Thoughts On The 338-06 Caliber, Or Re-Barrel?

[big johnson]

Weatherby chambered the 338-06 A-Square for a few years and it's almost identical. A few years back there was lots of factory brass around. Interesting post no one mentioned the 338-06 AI. I was going to build one last year and ordered 600 210 gr.Swift Sir. which I haven't got. Building a 6mm creedmoor instead .If and when I get the Swift's I'll build the 338-06 AI.

 

[RogerPA]

Back in the day when Christensen made custom rifles, I had them build a .338-06 ASq. for me. 24" carbon, off a 700 action, and with what they called the "Classic" stock. It's pretty much perfect for what I intended to use if for. Light weight, slides pretty easily into a scabbard, and packs a pretty decent punch, without excessive recoil. I can't recall all my load details (I'm away from home right now), but I know with moderate loads of "BLC-2" I was easily able to get 160's at nearly 3100 FPS, and 185's to just under 3000 FPS. The 185's worked great on moose and caribou, and the 160's never fail to perform on whitetails. Based on my experience, if it shoots well, I'd try it! (Rifle shown below is aforementioned.338-06, and for all I know, may be the only .338-06 they ever made(?))

 

[Dskiper]

Don't be crazy! this .338-06 is so good offering 180-250 gr. bullets.15 yrs. ago Wheatherby,Nosler,& another mfg. made factory loadings.I built a rifle on a rem.700 w/shilen barrel & trigger.what a deer.elk.moose & bear cartidge.

 

[Sage70]

I am a deer hunter and have two pre 64 Model 70 338-06 rifles and they work great. In fact, if I could only have one deer and hog rifle it would be a 338-06. My favorite deer load is the 180 grain AccuBond with 55 grains of Reloader 15 but I also use 55 grains of Viht 150 and 58 grains of Reloader 17. The recoil is about like a 30-06, accuracy is great and it makes a really good 300 yard rifle. With a high shoulder shot you won't have to go looking for the animal after the shot.

 

[Rock Jock]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I'm going to keep it in the 338-06 configuration. I don't reload but I know a re-loader in Texas that I'll get to handle the job. I think that I'll start with the 185 grain and see how that shoots.

 

[arch408]

If it's accurate, leave it unless you don't like it. Im sure you could sell.

 

[Rock Jock]

Here's a couple of photo's of the 338-06. I am not going to re-chamber it, just keep it the way it is, and I might sell it.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

That's sharp!

 

[WYOHTF]

I've been comparing ballistics between -'06 based cartridges and the 9.3x62 Mauser.
There are lots of variations and the basic .338-06 is no slouch,
Of the big bore '06 cases the .35 Whelen improved or the .338 Sherman(.270 win wildcat) would be my pick, but I wouldn't turn my head to it either

 

[Shane Lindsey]

FWIW

338 Sherman 22" barrel. Powder acquisition has been a challenge. No accuracy work with this bullet, just velocity/pressure test.


200gr Nosler BT 6.5 Staball
65gr 2799 FPS
66gr 2836
67gr 2867 slight ejector print
68gr 2897 slight ejector print
68.5gr 2905 slight ejector print. Probably max.
69gr 2942 slight ejector print
69.5gr 2975 more pronounced ejector swipe.

 

[WildRose]

FWIW

338 Sherman 22" barrel. Powder acquisition has been a challenge. No accuracy work with this bullet, just velocity/pressure test.


200gr Nosler BT 6.5 Staball
65gr 2799 FPS
66gr 2836
67gr 2867 slight ejector print
68gr 2897 slight ejector print
68.5gr 2905 slight ejector print. Probably max.
69gr 2942 slight ejector print
69.5gr 2975 more pronounced ejector swipe.

I'd just start looking for an accuracy node probably between 64.5-66.5.

Load up six of each in half grain increments, shoot 2 separate 3 round groups with each of them looking for the least horizontal variation.

Pick the one you are happiest with and then tweak the seating depth to minimize the group size.

Out to about 400yds you have plenty of gun there for anything in N. America.

 

[nwhunter]

FWIW

338 Sherman 22" barrel. Powder acquisition has been a challenge. No accuracy work with this bullet, just velocity/pressure test.


200gr Nosler BT 6.5 Staball
65gr 2799 FPS
66gr 2836
67gr 2867 slight ejector print
68gr 2897 slight ejector print
68.5gr 2905 slight ejector print. Probably max.
69gr 2942 slight ejector print
69.5gr 2975 more pronounced ejector swipe.

Coincidently I picked up some 6.5 staball this weekend and loaded a few rounds in my 338/06 yesterday.
186 hammer
60gr 2480 no pressure signs,
66 gr 2780 starting to flatten the primer, still round edges.
I may try 67 and 68 grains later today.
I really want to find some BLC2 and try it.

 

[WildRose]

Coincidently I picked up some 6.5 staball this weekend and loaded a few rounds in my 338/06 yesterday.
186 hammer
60gr 2480 no pressure signs,
66 gr 2780 starting to flatten the primer, still round edges.
I may try 67 and 68 grains later today.
I really want to find some BLC2 and try it.

If you are already seeing pressure signs you need to start working backwards, not increasing the charge or you're likely to start doing some considerable damage to your rifle, particularly the throat.

 

[nwhunter]

If you are already seeing pressure signs you need to start working backwards, not increasing the charge or you're likely to start doing some considerable damage to your rifle, particularly the throat.

I wouldn't call it as much pressure as a factory load yet, but I hear what you're saying. These hammer bullets it's almost a chore to build pressure.