rifle. Running some 210 Partitions or maybe a 210 TTSX would make it a winner.

I've been toting mine off and on for about 10 years now. The combo I've used the most is H4350 and the 200 NBT. Seems to me that the load goes about 2825 or 2850 and it flattens elk and the smaller big game.

I've also used the 250 NPT with 4350 as well and it's flat out fun to run.

Tried R17 and got about 50-75 more fps but not the same level of accuracy so I've gone back to H4350.

R15 is another powder that runs well for me.

Dober

Side note, was just one the web site for Nozler and it appears that they're gonna make 338/06 brass.

Dober

That's very surprising, albeit pleasantly. Wonder what led them to believe there was a market for 338-06 brass? Weatherby/Norma is already available, reforming from 30-06 is easy enough and I'm not aware of anybody chambering factory rifles in 338-06. Strange. They working behind the scenes with someone introducing a 338-06?

I saw it on their web site today is all I know

Dober

I have plenty of brass, would like to get some more bullets though. I been thinking real hard about changing horses in the middle of the stream. Yep, those Nosler Partitions in the 210 weight may be taking a backseat to the Nosler Accubonds in the 200 grn weight.

You can send all those unwanted 210s to me.

For the money the Accubonds cost, ever think about how much BC you are giving up shooting them compared to Sierra 215gr? Just checked Nosler and Sierra #s and the difference is 70pts in favor of Sierra. You can buy 100 Sierras for about what the Nosler cost. Of course, it ain't about the money though...

I like the Nosler 230 FailSafe in my rifle. In my area of AK we have Mat-Su bear which are Very Large and Good size moose; often in our yard. The .338-300 only holds 3rds and is too much for wife, so the .338-06 w/1-4x vxII is By The Door and hold 5rds.

I have begun working with my NEI .338 mold that throws a 300gr RN bullet. That will likely take the place of the FailSafe for BTD duty...

I have always preferred Sierra bullets. The 215gr is better choice in lightweight bullet in my book for its trajectory performance.

I really thought I'd like the 215 for the reasons you mentioned. Then I shot them into dry phone books and found out they didn't open at all. I'm talking a .338cal hole through a very large stack of phone books(6 or 8 thick ones?) and it kept on going. Another member here tested them in milk jugs filled with water. His didn't open at all either. Mine hit at essentially muzzle velocity of a 338-06 so going too slow was not the problem. Not to say I want to be on the receiving end of one of those whether it opens or not, but for hunting I'd prefer a bullet to open a bit.

ttt

RL-15 and H-4350 have worked best for me.

Big Game works really well in this caliber. Great velocity and accuracy clear up to 250's.

How much BG do you use with 200-210 bullets?

With 225s,it was as much as you can get in the case ,61.0gr or so.

That is definitely interesting as Nosler used Norma brass for factory loading of the 338-06. When I first got my 338-06 I bought about 4 boxes from Nosler, all the brass had Norma on it.

To the OP, I've found 52gr RL-15 and 210gr Scirrocco work well in my Encore handgun.

A bump for who cares.
Checking to see if anyone can add more to this thread.

Take care.

Only thing I have to add is, last summer when loading up a new batch of 210 pt's for an upcoming moose hunt, I couldn't get them to group worth a schit. This was a proven load. So, I started from scratch with 185TTSX and RL-15. Ended up at 58 grns, 2900fps and sub-moa groups. I think I should have stopped at 57, but left it alone for the hunt.
My boy used a bullet a piece for two moose within minutes of each other. Couldn't have asked for better performance.

Ten years later, Varget is still my favorite for the 200-210gr weights. I have used IMR 4064, Big Game, H4895, and IMR 4451 and some I have probably forgot.

Have another 338-06 coming to match my 416 Remington. The smith is being a little slow getting the Dakota open sights installed. Once I get the open sights filed in they will both go back for Cerakote treatment.

Once finished, I plan to shoot my 338-06's a bunch this summer along with my 338 Federals.
Got a bunch of the 185gr Federal Fusions from Midway. Really looking foward to banging a bunch of steel practicing field position shooting this summer.

Some of the best groups I've ever shot used 4320 and 210gr. NPs.