338-06

[rwj]

Hello Wildman!,

I don't know why you are looking at the 338-06 - want something bigger (than 30-06 for ex.) for hunting moose, elk, or bear?  Then I think you are on the right track.  I don't have experience with the 338-06, my experience is the the 338-06 Ackley Improved (holds a little more powder).  My experience has been good.  It performs well with 200 -225 grain bullets.  I am getting 3160 feet per second muzzle velocities out of a 24 inch barrell with a 200 grain bullet.  That's basically duplicating the performance of the 338 win mag with less powder and less recoil!  That part I like.  Now I should qualify myself by saying that I have a lot more experience with the 30-06 Springfield cartridge and my experience with it has been good too.  I'm not saying you cannot kill and elk, moose, or bear with the 30-06 - but if you would like a little bit more range with not a lot more recoil - I think you are headed in the right direction.  Good luck and good hunting.

[Boxhead]

I have been using the 338-06 for about 10 years in a custom lighweight (7# scoped and slung) M700. It has proven accurate with bullets from 180 grs through the 225's. I have not used the 250's. For quite some time I used the 210 gr Partition at 2800 fps to take elk, nilgai, deer and hogs. For my 2004 elk hunt I switched to the 185 gr Barnes Triple Shock at a hair under 3000 fps and whacked this guy at a lasered 270 yards. For those that like something different to shoot it is a hard hitting, flat shooting relatively mild recoiling round.