Author Topic: 338-06 and 338-06 A Square, What is the difference? (Read 864 times)

sherppa · « **on:** May 11, 2006, 07:43:47 AM »

I have seen alot on the 338-06 and the 338-06 A Square. What is the difference bewtween the two?

killdeer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:18:17 AM »

338-06 like many cartridges started life as a wildcat. A-Sqare adopted it so they get to name it, hence 338-06 A-Square.

crash87 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2006, 02:32:00 AM »

A-Square basically put the case dimensions to a standard, not just gave it a name. In looking at my manual "Any Shot You Want" I see a casehead to shoulder measurment of 1.948", in both the Accurate and Nosler list it at 1.940 with discrepancies in neck length and shoulder lengths also. Its important to determine what you have and fireform to your chamber. It also means you might not be able to chamber factory A-Square ammo in your chamber "or" you might have a excessive headspace giving you premature case failure in subsequent reloading. CRASH87

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2006, 05:14:07 AM »

crash is 100% right, my gunsmith, Wayne York, has rebored/rechambered many, many rifles to .338-06, it's one of his all time favorites, but when he did mine, he couldn't chamber the A-square rounds, he had to lengthen the chamber neck to allow them to work, he had to open it up a tad too cuz the brass is thicker. Necked up dummy rounds of .30-06 and .270 brass chambered fine before he made the changes.

Tim

sherppa · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2006, 05:01:17 PM »

quick, which does your prefer, the A Square of necked up 30-06?

thanks,

sherppa

sherppa · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2006, 05:02:38 PM »

Correction - A Square "or" necked up 30-06?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2006, 05:28:33 PM »

I've only shot Weatherby .338-06 brass in mine, so I wouldn't be the best source for an opinion to that question, but I would expect A-square or Weatherby .338-06 brass to last longer than necked up '06 brass due to the thicker brass in the neck. With the chamber neck sized for the A-Square round, I would think the '06 brass would be worked too much besides being necked up to begin with. Doubt there's any difference in ballistics between the two, tho.

Tim

crash87 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:02:28 AM »

Ive necked up and down various calibers over the years. The 30-338 comes to mind as a perfect example. 7mm necked up or .338 necked down, Ive never encountered much of a difference, in "my" rifle. As far as neck thickness is concerned, if it holds your bullet with sufficient tension and fits your chamber without spiking pressure theres really not a problem. Remember we are not going to extremes here. You can also neck down .35 Whelen too. The one advantage to using factory brass is that you have the proper headstamp. Refering to the above example, I also shoot a 7mm Mag, you dont really want to fire the wrong stuff in the right rifle or vice versa, one fireforms a round the other..... an oops that can cost you. CRASH87