338-06
04-27-2003, 03:40 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: 338-06
Is there much advantage to the 338/06 over the 8mm/06 when using 200 or 225 grain bullets?? Other than the bigger hole (.015 bigger for the .338) does the 338/06 offer any advantage?
I can see that the 338 CAN be loaded to higher velocities at the 250 grain. AND the 338 has loads listed for up to 275 grain bullets whereas the 8mm/06 only suggests up to 250' s. I' d like to own both, but not if it isn' t worth the extra $$ for a round that will do nearly the same. seems like with the many premium bullets out there I might be able to " get by" with my 8mm/06 and wouldn' t really gain much with the 338/06. All input appreciated.
I can see that the 338 CAN be loaded to higher velocities at the 250 grain. AND the 338 has loads listed for up to 275 grain bullets whereas the 8mm/06 only suggests up to 250' s. I' d like to own both, but not if it isn' t worth the extra $$ for a round that will do nearly the same. seems like with the many premium bullets out there I might be able to " get by" with my 8mm/06 and wouldn' t really gain much with the 338/06. All input appreciated.
04-28-2003, 07:06 AM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: 338-06
You can get an Adams & Bennett 338-06 barrel to go on a Savage 110. The swap is easy and can be done with minimal effort and expense. All you need is the Savage barrel nut wrench and a set of Go No-Go gauges. You can also get a 35 Whelen barrel.
04-28-2003, 04:15 PM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: va USA
Posts: 580
RE: 338-06
8mm-06,
As much as I like the 338-06, I don' t think that you would be gaining much over your 8mm-06. IMO the 338-06 is at it' s best with bullets in the 200-225gr range and that is what you have have with your 8mm-06. There is more bullet selection available in 338 than 8mm but if you already have a bullet or two that works for you then that advantage is a moot point.
Quilly,
The only reason that I can think of that the 338-06 or 8mm-06 is not made by the large companys is due to low sales numbers. The 35 Whelan didn' t do very well when it was offered by Remington a few years ago. The 338-06,8mm-06 and 35 Whelan are normally used by people that have their own opinions, as opposed to the marketing department, as to what works on big game. The ballistic numbers on any of these three rounds are not flashy enough to catch the interest of the hunter who only spends two or three days a years in the field.
As much as I like the 338-06, I don' t think that you would be gaining much over your 8mm-06. IMO the 338-06 is at it' s best with bullets in the 200-225gr range and that is what you have have with your 8mm-06. There is more bullet selection available in 338 than 8mm but if you already have a bullet or two that works for you then that advantage is a moot point.
Quilly,
The only reason that I can think of that the 338-06 or 8mm-06 is not made by the large companys is due to low sales numbers. The 35 Whelan didn' t do very well when it was offered by Remington a few years ago. The 338-06,8mm-06 and 35 Whelan are normally used by people that have their own opinions, as opposed to the marketing department, as to what works on big game. The ballistic numbers on any of these three rounds are not flashy enough to catch the interest of the hunter who only spends two or three days a years in the field.
04-28-2003, 04:21 PM
#16
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 917
RE: 338-06
8mm/06 - I would have to agree with popeye. The two rounds are very similar and their performance is nearly equal. It is truly unfortunate that American hunters have never really figured out what the rest of the world has: That 8mm cartridges are about as versatile as it gets and if a mythical " one gun does it all" exists, it may well be one of the various 8mm' s.
04-28-2003, 05:59 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: 338-06
Thanks for the replies popeye and seattlesetters. I' m not a big student of the scientific study of ballistic coefficients and sectional density...but I know they can play and important part in the success of any load. Just thought I would " troll" for some responses. I still wouldn' t mind owning either a 35 Whelen or a 338/06, but I' m not real anxious to absorb the extra coast if it isn' t going to really benefit me in a big way.
what I' ll probably do in the next few years is look for a used Savage 110 in 30/06 with a burnt barrel, buy it at a reduced price, and put on one or the other of the Adams & Bennet barrels ...either the 338/06 or the 35 Whelen. That way I wouldn' t have to modify the bolt face or magazine/follower at all.
Thanks for the opinons. If anybody else has other ideas I' m all ears.
what I' ll probably do in the next few years is look for a used Savage 110 in 30/06 with a burnt barrel, buy it at a reduced price, and put on one or the other of the Adams & Bennet barrels ...either the 338/06 or the 35 Whelen. That way I wouldn' t have to modify the bolt face or magazine/follower at all.
Thanks for the opinons. If anybody else has other ideas I' m all ears.
04-28-2003, 06:29 PM
#18
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 917
RE: 338-06
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.
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.
