I shoot two loads from my 338-06 at just over 2800 with 210gr partitions. Both have been shoot thru a chrono and are just short of max loads. I get almost no usefull difference in velocity when loading a 200gr BT. The difference in recoil between a 338mag and 338-06 is significant, at least in the rifles that I' ve shot.

I agree that the economic numbers will probably never add up to make this a widely available round which is a shame. Most of the cartridges on the market today are " not needed" but wouldn' t that make things very boring? Everyone has at least one round that they either love or hate, which is why hunting and shooting is so much fun

Bearhuntr, to get that 100fps number, I went to the Hodgdon page. I didn' t realize that it would hurt so many peoples feelings. But quoting max loads is not always a great idea. Cause as we (reloaders) know, this most of the time is not the best load.

Taking a quick look at the IMR webpage, speeds with a 200gr powerpoint sp, were from 2335fps with SR 4759 and up to 3030fps with IMR 4350. With the majority of loads being in the 2800-2900fps range. I know I ever get another 338Win mag, IMR4350 would be my top choice for powders as it is with most mag calibers. But I rarely find the optimum load at max load.

With the 210gr bullet, max velocity is around 2860fps with IMR4831 which kinda surprises me with a 338Win Mag.

On the Hodgedon webpage, with a 210gr nosler, speeds range 2784 to 2888 with H4831.

Now I have no experience loading the 338-06, so I really shouldn' t be quoting stuff from pages, but Hodgdon was able to get a 200gr Barnes flying to 2802fps with H414. Pretty good. So thats where the info comes from. IMR doens' t quote loads for the 338-06 that I can find.

Point is, no need for the 338-06 when you got a 338win mag that is capable of same or more velocities depending on your preference in recoil.

But at the Hodgedon page, a little different. There ranges for loads for the 338-06 is

Bearhuntr. The loads I listed came from the Hodgdon Manual NO.26. It lists loads with all powdwer IMR ALLIANT WIN and Hodgdon. Other manuals may vary as they always do from book to book. The difference between the 338 and 338-06 is like the difference between the 308 and 30-06 the smaller case is more efficient and produces less recoil with velocities pretty close to each other. At most hunting ranges the game would never know the difference. They are both good rounds. I don' t have either right now but given the choice between the two and the difference in performance I would take the 338-06 and the reduced recoil. My choice only. Shot placement is everything.

Wait now James B, are you trying to explain to us that a 200gr bullet leaving a barrel from a 338WIN mag at 2800fps would have " less" recoil than a 200gr bullet leaving the barrel from a 338-06 at 2800fps. Both guns being equal wieght. If so, then you have totally broke the law of physics.

Check out this link
http://www.nookhill.com/ubb/ultimate...c;f=6;t=010230

Bigcountry, If the rifles were equal then the .338-06 would have less recoil because it would use less powder. Powder weight must also be figured into recoil.

You mean the difference in powder weight from the 338-06 and the 338Win mag for a 200 gr bullets. Man thats like a 5 to 10 gr difference max. I am not sure you realize how big 5 to 10 gr is? In other words, there is 7000gr in a pound. If you can tell the difference in 5 to 10 gr increase with recoil you have the most sensitive shoulder in the world. And should be put in one of those Ripley places. Man, I am not trying to dog you at all. I just think your a tad confused about a few things. I have seen exact rifles/scope combos that differ in wieght by an ounce or two. You know how many grains that is.

All I am saying is that in my manual there is less that 100 fps difference and the 338-06 uses 16 grains less powder. It says nothing about the weight of the rifles and I only checked the 250 grain bullet. The manual says there is a substancial difference in the recoil of the two rifles with the 338-06 having less. I have never tested the rifles side by side and I have only owned and fired the 338 Win Mag. Niether I nor my friend Newton can prove or disprove the writings in the Hodgdon manual. Besides this I can see not how it effects the fact that the originator of this thread would like to see the 338-06 become more available. Thats his wish and I for one would also like to see that happen. I will never buy another 338 Win Mag but may purchase a Encore barrel in that caliber. On the other hand I feel the 30-06 loaded with the 250 grain Barnes Original will also do the same job as either of the other rifles mentioned. It can be loaded to about 2400 fps and has a very high sectional density. Extreme penetration.

Try firing a 35 whelen 250 grain fully stoked and tell me how much difference there is between that and a 338 with comparable bullets and tell me the difference. Seems most people that own 338-06s use 200-210 grain bullets because they will get the same speed as a 338 win shooting 250 grain bullets. Another recoil comparism would be that I have had 3 REmington custom shop KS rifles 1 in 280 remington and 2 in 7 rem mag... handloading both with 160 grain bullets in max loads and the 280 actually kicks more is slower and weighs 1/4 lb less, and it is handling 8 grains less of IMR 7828. The reality of the situation is that 2 companies have come out with 338-06 in a commercial version one is A-Square(no longer in business) and the other is Weatherby... You are wishing and hoping that people that have no interest in the 06 suddenly gain interest because some manufacturer(s) come out with it. Its not going to happen. If you like the round just build one its easy enough both bullets and brass to convert it are plentiful... YOu can go low dollar route with a Savage using replaceable barrels or spend more and convert a Remington or other suitable action to it.

IMO the 338-06 is at its best with 200/210 gr bullets. The case really isn' t large enough to get the most out of 250 gr bullets. I don' t have a need to use the heavier bullets but if someone wants or needs to use either a 225 or 250gr bullet then they would be better served with a 338 mag.

Since it appears that I' m the only one here who actually has a 338-06 I will say again that there is a difference in recoil. This is based on shooting stout loads in the 338-06 vs. factory 338mag; both with 200gr bullets. The best comparison that I can make would be the difference between a 30-06 and a 300mag shooting the same weight bullet. That may not be much to the big bore super-duper magnum hunters out there but I would much rather spend an evening shooting with my 06 based 338 than the magnum version.

Big country,
That 10-12 grains is NOT part of the shooting platform its part of the LOAD. It would be like changing from 168 grain bullets to 180 grain bullets. I can tell the difference in that change in my .300 and I bet alot of others can too, so I don' t think I need to go see ripley.