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Author Topic: Help on a 338 cal.  (Read 343 times)

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Offline Birddog 1

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Help on a 338 cal.
« on: March 30, 2008, 01:33:51 PM »
Hi I am wanting some information on the  338-06 and 338 Federals  I heard of a page where reloading data is listed on the new 338 Federal ,and was wondering how much you louse when reloading because we don't have the magic powder that Federal uses and what you people with a 338-06 think of it ? I am wanting it for Pigs and Elk. Now you people with the 338 or the 338-06 why did you  not just get a 30-06 ?

TIA Nim
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Offline Lone Star

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Re: Help on a 338 cal.
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2008, 04:56:46 PM »
I built my .338-06 two decades ago so I could use it on Alaskan moose and bear.  I re-bored a .30-06 barrel on an M7600 Remington.  The .30--06 is 'marginal' on both animals, although it certainly 'works'.  In the opinions of many, bigger bullets work better for bigger game.  After almost 30 years hunting Alaska I always felt better carrying a rifle that tossed big bullets.  When hunting smaller animals like these little Texas deer I load the .338-06 down to .338 Federal levels - and it works great.

You don't need magic powers to make either .338 perform very well.  Plenty of pressure tested data exists to get well over 2800 fps with 200-grain bullets in the .338-06.  Factory loads with the .338 Federal are 2630 fps with a 210-grain bullet.  Handloads in Speer #14 show 2598 fps with 200-grain bullets and 2440 fps with 225s.  Close enough for the girls I go out with.



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Offline Buck O Bob

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Re: Help on a 338 cal.
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2008, 05:39:31 PM »
IMR 4064 and Varget  w/ 200 Horn SP proved very accurate @ 2850fps in my 338-06 AI. Higher velocities were attainable but this bullet performed best on Mule deer and Elk at this veocity. [will break both shoulders and exit on Elk] Gave rifle to my hunting partner and built 338-08 on 700 SA, 20" #4 barrel 3yrs ago. [ wanted short overall length that did not extend over my head when slung on shoulder] I've never shot factory ammo thru it, Varget and RL-15 work best w/ 180 AccuBond and 200SP Horn bullets. Have reached 2800fps w/ 180's but prefer 200 SP's @ 2600 fps. The 200 SP's at this velocity also break down Elk shoulders and exit. I've taken Elk w/ 358 win, 338 mag, 30-06, 280,7x57, 7-08 all great calibers! 338 cal seems to work best in my hunting envirionment and remains the best performer for what I want it to do.

      
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