Ist Post- My One Hunting Rifle Answer For All, I know!

22” for mine as well. But don’t hold me to that. I’m away from home and would need to put a tape on it. Either way, you’ll be close.
 
SJB358 said:
I can’t see any real difference between the two. It’s a tiny difference even on paper.
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My main reason is headspace, I like the sharper shoulder, I also know the less body taper and sharper shoulder aid less brass stretching on all my other AI cartridges. I
More shoulder is another reason I chose the 338 over the whelen. Same brass, same caliber same powder and bullets, but the AI is better looking to my eye, why date anything less than the prom queen, when your the only one controlling her?
 
Anything in the .338 realm will work fine in my humble opinion.

I’m a fan of the .338 Win Mag for everything from moose down to antelope. I only went with a .375 because I’m planning on hunting Cape Buffalo. That and because I found a left hand, CRF, stainless version. I have a friend that stopped a charge by a Cape Buffalo on a plains game hunt using a .338 Win Mag so I know it works even if not legal for hunting them.

I think the .338 has been far too often overlooked for its versatility by the American gun/hunting community. It’s a real shame.

Vince
 
Take a look some time at the .318 Westley Richards cartridge. For all practical purposes it just a .338-08 with IIRC .333" bullet rather than .338". Even the brass looks like it may have started out as a 30-06. If you can find a copy of AFRICAN RIFLES and CARTRIDGES by John Taylor, it seems that him being a big bore type of guy kind of damned the cartridge with faint praise. What the problem was too many were using it on elephant and Cape Buffalo and getting stomped into mud mixed jelly. I debated for a long time between the 338-06 and .35 Whelen and when Remington legitimized the Whelen that's the route I took. My custom Mauser that I found at a gun show in the .35 turned out to be quite accurate with anything I tried and scary accurate with the Barnes 225 gr. TSX. I've taken elk with it from about 75 yards out to 250 yards and nary a complaint from any of the elk. No complaints from me.
Paul B.
 
I really liked my 338 Win Mags. Had great success on elk, grizzly, and bison with them (not to mention moose and black bear too).
My first rifle was an older LH Model 700 BDL w/ a hard recoil pad. Shooting 20 rounds from the bench left me sore and bruised. After changing to the LimbSaver pad, 60 rounds and I wasn't bruised and nowhere as nearly sore! Then when I had shoulder issues, I sold it and built the 338-06 for even more felt recoil reduction. Got that, and still had great performance from a 338!

I had actually used and hunted with a friend's 35 Whelen before building the 338-06...but since he and another friend both had 35 Whelens, and I always like something a little different, and really liked the 338, I went with the 338-06. And as Weatherby had just made it legitimate and had ammo, I went this route. Don't get me wrong...I like the 35 cals too, having had great success already with the BLR in 358 Win...and now having a LH bolt action too...I just like the 338 a little bit better. (My personal opinion) I also now have 2 338 Federal rifles; a lever action and a bolt action! And I were to ever consider a fast 338 cal, it would most likely be a 340 Wby. (But this unlikely as I am really enjoying the 338 Federal, and my average shot distance on game is just 132 yards...so the extra reach isn't necessary.
 
I guess I wasn't quite clear in my post so I thought I would clarify that I wasn't referring to a standard 35 Whelen but an Ackley improved version of the Whelen with the 40-degree shoulder.
I wanted something different then an off the rack rifle.
Quick load tweaked using CFE223 and 225 Nosler PTs 24" barrel 62K psi 2850fps 10shot average MV M70 barreled action with 375 H&H mag box and Wby style free bore throat so I could set the bullet out in the neck and not compress the powder charge. Quick load said this load was at 61k so it still had room for more powder.
200gr bullets would launch over 3000fps with my loads and not reach max pressure.
Since this load was developed strictly for my rifle, I won't divulge the powder charge since I don't want someone blowing up a rifle trying to duplicate my results.
After playing with my 338Win mag I don't think I could be satisfied with a 338-06 unless I couldn't physically handle the recoil anymore.
Maybe a 338 PRC would be nice.
 
wildcatter said:
My main reason is headspace, I like the sharper shoulder, I also know the less body taper and sharper shoulder aid less brass stretching on all my other AI cartridges. I
More shoulder is another reason I chose the 338 over the whelen. Same brass, same caliber same powder and bullets, but the AI is better looking to my eye, why date anything less than the prom queen, when your the only one controlling her?
Click to expand...
All good reasons in my book.
 
Man, all this 338/06 cartridge talk had me looking at a 22” Benchmark CF 1:9.5” .338 blank I could spin onto my Terminus Kratos 280AI.

That said, my neck is sore just looking down at this moment reminding me why I sold all my .338’s!

Over ten years ago I converted my 338 LM TRG/42 to a 8” twist 300 Norma Magnum because of the headaches I was getting. That too went on the auction block because of my neck issues shooting prone at the NF ELR Matches for four years.

As much as I’d like it, especially for a hunting rifle, my neck would hate me!
 
They say that with age comes wisdom. Sometimes I wonder??? In five months I'll be 87. I've been thinkking about stuff like recoil and potential bodily damage, especially things like a potentially detached retina. Can't shoot if you're blind and I'm too damned old to try to shoot left handed if the right eye gives out. I've already retired the really hard kickers like the .416 Rigby and 404 Jefferey an even the .375 H&H which I dearly love. The .35 Whelen has been my lucky elk rifle for some tome with the 30-06 and .300 Win.Mag. sometimes standing in. Their retirement is imminent.

I'm seriously thinking about limiting even the 30-06, 308 and ..270 although I don't consider them excessive in the recoil department but you never know. I'll probably limit my centerfire shooting to the 7x57 Mauser round as I can load it up to the 7-08 level and use heavier bullets or use lighter bullets loaded to current light levels as dictated by SAAMI due to weaker rifles. A 150 gr. Nosler Partition at 2800 FPS or 160 gr. Speer Hot Core or Grand Slam at 2600 FPS should suffice for anything up to elk size that I may hunt. After all, Bell took someting like 800 of his 1,100 elephants with a 7x57 and 173 gr. FMJ bullets at 2300 FPS. I know I can run a 170 gr. Sierra round nose to at least 2500 FPS and take down a deer or elk. Besides, there are no Grizzly Bears or moose anywhere that I might go hunt. Maybe a Black Bear or Mountain lion would be about the most dangerous thing I might run into and they usually run away.
Paul B.
 
PJGunner said:
They say that with age comes wisdom. Sometimes I wonder??? In five months I'll be 87. I've been thinking about stuff like recoil and potential bodily damage, especially things like a potentially detached retina. Can't shoot if you're blind and I'm too damned old to try to shoot left handed if the right eye gives out. I've already retired the really hard kickers like the .416 Rigby and 404 Jefferey an even the .375 H&H which I dearly love. The .35 Whelen has been my lucky elk rifle for some tome with the 30-06 and .300 Win.Mag. sometimes standing in. Their retirement is imminent.

I'm seriously thinking about limiting even the 30-06, 308 and ..270 although I don't consider them excessive in the recoil department but you never know. I'll probably limit my centerfire shooting to the 7x57 Mauser round as I can load it up to the 7-08 level and use heavier bullets or use lighter bullets loaded to current light levels as dictated by SAAMI due to weaker rifles. A 150 gr. Nosler Partition at 2800 FPS or 160 gr. Speer Hot Core or Grand Slam at 2600 FPS should suffice for anything up to elk size that I may hunt. After all, Bell took something like 800 of his 1,100 elephants with a 7x57 and 173 gr. FMJ bullets at 2300 FPS. I know I can run a 170 gr. Sierra round nose to at least 2500 FPS and take down a deer or elk. Besides, there are no Grizzly Bears or moose anywhere that I might go hunt. Maybe a Black Bear or Mountain lion would be about the most dangerous thing I might run into and they usually run away.
Paul B.
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If I was building this for deer, mountain lions, black bear, even caribou, and wanted to stay withing 300 to 400 yards, I'd not think about the 338 in the first place. The 257 Roberts Ackley Imp. is plenty of gun for any of these animals out to those ranges, which would probably an exception to a normal range inside 300 yards. But then it would be pretty anemic for Moose or Elk, let alone brown bear or other large bovine and dangerous game.

But the 257 Roberts barrel will be ordered soon for this rifle after the 338 is up and ready, then I might be over gunned for some, but capable for all I will ever get the chance to use it for. One thing is for sure, if I can, I will! I aint setting on the couch because it might happen. I will live life full speed, always have, and yes, I have plenty of screws rods titanium and stainless along witlh fusions to hold me together. But trust me, if they ever dig me up and run an autopsy it will be obvious, This body lived life to the fullest,,, and when I do hit that hole in the ground, I hope to hit on a dead run sliding in and screaming DANM,,, WHAT A RIDE!!

Having to retire at the young age of 37 after a 42 foot head first fall doing my job as an Ironworker, I made one decision, God put me on this earth to live enjoying all he blessed us with, and anytime he decides, is when it all comes to an end. Until then I will live it thanking him for all he gave me to enjoy!! From all I have read, he never asked us to throw in the towel or say I can't it's to tough, in fact from what I have found, he has instructed us to live what he gave us to the fullest! Thank God, I intend to!
 
Tonight as I sit here rereading this thread and thinking about my 338's as we plan for our return trip to Africa, where eland is on my list, I keep thinking should I take the 338 Federal, or the 338-06? 🤔

I still need to work up that load in the 338 Federal with the 200 gr AccuBond, and a load for the 338-06 with the 225 gr AccuBond.
The advantage goes to the 338-06 and the higher velocity and energy...and the SD for better penetration:
  • 338 Federal @ close to 2700 fps and over 3100 ft. lbs of energy, SD of 0.250. Reliable expansion out to 400 yards and still packing over 1600 ft. lbs of energy.
    • The advantage is a light rifle for longer tracking stalks if necessary, and the con is no open sights for backup.
  • 338-06 @ over 2700 fps and almost 3700 ft. lbs of energy, SD of 0.281. It will retain 2000 fps and 2000 ft. lbs of energy at 500 yards.
    • The advantage is open sights and QR rings and bases for backup, and the con is a heavier rifle (by 1 1/4 lbs due to heavier barrel and laminated stock) for longer tracking stalks if necessary.
Either way, I will be shooting off of sticks, and the shot shouldn't be too long...so even if presented a long shot of 300 yards, even the Federal will still be packing almost 2000 ft. lbs of energy. It would just be more comforting to have the additional penetration capability with the 338-06's heavier bullet's higher SD and about 600 extra ft. lbs of energy. (Not overkill on the largest antelope that can weigh up to 1800 lbs!) Both rifles have scopes with B&C reticles so there will be no guessing for holdover should the shot be at 300 years (or more).

For those of you who have taken eland, what is your recommendation?
 
I have been a 35Whelen fan for over 40 years and have found it to be plenty of gun for anything Alaska has to offer. That being said if I were to build another gun in this size range the 338-06 would be hard to beat. For me the selling point for the 338 is the far greater bullet selection. With a good bullet the 338 is plenty for even the biggest of bears.
 
FNWhelen said:
I have been a 35Whelen fan for over 40 years and have found it to be plenty of gun for anything Alaska has to offer. That being said if I were to build another gun in this size range the 338-06 would be hard to beat. For me the selling point for the 338 is the far greater bullet selection. With a good bullet the 338 is plenty for even the biggest of bears.
Click to expand...
Not pulling the trigger on this rifle yet, or game animals, which is even more telling, I'm still hoping my decision is right. The 35 Whelan was the only other caliber I had on my list of possibles. I am sure if this was only going to be used for elk and larger game intentions, the 35 would have been the choice I went with.

But I'm not much on using anything bigger than needed for anything. I like finesse, light, efficient, from my tools to my fishing gear. I don't use a 6wt fly rod for panfish and small trout, I don't use a 10" crescent wrench for 3/8 or 1/2 inch bolt heads and nuts, I don't use a 458 or 45/70 for varmint or deer. I just hope I am as happy with this rifle as I have been using this logic for all my other needs in every other craft I participate in.

I built a new rifle for a walking varmint rig with the goal of finesse taking pests to coyote size inside 250 yards a couple years ago. I chose a 17 Mach IV, for reasons having nothing to do with reason. I built it because I acquired a 17 cal barrel that was made my budy Ron Pence some 25 or more years ago, a true hand rifled barrel from the most skilled barrel maker I have encountered in my 70 years. 55 of those shooting and having custom firearms built to my likings. The reason I bought the barrel is not because it was 17 cal, but it is the only to obtain one of these supreme barrels as Ron has not made one in over 25 years!

I picked the 17 Mach IV chambering because it was Rons favorite. He thought it was the most efficient little 17 ever designed. It did everything the larger cased 17's did without the woes of those shooting over 4100 fps, like bullet blowups on unscene grass weeds even small rain drops and still do anything they could at 250 or less yards. Giving up nothing to shooting flat at those distances, and little in wind reading.

This kinda came into this line of thought, and why I chose this 338/06 the AI is only for convenience and better headspacing, with better brass life and less trimming. I'm sure the first time I take a shot at an Elk or anything larger, on a crest and see it drop down the other side of it, I will be even more in question of did I choose enough gun. I just hope reaching the crest I find I did, and hope there was not a deep canyon on the other side? I hope I find the same thing I did with that little 17 Mach IV, a very efficient tool to do a very efficient job. I just love using no more than necessary for anything I do!

Like the 17 cal, the 35 is one I have zero experience with in all the years and the 100's of rifles and hand canons I have played with, making it even more of mystery why I didn't try the 35 Whelen for this go around, since I have had the 338 WM, maybe because of the experience I had with that 338 win mag, maybe I just wanted better manners from the same caliber? But until then, every mention of the 35 Whelen will bring question into this decision.
 
Welcome! I also shoot a 338-06 Ackley Improved and will be interested in how your project comes together. I believe you will like it as you would have a .35 Whelen or .35 Whelen Ackley too. Please post some pictures when you complete the build.
 
The late gun writer Finn Aagaard wrote an article where he took two FN Mauser actions, had one barreled to the 338-06 and the other to the .35 Whelen, both having the same barrel lengths and compared the two. He said it was six on one and a falf dozen of the other but in the end felt that the 338-06 was very slightly better. I forget what he based his reasoning but that was his opinion. I've often thought of doing a 338-06 build but as I already have the .35 Whelen just never bothered.
The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake." and you won't get an argument from me. I als think the same could be said for the 338-06 and .35 Whelen, depending your choice and where you live. I have three rifles chambered to the .35 Whelen, two factory jobs and one very nice custom I found at a gun show. The custom has a 1 in 14" twist barrel and will run the 225 gr. TSX into tiny groups at 2710 FPS at the muzzle. The two factory rifles have a 1 in 16" twist barrels but do not like that TSX bullet, yet group nicely with 250 gr. bullets, either round nose or spitzer. I usually run them at about 2550 FPS. I have a small amount of the now very long gone Hornady 275 gr. round nose bullets but so far haven't tried them in any of my rifles. I'd be surprised if they worked in a 1 in 16" barrel but think they'd be fine in the 1 in 14" barrel.
Paul B.
 
338 offers a wide range of bullets from paper punching to large game , its hard to ignore.
When I picked up my 338 WM it put to rest an idea of a 338-06.
 
PJGunner said:
The late gun writer Finn Aagaard wrote an article where he took two FN Mauser actions, had one barreled to the 338-06 and the other to the .35 Whelen, both having the same barrel lengths and compared the two. He said it was six on one and a falf dozen of the other but in the end felt that the 338-06 was very slightly better. I forget what he based his reasoning but that was his opinion. I've often thought of doing a 338-06 build but as I already have the .35 Whelen just never bothered.
The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake." and you won't get an argument from me. I als think the same could be said for the 338-06 and .35 Whelen, depending your choice and where you live. I have three rifles chambered to the .35 Whelen, two factory jobs and one very nice custom I found at a gun show. The custom has a 1 in 14" twist barrel and will run the 225 gr. TSX into tiny groups at 2710 FPS at the muzzle. The two factory rifles have a 1 in 16" twist barrels but do not like that TSX bullet, yet group nicely with 250 gr. bullets, either round nose or spitzer. I usually run them at about 2550 FPS. I have a small amount of the now very long gone Hornady 275 gr. round nose bullets but so far haven't tried them in any of my rifles. I'd be surprised if they worked in a 1 in 16" barrel but think they'd be fine in the 1 in 14" barrel.
Paul B.
Click to expand...
I remember that article Paul.

JD338
 
Great read on your thought process and decision to just go with a 338-06AI/257 BobAI combo. Perhaps adding a barrel
for the 284AI would/could even out that huge gap between .257 to .338. After such a thorough analysis of your next
build, it begs the question: WHAT ABOUT GLASS? As a member of the senior generation myself, I can count on one
hand the last time IRON SIGHTS were used, and having a scope on everything in the stable (excepting Model 8-35Rem),
it almost seems a scope is de rigueur.
 
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