Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 8mm-06 vs 338-06

Thinking of another hog/black bear rifle. I haven't seen or heard much about the 8mm-06. The 338-06 almost seems better in availability and it launches a slightly bigger bullet. Not sure of ballistics for either. Furthest shot would be 300 yards but more likely to be 200 yards and under.

Seems like a 338/06 would be the cats meow, especially in a components shortage. The other would work just fine, but why place limitations on yourself?

Main reason for the 8mm-06 was to convert military Mauser's easily when 8x57 ammo was not generally available. Both good small medium bores and cover about the same range 150-250gr. bullets for the 8mm and 160-300 for the .338.

If you wanted to get really nostalgic build a .318 Westly Richards or a .333 Jeffrey.

Never heard of an 8mm-06 cartridge, although I have no doubt there is one. 338-06 is a great cartridge, have one of those. For what you described, the 338 Fed sounds perfect. Could run a 160 TTSX at >3000fps or a 210 Partition at ~2600. 8x57 would work too.

Tejano, if I'm going Jeffrey than it will be a 404 (grin)!

I'm thinking the 338-06, possibly an AI will work well for my needs? I guess I would stick with the 210 grainers for everything?

You could split the difference and get the best of both worlds with a 318 Westley Richards.

When I shot out the barrel on my Husqvarna.30-06 I wanted to get it rebored to 8mm-06 because I'm fond of .32's. Alas, the reborer said he wouldn't do a Husky again because the steel is too hard and they don't cut nice.

I'd go straight 338-06 over ackley. Not going to notice any difference. Id even look into a 35 whelen. Never owned the whelen but I'd think it would be a hog stomper

Do you have a supply of 8mm bullets on hand? If so, then perhaps an 8mm-'06 makes sense, otherwise, I think the general availability of .338 bullets wins out. 8mm bullets aren't something you find in just every gun store.

.338-'06 with 210 grain partitions should thump hogs and black bears pretty well.

Tom

I built mine in the AI version mostly to be different. Reloads of either the 225gr Accubonds or TTSX are what I shoot. A 210gr TTSX or Swift Scirroco's would be breat as well.

vs. 9.3x62...

DF

Flip a coin. No significant difference in .323 vs .338. 338 has better bullet selection tho...

That would be the significant difference.

Mule Deer
What bullet would it take in the 338/06 to pentrate deeper than a 200 grain Nosler Partition in a 30/06?

I just like .323's because I'm a WWII buff and I had at least one rifle from every major country involved. I really liked my 8X57's and that is why I'd like to have an 8mm-06. Otherwise it makes little sense.

I've got an 8mm-06 AI. It's as much a novelty as anything, but pretty potent. Got it for use as a backup/loaner rifle. Just a rechambered Mauser 98 8x57. So, if you're building from the ground up, .338-06 is probably the way to go due to bullet selection. However, a 200 grain Partition from an 8-06 (AI or not) is more than enough for literally anything in North America and it's easy to do on a Mauser. But if going for a more expensive build, go with the .338-06. Whole gun cost me $225 FWIW.

Always been intrigued with the 8mm after seeing a .325wsm thump a critter.

Already did the 9.3x62 route.

Always looking to add a few more to the stable but something different? I may have to get the 338-06. Thanks.

+1

I have had a couple of .338-06's and both have been super easy to work loads up for, and there honestly isn't as much difference between it and a .338 WM as you might think. I have a nice VZ24 that I purchased way cheap, with a new Shaw barrel. I've never bought a Shaw barrel, but this one shoots MOA and doesn't foul, so works for me. I have less than $300 in it with a typical Buehler style safety, Boyds laminate stock, and scope ready. There isn't much that you can't do with a 210 TTSX at 2800, or a 225 at 2700 fps, or a 250 at 2500.

Fred,

To be honest, I dunno, since I never ran a direct comparison with the 200 Partition in the .30-06 with any of the three .338-06's I've fooled with. But suspect it might match the 200/.30-06with the 225 TSX, and maybe the 250 Partition. Though in my experience the 200 penetrates VERY well, both from the .30-06 and various .300 magnums.

Also had an 8mm-06 for a while, and found out it was basically a .30-06. The problem is bullets. Basically, any bullet available in 8mm can be matched or exceeded by a .30 caliber. But .338 is a different story.