338-06 Advice

hardpan

Handloader
Apr 16, 2007
465
0
All,
A friend of mine just acquired a 338-06. Having read the nosler book, and beginning to settle on either a 200 gr AB or BT or 210 Partition, I would like to hear any of your recommendations. The previous owner shot 200 BTs and 210s partitions and used H380. I don't have any, and this gun goes through powder fast. I am thinking of using imr 4350 or h 4350 as a starter as I use that in other guns. But, am willing to listing to the voice of experience.
thanks,
Hardpan
 
The 210 grain PT is a great bullet in the 338-06. My hunting partner shoots the 225 grain AB in his 338-06. It is another great bullet for that cartridge.
 
The 210 Partition is my bullet of choice for this caliber. Mine is in a rebarreled Sako Hunter model. Components include: Nosler 30-06 brass resized to 33 caliber, Federal 210 match primers and Reloader 15. I have tried IMR4350 and R19 powders, but found the burn rates a little slow for this caliber. My barrel is 23 inches, which may account for some of that. Depending on your brass, you should be able to start around 51 grains with R15 and work up from there. I have no pressure signs and half inch groups with this combo using 53 grains of R15.
 
Can't really offer much on the 338-06 but being it is very close to the Whelen, RL15 should be a great one. It is awesome in my 35 Whelen, both very fast and accurate. Hope you get a good load worked up. Those two bullets seem like they would be some really solid performers in the 338-06. Scotty
 
I know this thread is on the 338-06, I have a 338Federal (338-08), I have had good results from R15, I just tried R17 max w/ mag primer and it shot very well. I didn't chrono it yet since I was looking for accuracy first and hunting season sneak up on me (time).
R17 has been good to me in my WSMs and I have heard/read of others using it in the '06. It might be worth trying if R15 doesn't get what you are looking for.
 
Do a search for load data , there are quite a few here shooting/loading the 338-06.
I would think IMR/H 4895, IMR 4064 and RL 15 would be the powders to look at.

JD338
 
Also, check out Hodgdon's load data online, they load it to 63K and have some really good looking data for it. Scotty
 
I also shoot a re-barreled Rem 700 in a .338-06. Currently using 200gr Accubonds over 54grs IMR 4064. Am interested in loads oters have worked up as I think I can do better.
 
I have tried dozens of different powder/bullet combinations in my 338-06 and have had the best results with Winchester 760 amd IMR 4350. The most accurate bullets in my rifle have been the 225 Hornady SP and the 210 Barnes TTSX.
 
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