I was told my 06 is fine for elk, but with more study and a second look, there is more "weight" with the 338.
in looking at the charts, 225grain going 2600 at muzzle sends a wallup down range the o6 can not measure up to.
I originally was going to take the trusty 06, but with further review I am leaning toward the 338. Am I wrong, or is it a wash?
Thanks, Tim
Whose's charts are you looking at? I load the 338 WM for a friend. Out of his 338 WM, used to be my rifle, w/ a 24" barrel, you can safely drive most 225 grain bullets around 2800 fps. Heck, 250 grainers will go 2650 fps.
338 Win Mag for decades had been "THE" Elk and Moose cartridge.
I use a .338 for almost all my hunting,it has more punch that is for shure.What I like is I can take 210 gr. bullet and hunt deer,elk and bear.The plus side of the .338 is the less meat damage,I compared a antelope shot with a 30-06,243,25-06 and .338 and the one shot with the 1 shot with the .338 had less,then the 25-06,30-06,the 243.
I will put it this way,I love,double love the .338 win mag for game.
__________________
"When the moment of truth comes,and it's time to dance.You better get jiggy with it or find a new partner."
You don't need a .338 per se, but it is a very nice caliber and versatile as well. One rifle that you can use for all big game in North America with no hesitation. If you have the money, get one -- you will not regret it.
I used a .338 Wmag for many years and killed a bunch of moose with mine. I have never seen a better round for heavy game. When shot they basically don't go anywhere. But having said that I moved down to a 7mm rem mag a couple of years ago and guess what they drop just as fast! Your 3006 is not much different than a 7 mag so I would say shoot the one that you shoot better. Oh, and if you decide to use the big one I used to drive 250 partitions (which is what a .338 is really designed to do) at 2700fps no problem with a couple of powders.
__________________
I don't like people who don't like dogs !
Either one will work very well for Elk. Buy which ever rifle that you like best. I had a couple 338 Win Mags. Most of the time the collected dust in the closet because other rifles that I owned were more useful to me for a variety of game animals. I also found the 300 win Mag much more versitile for my needs although I hardly ever needed anything that big either.
If you can handle the added recoil of the 338 then by all means use it. I have a stainless laminated tikka T3 in 338 that only weighs 7.5lbs with a burris black diamond 3-12x50 scope. It was one of the most brutally kicking rifles I had ever shot until I had a muzzle break put on it, now it is not only light, but also kicks about as much as an 06 with lots more power.
338 vs. 06
?
