Cartridge question

8mm/06 · 04-02-2004, 05:55 PM

Attention Handloaders and Wildcat fans.....
I have been looking into purchasing or building something bigger (more potent) than any of the cartridges I now have. My arsenal leans towards the lighter side of cartridges as the heaviest I own/shoot would be my 30/06 and my 8mm/06.
Here's the question....
Would there enough of a step-up advantage in obtaining a 338/06 AI as the next larger cartridge in my cabinet....or should I skip over to something like the real deal 338 win Mag?...(or bigger?). Right now my guns are all lumped into the small (243) to medium small (6.5 x 55 and 300 Savage, 7 X 57 etc) to my medium 30/06 and 8mm/06?
Any advice is appreciated. I await your views.
ELKampMaster, I especially am intersted in your take, since I have heard your theory a few times on having enough "spread" amongst your guns' perfomance.

popeye · 04-02-2004, 06:40 PM

The 338/06 offers only the slightest advantage over your 8mm/06. I'm a BIG 338/06 fan but you would have to go to a big magnum(375H&H) to take a significant step up in power. Have you thought about going towards a big bore lever gun like a 45-70 or 444?

8mm/06 · 04-02-2004, 07:58 PM

I have often considered a lever gun in one of the large bores...but that would be an additional animal for the cabinet....The 338/06 AI (or bigger/more potent) I would have in a bolt. (I do like the 444 and others of it's ilk)
Isn't the .338 Win mag much of a boost over the 338/06?

Jimbo60 · 04-02-2004, 08:07 PM

With most bullets the 338 Win mag would offer about 200-250 fps jump from tne 338-06. Not all that much. I would jump over that to the 375 H&H. You will find that thats the last jump you would ever need to take. If it short rang punch you need the 47-70 would flatten anything in North America.

Vapodog · 04-02-2004, 08:25 PM

I agree.....the next significant step up from a 8mm-06 is a .375 H&H and that's a heck of giant step.....but it's the end of the line for anything on the planet.....anything more is simply not needed.

thndrchiken · 04-02-2004, 09:40 PM

I was in the same position and stepped up to the 35 Whelen.

Bloodnativ · 04-03-2004, 12:55 AM

I have been looking into doing the same thing. My biggest right now is the 8x57. I thought about going with the 338/06 but have just about decided on the 35 Whelen AI. I really like big bullets but have no need for something as big as the 375 H&H. I don't really have any need for anything bigger than 8x57 but if I'm going to get something I don't need it might as well be something different.

eldeguello · 04-03-2004, 08:10 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 8mm/06

I have often considered a lever gun in one of the large bores...but that would be an additional animal for the cabinet....The 338/06 AI (or bigger/more potent) I would have in a bolt. (I do like the 444 and others of it's ilk) Isn't the .338 Win mag much of a boost over the 338/06?

No, the .338 Win. is NOT much better than the .338/'06! BUT, the .340 Weatherby is, if you wish to stay under .375" bore size. You should consider the .375 H&H or even the recently reintroduced .375 Weatherby, which is a little more powerful than the regular H&H, but is still shootable. The .378 Weatherby is pretty much the "king" of the .375" bores, but is a real pain to shoot. I mean PAIN in the most literal sense of the word, too!

If you go for a lever gun, avoid the .444 Marlin unless you want to use Buffalo Bore ammo, or you load your own, since the big factories use what are essentially pistol bullets in this caliber, with low sectional densities and relatively poor penetration. These bullets pretty much relegate the .444 to a deer/black bear load. However, using heavy hard-cast flatnose bullets, the .444 definitely moves up into the "serious cartridge" class!

I personally believe the .45/70 to be the most versatile big-bore lever action cartridge.

8mm/06 · 04-03-2004, 11:23 AM

Thanks for all replies so far
I have considered the 375 H&H. If I plan to hunt elk or moose or any of the North American big bears I know that the 375 H&H is up to the job. Would the 338/06 (AI or not) be adequate for the large game just menitoned?? I guess the 45/70 would do the job also ...but is the 45/70 limited to a certain distance envelope??
Is there anything out there that is BETWEEN the 8mm/06 - 338/06 and the 375 H&H in both potency and recoil?? Once again, all info appreciated.

Vapodog · 04-03-2004, 02:02 PM

IMO the .338-06 is nearly equivalent to the .338 win mag and that's saying a lot.....complete with up to 300 grain bullets and a lot of choices 250 grains down to 180 grains and a lot of premium bullets to boot. I'd personally pick it over the 8MM-06 and the .35 Whelen. IMO it's adequate for anything it's legal to hunt with...handload and use the right bullets and put them in the right place.....

I doubt seriously that the AI version gains much if anything at all over the standard cartridge.

BTW...omitted previously is the .358 Norma Magnum which is another powerhouse and right on the doorstep of the .375 bores.