I was thinking .338-06?

[taylorce1]

I was thinking of building a new .338-06, now I'm not so sure. I love the .338-06 and think it is a great cartridge to shoot. I'm down to the point of ordering a barrel for my build and I keep thinking maybe I should selecet a .270 or .30-06 over the .338.

My build is a M670 push feed action, McMillian Edge stock, PT&G bottom metal that I've already collected. I'm thinking possibly as well of doing the Tubb's speed lock kit for the M70. Barrel maker is up in the air right now but it will probably be Shilen, Pac-Nor, or other maker of comparable quality. I figure I'll top it off with Talleys holding a 2.5-8X36 Leupold VX3.

The closer I get to having all the parts on hand for my build the more I'm having second thoughts on the chambering I wanted. The main purpose I have for this rifle is hunting here in Colorado on game up to elk size. I've killed all my elk in the past with either a .270 or .30-06 and I keep thinking that might be the better route to go vs. the .338-06?

I presently have a Parker Hale 1200 in .270, JC Higgins FN .30-06, and 1903 sporter in .338-06. So I'm familiar with all three cartridges but probably the most familiar with the .270 as it was my only rifle for several years. The .338-06 has been the rifle I've used the least hunting because it is heavier than my other rifles and have only taken a pronghorn with it.

 

[DrMike]

Any of the three will work for the task you envision. I do like the 338-06, especially because it is not as common. Chambering that cartridge will certainly draw admiring looks, and it will give you opportunity to work up loads that are less utilised.

 

[Kodiak]

Now you're talkin' ! Very handy caliber, well suited for many game animals.

When my new 30-06 Savage rifle gets here, I will have a switch-barrel made for it in .338-06. Great caliber.

Jim

 

[SJB358]

If you are building the rifle for elk, I would almost always give the 338-06 the nod over a 30-06 or 270. Just mental math, but a 210 PT or 200 AB at around 2700 matches the 30-06 and 180 for trajectory and hits with more juice. I love the bigger calibers on the 30-06 case. They just seem to be pleasant to load for and really produce better than they should. Any of the cartridges you mentioned are great ones, but the 338-06 is a champ in my eyes. Very versatile and just a hammer. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I'd build it as a .30-06, but that's me. I'm kind of impressed with the good old .30-06, always have been. With a good .30-06, a guy doesn't really need much else for most hunting.

If you want to make bigger holes, go for the .338 bore. The .338-06 does have a lot going for it.

There - that was helpful eh? :grin:

 

[gerry]

Depending on what you have for other guns how about considering a 35 Whelen or 9.3x62?

 

[257 Ackley]

If you are building the rifle for elk, I would almost always give the 338-06 the nod over a 30-06 or 270. Just mental math, but a 210 PT or 200 AB at around 2700 matches the 30-06 and 180 for trajectory and hits with more juice. I love the bigger calibers on the 30-06 case. They just seem to be pleasant to load for and really produce better than they should. Any of the cartridges you mentioned are great ones, but the 338-06 is a champ in my eyes. Very versatile and just a hammer. Scotty

I thought my rifle in that caliber was only good for squirrels!!

The 338-06 is an excellent elk rifle for shots less than 400 yards with the 210 PT bullet IMO. I have only hunted moose and deer with mine, but it has served well every time the trigger was squeezed. I use Nosler 30-06 brass and do the sizing in one pass. R15 has proven to be the best powder for accuracy with velocity through the chrony at 2765.

The only advantage I can see for the .270 or 30-06 would be if you forget your loaded ammo at home and have to buy some where you are hunting...haven't seen any store bought 338-06 ammo anywhere yet :lol:

 

[6mm Remington]

How about a .280 Remington? You don't have one of those yet!! :lol: The 280 with a 140, 150, or 160 gr. bullet is something special, at least in my opinion. It too has the cool factor of not everyone around has one, but they really should it's that good. You need a 280 Remington my friend. :shock: Yes you could even go a little bit more exotic and get the 280AI. Either one would work very well for your hunting needs.

I do have to agree with Guy though in that with the ones you listed and only looking at those, I too would go 30-06, 338-06, then 270. Sorry Scotty! :mrgreen:

Now did I make the waters murky for you?
David

 

[JD338]

taylorce1

There is magic with the 338 cal. :wink:
The 338-06 loaded with a 210 gr PT will cover anything you would ever hunt in NA. The 338 210 gr PT has a BC of .400 making it a flat shooting bullet that hits hard and it penetrates deep.
You can also do a 338-06AI and be very close to 338 Win Mag performance with eccellent case life. If I am not mistaken, my gunshith has a 338-06AI and pushed the 210 gr PT at 2900 fps.

JD338

 

[BK]

Dang, thought I might beat David to the .280 advice.

From the "Do as I say, not as I do" department, I would skip the .270, I just don't like it. The '06 is a classic, but you already have one, an it didn't sound like you have any real issues with it.

If it were me, I'd start looking for a CRF M70 to build the lighter .338-06 on, and build a .280/.280AI on the PF action.

But I've been known to over think things

 

[BK]

BTW, who's doing the work?

 

[taylorce1]

I have larger rifles in .35 Whelen and .375 Ruger, but I like the .338-06 better. I've got 200 grain Hornady's to 2900 fps, 200 grain AB to 2800, and 180 grain AB to 3000 and done better than MOA with current .338-06 for three shot groups. But when I hunt I keep taking one of my .30 cal or smaller hunting, that is the reason I think that I might be heading the wrong direction with the .338-06.

While I'm not knocking the .280 Rem, I've owned one and a 7mm-08, .280 GNR and two 7mm RM and sold or rebarreled every one. I can't argue with the 7mm performance, but I've never found any of the above cartridges to out perform my .270 or .30-06 except on paper. So far my .270 has proven to be far more accurate with bullets ranging from 130-150 grains than any of my 7mm's did. So I doubt I'll ever try another 7mm cartridge again unless it is give to me.

My main reson for building a new .338-06 is that while I love shooting the cartridge, I don't like to carry my current rifle chasing elk in the mountains. I can't see owning a rifle that I don't like to carry, regardless of how much I like to shoot it.

 

[SJB358]

I think you are talking yourself into the 270 or 30-06. Although, I wouldn't be scared of a lighter 338-06. My Whelen is pretty light, but with 250's at 2650, it is a great hammer out to 400 yards on any elk. Thinking I might back it down to 225's with the AB's and see what it does. The 338-06 would be just as nice with the 210's or 200's though. I like the extra bullet weight, although, if you don't have issues with your 270, drive on. Nothing wrong with any of them at all. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Dang, thought I might beat David to the .280 advice.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :shock:

 

[taylorce1]

BTW, who's doing the work?

Sorry missed that question in my earlier reply. I'm sure Kevin Weaver of Weaver Rifles will get the nod on this build. Kevin is just a super awesome guy to work with.

If it were me, I'd start looking for a CRF M70 to build the lighter .338-06 on, and build a .280/.280AI on the PF action.

Why would you do a CRF action over the push feed for a .338-06? The whole reason for using the 670 action is because I have it and it needed to be restocked anyway. I could always hold out for a CRF action but the problem I have with that is that the prices guys are asking for used CRF Winchesters for a few dollars more I can buy a new FWT rifle in two out of the three chamberings I'm looking at.

 

[BK]

Well, as I said, I tend to overthink things. I'm sure the push feed will be perfect, I am just becoming more infatuated with the controlled feed Winchesters. I mean, what the heck, my Whelen is a Remington 700 fer crying out loud. And maybe I'm going out of my way to find new projects.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I'm currently torn between a 338-06 and a 35Whelen for my next rifle. I cannot think of any reason to not complete your current plan. The 338-06 trumps the -06 and the 270 for your intended course of action. I own and love both the 270 and 30-06 but feel that a 338-06 suits an elk hunter better.

Go for it!!

 

[jmad_81]

I have a buddy that has a 338-06 AI and he really likes it. Whacks bears and elk with it, and it sure seems to do the trick for him.

 

[Jerry 919]

JD338,

Could not resist posting this for you.

Nosler Model 48 Legacy .338-06 A-Square
Leupold VXIII 2.5-8X36

Including break-in has (49) rounds down the barrel.

Nosler Brass
Federal 210 Gold Medal Match
52.0 grains RL 15
Nosler 200 grain E-Tip
2875 FPS
.300" three shot group @ 100 yards.
1.9 inches hight at 100 yards, dead on at 200 yards.

By jl280 at 2011-12-04

By jl280 at 2011-12-04

By jl280 at 2011-12-04

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

 

[BK]

Jerry,
Nice looking stick and nice digs.