WOW,That is the exact same question I would have asked 18 months ago!!
The Belted case, .532 Rim or the fatter cased short Mag. is not suitable for the NEF action, for that matter the belted mag works in the Encore, but the short mag does not do well at all in it , even though some have been made, you won't see TC chamber a short mag., so it is a matter of frame size. BTW, the 338 bore does not matter, it is the case size, head size & pressue relative to the size of the NEF frame, doesnt matter if it is a .264WM or 338.
So, if you want a 338, buying a bolt gun is allways an option, as it is for any other caliber. If I get a 338 bolt gun, it will be a SPECIALIZED heavy 338 like the 338 Edge or 338 Allen, at the least a 338 ULtra Mag. with a 28" bull barrel, in this rifle I will be shooting 300 Gr. bullets @ 3,000 FPS or so & the 338 Win. Mag. is too small for that, but that is down the road if at all.
Here is what I like about the 338-06 Handi & Mac can elaborate later as I am packing right now for Branson, besides he is the one that got me to looking at this to begin with, it's his fault.
With the 26" barrel, it will get close to 338WM velocities up to the 225
Grain bullet. Most 338 bolt guns come with the 24" & I would not want a non-specialized bolt gun in this caliber to have a 26" anyway as they are 4" longer with the same barrel length due to the action. A 24" 338 will get about 2,950 with the 225 & the Ultra 26" 338-06 will do 2,850-2,875.
Some fast 338WM barrels will beat this & some 338-06 Ultra's might beat this, but the differences from 225Gr. & down will be close.
I just can't get the warm and fuzzey's over the ballistic differences & with
the new technology bullets, I don't want to use under 225 for the animals
I will hunt with this rifle.
You get these velocities useing ALOT less powder in the 338-06 which makes it cheaper to shoot, but less powder also means less recoil, less
muzzle blast & better barrel life & again for a SMALL performance difference.
The 30-06 case is cheaper, easier to get the best accuracy with & will
last longer than the belted case, overall a better case design.
It is economical in the Handi if you already have the gun, getting the barrel is cheaper to buy than a separate 338 Bolt gun, but at the same time you are getting the benefit of a custom barrel, if you buy the bolt gun & then buy a custom barrel, then you add $300.00 to the bolt gun.
The Handi handles great & with the short overall length even with the 26" tube.
The big 338's have a specialized role & they are great. The 338WM is fine but it brings nothing to the table for me. Grizz, since you asked this it is getting more clear to me that I would ask those who KNOW of the capabilities of a Handi, Why would I not get the 338-06 Handi?
Those who like Handi's will understand this & those who don't should get the bolt gun. I have several bolt guns that I won't part with, but this set-up will handle a great deal of my hunting needs. No one type of gun is for everyone.
