.338-06 A Sq.

[brenneke]

Hi guys, first post here. I have just got a 8.5 x63 (ie: 338-06 imp) barrel for my Blaser. I have some RL 17 and H4350 that i was planning on building loads from. I was particularly looking at lighter copper monolithics. Anybody got some starting loads to try? What loads are you using for fireforming your AI's/rebs?

 

[H2OBUG]

Revisiting this post. About a year after I built the 338-06 I built a 338 Federal. I have been hunting with it quite a bit over the last two years. Shooting a 160 Barnes TTSX out of it @ 2850. I have been absolutely amazed with the performance of this bullet. Absolute murder scene. I killed a couple deer with the 338-06 using the 180AB. Shoots great out of the gun but just punched through both deer. Almost like a FMJ. So I started looking at the Barnes data and you can push the 160 TTSX 3250 in the 06. So I am going to load some of those and the 185 TSX (Because I have some and can’t find the tipped except at Midway. I swapped the scope on the 06 an went to a 6-20 x 50mm. So should be better on out there. We will see how it goes.

 

[Kurz]

As long as we've resurrected this thread from 2011...

The article mentioned by Finn is still an excellent recap of his investigation into the .338-06 cartridge:

http://nitroexpress.info/ezine/NickuduFiles/Members-PDF/Aagaard-338-06.pdf

The .338-06 and the Improved version are terrific moderate cartridges with a huge selection of bullet designs and weights with which to experiment. More than reasonably adequate for 500 yards and maybe a mite longer.

Which brings up a cartridge I have ignored for nearly forever, .338 Federal. It's the advent of the heavier bullets in .338 that caused me to question the use of these heavies in this .308 sized case. In actuality, the Hornady 300 Gr. A-Tip is the topic I was considering. Understand that this will not fit in a standard short action magazine like a .300 BLK. Nor did I choose a longer barrel but pulled up a 20" with a slightly faster twist to accommodate the A-Tip.

OAL was 3.320" over a full case of VVN-540.

With a suppressor, chronographed top end loads yielded ~2100 fps. which is substantial enough for 500 yard shots on deer size game.

The other cartridge I have mentioned previously is the .338 WSM now using the 300 gr. A-Tip. I opted for a long action based on an OAL of 3.460" over a full case of VVN555.

Chronographed at ~2400 fps. suppressed 20" barrel with a slightly faster twist rate. This can become a fine cartridge for elk with a maximum yardage limitation.

Just a couple of things to consider...

 

[wildcatter]

Old thread, but I have been thinking about a 338-06 AI for a while now. I am seriously looking at a building one for a spring project. The 35 Whelen keeps sticking thoughts in my head, both worthy, but for me the better shoulder for headspacing, and 180 grain bullets for deer size game are what is keeping the 338 in the top spot for this project.

When it comes to Elk or even Moose the 210 or 225 are more than good choices, and even if one wanted to consider dangerous game like Grizz or even big bovine, the 250 and 275 Swift A-frame offer big medicine for close in top performance, to equal the Whelen. But those 180's offer flat shooting and lighter recoil required for 400 to 500 accuracy on the smaller deer sized game that is often taken at those ranges.

I'm seriously considering this build with a 20 oz stock, a No. 3 sporter contour 1-10 barrel and a Stainless Remington 700 long action are in my dreams,,, and just might soon be reality? Only time will tell!

 

[wi50]

Glad to see this thread alive. I built myself a 338-06 a few years ago. Winchester model 70 classic action I bought here for $450 and I just used a green mountain 338 chrome moly 10 twist blank, $60. Bell & Carlson stock, about $275. Midway was clearance Leupold vx2 3-9x40 for $175....I should have bought a dozen of them, some Talley lightweight rings. A little of green cerakote on the barrel, about two late nights on the clausing clochester lathe in the shop when I wasn't busy. It wasn't something I wanted to spend real money on, but I wanted a 338-06. I didn't want anything fancy, nothing with a box magazine to loose. A crf action with a trigger that doesn't fail. Some Rl17 powder and some 225 gr Hornady interlock and it's fun to shoot. Been carried a lot, shot a little

 

[H2OBUG]

Revisiting this post. About a year after I built the 338-06 I built a 338 Federal. I have been hunting with it quite a bit over the last two years. Shooting a 160 Barnes TTSX out of it @ 2850. I have been absolutely amazed with the performance of this bullet. Absolute murder scene. I killed a couple deer with the 338-06 using the 180AB. Shoots great out of the gun but just punched through both deer. Almost like a FMJ. So I started looking at the Barnes data and you can push the 160 TTSX 3250 in the 06. So I am going to load some of those and the 185 TSX (Because I have some and can’t find the tipped except at Midway. I swapped the scope on the 06 a went to a 6-20 x 50mm. So should be better on out there. We will see how it goes.

Well Houston we have a problem. In my original 338/06 loads I used Winchester 30/06 brass and my Lee dies. Well loading this latest batch I used new Peterson 30/06 brass and my Lee dies. The Peterson brass did not spring back near as much and I have no neck tension. Ordered a smaller expander. Will see how that works.

 

[H2OBUG]

Gun didn’t like the 160 Barnes. 185 TSX shoots same POI as the 180 AB with .5 gr more powder. Shoots the AB in one hole the 185TSX is close to 1/2 MOA.

 

[Hntnhrd]

I started playing with H380 in my 338/06.
With the same 225 grain partition ihave picked up 200 fps over my reloader 15 loads.

 

[MooseHunter]

I started playing with H380 in my 338/06.
With the same 225 grain partition ihave picked up 200 fps over my reloader 15 loads.

Have you tried 2000MR with the 225s? I hope to get the 225 ABs to 2700 without excess pressure from 24 in barrel

 

[Hntnhrd]

I haven’t first try with reloader 15 gave me such good accuracy I really haven’t played with other powders till now.