338/06 ??

[Dawkahab]

Have used .338-06 Ackley Imp for over 50 years, great all around caliber, however ammunition availability can be a problem in Africa, I take 7 Rem for plains game and a .416 for the mean stuff as those calibers are available over there. Your 06 is perfectly adequate fo plains game. My son takes one rifle a .375 for everything.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Welp, I am holding my breath.. I am scheduled to hunt in Namibia in August.. I don't think I am going.. I am taking my 30/06.. Now that I am home and a I.G. buddy told my about the 338/06... Got to thinking; Winchester Model 70 FWT SS Dark Maple 30-06 as a donor.. I know it will kick because it's not heavy.. Any thoughts ?? Anyone shoot the 338/06 ??

30/06 works just fine. If you are changing to a 338 case neck down to 308. your are not really gaining anything over a 300 win mag or on that line. If changing 06 to 338. Not really gaining much. you can hand load a 30/06 to 220 grains. The two trips I took two Namibia, All shots were under 150 yards from a blind, and rested. Get a triploid that you can go from standing up to sitting down positions. A dam good rifle case. Even then the weather will be warm. Will need a light jack for the morning or late evening. Tell the guide you want only to shot gold level trophies. They don't go by Boone & Crocket rules.
I use a 308 Norma Mag first time with 165 grains bullet at 3300 fps, and a 338 Win Mag with 200 grains bullets at 3230 fps.
PS. Take a pocket camera with extra batters. Take lots of Pictures.

SSS
Mike

 

[montana west]

I been shooting the 338/06Ai for 40 years and if you have one built use the AI and use Reloader 15 powder and it is a honey. the AI verson give you abour 125 fps more velocity and it reduces the recoil because of the 40 * sholder. I believe it get 2825 with the 215 serria gameking and that is a great elk and moose stopper.. I live in grizzley country and I am sure it would put one down if charged.

 

[dogz]

Have you retrieved any of the 215's out of critters? I've always heard that they're very tough and don't open well especially at 338/06 speeds and such. I do like the sound of the bullet though. I've used the 200 NBT quite a bit and it's a stone cold killer. Love the 250 Part as well in the timber

 

[Jerry M]

Nothing against .338-06...

But you have a trip 5 months away. Instead of contemplating a new rifle, you should be on the range practicing shooting off of shooting stick in standing and sitting positions and shooting prone and a bench (some) to mimic shooting off of the safari truck. I try to shoot at least 200 rounds with the rifle and load I am using before going on a trip. In two trips to RSA I killed 10 animals with 180 Nosler Partitions from a .30-06.

Suggestion: buy the book 'The Perfect Shot' by Kevin Robertson, you will be surprised how far forward the vitals are on African game.
Also, make sure your cartridges are marked in the caliber you are using, otherwise customs officials may confiscate them. No .30-06 cases sized to something else.

Good luck in your hunt

Jerry

 

[nicholasjohn]

Nobody talks much about the 30-06 with 200-grain bullets - that might be the best way to get into 338-06 territory with the rifle you've got. I agree with this last poster that if this trip works out, going with a new rifle might not be the best idea. A thorough re-familiarization with the old rifle, and possibly a heavier load, might be the better choice.

 

[JMW67]

Welp, I am holding my breath.. I am scheduled to hunt in Namibia in August.. I don't think I am going.. I am taking my 30/06.. Now that I am home and a I.G. buddy told my about the 338/06... Got to thinking; Winchester Model 70 FWT SS Dark Maple 30-06 as a donor.. I know it will kick because it's not heavy.. Any thoughts ?? Anyone shoot the 338/06 ??

1 piece of advice what ever gun you take put a rail on it and use warne quick detach rings and have a backup scope in the same rings ready to go on my last trip upon arrival we shot rifles and I found out my Swarovski had gone to crap on the plane ride I had a second scope set it in place 1 adjustment and I was set on go

 

[PBR driver]

Having another commercial Mauser Action I have been thinking of a .338-06 A Square chambering.
Can not till I get another shop, maybe this summer.
It should be a fun project.

 

[montana west]

dog z I have tested serria 215's and yes you are right, they are tough and too tough for deer. the nosler accubond woud be better for deer.. on deer i used a 200 grain speer. they opened up fine at 2850.

 

[Possum Cop]

I love my 338-06 A2, I shoot 185 grain Barnes TTSX right at 3000 FPS using 58 grains of Varget (Compressed Load) and 200 grain Speer HotCor HCSP right at 2750 FPS using 54 grains of H4895.
I also love shooting the .30-06, I shoot 180 grain Sierra Game Kings right at 2740 FPS using 55.5 grains of H414.
Both rifles are Remington 700 actions and both have a 24" barrel.
I use Weatherby headstamped .338-06 A-Square Brass. I used .30-06 brass sized up when I first started shooting it but the headstamped brass isn't much more expensive when you buy premium brass.
I use .30-06 headstamped brass for my .30-06 Springfield.
I gain a little velocity using heavier bullets in the .338-06 compared to the .30-06, both kill.

I hunted in Africa using a .30-06 with 150 grain soft points and a .223 using 55 grain soft points on plains game and killed all of the game with one shot each.
Best of luck with your decision and your African hunt.

 

[RevJim]

I've hunted South Africa (3x) and Namibia once. 10-4 on the "proper headstamp & matching barrel chamber stamp" They have about 14 guys at the Border, with AKs and they go over every Serial Number, headstamp, number of rounds, etc. Your 30-06 with Barnes 168 TTSX is your huckleberry for Namibia!

 

[Bwana Barry]

I have and shoot both I took the 338-06 to Africa a couple years ago and it did well but I have 338-06 stamped brass and I am glad I did it was something they checked so think about it if you cannot find the brass The 30-06 will perform just as well on a plains game hunt

Namibia in lockdown right now (27/03), but should be OK by August.....depending....
Use 180gr Nosler Partition or 165gr Barnes Ttsx or 180gr Swift A Frames or 180gr Woodleighs.

 

[Cigar]

Thanks guys.. This build is not for this year.. It's 30/06 from now on.. Range, loading and Praying we are going....