338-06: Why is it not popular?

rem338win said:
Nothing like gaining a whopping 25-40fps and having to fireform brass.
Not a cartridge that benefits much.
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I always thought it easier to buy a 338 win mag and load it down. Less fuss with the same results. Thats what I did instead of buying a 338 federal. Only I forgot to load it down! I have to admit the 338-06 makes a lot more sense than some of the redundant calibers that seem to be gaining popularity.

G
 
All the lesser known cartridges like the 338-06 benefit from exposure. They do what they are designed to do with little fuss. And everyone complains about "I can't buy ammo at the CT in Armpitville, I have to handload, it's just not common". If you're a gun guy you already reload (or you're missing half the fun ), and who wants common? Again, hunters who shoot vs shooters who hunt. FWIW. - dan
 
rem338win said:
Nothing like gaining a whopping 25-40fps and having to fireform brass.
Not a cartridge that benefits much.
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And it is such a chore to fireform brass!ovrec

The fun of wildcats is getting to tinker and shoot something that is not found on the rack of every gun shop on the continent. Otherwise we'd all be toting .30-06 Winchesters and shooting 180gr Power Points. :rolleyes:
 
X-man said:
And it is such a chore to fireform brass!ovrec

The fun of wildcats is getting to tinker and shoot something that is not found on the rack of every gun shop on the continent. Otherwise we'd all be toting .30-06 Winchesters and shooting 180gr Power Points. :rolleyes:
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So just get a 338-06 and don't be a sucker. Your handloads probably deviate more than you gain fire forming anything above .308 in that case. Kinda like realing a big fish in on ultralight tackle to cut the line 10ft from the boat. Or wiping before ya poop. Or kissing the cod without the Screech. Pick any anology that involves work with no payoff.
Thats the 338-06 AI or 35 Whelen AI.
The original cartridges on the other hand are dope. You want an AI that has payoff and no one has? Try a 6.5-06 AI or a .250 AI.
Would you wear a watermelon on your head and march in a parade just to be different? Just sayin'.....
 
always wanted a 338-06, it struck me as a near ideal choice for bigger game in BC like moose, elk, grizz and big black bear. Took me about 15 years but I've finally got one built, should have it soon
 
'Boo said:
The 338-06 , like the 35 Whelen which is equally as good, lacks the magic words "magnum" or "improved" in it's title. The 338-06 make no impressive velocity claims or has magazine writers making glowing testimonials about it so there is little interest in marketing it by the major makers.

Most of us who do use it however are very happy with our choice and appreciate the performance a heavy bullet at moderate velocities delivers.
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I kinda like the sound of 338-378 Wby Magnum myself.
But, really there are many calibers to choose from and that is part of the trouble with gaining a cult following...
Just my.02 worth this morning,
Rob
 
todbartell said:
always wanted a 338-06, it struck me as a near ideal choice for bigger game in BC like moose, elk, grizz and big black bear. Took me about 15 years but I've finally got one built, should have it soon
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Finally seen the light!! Welcome to the club. :cheers: Like you said, great caliber choice for your listed animals. I made mine in the AI version (to be different) but love it with 225gr AB's and TTSX's.
 
The short answer to the OPs question is there is just no justifiable need for this cartridge. It's ballistics are duplicated and improved upon by so many other cartridges that the is no reason for this cartridge to exist. It certainly won't do one thing more than the 35 Whelen or 350 RM it's just a tad better than the 338 Federal, 358 Win, 8X57 and doesn't hold a candle to the 325 WSM, 338 WM, 358 NM, 9.3X62 and on up.
Another factor which hasn't been addressed is that the 338 bore is barely hanging on in sales of all the commercial cartridges available now. It has a fan club for sure, but it is a small club in the big picture of rifle cartridges available. This fan club is also almost totally made up of the big 33s from the 338WM on up to the 338X50 BMG for looooong range shooting.
The Federal is the latest 33 to hit the market and it may survive (but I doubt it) solely because it is based on the 308 case and short action.
My question back to you OP, why SHOULD the 338-06 be more popular?
 
c-fbmi said:
The short answer to the OPs question is there is just no justifiable need for this cartridge. It's ballistics are duplicated and improved upon by so many other cartridges that the is no reason for this cartridge to exist. It certainly won't do one thing more than the 35 Whelen or 350 RM it's just a tad better than the 338 Federal, 358 Win, 8X57 and doesn't hold a candle to the 325 WSM, 338 WM, 358 NM, 9.3X62 and on up.
Another factor which hasn't been addressed is that the 338 bore is barely hanging on in sales of all the commercial cartridges available now. It has a fan club for sure, but it is a small club in the big picture of rifle cartridges available. This fan club is also almost totally made up of the big 33s from the 338WM on up to the 338X50 BMG for looooong range shooting.
The Federal is the latest 33 to hit the market and it may survive (but I doubt it) solely because it is based on the 308 case and short action.
My question back to you OP, why SHOULD the 338-06 be more popular?
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Really there is no "logical" reason for a whole lot of cartridges to be loaded. There is so much performance overlap and excellent bullets available that "logically" more than half of present day chamberings could be discontinued let alone wildcats. But logic has little to do with why any of us gets his or her heart set on a less common round. Almost everyone likes to have something a little different. Then you can sit back at the camp with a few cold ones and try to convince your buddies that they have made the wrong cartridge choice and why won't they listen to reason?
 
I had a Ruger .338Mag that I liked shooting, but found it heavy to carry and for under 300 yard shots, I didn't require the extra reach the magnum provides. I sold the Ruger and had a M70 Fwt rebarreled & chambered to .338-06. Now I have a 7lb 4oz (scoped) .338 bore that runs within 100fps or so of the winmag version. Light to carry and powerful enough with heavy loads for anything I'll ever hunt here in BC.
 
suprcoolr said:
I've been reading a little about this cartridge. It seems like it's a pretty good idea to me and I'm wondering why it isn't more popular ie)why are rifles not offered by manufacturers in this chambering? It looks like most guys have custom builds. I'm assuming that because there are not a lot of rifles around that factory ammunition is limited. Any thoughts?
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One simple answer is........338-378 Weatherby Magnun, 338 Remington Ultra Magmun, 338 Lapua, 338 Winchester Magnum................ most popular 338's, and not necessary in that order. In the last 10-15 years these magnums have taken off in popularity and the 338-06 did not pack enough punch, which is quite inferior to the biggger 338's. As far as I now only Weatherby and Cooper manufactures rifles in this chambering:D
 
i think bc bigbore has it right. 338 06 has enough power and in a lightweight its a gem. i built mine on a rem 700, b&c titanium stock with kwick klip and a 3x9x33 luep compact in talleys.
 
I wanted a lighter rifle than my 375 Ruger but more punch than a 260 Rem. 338-06 will fit the bill nicely, and I don't suspect it will tear my head off at the range. A 225gr @ 2600 fps shouldn't bounce off a moose
 
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