Good day. I currently have all the small calibers covered off. For big game I have a 7-08. I'm planning on drawing my moose tag next year and thought it maybe nice to have something bigger in the gun safe and I'd like to fill out my larger calibers. I absolutely love the 7-08 and from what I've read the 338-06 seems to be the same kind of secret. My only downfall is I don't reload or plan too. Everyone has said how nice the 338-06 is to shoot and I'm not a huge fan of recoil. What are your thoughts? I see there is factory ammo available but might be hard to find. Thanks!
338-06
- Thread starter pitpenz83
- Start date
338-06 is a re-loaders proposition
If you don't like recoil the .338 federal may be more to your taste.
I see factory .338 federal at a few gun stores in Alberta, but it may just be old stock sitting around. Reasonably priced compared to .338 win mag factory ammo as well.
AFAIK the only current production .338 federal hunting rifles are made by savage.
If you don't like recoil the .338 federal may be more to your taste.
I see factory .338 federal at a few gun stores in Alberta, but it may just be old stock sitting around. Reasonably priced compared to .338 win mag factory ammo as well.
AFAIK the only current production .338 federal hunting rifles are made by savage.
Sako has made some, don't know if they still do.
If you're not gonna reload then you'll want to look in another direction.
You say you don't like recoil, so that limits your options for getting something bigger than what you already have. Maybe a 308 or 30-06 should be in your future?
Luckily, your 7-08 with a quality bullet will do the trick on moose, so you don't NEED anything else
You say you don't like recoil, so that limits your options for getting something bigger than what you already have. Maybe a 308 or 30-06 should be in your future?
Luckily, your 7-08 with a quality bullet will do the trick on moose, so you don't NEED anything else
I have had a 338 federal and still have the 338-06.
If your a bit recoil shy the federal is the one for you. It hits with authority beyond what one would think. Tikka and sako made rifles in this and ruger also. Savage has just started chambering rifles for it. Kimber also does.
If your shots will be 350 yards or less it is the chambering for you. 338-06 has a fair amount more recoil, although its still not that bad, still noticably more.
Good luck!
If your a bit recoil shy the federal is the one for you. It hits with authority beyond what one would think. Tikka and sako made rifles in this and ruger also. Savage has just started chambering rifles for it. Kimber also does.
If your shots will be 350 yards or less it is the chambering for you. 338-06 has a fair amount more recoil, although its still not that bad, still noticably more.
Good luck!
Cooper produces quality firearms...and they offer the 338-06 and the 338 federal as well
Nosler head-stamped brass cases run about $80.00 CND per 25. I shudder to think what the loaded cartridges cost.
OK I had to go look ............................
$75.99 USD at Midway for 20 cartridges. That works out to over $101.00 CND at today's rate. At 5 bucks a round I will reinforce the fact the 338-06 - which admittedly is my own favorite all-purpose cartridge - is indeed a reloaders proposition.
Midway USA
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RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
The .338/06 has a nice ring to it for sure. The cartridge has a balanced look to it, more so then the Whelan and possibly the 30/06.
I too was lured by it's mystic many moons ago, a witches brew so to speak, but didn't give in to it.
If you handload for sure and are someone who just likes abby normal stuff, I'd say go for it. The argument is much like the merits of the Big Bore 358Win to the .308Win, so really it makes a squirrel gun into a Dangerous game rifle, don't think so.
From a practical, field capability reality standpoint, what can it do the 30-06 won't do really, except not shoot as flat maybe?
And then,..if we're talking the 30'06,... then why not the .308Win? You see where I'm going with this right...........(.284/308Win) Well maybe a .308 at minimum.......
I too was lured by it's mystic many moons ago, a witches brew so to speak, but didn't give in to it.
If you handload for sure and are someone who just likes abby normal stuff, I'd say go for it. The argument is much like the merits of the Big Bore 358Win to the .308Win, so really it makes a squirrel gun into a Dangerous game rifle, don't think so.
From a practical, field capability reality standpoint, what can it do the 30-06 won't do really, except not shoot as flat maybe?
And then,..if we're talking the 30'06,... then why not the .308Win? You see where I'm going with this right...........(.284/308Win) Well maybe a .308 at minimum.......
Mighty Peace
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Land of the Mighty Peace
My 338-06AI that I had got built back in 2008 seems to have a lot less "felt Recoil" with 225gr AB's or TTSX's than my 270WSM with 140gr AB's. My 300WM to be is not bad for me either....been shooting a 300WM for over 25 years.
Its funny I found this thread,I was in my reloading room last night flipping threw manuals,I have a rem model 760 3006 was thinking of reboring to 35 whelen but then I came across the 338 -06,will have to talk to smith and see if it is doable,it is really not much slower than the 338 win mag
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Since you don't have a location in your profile it's hard to give clear advice based on geography, terrain and quarry. If you told me that you were in Northern BC my recommendation would be different than if you were in Southern Saskatchewan or the Maritimes. Are you a moose hunter or primarily deer? Do you play in the bush where grizzlies may be lurking? Do you need a little more oomph than your 7mm-08 or a lot more hitting power? If you only need to step up a little and you're recoil-shy then you should be looking at a 30-06. In reality a 338-06 is not a "big" caliber, nor is the 35 Whelen or the 9.3x62 (366 Wagner for the uninitiated). In reality these rifles can all be shot well and their recoil, while a substantial increase over the short-action chamberings, is not significant to a seasoned rifleman. Too, you aren't a handloader and buying "a case or two" of factory 338-06 hoping that it will shoot in your rifle is a big costly gamble.
As sad as it is, you need a 30-06 more than you need what is for all intents and purposes a wildcat. True it was legitimized to an extent, but it's only a miniscule amount more alive than the 6mm Lee Navy. Unless you handload, stay mainstream.
As sad as it is, you need a 30-06 more than you need what is for all intents and purposes a wildcat. True it was legitimized to an extent, but it's only a miniscule amount more alive than the 6mm Lee Navy. Unless you handload, stay mainstream.
Hitzy, what were the prices like for the 9.3x62 and what brands did they have? I may take a bus ride over to the one in YYZ and look for some 7mm rm at the same time.
