Hey guys, looks like i am in for a 338-06. I want to shoot 215 sierra game kings and try others in the 225 gr weight. The barrel is unofficially 24 inches . If i was interested in bullets lighter than these i would go with a 30-06 . What propellants are going to perform well with this scenario. I don't care about 200 gr bullets . Any experience would be appriciated. I want to have a good idea for when i get the throat cut.
Getting a 338-06
- Thread starter stevo-74
- Start date
I like the 338-06 it is one of my favorite cartridges. I have tried both of the rifles I presently have chambered for that round with different weight bullets. Neither of them are accurate with bullets of 200grn or less. The both love anything heavier and are very forgiving. While it was easily available, the best powder for both of these rifles (Ruger #1/Win mod 70) have 26 in, 1-10 twist barrels and were chambered with the same reamer. Neither of the barrels are high end barrels. These are hunting rifles, not target rifles. The load below for 225 grain bullets consistently groups 1moa or less if I do my part.
The best overall powder/primer/bullet combo was CCI 250 magnum primer/any 225grn bullet/VVN160 powder. That powder is very hard to find when powder is readily available. Not anymore.
The velocities chronied out of those barrels was 2650 fps give or take the light conditions. I tried N150 but accuracy was not as good.
For the last few years I have been using H414 sl 10 but H414 or W760 both work fine as well. All three of these powders give me close to 2700fps with max loads.
Something to really look at if your pennies are tight or you live in an area where components need to be shipped in if they are a bit different. I was in a store this fall that had basic powders/primers/bullets, all in mid diameter ranges from 22 to 308. That means you either have to travel a long ways to find components or you will have to ship them. Makes for very expensive shooting.
200 grain bullets are available for the 30-06 and give similar velocities but have better ballistic coefficients. There is not enough difference on large game to make a difference other than the 30cal bullets will penetrate better, depending on construction. Also, I have never been in a shop that sells ammo that doesn't carry at least two different weights of loaded 30-06 ammo.
If you aren't worried about any of this stuff, go for it. There are no flies on the 338-06. If you have access to a reamer, find out if it is ground for a deep throat. The reamer I had access to was ground to accept the bullet seated to the base of the neck but still able to fit into the mag and feed into the chamber easily. That load is .005 in off the lands. Beggars can't be choosers though and if the throat diameter is tight enough and the pilot is properly sized all should be well.
The best overall powder/primer/bullet combo was CCI 250 magnum primer/any 225grn bullet/VVN160 powder. That powder is very hard to find when powder is readily available. Not anymore.
The velocities chronied out of those barrels was 2650 fps give or take the light conditions. I tried N150 but accuracy was not as good.
For the last few years I have been using H414 sl 10 but H414 or W760 both work fine as well. All three of these powders give me close to 2700fps with max loads.
Something to really look at if your pennies are tight or you live in an area where components need to be shipped in if they are a bit different. I was in a store this fall that had basic powders/primers/bullets, all in mid diameter ranges from 22 to 308. That means you either have to travel a long ways to find components or you will have to ship them. Makes for very expensive shooting.
200 grain bullets are available for the 30-06 and give similar velocities but have better ballistic coefficients. There is not enough difference on large game to make a difference other than the 30cal bullets will penetrate better, depending on construction. Also, I have never been in a shop that sells ammo that doesn't carry at least two different weights of loaded 30-06 ammo.
If you aren't worried about any of this stuff, go for it. There are no flies on the 338-06. If you have access to a reamer, find out if it is ground for a deep throat. The reamer I had access to was ground to accept the bullet seated to the base of the neck but still able to fit into the mag and feed into the chamber easily. That load is .005 in off the lands. Beggars can't be choosers though and if the throat diameter is tight enough and the pilot is properly sized all should be well.
thanks bearhunter, i will be sure to talk with my gunsmith about the reamer . i am pretty sure i will be wanting things as long as i can possibly fit into the magazine . i sure don't want to have to seat bullets so deep that i am cutting into the case capacity.
