Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

There is a really nice 30-06 that has caught my eye, and it's at a nice price. I want to get it, but had plans to purchase a 338 win mag in the future. Would you say there's enough difference in these calibers to justify getting both, or should I consolidate. The 338 win mag would be big game (moose, elk, grizzley, etc.), whereas the 30-06 would be deer. The 30-06 just seems like overkill for just deer though, since a 270, 25-06, or 7mm-08 would be just as good.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

I own a 30-06 and even though it is not the rifle that I use for deer, I have taken bear and moose with it. I don't think that there would be a need for the .338 mag but then again if you can buy them both why not. It is so nice to open up the gun safe in the moring and have a choise of, "what will I harvest with today", feeling. He who dies with the most toys wins.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Very true.I would choose the 25-06 and the 338win mag .

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

never could you go wrong with the .30-06

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

If I were hunting moose or brown bears up north, I could see how a .338 Mag would be a pretty useful cartridge. But for just about everything else in the lower 48, the .30-06 is enough.

I've never understood magnum mania, especially when there are so many "old-school" cartridges that have dropped big game for generations already. When my grandpa visited Alaska in his youth, he took the .30-06...

And on second thought,I know more people who can't shoot the .338 Mag straight than those who can. Seems to cause a lot of my friends to develop flinching problems that screw up their shooting with the rest of their centerfire rifles.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Nothing against the 30 06; it is great. For the bigger critters, the 338 gives you more frontal area and starts at 200 grains. I put 300 grainers through mine and it snapped back like a 375. I would not recommend a really light rifle though.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

If I was going to get the 338, I would opt for the 270 or the 25-06. I'm having the same delima as we speak. I have a 300 rum and I can't decide on the 270 or the 25-06. I'm leaning towards the 25-06. Let us know what you decide.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

I would get both. Hten use the 338 for larger game and the 30-06 for deer and as a backup rifle if you ever need it for larger game.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?

I would if I didn't already own a rifle in those categories (7X57, .270, .280 and a .375 H&H).

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

In no way is the 30-06 overkill on deer, it's THE perfect deer cartridge.

.270 doesn't have as heavy bullets as the 30-06, or such a powder capacity.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

It is hard to beat the 06 for versatility, bullet construction, and ammo availability. If the law said one rifle, I would probably just own that one. Its over 100 years old, too.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

SInce two guns, no matter the caliber, are always better than one, then yes I would get both of them. Frankly, I am with the crowd here that says that if you get a 338 then get something a little smaller than the 30-06. I have a 30-06 and the only problem with owning one is that you really dont need another rifle, in other words, it is tough to convince the ole wifey that another rifle is needed. My wife hunts and understands cailber matching to game enough that she knows the capability of the 06. I do think you should own one eventually, but play your cards right brother! EJ

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Are you aware that both cartridges are both exact same case as the .270 is simply a necked down 30-06?

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Redhead,buy whatever ya want,that's the joy of living in this country. If it was me however,I'd get a 7mm08 or .280 for allround (mostly deer) and get the .338 for elk or heavier game.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Actually the 270 Win does have the powder capacity. It's the same case necked down. As far as heavier bullets, to get the same sectional density as the 160 grain .277 bullet you have to shoot a 220 grain .308 bullet. Why one would ever need a 220 grain bullet out of a 30-06 I have no idea.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

There is no way I would buy a 338 while the 375 Ruger and 375 H&H are around. If you can't kill it with the 30-06-278-270 class rifle, I would jump to the 375. You can hunt everything on the planet with a 270 and a 375 Ruger or H&H. I can handle it all with a 270-7mm-08 and a 45-70. Throw in a 223 and throw out everything else.:D

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

From the Barnes manual

30-06 - 150gr bullet for deer drops around 7" at 300 yards with a 200 yard zero, 1.5" high at 100yards.

30-06 - 180gr bullet for elk drops 7.86" at 300 yards with a 200 yard zero 1.88" high at 100yards.

30-06 - 200gr bullet for moose drops 8.99" at 300 yards with a 200 yard zero, 2.22" high at 100yards.

Why would you need anything else?

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

:D:D:D:D:D

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

The 7mm-08 intrigues me because it has a cute little round with sufficient power up to 400 yards for deer with very little recoil. Short action and light plenty able to take down an Elk too!

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

My thoughts exactly. Don't succumb to the "but it is a magnum" thinking.

I believe the above specs are for factory loads. Handloading really opens things up.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

I agree with eldeguello - buy both it you don't already have something in like them in the gun cabinet. Personally I'm not a big 30-06 fan, I would lean more toward a 280 or 270 and 338 but hey...that's me. Buy what makes you happy.

The 338 is a very fine round IF you can shoot it straight assome people have problems handling the recoil.
Also keep in mind thata 338 isn't about flat trajectories, but is does shoot flat enough to get the job done...it's about hitting power and the is a solid step up in power from a 06.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

As to the original question... "would you buy a 30-06 and a .338?" My answer is "YES!!"

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

I say yes also.. In fact I have a model 700 30.06 and a Kimber 8400 in 338.. My favorite 2 rifles right there...

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Thanks for the input everyone; I think I'll go for it. It's just such a nice gun that's no longer made, andI don't want to let itget away. It's actually on a gunbroker auction, so if I win, I'll attach a link.

Thanks

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Sorry for the long delay. I just now got internet again. Well, long story short, I lost the auction. I lost in a battle of pocketbooks.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Ditto :D

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

That makes no sense. The .30 cal bullets are bigger, and have more grains, what are you talking about, did you mistype?
That makes no sense, it's like saying you can get 2780 FPS out of a 30-30 Win.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

Younggun, may I suggest you goggle or do a search on sectional density of bullets, may help you make sense of what frizzellr is saying.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

"Actually the 270 Win does have the powder capacity. It's the same case necked down. As far as heavier bullets, to get the same sectional density as the 160 grain .277 bullet you have to shoot a 220 grain .308 bullet. Why one would ever need a 220 grain bullet out of a 30-06 I have no idea. "


I learned what sectional density is, but you don't need a 220 grain bullet to match the .270, you need a 200 grain bullet, not 220, and a 200 grain bullet isn't impractical, it's more like shooting deer with a .338, no different, except, of course, the size of the bullet, and the SD. But the effect would be like shooting a deer with a 338.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

sd of a .277", 160-grain bullet is .298. SD of a .308", 220 grain bullet is .331.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

I agree with others.....the '06 is fine for deer, Moose and Elk. I would stick with the 375H&H for the big Bears. Nothing against the 338, however, you can't be "underguned" when messing with something that could kill you. Sounds like you hunt alot of animals and that sounds like alot of fun. Good luck and regards, Rick.

RE: Would you buy a 30-06 and a 338 win mag?
 

i would buy both thats just because i cant make a decision and i would just want to have both