338 vs. 06
 

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:eek:?
Thanks, Tim

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

30-06 loaded with 180 gr nosler partition, or similar bullet design will be great.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

"If" you can't kill an elk with an 30-06 at any range you "should" be shooting at then haveing a .338 won't make a bit of difference!!!

Like the other poster said, use "premium bullets", and i also like Nosler partitions!! I'd use 180 or 200 grain NP's.

Drilling Man

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.;)

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

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.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

I think I'd rather use the $1000 you are going to spend on the rifle, on a taxidermist, to mount the fine bull you can shoot with the .30-06.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

the 06 is a real elk rifle, but the 338 is on a whole different level of wack factor. Use the 338 if you like to shoot it.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

Go for it, the .338 Win. Mag. will do an excellent job on elk for you. I use a .340 Wby. Mag., and i have never regretted using it. Good luck.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: DM

"If" you can't kill an elk with an 30-06 at any range you "should" be shooting at then haveing a .338 won't make a bit of difference!!!

Like the other poster said, use "premium bullets", and i also like Nosler partitions!! I'd use 180 or 200 grain NP's.



Exactly right dm

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

All cartridges are not created equal. If you can shoot the .338 then use that. Doesn't mean you can't kill an elk with an 06. It's a matter of good vs. better.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

regarding the $1000 for a new rifle,I can afford any rifle that I want and have had a number of browning's from the A-bolt to the safari BAR, my gun's of choice that will take a beating and still give great accuracy is Savage, most accurate gun out of the box I've ever used. PS, cheap gun but I use an expensive scope on my .338, deadly combo.

RE: 338 vs. 06
 

I'm sure the .338 is an excellant round. The .06 will get the job done. Before you put the $ out, make sure you will enjoy shooting the .338. Won't do you much good if it hurts you and you don't want to shoot it. Got to add a second on the savage. Outstanding accuracy. Not a diss on the other excellant brands, but for the $ it is hard to do better--though in a single shot the NEF is also a good, inexpensive choice for an accurate rifle.