I think the greatest value realized by the .338-06 becoming commercially available (if American hunters can figure it out) is that we now have a legitimate large game cartridge (elk, moose and even brown bear) that isn' t the shoulder-pounding equivalent of a bazooka.

We don' t really need things like the .300 RUM and .338 Win Mag and .340 Wby Mag to kill an elk. Out to 250 yards or so (where 95% of all game is shot), with 210-230gr bullets, the .338-06 is more than adequate for any elk that has ever walked. [X(]

This may allow enlightened hunters to purchase that smoking-fast, laser beam of a magnum rifle in a caliber, say 25, 26, 27 or 28, that will enable them to comfortably shoot at game that may require the extra reach, such as mule deer and pronghorn and the odd beanfield whitetail. The .270 and 7mm magnums are even terrific for elk to 400 yards or so. [:-]

A guy/gal with a .257 Wby Mag, 270 Wby Mag or .270 WSM and a .338-06 is really very well-equipped to take on any big game that inhabits North America, and they won' t take a beating at the bench, which means more and better practice (practice doesn' t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect) and more accurate shooters all around.