Here is a link to my recent Fire Classifieds purchase of a 338-06 FN Mauser.

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14114129

I mounted a Bushnell 4200 Elite 2.5-10x50 Firefly in med Weaver rings. Scope already with rings was sitting on my work bench. Gun came with steel Weaver compatible bases.

I think I'm gonna like it. Waiting on dies, got new W/W 30-06 brass to form into 338-06 rounds. Have 200 gr. Speer and 225 Federal Fusion bullets and most any powder one could think of for this round. gunner500 likes H-380. H-4320 has long been a classic with RL-15 a popular choice. Some like RL-17 for a slight velocity edge. I have those and a bunch more in that general burn rate range. Just for local WT's and hogs, don't think I need premium bullets. With big chunks of lead like these two, I think I'll be well prepared for whatever.

DF

Sweet!

Thanks, Ken.

Probably a bit light for those NM jackwabbits.

But for other stuff....

DF

It is,but I'm sure you make do with it.

I put my 338-06 together in 1995, a Cliff LaBounty rebore of a Walmart M700 ADL synthetic. I have taken multiple elk (210 Partiton/185 TSX), black and grizzly bear (225 AB) and a couple of mule deer and hogs between. Next fall it will head to NE BC for mountain goat, moose, elk and, if found, mountain caribou, black bear and wolf. My BC load uses RL-15 and the 185 TSX. A great round.

Good looking rifle.

Here's some reading material;
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.338-06+A-Square.html

Sweet rifle and an interesting caliber! Hope it works well for you.

I have been kicking around the idea of building one or finding one, but with two 338 Win Mags, and one of those is loaded down for Whitetail with 180 Grain Nosler Accubonds, I just haven't convinced myself that I need one of these yet.

Thanks for that info and for your help making this a smooth transaction.

DF

Do yourself a favour, and build / buy one. You didn’t mention what rifles your current 338 Win are ?

Pick the one that fits you best, and go
Get another one in 30’06 to maintain ergonomics,
Then spin on, or rebore to .338’06 , easy peasy
225 to 250s in the 338 Win, and 180 - 210 in the 338’06

Or find a 338 RCM that suits your hunting style.
Mine would be a Stainless laminated with Open Sights

You don't need one.....

I sold my 338WM in the late 90's and have long since been a huge 338-06 fan. Have had numerous rifles (5) such chambered. Currently have one, and two more being built right now. It is currently shooting 200gr Hornady SST's into tiny groups.

Since I have read very good things about the now discontinued 200gr NBT's in this caliber, I want to work up a load with 200gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertips for my SE Alaska Black Bear hunt next June.

My experience has lead to me to believe that the 210gr mono metals are fantastic for elk but a little to hard for deer. The plain 200gr Hornady IL causes lots of meat damage on deer, never used them on elk.

I sold a friend of mine a 338-06 (seller's remorse) and loaded up some 180gr NAB. He used the rifle and load last fall to take his biggest whitetail yet. Bullet seemed to work perfectly, not recovered of course.

338-06 good medicine.
While hunting with a 338-06 you'll feel good inside.
Smile from ear to ear.

One of them is a Late 1980's Winchester Model 70 XTR Sporter and the other is a Mossberg Patriot. Both shoot very very well. The little Mossberg is a tack driver and because it was inexpensive and very lightweight it is my tree stand rifle.

LOL, Guess I may just have to do myself a favour!

I am telling you, you do not need one...….

I am still on the fence, but....... thinking about a Interarms Mark X 30-06 re-bored to 338-06 be JES. Hmmmmmm!!!!!!!! Already looking at one.

I've owned two .338-06 rifles, a M70 Classic Stainless and an 03A3. The 03A3 was a shooter, but a heavier rifle than I wanted to hunt with all the time, so I traded it for some custom knives. So I'm just down to the M70 in that cartridge.

That M70 was showing potential when I broke my leg preparing for an elk hunt in 2015. I haven't messed with the rifle much since then. I really need to dig it out of the safe and take it hunting.

Cool rig! I load my 22" Ruger M77 Tanger .338WM to .338-06 levels and you are right about those "big chunk" bullets being effective. A 185-210gr bullet at 2,700-2,850 certainly makes an impact on a hog's day. Blood trails are generally very good and tracking jobs are short. The 200gr NBT and 185TTSX have been easy to work with at those speeds. My 185 load only goes 2,700fps for low recoil, but it's been a killer so far.

Looks a lot like mine. Mine was built with a 24" barrel, has a ramp frt sight and the gun came with a Redfield Jr 1 piece scope base that has that flip up peep on the back. B &C stock I've used 200 gr Interlocks and 200 gr SST's with it and 760 WW powder shoots nice. With the gun came a set of Redding dies that have the tapered expander ball that creates a 338-06 case from a once fired 30-06 in 1 stroke of the press lever. Shoot the hell out of it DF you'll enjoy it. MB

Thanks, MB.

This scope wasn't my first choice, but I think it'll work out just fine. The really heavy triplex reticle with Firefly feature should do well in dim light.

I like 2.5X for off hand shooting, 10X for longer shots. I'm not a fan of 50mm objectives, but this one is pretty sleek, should pick up light well. It's not light, but the rifle isn't either, around 8#, 11oz without floorplate. 8#, 14 oz all up. The 3# Timney trigger helps.

It looks like it was glass bedded well and I don't need to do anything but shoot it.

Buttstock sent dies and bullets separately, should receive them today or tomorrow.

Will report.

DF

With the taper on the ‘06 case, it really is easiest to go with a CRF Mauser action and a simple rebore.

If you haven’t seen it, search out AlaskaLanche’s thread on his 84L bored out to 338,
and lopped off at 20”. — Lite Done Rite , iirc was the thread title

DF - I’d like to hear more about your experience, and overall impressions wrt that scope & reticle.
Does it work much better in low light ? How is resolution at 10X in daylight ?

Thanks

I've used that scope on other guns. It has great glass, about VX-3 level. It's a good low light scope. The heavy reticle takes some getting used to. It does have fine wires at the center for precise work, then two step ups instead on one as in a duplex. That's why I refer to it as a triplex. The Firefly feature will glow for a while after being charged with a flashlight. It doesn't last that long, has to be re-energized. But, it's pretty neat for a non-illuminated reticle.

DF

I did a quick search and came up with nothing on that thread. Doesn't cutting the barrel down create excessive muzzle blast? Did you hit the deer? Nope!.... but the muzzle blast got him!

I have been interested in the .338-06 since Steve Timm's article in Handloader #109. Just got one from Melvin, gotta be the pinnacle for that cartridge! BTW, Midway has a sale on 35 Whelen brass, IMO the best way to start. Neck them down until they just chamber with no headspace, you can fire a full load right from the start.

I'm looking at #109 Handloader mag for sale on line, but there is no table of contents.

If that's the one, for sure, with Steve Timm's 338-06 article, I'll order it. This one has a Pro Melt electric lead pot on the front cover. See link.

https://www.wolfeoutdoorsports.com/handloader-109-may-1984/

DF

Just ordered Handloader #109.

DF

DF,when I had a .338/06 I used RL-15 and 225 grain NP's. I would start with RL-15 and go from there.

Thanks, Elk.

Have 225 gr Fed Fusion, RL-15. Will see how that combo works.

DF

I have an FN 338-06. Mine does well with RL15, RL17, H4350 and Ramshot Hunter and 210-225s. The edge regarding velocity and accuracy goes to RL17 in mine. Over time, I have drifted to 225s in mine.Seems to be an easy cartridge to load for.

Would you mind sharing your best load?

DF

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/4722839/338-06-and-rl-17

Thanks.

DF

My best loads for my 338-06:
200gr Accubond or Ballistic Silvertip
Win Case,WLRM Primer
59.0grs of Big Game or 59.0grs of CFE223
These run a tad over 2800fps out of my rifle

210 Partition
Win Case,WLRM Primer
54.0grs Varget
This load runs a little over 2700fps out of my rifle
Really,I found the 338-06 to be easy to load for.With the 200gr bullets,I think any powder between say Varget to 4350 will give you an acceptable load.
59.0grs Big Game 2812fps


59.0grs CFE223 2807fps


54.0gr Varget 2721fps

Good info.

That Big Game load looks familiar... Did pretty well in my HVA '06 wtih 130 gr. Ralph Council match grade bullets.

Guess I could join Pharmseller, pimping Big Game powder...

It is good stuff.

Seems Varget works well with 200's. Varget is a very consistent powder, ususally with low S.D.'s, probably why it's so popular with target shooters.

DF

My first custom was a stainless m77 mkII action rebarreled to 338-06. I never killed anything with it but it shot well. I sold it to someone here in the fire in a moment of weakness. I thought it was a great go anywhere do anything round and it probably was but I realized a standard 30-06 was too and ammo was everywhere.

Those 06 based rounds just feed well and hold more in the mag than magnums. I just went through a phase where i got rid of everything between 30 and 375 and the 338-06 fell victim to that. So did my little 20" 338 rcm stainless that i kind of miss.

Bb

Just read and downloaded from the CD, Steve Timms .338-06 article in Handloader #109. Very good article.

Bottom line, he considers 200, 210, and 225 gr. bullets the most practical. IMR-4320 seemed his best powder. In June '84, he didn't have some of the newer powders, like RL-17, etc. So, not too unlike Ken Water's Pet Loads, excellent but somewhat dated info.

Steve quoted Ken Waters' note from his Handloader #87, .35 Whelen article. "I suspect the best way to improve on the .35 Whelen is to neck it down to .338... taking advantage of the better sectional density of the .338 bullets, as compared to .358 bullets, as well as the larger and better selection of available .338 bullets".

I think ole Ken was right, not to insult Whelen fans. But it is what it is...

DF

DF,
Went to the range today to wring out my 338-06. I tried 185gr GMX, TTSX and 200gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertip.

Used H4895 with the 185's and Varget with the 200gr.

I got to the max load listed in the latest Hornady manual of 57.3 Varget with 200gr bullets and no issues and running right at 2790 fps.
These were only three shot groups but the best was 0.3 and 0.5 with single digit ES and low single digit Sd's.

The 185's were less than stellar with H4895 best group was .9 with velocities running way behind book numbers. But I just had to try them.

I also feel the 200-225gr bullets are best, with extreme bias towards the 200-210gr range. This is from actual hunting experience. I am of the humble opinion that a 200-210gr mono at 2800fps will take anything on this planet, with the exception of elephant, and buffalo due to legal requirements.

I have some 210gr Barnes T/TSX's on the bench and will work up load for them later. Want to hunt deer/antelope this fall with the 200gr NBST's. Our pronghorn season opens a week from Saturday. I have found the mono's to be too hard on deer size game, but perfect for elk.

^ Truth

I kind of miss my x-wife, but that passes. Best wishes for a complete recovery BB

🤪

The 210 Nosler partition is still hard to beat. Bob Hagel liked it.

Some additional articles, with my comments:
1.Wildcat Pump for the Alaskan Hunter by Jay Turner, Handloader 146, July-Aug 1990, p. 30. He got his .30-06 barrel rebored, not realizing that the barrel threads into the steel block in front of the receiver and is easily replaced.
2. The .35 Whelen and .338-06 Compared by Layne Simpson, Rifle 105, May-June 1986, p. 18. A good, in-depth article as is typical of his work. However, I think he tries a bit too hard to rank the .35 higher, which was his choice of the two. In particular, I feel that at that time especially there were more quality bullets available in .338 than in .358, with better ballistic coefficients and sectional density for a given weight.
3. .338-06 Improved, Pet Loads, by Ken Waters, Handloader 126, March-April 1987, p. 23. Up to his usual level of quality and thoroughness.
4. Medium Bores .338-06 vs. .35 Whelen by Finn Aagaard, Handloader 184, Dec-Jan 1997, p. 32. In-depth study including penetration tests.
5, The ,338-06 by Finn Aagaard, American Rifleman, Dec. 1986, p. 22.
6. Goliath Junior: .338-06 by William Corson, Rifle 16, July-Aug 1971, p.32. This is the article referenced by Steve Timm.
7. .338-06 A Wildcat Powerhouse, by Geoff Steer, Guns & Ammo, Dec. 1985, p. 54.

Lots of good references. Thanks.

I guess the .35/.338 argument will continue as an ongoing Loony thing.

But what would a Loony be doing otherwise.

DF

I recovered one 210gr NP out of an elk. Lost the front.
The bullet obviously worked, but I like the mono's when it comes to premiums.

Otherwise at 338-06 velocities, have been perfectly happy with plain c&c bullets.

Friend used a 180gr AB last fall on his biggest WT to date. Complete pass through and damage was typical of a lead based bullet.

Boy, that’s a fact!

I have one, a JES rebore. Its about a 1 inch gun, more than accurate enough for elk. It is a slow barrel tho.

200 AB's, max I can get is 2672.

225 AB's, max I can get is 2504.

Its my timber gun, so not overly worried about it. Worked fine last year, cow being pushed by a bull at about 80 yards.

It still smacks steel at 350 yards with a nice punch.

It can continue as long as it wants. I certainly know which side of the argument I am on.
Should I turn in my loony card?

Never...



DF

I found some of my load test for 200gr Accubonds.Here is my results
61.5grs Reloader-17 2830fps (poor groups)
63.0grs of Hunter 2730fps (excellent groups)
62.0grs H4350 2740fps (excellent groups)
59.5grs BLC-2 2830fps (excellent groups)
56.0grs Varget 2849fps (excellent groups)

When I had a 338-06, my rifle loved this load.

I re-bedded and painted the stock. Now with Conquest scope, sent back for elevation turret.

DF

Not insluted, but I will disagree a little. The Whelen wasn't designed for 200 and 210 grain bullets. It was made for 250gr slugs.

But if you want to look at 200 and 210 grain bullets, Ken might have said:

"I suspect the best way to improve on the .338-06 is to neck it down to .308... taking advantage of the better sectional density of the .308 bullets, as compared to .338 bullets, as well as the larger and better selection of available .308 bullets".

So is the 338-06 a tweener?

I hear ya...!

Just quoting our bud Steve, who was quoting Ken Waters...

DF

It's all good. I like all 3 of them

Just get a kick out of gun writers that compare equal weight bullets in two different bore sizes and then (surprisingly ) choose the small bore due to greater sectional density.

Who woulda thunk it

Currently using CFE223 for 200 NABs. Used to use Re-15, but CFE223 shoots well and I have more of it. Plus, I might get some de-coppering benefits (yeah, right).

So far, my best load is the 160 TTSX over Varget, should be running a bit over 3K fps.

It groups around .7" at a 110 yds. I'm thinking about using it this weekend for WT's. The runner up was 180 Weldcore, but slightly over an inch group.

Will report.

DF

BTW, Dyna Bore Coat works well. After an extended range session, a few soaks with Wipe-Out is all it took. I never use a brush after DBC treatment.

This rifle is more finicky than some. It does very well with what it likes, not so good with others. The 225 Fed Fusion shoots 3", the 200 Speer around 2 1/2", neither very impressive. The barrel looks like a very good one thru the Hawkeye, but we don't know who make it or who fitted it.

I'll get the best load, stock up on those bullets, sell the rest. I've yet to try the 210 NPT and the 200 gr. Combined Technologies (a black NBT). The 200 CT was accurate in my 338-284.

DF

I just put the little Mod 77 338 RCM on layaway! Near as I can read, it is very similar in case capacity to a 338/06? Of course, this one has a 20" barrel so velocity will be a bit lower. I still have some Nosler 200 Ballistic Tip, a handful of Speer 200 and a wad of 250 NAB. I bet I can find something it like to shoot! I will put a low powered scope on it, probably a 1x3 or 2x7 at most. A few years back, I saw one in the used gun rack at Cabela's. Someone had put a 30mm, huge, heavy scope on it, I forget the power but it made it feel like a club in your hands. I like light and lively for the woods myself. So, I've had a 338 Federal, a 338/280 Wildcat ( very briefly, had bad brass), 338WMs, 340W and 338 RUMs. But no 338/06, nor RCM. I'm looking forward to it.

Follow up on the 338-06 FN.

I just got back fron shooting several guns, including this one. Two stand out loads: One is Seafire and gunner500's pet load with H-380. I shot a .65" group with 61 gr H-380 and the 200 gr. Combined Technologies (essentially a black NBT).

Another was the 210 NPT over 54 gr. Varget, which shot .8".

The 160 gr. TTSX shoots sub inch with a very close POI to these heavier, shower bullets. That I wasn't expecting, but I'll take it...

All these will make great hunting rounds, IMO.

DF

[quote=WhelenAway][quote=Dirtfarmer]Just read and downloaded from the CD, Steve Timms .338-06 article in Handloader #109. Very good article.

Bottom line, he considers 200, 210, and 225 gr. bullets the most practical. IMR-4320 seemed his best powder. In June '84, he didn't have some of the newer powders, like RL-17, etc. So, not too unlike Ken Water's Pet Loads, excellent but somewhat dated info.

Steve quoted Ken Waters' note from his Handloader #87, .35 Whelen article. "I suspect the best way to improve on the .35 Whelen is to neck it down to .338... taking advantage of the better sectional density of the .338 bullets, as compared to .358 bullets, as well as the larger and better selection of available .338 bullets".

I think ole Ken was right, not to insult Whelen fans. But it is what it is...

In Ken Waters' article on the .338-08 (now .338 Federal). he concluded that it was a "Wildcat of Merit" [Handloader 177] that "betters a .358 Winchester while simultaneously offering an increase in power over the .308 Winchester from a short action rifle."

Hence we have what Ken actually said about two different .338s.

I ponder sometimes what those guys could have done with the selection of high performance powders we have today.

I love reading their stuff, but as you note, it's dated, limited to vintage powders.

Steve did a great job with that article, as he typically does.

Some Whelen advocates did get fuzzed up a bit at Ken's assessment of the 338-06 vs the 35W....

Finn Aagaard also wrote a good piece on the 338-06. Finn and Ken were both great writers, down to earth, not a lot of fluff and filler with either of them.

DF